NCPOY Profiles

Dr. Mariah Walker is the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year and serves as principal of Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina’s only district-affiliated all-girls public school serving grades 6–12. Since becoming principal in 2022, she has led the school with a vision centered on leadership, academic excellence, service, and sisterhood. Under her leadership, WYWLA has earned national recognition as both a Magnet Schools of America National Demonstration School and a Top School of Excellence, reflecting the school’s unwavering commitment to empowering young women through innovative, high-quality public education.

A proud product of North Carolina public schools and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, Dr. Walker earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education, Master of Education in Curriculum Supervision and Leadership, Master of School Administration, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from North Carolina State University. She began her career teaching English at Sanderson High School before serving as an assistant principal at both the secondary and elementary levels and later as principal of Hilburn PreK–8 Academy.

Throughout more than 20 years of service to North Carolina public education, Dr. Walker has had the privilege of supporting students, families, and educators at every stage of the educational journey, from Pre-K through elementary, middle, and high school. These experiences have shaped her belief that every child deserves an exceptional education, meaningful relationships, and leaders who are committed to helping them realize their fullest potential.

Dr. Walker’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that schools change lives by developing both the minds and the hearts of young people. She is passionate about educational equity, leadership development, academic acceleration, and expanding opportunities for all students. Her research focuses on women in educational leadership, the experiences of women in public education, academic linguistics, and increasing access to advanced learning opportunities for historically underrepresented students. She believes deeply in cultivating future leaders by helping students discover their strengths, find their voices, and lead with courage, compassion, and purpose.

Her leadership has been recognized through her selection as the 2025–2026 Wake County Public School System Principal of the Year, the 2026 North Central Regional Principal of the Year, and the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. As North Carolina Principal of the Year, Dr. Walker is honored to represent school leaders across the state, elevate the voice of principals, celebrate the extraordinary work happening in North Carolina’s public schools, and advocate for students, educators, and communities who make public education a powerful force for opportunity and hope.

Jason M. Johnson is the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year and currently serves as principal of Orange High School in Hillsborough, NC. He is a proud product of North Carolina Public Schools, having grown up in Durham and graduated from Hillside High School. A veteran educator with more than 28 years of service in public education, Johnson has led transformational change at every level of K–12 education. Under his leadership, Orange High School exceeded academic growth in 2023–2024, raised its state performance letter grade from a C to a B, and saw significant increases in proficiency across all tested subjects and student subgroups.

A proud alumnus of North Carolina A&T State University, Johnson holds a B.S. in Business Office Systems and Economics. He earned his Master’s in School Administration and an Ed.S. in Educational Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also holds certifications in school administration, superintendency, and middle and high school business education.

Throughout his career, Johnson has served in a range of leadership roles including Middle and High School Principal. He has also worked at Central Office as the Executive Director of Schools and Executive Director of Secondary Schools. Johnson has also worked for the North Carolina Department of Instruction as a school transformation coach and coach for principals. His leadership has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including, North Carolina Principal of the Year, 2025, North Central Region Principal of the Year, 2025, Orange County Schools Principal of the Year, 2010 & 2024, the Sam Houston Award from NC School Superintendents’ Association Aspiring Superintendent Program in 2019.

Jason’s leadership philosophy centers on equity, opportunity, and high expectations. He is a passionate advocate for students, staff, and communities, believing deeply in the power of public education to transform lives.

While he is proud of his professional successes and achievements, he is most proud of his evolution as a school leader into someone who believes in developing teacher leaders, facilitating collaboration, honoring student voice and building relationships. Furthermore, he has learned over the years as a leader you must always take in the human element and you must always lead as a human being and be your authentic self at all times.

He is happily married to Heather Johnson, who is an educator, and is the proud father of four children: Jason, Addison, Ava, and Aidan. In his spare time he loves binge watching television shows with his wife. He loves spending time watching his favorite sports teams play, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Braves, and the Tarheels. But his favorite hobby is having the conversation with his wife about what is for dinner.

Donna is a proud product of North Carolina public schools. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education K-6 from Appalachian State University in 2004, followed by a Master’s in Curriculum Specialist K-12 in 2008, and School Administration in 2010. Throughout her twenty year career, she had the privilege of working with students and educators in various capacities. Beginning her journey as a classroom teacher in Mount Airy City Schools teaching third grade and as a fourth grade teacher in Surry County Schools.

In 2008, she took on the role of a district-level instructional coach, serving two elementary schools and contributing to the growth and development of teachers and students alike. In 2010, she embarked on an administrative career as an assistant principal, further deepening her commitment to educational leadership. The culmination of this journey came in 2015 when she was appointed as a principal, and has served in the principalship at Cedar Ridge Elementary since 2016.

Her  educational philosophy centers passionately on the belief that every child has the potential to thrive academically and personally when provided with the right support and opportunities. At Cedar Ridge Elementary, we champion the holistic development of our students, ensuring that they not only excel in academics but also cultivate essential life skills and leadership traits that will serve them well throughout their lives. Cedar Ridge Elementary was named the 2022 NCACSD Lighthouse School for innovative practices in literacy and leadership. In 2023, Cedar Ridge Elementary significantly exceeded growth in accountability standards placing them in the top 5% of all K-12 schools in North Carolina.

As an educator and school leader, she remains dedicated to the principles of excellence, equity, and empowerment in education, striving to create a positive and nurturing environment where students can truly flourish as we work each day to #bringthejoy to teaching and learning.

Patrick Greene grew up in eastern North Carolina and attended East Carolina University as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and later as a North Carolina Principal Fellow. As a principal, he led Greene County Early College to become a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012.

Since 2013, he has been the principal of Greene Central High School. In his time at Greene Central, he completed his Educational Specialist degree and Doctor of Education degree, both at East Carolina University with a dissertation focus on finding pathways to higher education for undocumented Latinx students. Dr. Greene led the school out of a low-performing status and into recognition as North Carolina’s first comprehensive high school to earn a Model STEM School designation.

He was named Greene County’s Principal of the Year in 2014 and again in 2022. In 2022, he was awarded the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. Dr. Greene continues to serve as the principal at Greene Central High School and works toward equity and opportunity for students and rural schools.

Dr. Elena Ashburn serves as the Central Area Superintendent in the Wake County Public School System, supporting 17,000 students in 23 schools. Prior to her work as an area superintendent, Elena served as principal of Needham B. Broughton Magnet High School and East Garner Magnet Middle School. Elena began her career in education as a 2007 Teach For America corps member, teaching English at Southern Durham High School in the Durham Public School System.

At Broughton, Elena led the school community in affecting meaningful change, including achieving the highest student graduation rate in Broughton’s history three years in a row, increasing 9th grade promotion rate by nearly 50%, and improving teacher retention to its highest rate, with an improvement of nearly 70%.

At East Garner, Elena led the school in significantly improving student achievement outcomes, including exceeding expected growth targets, improving the school’s letter grade, and moving the school out of the state-sanctioned low-performing status in 2016.

Elena earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018 and was awarded the Michael Priddy Family Leadership Scholarship & Award for aspiring superintendents from the UNC School of Education the same year. Her dissertation research examined the underrepresentation of women in the superintendency, and in 2019, her research was presented at the annual global Women Leading Education conference in England.

In 2021, Elena was named the North Carolina Wells Fargo Principal of the Year. The same year, the UNC School of Education awarded Elena with the UNC Distinguished Alumna Award for her work in education.

In addition to her role as an area superintendent, Elena serves as a leadership coach for Magnet Schools of America, helping school leaders throughout the country implement magnet school programming in their schools and districts. She additionally teaches a doctoral course in the Educational Leadership Program at UNC Chapel Hill.

Most importantly, Elena believes the goal of school leadership is to work alongside the community in raising great kids, and she serves her local community in a number of ways. She is married to Matt, a United Methodist Pastor, and together they are the proud parents of four children that keep them both exceptionally busy and exceptionally happy.

Smith is our 2019 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year. Mr. Smith has served as principal of Edgecombe Early College High School since 2014. In that time, Early College enrollment has grown by 50 percent while maintaining a 100 percent graduation rate, a North Carolina School Performance Grade of A, and exceeding growth every year. Mr. Smith takes great pride in knowing every student and staff member at his school personally, and he believes that strong relationships are the force multipliers for everything positive that takes place in school.  Prior to his principalship at the Early College, Mr. Smith served as an English teacher at Tarboro High School for 15 years, where he learned the importance of putting down deep roots in a small community.  He is a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, a North East Leadership Academy Fellow, a National Board Certified teacher, and a graduate of Appalachian State and N.C. State (“Go Pack!”).  Mr. Smith is married to his college sweetheart, April, who is also a teacher, and he has two daughters, Sophie, age 13, who wants to be an equestrian, and Sydney, age 20, who is a dance education major at Meredith College.

Tabari Wallace is the Special Advisor for Principal Engagement in the Office of the State Superintendent. Previously, he served as the Principal of West Craven High School where he was recognized as the 2018 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year and laid the foundation for Craven County’s first Career Academy School.

He is the 2021 Raymond Saurbaugh Award winner and was highlighted on the Ellen Show for his service to his students. New York Bestselling Author Janice Dean of Fox News dedicated an entire chapter to illustrate Mr. Wallace’s leadership during the pandemic, in her book “Make Your Own Sunshine.” He also serves on the Governor’s Crime Commission, Elevate NC, PEPSC Subcommittees, Human Capital Roundtable, Craven Community College Board Trustee, Principal Standards Committee, New Bern Redevelopment Commissioner, and a former Principal Coach for Pitt County.

Mr. Wallace is the co-founder of the Assistant Principal Accelerator Cohort, whose mission is to bridge the divide in school leadership, between highly qualified and highly effective. He believes in the educational investment of each and every child, and it’s their decision in which trajectory they so choose, after we (the educators) have laid a strong foundation of Career and College Readiness. Ride or Fly!

Jason Griffin is a visionary leader shaping the landscape of education in Craven County Schools. With a wealth of experience and accolades under his belt, Jason embodies excellence in educational leadership. Named North Carolina Principal of the Year in 2017, his dedication to fostering transformative learning environments has garnered widespread recognition.

Jason’s journey in education is marked by a commitment to continuous improvement. As a special advisor on the North Carolina State Board of Education, he contributed invaluable insights to statewide initiatives. His distinction as a distinguished principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals speaks volumes about his impact on the educational community.

A proud alumnus of East Carolina and Elizabeth State University, Jason’s academic background reflects his dedication to lifelong learning. His passion for school turnaround work has been instrumental in driving positive change and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.

In addition to his role as Executive Director, Jason plays a pivotal role in various educational organizations. He currently serves as the president of the North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators, championing advocacy efforts and fostering collaboration among educators statewide. Furthermore, his involvement in organizations like NCPAPA, NCASA, NCFEPA, NAFEPA, and NCCTM underscores his commitment to staying at the forefront of educational innovation and policy development.

Jason Griffin is more than just a leader; he is a catalyst for positive change in education. With a relentless focus on student success and a passion for empowering educators, Jason’s influence extends far beyond the confines of his school district. As he continues to shape the future of education in North Carolina and beyond, Jason remains steadfast in his mission to inspire, innovate, and elevate the field of education.

Dr. Steve M. Lassiter Jr. serves as the Deputy Superintendent for Pitt County Schools in Greenville, NC. He is also an adjunct professor at East Carolina University and James Madison University. With over 20 years in education, he has experience in school turnaround and principal coaching. Dr. Lassiter is a Latham Award Winner for Excellence in Teaching at East Carolina University, a North Carolina Principal Fellow, and on May 1, 2015 he was named Wells Fargo 2015 North Carolina Principal of the Year.

Dr. Lassiter has co-authored an article in the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership entitled, Doing More With Less: How to Maintain the Integrity of Beginning Teacher Support Programs. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a Masters in School Administration both from East Carolina University and Doctor of Education degree from North Carolina State University.

In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, learning new technology and spending time with family and friends.

Carrie Tulbert is currently in her 14th year as a middle school principal. She has led 3 schools that truly run the gamut of student populations and sizes. She is approaching her 23rd year in education. She’s proud to be a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Carrie is a graduate of Meredith College with her BA in English; Gardner Webb University with her Masters in School Administration; and Wingate University with her Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Her greatest honor is being a mother of 2 sons, her most important “students,” Liam (16) and Luke (10). She passionately believes in public school and its power to transform students’ lives. She also truly believes that being a principal is the BEST job in education!

She is the 2014 North Carolina Principal of the Year, and she has served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association for 7 years. She is an active facilitator and teacher for various NCPAPA courses and has been a guest on multiple podcasts in educational leadership. Her favorite quote on leadership comes from DuFour and Marzano and states, “To become the best leader you can be, you must fall in love with leading, with the purpose you serve, and the people with whom you work in fulfilling that purpose.”

Dr. Patrice Faison is a nationally recognized expert in school turnaround, with nearly 30 years of experience in transforming educational environments across North Carolina. Her work has led to significant student success and enhanced teacher effectiveness. In 2012, she was honored as North Carolina Principal of the Year and is currently an inaugural member of the Principal of the Year (POY) Network.

Dr. Faison serves as an Area Superintendent in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and has also served as Chief Academic Officer in New Hanover County. Previously, she demonstrated exceptional leadership as a turnaround principal in Guilford and Wayne counties. Her impact extends to higher education, where she has served as a faculty member at North Carolina A&T State University. Dr. Faison’s career began in the classroom, where she earned recognition as a National Board Certified Teacher.

She holds a Doctorate of Education from UNC-Greensboro, a Master’s in Elementary Education and School Administration from North Carolina A&T State, and a bachelor’s degree from Elizabeth City State University.

Dr. Faison lives in Charlotte with her husband, and her favorite pastime is spending time with her granddaughter, Autumn.

Dr. Rob Jackson is a native North Carolinian and a proud Public School Graduate. He serves as the Superintendent of the Buncombe County Schools System in the mountains of North Carolina. He began his career in the school system in 1991 as a School Secretary and Summer Custodian.

He previously served as the Superintendent of the Carteret County Public School System on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. and served for six years as the Superintendent of the Edenton-Chowan School System in Northeastern North Carolina.

Dr. Jackson believes in growing and coaching leaders. During his tenure, among the Leadership Teams he has led, two Principals were named Regional Principal of the Year. Four of Dr. Jackson’s former Assistant Superintendents were selected to serve as Superintendents and eleven of the Assistant Principals he served with as a Principal were promoted to the principalship themselves.

Prior to being named superintendent, he served in Union County Public Schools near Charlotte, NC. He served on the Superintendent’s Executive Cabinet as the Chief Communications Officer, as a principal of an elementary school, and as a principal of two high schools. He actually opened two of the schools as their very first principal.

During his career in education, Dr. Jackson has served as a School Secretary, Bus Driver, Summer Custodian, After-School Associate, Teacher, Assistant Principal, Elementary School Principal, High School Principal, and Chief Communications Officer.

Dr. Jackson also served in the US Navy aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

Dr. Jackson has earned numerous state and national awards. In 2020 he was named the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Superintendent of the Year. He was selected as the first Superintendent to receive the Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award in 2019. In July 2017, Dr. Jackson was unanimously selected as the Regional Superintendent of the Year, representing the eighteen school districts in Region One. He was the inaugural winner of the Dr. Brad Sneeden Superintendent Leadership Award, and is a past North Carolina State Principal of the Year; North Carolina High School Principal of the Year, and National Distinguished Principal.

Dr. Jackson earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Wingate University, an Education Specialist degree from Wingate University, a Master of School Administration degree from Western Carolina University, a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Western Carolina University, and an Associate in Arts degree from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Retired from Henderson County Public Schools where she was the Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services, Jan was recognized in 2010 as the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year. More recently, Jan was awarded the 2021 Frances Jones Trailblazer Award by the NC Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and with the 2023 NCPAPA Ralph Kimel award.

As an educator with building-level experience that spans the PreK-12 spectrum, Jan believes in the power of feedback, mentorship and candid conversations to elevate learning and leadership. Upon her retirement, she launched NC Peak Education, a small business focused on leadership development and strategic planning. In addition to her work with NC Peak, Jan serves as an adjunct instructor and Principals Fellows Leadership Coach at Western Carolina University.

Jan enjoys seeing her Henderson County community thrive. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Blue Ridge Community College, and the Board Directors at Bullington Gardens and the Henderson County Boys & Girls Club. She also serves on an Advisory Council for the College of Education and Allied Professions at Western Carolina University. Jan is a member of Mills River United Methodist Church where she serves as the Lay Leader.