Nine public school principals from across North Carolina have been named as regional finalists for the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year award. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on May 15 at The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary.
Maurice “Mo” Green, North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, highlighted the importance of the principal’s role. “Being a principal is a unique role that combines leadership, management and people skills, pedagogical knowledge and a lot of hard work,” Green said. “These finalists are skilled professionals who help others succeed. They create programs to meet the needs of students and their families, deliver professional development and support to teachers and other educators and establish community partnerships that bring real-world learning to students.”
The recipient will serve as an ambassador for more than 2,700 principals statewide, act in an advisory capacity to the State Board of Education for two years, and join the Board of Directors at the North Carolina Public School Forum.
Suzie Koonce, Vice President for Philanthropy and Community Impact at Wells Fargo, stated: “At Wells Fargo, we are proud to celebrate the outstanding principals who lead with passion, vision and dedication across North Carolina. Their commitment to excellence inspires us, and we are honored to support their efforts in building stronger schools and communities. Together, we can empower the next generation of leaders and contribute to the continued growth and success of our great state.”
The Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Award was established in 1984 to honor principals’ roles in fostering academic achievement within schools.
This year’s ceremony will be livestreamed on social media platforms managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Among this year’s nine finalists:
– Kelly E. Flora (Nags Head Elementary School) prioritized rebuilding trust when she became principal after three leadership changes during the pandemic period. She shifted classroom observations into opportunities for professional dialogue among staff members while establishing initiatives such as One School, One Author; annual Bingo Nights; Club Days; regular surveys; transparent communication; and shared leadership practices. As a result, Nags Head Elementary saw improved student growth scores during 2024-25.
– Dr. Marlow Artis (Craven Early College High School) integrated executive functioning strategies like structured routines throughout his school’s culture while maintaining high performance grades during his four-year tenure.
– Dr. Mariah Walker (Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy) emphasized authenticity among staff and students while guiding her school through program transitions between colleges. Under her leadership, WYWLA was named a Top Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America for 2026.
– Dr. Latreicia Allen (John Griffin Middle School) adopted data-informed decision-making practices since becoming principal in 2023—improving both discipline models and school performance grades.
– Dr. Darrell A. Harris Jr. (Eastern Guilford High School) developed inclusive policies with input from all stakeholders that led to improved proficiency outcomes after previously being designated low-performing.
– LaTresha Wilson (Tuckaseegee Elementary School) focused on equity issues within her Title I school community while overseeing improvements from D to B performance grades over two years as well as receiving recognition for literacy growth by education technology company Branching Minds—a notable achievement given more than a quarter of TES students have limited English proficiency.
– Dustin Farmer (Ashe County High School) concentrated on individualized graduation plans resulting in increased graduation rates above 90% for spring 2025—the first time in school history—and previously led Ashe County Middle School toward higher performance grades over three years.
– Jennifer McBrayer (CHASE Middle School) used consistent discipline expectations leading to reduced referrals by over one-third since taking office in 2023 while also improving educator satisfaction according to survey results; she played key roles coordinating hurricane relief efforts locally as well.
– Deborah Brown (The Exploris School), known for pioneering flipped classroom models in North Carolina charter schools since 2012, implemented collaborative leadership structures at Exploris alongside ongoing professional development work statewide; she has served on several advisory committees including Governor Roy Cooper’s Teacher Advisory Committee.
More information about these finalists or about viewing details can be found via resources provided by NCDPI.
