Waxhaw is home to South Providence School. It is an alternative school for students in grades six through 12 with challenges in traditional school settings. We serve students who require a smaller, more personalized educational environment.
Mrs. Diaz grew up in Massachusetts. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Nichols College, a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Professional Credential for RtI for Social and Emotional Behaviors from Western Carolina University, and Add-On Licensure for School Administration from Wingate University. She served nearly eight years in the military and three years in the business sector before transitioning into education.
Her teaching career began in Holyoke, Massachusetts where she taught middle school math for three years. After moving to the Carolinas in 2011, she spent a year as a Title I tutor in CMS. In 2012, she made the move to UCPS and started working as an EC teacher at South Providence School. In 2021, she was named the Assistant Principal of South Providence School. She is thrilled to have been named the principal of South Providence School in March of 2024!
She is incredibly passionate about alternative education and serving students who need a non-traditional learning environment. She wants to build an equitable, inclusive and supportive learning environment where students are empowered to make positive change.
Mr. Jon Griffith is an educational leader with 17 years of experience in education. Mr. Griffith completed his bachelor’s in history with a minor in education from the University of Syracuse at Utica College in 2005. He then completed his master’s in educational leadership from Utica College in 2014, and finished his second master’s in curriculum development and instructional technology from SUNY at Albany online in 2022.
Mr. Griffith began his career teaching social studies in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in 2007. Relocating to his home state of New York, Mr. Griffith worked with the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES for 10 years. During that time, Mr. Griffith taught Social Studies 6–12 within the alternative education program Pathways in Ilion, N.Y. Mr. Griffith moved to District Administrative offices of Instructional Support working as a staff developer and curriculum design and support specialist, closely working with districts across the state in collaboration with NYSED.
In February 2022, Mr. Griffith relocated with his family back to North Carolina. For the past two years, Mr. Griffith has been at West Mecklenburg High School as a classroom teacher, instructional facilitator, then Dean of Students. Mr. Griffith joins the South Providence team carrying a positive impact of instructional and administrative experience. Specifically, experience with students in alternative educational settings.
Personally, Mr. Griffith enjoys kayaking and other outdoor activities. And spending time with his sons, wife, and three pets.
