Skip to main content

Mountain View Elementary

Engage. Inspire. Empower.

Popular Links

  1. About Us
  2. School Leadership

School Leadership

A Message from our Principal

A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera.

Dear Mountain View Parents, Guardians, and Students,

We could not be more excited for another amazing school year at Mountain View and helping students grow together and blossom bright!

Just like a garden where each plant grows and thrives with care and attention, our school community is poised to nurture every student's potential and watch them flourish throughout the year.  Just as seeds are planted with hope and anticipation, we eagerly anticipate the growth and development of each student academically, socially, and emotionally.

 At MVES, we believe in challenging young minds by striving to grow in academics, but we also know that planting kindness and teaching students to “be-leaf” in themselves is equally important to ensure tomorrow’s leaders have flourishing futures.

I invite you to join us in this journey of growth and exploration. Your partnership is invaluable as we work together to ensure that every child at MVES has the opportunity to blossom into their full potential. At Mountain View, our roots run deep, but our love for our students and our school family runs deeper!

 
Heather H. Houser,  Principal Mountain View Elementary School

Meet our Administrative Team

  • A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera.Meet Heather H. Houser, Principal

    Heather Houser
    Principal,  Mountain View Elementary School
    Email

     

    Joined Team CCS - August 2003

    Experience 
    I have spent the last 21 years in public education. After graduating from UCA Asheville in 2003 with a degree in literature and secondary education, I started my teaching career at Bandys High School as an English Teacher and the Varsity Volleyball Coach. After five years of teaching, I became the Assistant Principal at Sherrills Ford Elementary, under Principal Shelly Black. After three years at Sherrills Ford, I received my first principalship at Union Elementary in Lincoln County and spent seven years there before coming back home to Catawba County Schools. I have spent the last six years at Mountain View Elementary as principal. 

    Education 
    B.A. Literature, University of North Carolina Asheville
    M.A. School Administration, Gardner Webb University 

    Why I Became an Educator
    My high school principal, Debbie Long, influenced me to pursue my dream of being a principal. As a child, I always played school and I never even considered any other job than becoming a teacher. After having Ms. Long as my principal at Maiden High, I knew I wanted to become a leader like her. I was a three sport athlete in high school, and at the time, it wasn’t a common practice for an administrator to come to sporting events, especially female sporting events. Ms. Long came to every single game we had - home or away. I remember looking up into the stands during a basketball game while playing at a school far away from Maiden and seeing her cheering us on. I also remember her taking the time to talk to me about a difficult decision she had to make. Instead of not listening to what a teenager had to say, she was attentive and understanding and allowed me to share my concerns openly. I watched her lead by example. She was always on the front line and never asked her staff to do something she wouldn’t do. I knew one day I wanted students to look up to me like I looked up to her. To this day, she still takes the time to encourage me and let me know how proud she is of me for pursuing my dreams!  

    Favorite Place in Catawba County
    My favorite place in Catawba County is being at the Maiden High School football stadium on a Friday night. I love to hear 2001:Space Odyssey come over the speakers, watch the boys in blue run out in smoke from the tunnel, and join in as the band and cheerleaders play the fight song. Of course, I'm a Foard Tiger fan too, so I'm always pulling for the girls and boys in light blue too!  

    Favorite Activities
    I love to run, kayak, and attend sporting events with my family.

    Something Unique About Me
    I have run three half marathons, and my favorite is the Rock-n-Roll Marathon in Savannah, Georgia!  There are bands at every mile!!

    Anything Else You Want Us To Know?
    My husband Caine, of 20 years, is the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Maiden High School. We have two children, Cooper and Cannyn.  
     

    I am beyond blessed to be a part of the Catawba County Schools team, because it was my dream to come home and give back to the same school system that made such a significant impact on my life during my elementary, middle and high school years. 

  • A woman with long blonde hair smiles directly at the camera.Meet Shelly Hagy, Assistant Principal

    Shelly Hagy
    Assistant Principal, Mountain View Elementary
    Email

    Joined Team CCS -  August 2017

    Experience
    This will be my fifteenth year in education.  I taught for eight years in the classroom -grades 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.  I worked with students and supported teachers in the Academic Facilitator role for four years.  This is my fourth year in the role of Assistant Principal.

    Education 
    Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education
    Masters Degree in Reading Education K-12
    Masters Degree in School Administration

    Why I became an educator
         I have always loved to read.  My love of reading allowed me to have a passion for teaching others to read.  After working with teachers in the Academic Facilitator role I quickly realized I have the passion to lead in a larger capacity as an administrator.

    Favorite Place in Catawba County
    Downtown Hickory

    Favorite Activities
    I love to spend time outdoors and with my family.  I also love to read and visit new places!

    Something Unique About Me
    I studied abroad in Costa Rica while in College.  I stayed with a family there in the small town of Sabanilla and had a great experience! 

    I am blessed to be back at Mountain View as the Assistant Principal!  I am committed to supporting staff, students and parents to ensure our continual success.  Once a wildcat, always a wildcat! 

Meet our Office Staff

  • Exterior view of a building with a stone facade and red trim, labeled 'Mountain View'.Meet Beth Shaffer, Data Manager

    Elizabeth Shaffer,
    Data Manager, Mountain View Elementary
    Email

    Joined Team CCS - August 2008

    Education 
    Attended UNC-Charlotte

    Favorite Activities
    I love traveling and spending time with my family.

     

  • Three people smile for a photo on a balcony overlooking a beach.Meet Debra Bryant, School Nurse

    DEBRA BRYANT
    School Nurse, Mountain View Elementary
    Email

    Joined Team CCS - April 2006

    Experience
    I have worked as a school nurse in Catawba County for over 14 years now.  I started my career in Pediatrics.  I have also worked in a newborn nursery, labor and delivery, post partum, and IV Therapy-Chemotherapy.  I have been staff nurse to charge nurse and lastly LPN instructor before joining the CCS team.

    Education
    Associate's and Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Marshall University                                                             MS in Adult Technical Education, Marshall University

    Why I became an educator
    Growing up I always loved babies and small children so I went to school to learn how to better take care of them.

    Favorite Place in Catawba County
    My favorite place in Catawba County is sitting on my back porch enjoying my family.

    Favorite Activities
    I love reading, listening to music, and scrapbooking.

     

    I joined  Team CCS to have the opportunity to work with an amazing team of talented and committed professionals that are providing a positive, safe, and healthy environment that improves the outcomes for children and families.

  • Exterior view of a building with a stone facade and red trim.Meet Anita Wilkinson, Secretary

    Anita Wilkinson
    Secretary, Mountain View Elementary
    Email

    Joined Team CCS - August 1997

    Experience

    I started working within the schools as a Community Schools afterschool care working in August 1992. While working within the Community Schools program I was able to become the site director at multiple schools. During my 5 years with Community Schools I went to school to earn an associate degree in Business administration. With having two little boys at this time I thought it would be a perfect time to work within the school so I applied for a teacher assistant job. Thanks to Mrs. Biggerstaff I was able to secure a teacher assistant position at Mountain View Elementary in August 1997. During my time as a teacher assistant I also was able to work as a technical service provider for the technology department and drive a bus. During the 2009 school year I was honored to represent Mountain View Elementary as the Teacher Assistant of the Year going on to be honor as Catawba County Teacher Assistant of the Year and District 7 Teacher Assistant. During the 2011-2012 school year the secretary position became open and I asked to transfer into that position. I am thankful for all the students, parents, and opportunities that I have had at my time at Mountain View.

    Education 
    Associate Degree in Business Administration

    Why I became an educator
    At the time I came to work at Catawba County Schools, I was working within the Community Schools after school program and attend school at CVCC. I really wanted to work on the same schedule as my children and I loved the students and community of Mountain View Elementary. That is why I applied for the Teacher assistants job when it became available.

    Favorite Activities  
    I love the state parks and the greenways in the area. My husband and I enjoy going hiking and bike riding there