Principal Page

Image of Principal McNeely

My name is Kate McNeely and I am so excited to be the principal of Big Island Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year!


A little of my background, I was born and raised in Bedford and I am a proud graduate of Liberty High School! From there I went to college in Nashville, TN at Vanderbilt University.  As a teacher, I have taught in Alaska, South Carolina, Charlottesville, and Chesapeake, VA.  I earned a master's in administration from the University of Virginia.  I moved back to Bedford in 2019 where I taught at FMS, worked as a competency designer, and then became the principal at the Alternative Education Center.  


I live in the town of Bedford right around the corner from my parents with my husband, son, and yellow lab. We love being back in Bedford County and I am thrilled to join the team at Big Island!


I am a student-focused educator whose top priority is the safety and well-being of all students.  I know that Big Island is full of dedicated and incredibly successful educators, staff, students, parents, and community partners.  I look forward to learning from and supporting their vision of developing life-long learners who will become successful community members who are able to address the issues of a constantly changing society.


Email: [email protected]