Freddie Williamson, Superintendent, Hoke County Schools, N.C. and Janet Harmon Mason, Superintendent, Rutherford County Schools, N.C.

North Carolina: #Leaders Matter

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Nominated By: Katherine Joyce, Executive Director, North Carolina Association of School Administrators

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Freddie Williamson, Superintendent, Hoke County Schools Superintendent
https://www.hcs.k12.nc.us/

Freddie Williamson (https://sites.google.com/hcs.k12.nc.us/superintendent/home) has served the past 12 of his more than 30 years in service to public education as superintendent of Hoke County Schools.

Williamson began his career as a classroom teacher, and his experience has included school administration for more than 25 years in various capacities. As superintendent of Hoke County Schools, he led his school district to receive numerous accolades, including N.C. Innovator in Digital Learning, Scientific Learning National Reference Site and Outstanding District from the Southern Regional Education Board.

He continues to demonstrate a passion for leadership and transformation, earning him the prestigious honor of being named the A. Craig Phillips N.C. Superintendent of the Year in 2016, and was named a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year® Award from AASA.

He previously served as the local superintendent advisor to the N.C. State Board of Education and is the current president of the N.C. School Superintendents Association, which is a core affiliate of the N.C. Association of School Administrators.

Exemplars of Leadership:

• Implemented strong digital learning program resulting in regional and nation recognition.
• Recognized for demonstrated leadership skills a state and national levels.
• Demonstrated innovation and leadership through sustained career exceeding 30 years.

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Janet Harmon Mason, Superintendent of Schools, Rutherford County Schools
https://www.rcsnc.org/

Janet Harmon Mason (https://www.rcsnc.org/district_information/administration) has served as superintendent of Rutherford County Schools since 2010. Prior to becoming superintendent, she was a high school math teacher for 16 years, and served as an assistant principal, high school principal, secondary curriculum director, and assistant superintendent, all in the Rutherford County School District.

Under her leadership, the district has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Education Program and a North Carolina Innovator in Digital Learning. Mason was awarded the Friday Medal for Educational Innovation in 2017 and named the A. Craig Phillips N.C. Superintendent of the Year for 2018. She currently serves as the local superintendent advisor to the N.C. State Board of Education and is the president-elect of the N.C. School Superintendents’ Association, which is a core affiliate of the N.C. Association of School Administrators. She is also a former member of the AASA Executive Committee.

Exemplars of Leadership:

• Received national recognition for technology development and innovation.
• Demonstrated award-winning performance as a superintendent at state, regional, and national levels.

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To learn more about the superintendents profiled in AASA’s Leaders Matter campaign, visit http://aasacentral.org/leadersmatter/. To join the conversation via Twitter, please access #LeadersMatter.