Administration:
Dawn Rookey, Principal
Dawn Rookey is a long-time resident of Buncombe County. She completed her BA and MA in English at Western Carolina University. Mrs. Rookey began teaching at Owen High School in 2001. She is a National Board Certified teacher who taught English II, III, IV and AP Language and Composition. In 2013, she was named the Buncombe County Schools’ Teacher of the Year. In 2018, she was awarded the Transforming Principal Preparation Grant, which fully funds a Master of School Administration and full-year internship. Mrs. Rookey left Owen High School in 2019 to work as an assistant principal intern at TC Roberson. In 2020, she completed her Master of School Administration from Western Carolina University and began working as an assistant principal at Enka High School. Mrs. Rookey is thrilled to return to the Valley, the place she calls home, to serve as the principal of Owen High School.
Contact: Dawn Rookey
Janet Greenhoe, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Greenhoe is a product of Buncombe County Schools and of the Swannanoa Valley and proud to say she is an old Warhorse! While in college at Gardner-Webb University, she majored in Biology with the goal of becoming a Physician’s Assistant. But an opportunity to tutor college athletes struggling in Biology 101 leading to a 180-degree career turn toward education and earning a BS in Biology and Education.
Contributing to the success of Buncombe County Schools is a family affair for the Greenhoe family. Both her husband Steve and her daughter Carrie proudly work for Buncombe County Schools. Carrie is a graduate of T. C. Roberson High School.
The 2023-2024 school year is year 42 for Mrs. Greenhoe. The first 26 years of her career were spent teaching science and math in alternative learning settings that included evening programs, career centers, and adjudicated youth. One of her former principals encouraged her to think about school administration. She completed her MSA through Western Carolina University and earned her Educational Sp`cialist degree from Gardner-Webb University. She has served as Assistant Principal in Buncombe County Schools at A. C. Reynolds High School and T. C. Roberson High School and as Principal of Community High.
As a lifelong learner, Mrs. Greenhoe is always amazed by what she learns from the students she works with every day. Her goal is to work collaboratively with students, staff, parents and the community as Owen High continues the Warhorse tradition of success.
Mrs. Greenhoe considers it an honor and privilege to be back home in Warhorse Country, where the entire community is dedicated to the success of all young Warhorses! She is looking forward to meeting and working with Owen students and their families. GO WARHORSES!!!
Contact: Janet Greenhoe
Ms. Kim Mason, Assistant Principal
Ms. Kim Mason has been an educator since 1999. Throughout her career she has taught Middle School Physical Education, coached multiple sports, been an Athletic Director, High School Assistant Principal, and Middle School Principal. She is from Statesville, NC where she attended South Iredell High School and played volleyball, basketball, softball, and ran cross country.
She attended Mars Hill University on a basketball scholarship, received her Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Mars Hill and then her Master of Arts in Administration from Western Carolina University.
Contact: Kim Mason
Ms. Samantha McIntosh, Assistant Principal
Mrs. McIntosh graduated from Owen High School and has always resided in Buncombe County. She completed her BA in Middle School Mathematics at Mars Hill University and obtained her Masters of School Administration at Western Carolina University. She previously taught math at the middle and high school levels and has experience with coaching at high school and elementary levels.
She began her administrative career with a full year internship as an Assistant Principal at A.C. Reynolds High School and landed back at her alma mater in 2021 as an Assistant Principal. She plans to continue her administrative career at Owen High School where she can be actively involved in making her school and community grow.
Mrs. McIntosh is a native of the Swannanoa Valley and she and her husband are raising two daughters in the Owen district. She is very involved in youth activities and sports around the Valley and building a strong community/school relationship.
Contact: Samantha McIntosh