 The principal of
an elementary school in one of the state’s smallest counties was named Wells
Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year for 2017 during an awards luncheon
today in Cary. Winning the title of the state’s top school administrator is
Jason Griffin, principal of Hertford Grammar School in Perquimans County, near
Elizabeth City in the northeastern corner of the state.
Griffin was
selected from a field of eight regional finalists chosen earlier this year
following interviews and visits to their schools by the selection committee for
the award.
State
Superintendent Mark Johnson said Griffin exemplifies the qualities of
leadership essential for helping teachers excel and students to achieve.
“Hertford
Grammar School’s strong progress is clear evidence of Jason’s leadership,”
Johnson said.
“He makes smart
use of data to work with his teachers to personalize learning for all
students,” Johnson said. “He delegates to help his teachers grow as leaders
themselves, and he works to provide them with innovative strategies to improve
teaching and learning for students.”
The Title I
school, where nearly two thirds of the 400-plus students are from low-income
families, achieved a school grade of “B” for the first time last year. The
school, which enrolls third through fifth graders, was also just one of six
elementary schools in the state’s northeast education region to earn at least a
B while also exceeding their targets for academic growth.
Johnson also
recognized Wells Fargo for its longtime sponsorship of the state’s Principal of
the Year program, which was started in 1984. “Wells Fargo’s consistent and
enthusiastic support for this important recognition helps highlight the
critical role that principals play for teachers and students across the state,”
he said.
In naming Griffin the 2017 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the
Year, Wells Fargo Senior Community Relations Manager Juan Austin said,
"Our education system has never been at a more critical juncture than now,
and with administrators like Jason, we can see how dedication and effort
connects with students, staff and parents on so many levels at Hertford Grammar
School.
“So I'm pleased that we have the opportunity to reward his outstanding
work and hold up Jason’s example for others to hopefully follow."
Griffin joined
the faculty at Hertford Grammar in 2011 as a third-grade teacher and served as
dean of students before being named principal. He was previously a second-grade
teacher at Perquimans Central School, from 2008-2011, and started his education
career in 2002 as a third-grade teacher at E.J. Hayes Elementary School in
Martin County, where he taught for six years.
A graduate of
East Carolina University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in elementary
education, Griffin went on to earn a master’s degree in middle-grades
mathematics from ECU, a master’s in school administration from Elizabeth City
State University and an education specialist degree from ECU.
He was teacher
of the year for Perquimans County Schools in 2012 and participates in numerous
leadership activities in the district. In his submission for the principal of
the year award, Griffin cited as his greatest accomplishment as principal was
leading Hertford Grammar to its performance grade of B – noting that five years
earlier, the school was facing “corrective action” from the state.
“I believe my
leadership style, collaboration with our district personnel, hiring effective
teachers, and my understanding of schoolwide data has helped Hertford Grammar
School become one of the most improved schools in Region I and in North
Carolina,” he wrote.
The other
regional Principal of the Year finalists for 2017 were:
·
Southeast:
Maria Johnson, Northside High (Onslow County Schools);
·
North
Central: Kiley Brown, Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary (Orange County Schools);
·
Sandhills:
Mary Hemphill, I. Ellis Johnson Elementary (Scotland County Schools);
·
Piedmont-Triad:
Jusmar Maness, Balfour Elementary (Asheboro City Schools);
·
Southwest:
Amy Rhyne, East Iredell Elementary (Iredell-Statesville Schools);
·
Northwest:
Jeffrey Isenhour, Bunker Hill High (Catawba County Schools); and
·
Western:
Doris Sellers, A.C. Reynolds High (Buncombe County Schools).
Regional winners
will each receive $1,000 for personal use and $1,000 for their schools.
As Wells Fargo
Principal of the Year, Griffin receives $3,000 for personal use and $3,000 for
his school. He also receives professional development and resources supporting
global awareness in the curriculum for his staff thanks to Education First
Tours, and a custommade NC Principal of the Year signet ring and pendant from
Jostens Inc.
While continuing
to lead his school next year, Wells Fargo will furnish him with a stipend to
travel across the state as an ambassador for education. He will serve as a
member of the State Superintendent’s Principals’ Advisory Committee, as an
advisor to the State Board of Education and also to the board of directors for
the NC Public School Forum. In addition, the N.C. Department of Public
Instruction will sponsor his enrollment and completion of the Education Policy
Fellowship Program and he will compete for national recognition through the NC
Principals and Assistant Principals Association. He also will chair the 2018
Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year Selection Committee.
Additional
information about the NC Principal of the Year program, is available online.
You also can follow the North Carolina Principal of the Year finalists on
Twitter at #NCTOYPOY.
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