Hello Owatin Creek Family!

My name is Charles Payne. I am excited, motivated, and eager to work as the Principal of Owatin Creek Elementary. For the past 15 years, my wife Jamie and I have called Exeter our home. It has been a wonderful place for us to raise our four children: Colin, Patrick, Evelyn, and James. The school district staff, teachers, and coaches have had such a positive impact on our children. I am proud and honored to be a leader of education in our community. For the last four years, I worked as the Assistant Principal at C.E. Cole Intermediate in the Muhlenberg School District. I received my start in teaching at Baltimore City where I was a fourth grade teacher for three years. I then moved here to Exeter and taught fourth grade at Muhlenberg Elementary Center for nine years, and third grade for one year.   

I look forward to immersing myself in the culture here at Owatin Creek. We, the parents, students and staff are a community that works together and cares deeply about our children’s safety and success. It is my plan to continue to support and grow this sense of community through strong school procedures, consistent communication, and the support of our students and staff. 

All students to be reading on grade level by third grade is our district goal. We at Owatin Creek work towards this goal every day by instilling a love of reading for all our students. We strive for our students to be successful academically and socially through engaging instruction in a safe learning environment. We want our students to enjoy coming to school. We want our staff to grow professionally and enjoy teaching our students. 

Owatin Creek staff is committed to the success of our students. Their hard work and dedication to the profession makes the difference for our students' academic progress and social development. This staff is compassionate, empathetic, and determined to make this a great place for your child to learn and grow.

Please reach out any time if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.   

Charlie Payne, Principal
cwpayne@nullexetersd.org