Today's Choice for Tomorrow's Future

Assistant Principals

Mrs. Niznik
(NiznikV@lake.k12.fl.us)

Mrs. Niznik has worked in the educational field for 29 years in various roles. Her passion for teaching, learning, and leading grows stronger each year. It is an honor to be at this great school where learning is approached with great passion by adults and students alike.

Mrs. Niznik believes that it is extremely important that members of the school community all work together to insure that our children reach their potential. She believes that all of us, the school and the community, must work together in an extended family environment to insure success for all our students. It is everyone's responsibility to empower children with the creative, intellectual, and decision-making skills necessary for them to become academically, socially, physically, emotionally successful and responsible. With that in mind, you are invited to be an active participant at Carver Middle. Whether you are a volunteer, parent, extended family member, you are encouraged to be involved!

We are well aware that your most cherished possessions will be in our hands every day. Because of this, we want you to know that we take our responsibility as educators very seriously.  We will do everything in our power to make sure your child feels respected, safe, happy and successful. With all of us working together – parents, teachers, staff and students- the coming year will result in the realization of your hopes and dreams for your children’s learning.  We hope you are as excited as we are for a great year!

Our goal is to be the destination school in Lake County that draws out the best in every child.

Dr. Thornton
(ThorntonN@lake.k12.fl.us)

Dr. Nicole C. Thornton was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and is a product of the New York City Department of Education. She initially thought that she would become a writer, but after graduating from Brooklyn College with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, she took a different path into retail management. After 10 years spent successfully managing several retail stores, she felt the calling to become a teacher, and moved to Florida in pursuit of her new career.

She entered the educational field in 2003, as a high school English and Intensive Reading teacher with Marion County Public Schools. With the support of her administrators, she pursued a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and graduated in 2007. After seeking opportunities outside of the classroom, in 2011, she became a dean at a middle school, followed by a position as a testing coordinator for a high school, and then a district level position working with a small team to help create over 500 local-end-of-course examinations. Upon completion of her master’s degree, she applied and was accepted into the doctoral program for Educational Administration in 2007. She successfully defended her dissertation in December 2011 and graduated in 2012 with her Doctorate in Educational Administration from Walden University. Dr. Thornton’s dissertation focused on the use of differentiated strategies with struggling adolescent readers, and literacy is a topic in which she feels quite strongly about.

In August 2015, Dr. Thornton became an Assistant Principal at a middle school with Marion County Public Schools, where she used her previous experiences to serve as an instructional leader for teachers, build relationships with students, and foster connections with outside stakeholders. Dr. Thornton, subsequently moved to Levy County in 2018, where she served as a middle school counselor, and the ESOL Coordinator. In 2020, she was named the District Teacher of the Year, representing Levy County Public Schools. Dr. Thornton is passionate about the education of today's youth, and her objective as an administrator is to provide educational experiences for students that will help them to develop socially and emotionally. Furthermore, the implementation of instructional programs to ensure proficiency in content area standards, and skills is an integral part of her position which extends beyond the workday. In this age of accountability, through governmental controls, legislative regulation, community expectations, and parental demands, the stakes have increased for students, teachers, and administrators to meet high standards of learning and instruction.

Dr. Thornton is extremely excited to join the Raider Nation!

Mrs. Wright
(WrightT4@lake.k12.fl.us)

Mrs. Wright was born and raised in West Michigan. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Special Education at Aquinas College and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University.

Mrs. Wright spent several years as a Special Education Teacher, followed by 20 years as a School Principal in Michigan. In 2022, Mrs. Wright and her family relocated to the Lake County area.