Hello Culbreth Cougars!

My name is Luke Paulsen and I am your principal at Culbreth Middle School.

For those of you new to Chapel Hill,  I am originally from the great state of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!), went to St. Olaf College in Minnesota (Um Yah Yah!), and for the past twelve years have called North Carolina my home (Go Heels!). I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Latino Studies, dual masters degrees in Special Education and School Counseling, and an Ed.S in Educational Leadership at UNC. For the past 15 years I have served at schools in New York City, Alamance Burlington, and Orange County as a teacher, a school counselor, and an assistant principal. These great places introduced me to new people, big ideas and global concepts that have helped shape me into the person I am today.

I am also an avid reader of education and sports articles, former road biker turned trail rider, and pancake connoisseur. I am a wannabe farmer and father of three rambunctious kids.  My education interests started at a young age and grew a bit more while enrolled at St. Olaf College. 

I am not really limited to the principal position; I was Pippin in “Pippin” in 8th grade, saxophonist in a jazz band in high school and have several intramural championships to my name from St. Olaf college.  I can be found at Culbreth Middle School events (Go Cougars!) or around town on my bike with my wife and kids.  

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and looking for adventures in and around our community. My wife, Emily, and I have three beautiful children, Teddy (6 years old), Penny (4 years old) and Rudy (2 years old). You will surely see them this year supporting CMS cultural arts and sports - don’t hesitate to say hello. Go Cougars!!

I am excited to continue the work with the Cougar family. 

Hello Cougars! My name is Tracey Lockhart. It is my honor to serve the Culbreth Cougars school family as an assistant principal as I enter my 29th year in education. Middle school is where I started my educational career, in addition to serving at the elementary level. 

My educational background includes studies at North Carolina Central University (Eagle Pride) and University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Go Spartans!). I have a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Sciences from North Carolina Central University. I also have a Masters of School Administration from North Carolina Central University. I continued my studies in a Doctoral Program at UNCG, that was paused for personal reasons. I hope to resume them soon. 

I do believe in balance. To bring balance into my life, I love spending time with my friends and family, especially my 95 years young mother and my two brilliant and beautiful sons, Evan and Bryce. I’m the 12th of 13 children. I also enjoy cooking, baking, reading, listening to music, working out, meditation, yoga and trying new restaurants (as I’m a foodie to my core). 

I am joining the Culbreth Family in my 24th year in education. These years have given me many opportunities to grow as an individual and become an educational leader. In 2005, I earned my Bachelor's degree from High Point University and taught at Northeast Randolph Middle school in Liberty, NC, and Siler City Elementary School in Siler City, NC. I have spent the last 10 years at CHCCS working with students addressing academic and behavioral needs while pursuing my Master's Degree in School Administration which I earned in 2019 from Western Carolina University. This road has been long, curvy, steep, and incredibly rewarding as I have learned the value of all stakeholders in our school community and how things are better for our students when school community members work together.

On a personal note, I have a great support system that continues to encourage me to chase my dreams. My husband of 34 years is my rock, our son who is a Greensboro firefighter is my pride and joy, his wife, a nurse, completes our family and now we have two granddaughters that bring immeasurable joy to our lives.

My professional goals include helping create a safe, inclusive environment where staff and students feel welcomed and respected and know there are no limits to what they can accomplish.  We are on this journey together and I appreciate your support as we work hard to help our students realize their full potential.  

I welcome the opportunity to get to know you, learn about your children, and help build them into their best selves. Together, the work as a village will make a difference.