“Home of the Stars”: Principal Kristin Mattison-Williamson of Pathways Elementary Named OCS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year

A Sea of Pink, A Community Shining with Pride

At the “Home of the Stars,” Pathways Elementary School (PES) students and staff were shining bright on Friday, September 26, when Principal Kristin Mattison-Williamson was announced as the OCS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year. 

Caught completely by surprise, the proud leader of the Stars found herself walking a pink carpet and awash in a sea of pink shirts and confetti during an assembly in the gymnasium, surrounded by students, staff, and family. Filled with emotion, Mrs. Mattison-Williamson turned to congratulate her students: 

“I tell you every day how much I love you, and you are shining examples of ‘you can do anything you put your mind to.’ You all are filled with so much purpose in life, and I am honored to serve you and help you get to your purpose in life.”

To staff and well-wishers from OCS central services and the Board of Education, she continued: “I could not ask for a better group of people in a community. I truly feel blessed and honored to work and serve alongside each and every one of you.”

From Learning to Leading in Orange County Schools

A proud alumna of Orange County Schools at every level, Mrs. Mattison-Williamson attended the former Cameron Park Elementary and Efland-Cheeks Elementary, A.L. Stanback Middle, and Orange High. After attending Fayetteville State University on a full scholarship for music education, she returned to OCS to start her teaching career at Hillsborough Elementary School (HES). 

In a 2024 feature with OCS for Women’s History Month, she said: “I am a product of Orange County Schools. I graduated from Orange High School. I attended from Kindergarten to 12th grade and grew up in this community. I began my teaching career here, later traveling to various locations, including China, to teach. Eventually I returned home to serve.” 

After five years teaching music at HES, Mrs. Mattison-Williamson pursued professional and teaching roles in Charlotte, Los Angeles, and Shenzhen, China, before returning again to OCS as a first-grade teacher in 2016 and starting her pathway to administration as a Principal Fellow starting in 2017. 

Her career journey so far in Orange County Schools tells a story of commitment to leadership through professional growth and continuous improvement:

• Music Teacher, New Hope Elementary School (2016-17) 
• Principal Intern, Orange High School (2018) and Cedar Ridge High School (2018-2019) 
• Principal of Secondary Summer School (2019)
• Assistant Principal, Cedar Ridge High School (2019-21)
• Assistant Principal, Central Elementary School (2021-23)
   

After being announced as principal for her former middle school, A.L. Stanback, Mrs. Mattison-Williamson was eventually asked to shift her assignment to lead Pathways Elementary following staff changes leading up to the 2023-2024 school year. 

Turning Vision Into Action: Preparing Students for the Future

In her short time leading Pathways Elementary, the principal of the Stars has nurtured a culture of warmth and comfort throughout the school community. She regularly sings and dances with her students and staff to inspire and motivate them, and she never misses the opportunity to greet everyone with a smile. 

At the same time, she has dramatically raised academic achievement through consistent focus on improved instruction, student support, and family engagement. On entering principal leadership, Mrs. Mattison-Williamson laid out her own ideals: 

“My leadership vision is to lead and serve our school with love and integrity, and cultivate an environment where equity, education, and opportunities are accessible to all. Together, we will put our vision into action to prepare our students for the future and help create a better world.”

Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones cited Mrs. Mattison-Williamson’s ability to create an environment that supports the needs of the school community while upholding high expectations for improving academic achievement, as factors in the principal’s ability to lead staff and improve student outcomes: 

“We are proud to recognize Kristin Mattison-Williamson as our district Principal of the Year. Mrs. Mattison-Williamson exemplifies inspiring leadership and a deep commitment to supporting every student and staff member. Her dedication to strengthening the Pathways Elementary community and maintaining a strong instructional focus has led to remarkable results, and I am confident that, under her leadership, students will continue to shine brightly.”

Her staff also embrace and share the leadership lesson of showing up authentically, as PES assistant principal Jangi Hamby said: “Mrs. Mattison-Williamson is Principal of the Year because she shines—both in spirit and in real life! She is the truth. She is intentional and strategic in her approach to the work, and her ability to lead with love is exceptional.” 

Under Mrs. Mattison-Williamson’s leadership, academic performance at PES significantly improved in the 2024-25 school year as seen in the state’s accountability data: 

• PES raised their School Performance Grade from “C” to “B”
• PES increased composite proficiency (all grades, all subjects) by 17 points
• PES moved from “Met” to “Exceeded Growth” between 2023-24 and 2024-25
• PES was tied at 229 out of 2,590 schools in the state for EVAAS Growth (top 9%)

Reflecting on these leadership results, Hamby continued: “Her impact has always been felt, but now it is seen. The proof is in the numbers, and they do not lie! Data supports that Mrs. Mattison-Williamson is effective and impactful: both at heart and instructionally.” 

Principal of the Year candidates are nominated by fellow leaders and district staff. One of her nominators was Emilly Osterling, OCS Exceptional Children's Director of Secondary, who praised Mattison-Williamson for how she strengthens relationships throughout the Pathways Elementary community:

“Her leadership style radiates warmth and inclusivity, creating a space where students, families, and staff feel welcome and respected," said Osterling. "Families consistently note her openness and accessibility, knowing that she will listen with empathy and respond with thoughtful solutions. Teachers see her as a trusted partner who not only sets high expectations but also provides the guidance and resources needed to achieve them.”

“Grow Your Own”: From Service to Leadership

Schools and districts strive to “grow their own” and inspire exemplary graduates to pursue a career in education. Mrs. Mattison-Williamson’s roots run deep here in Orange County Schools, and she openly cites her mother, Victoria Mattison, as an inspiration and role model who also graduated from OHS and spent 29 of her 34 years as an educator serving in OCS. 

In an era before social media, her “biggest influencer” taught her about working from a foundation of loving service: “She served her students and families with no expectation of reward. She always said the reward in education is found in the success of students.”

Mrs. Mattison-Williamson received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Fayetteville State University and Masters of School Administration from North Carolina State University (NCSU). While at NCSU, she participated in the North Carolina Principal Fellowship Program and later participated in the Assistant Principal Accelerator Program offered by the NC Principal and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA). 

As OCS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year, Mrs. Mattison-Williamson will represent Orange County Schools in the Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year (POY) Program, with an opportunity to interview and submit a portfolio to become one of eight regional finalists. Finalists’ names will be named in January 2026, and the state POY will be named in May.