As a part of the restructuring that is taking place this year due to a wave of retirements within the Suffolk Public Schools system, Northern Shores Elementary School will get a new principal soon.

Tara Moore, assistant principal at Creekside Elementary, will be filling the vacant principal position at Northern Shores as of July 19.

“I sign a contract every year saying I believe in the education going on here,” Moore said. “I am excited about the position, and just like every year this is another year I’ll be signing to that. It’s all about the success of the children. That’s why we’re in education.”

Leigh Bennett is moving from her job as principal of Northern Shores to fill the role human resources director, which was left vacant by the retirement of Karen Brickey.

Moore has been an educator for 18 years, 13 of them in the Suffolk Public School System.

Having earned her bachelor’s degree at Old Dominion University and master’s degree from the University of Virginia, Moore began teaching in Southampton County, became a classroom teacher at Elephant’s Fork Elementary and then became the science lead teacher. She has been serving for the past two years as an assistant principal.

In all her positions, Moore has strived to make connections in three places.

“I love building relationships with my students, staff and community,” she said. “I truly enjoy my interaction with students on a daily basis. I love letting them know I care, but that I have expectations. I ride my buses and go out into the community. I pride myself on the fact that my students know who I am.”

During her time in Suffolk, she has worked on several district-wide committees, assisted in the development of the current writing curriculum, served as the local chairman of the March for Dimes and implemented “Science Circus” and the second-grade “Farm Day.”

The key to doing her job is remembering why she does it, she said.

“It’s about being visible and in the classrooms,” Moore said. “Again, children are the reason we’re in education. I always knew I wanted to be in education. It was my niche. Now, it can be hard not to get caught up in the paperwork but taking a walk into the classrooms and cafeteria is a constant reminder about the reason I’m here.”