{"biography":"Carmen Owens Garland is the incumbent principal of Peachtree Elementary School and is running for a seat on the Cherokee County Board of Education, District\u202fII in the 2026 general election.  Board members in Cherokee County are responsible for setting district policy, approving the annual budget, overseeing curriculum and instructional standards, and representing the interests of families and staff within their district.\n\nGarland has been a North Carolina educator since 1999.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Western Carolina University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from East Tennessee State University, and a second master\u2019s degree in Educational Administration from Western Carolina University, later achieving National Board Certification\u202f[11].  Her early career began as a kindergarten teacher at Hiwassee Dam Elementary School, followed by teaching positions at Ranger Elementary/Middle School.  She subsequently served as the Gifted Lead for Cherokee County Schools (CCS) K\u201112, and held roles as Instructional Coach, STEAM Lead, Director of Gifted, and Director of Curriculum before becoming principal of Peachtree Elementary\u202f[11].\n\nAs principal, Garland emphasizes a safe, caring, and respectful learning environment and maintains an open\u2011door policy for parents, students, and community members.  She highlights her deep ties to the local community, noting that she graduated from Murphy High School (MHS) and has a supportive family that shares her commitment to education\u202f[11].\n\nGarland\u2019s candidacy is positioned on her extensive experience within the Cherokee County school system, her leadership in curriculum development and gifted education, and her ongoing involvement with families and staff at Peachtree Elementary.  She seeks to bring that experience to the Board of Education to influence district\u2011wide decisions on policy, budgeting, and instructional quality.\n\n## Sources\n- [11] [Principal, Peachtree Elementary School \u2013 Principal, Mrs. Carmen Garland \u2013 Peachtree Elementary School](https://pes.cherokee.k12.nc.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=3514366&type=d&pREC_ID=2395445)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_i","county":"cherokee","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Cherokee County Board Of Education District Ii"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Carmen","fullname":"Carmen Owens Garland","lastname":"Garland","middlename":"Owens","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_school_board_district_i","contest_title":"Cherokee County Board Of Education District Ii","county":"cherokee","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"cherokee","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"UNA","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":"cherokee","cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"county_school_board_district_i","contest_title":"Cherokee County Board Of Education District Ii","county":"cherokee","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":"cherokee","office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","party":"UNA","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"UNA","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"county_school_board","office_title":"County School Board Member","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Carmen Owens Garland, Peachtree Elementary principal, is running for Cherokee County Board of Education District\u202fII.","terms":[],"token":"009e9217cd1b4bf6"}