Jason Johnson Named Principal of the Year for Orange County Schools

Spend a day with Mr. Johnson, and you will hear him say he is still “living the dream” as principal at Orange after all this time.  As building leader here from 2012-2016, and again since 2021, he has developed a deep love for his school, district, and community.

In case anyone in the “Panther Family” doesn’t hear it anywhere else today, it is also likely that Mr. Johnson will make time – in the role that brought him back – simply to tell students, staff, and families that he loves them. 

As Mr. Johnson told the News of Orange County upon his return in 2021:

“First of all, we have the best kids. I don’t care what school you’re at, these are the best kids. I think the second thing I like about Orange County is when you ask the community for something, they always show up.”

Over his 28 years in education, Mr. Johnson has filled multiple roles and been tasked with increasing responsibility – 20 of those years spent serving Orange County Schools. He was the first principal at the new Gravelly Hill Middle School, then became Director of Secondary Education and Executive Director of Student Support and School Improvement for the district.

Dr. Danielle Jones, Superintendent of Orange County Schools, said: 

“We are proud to recognize Jason Johnson as our district Principal of the Year. Mr. Johnson is an exceptional leader who is dedicated to student success. He is committed to fostering a positive school culture and takes a collaborative approach to support staff in meeting the needs of students. I am excited to see where his vision for academic excellence takes Orange High School.”

Upon being surprised with the award at an all-staff meeting after school on Tuesday, October 1, Mr. Johnson reminded the Panther staff that they and fellow educators have risen far to meet constantly growing challenges – everything from rising academic expectations to building a vibrant school culture that honors all students and staff.

He addressed his colleagues with pride, generous praise, and some customary crowd participation: 

“You stayed and you fought. I don’t get into awards, but this one means something because we know what we went through. We are getting results, we have high expectations, and we’re maximizing instructional time. It’s not perfect. But we’re getting there, and it’s all because of you.

“This award means a lot, but at the end of the day, if we are not educating kids and saving lives, who cares? I love each and every one of you. We have high expectations. Keep pushing them, keep pushing them, keep pushing them. Two claps for positivity! Two claps for can-do attitude!”

He closed with words all his students, staff, and families know well:

“Hey, I love each and every one of you. Have a great Panther day!”

Jason Johnson has led OHS as principal for eight years overall and has served the district as an assistant principal, principal, and district administrator. He spent one year as a School Transformation Coach for the NC Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI). He began his principalship at Jackson Middle School in Guilford County Schools, and started in education as a business education teacher at middle schools in Chatham County and Guilford County. 

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Johnson has been tapped to help schools face serious challenges, and he has also been recognized for excellence in educational leadership. His vision for putting students first is inclusive and engaging. Reflecting on his formative experiences as an administrator, he said:

“Teachers develop principals, and principals in turn support teachers.”

“I especially want to thank the teachers at A.L. Stanback Middle School, who helped me develop as an assistant principal, and at Gravelly Hill Middle School, where we built a learning community in a new school during my early days as a principal. Those teachers deserve so much gratitude, and I have tried to repay them by supporting teachers in every way to help our students.”

At North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), Mr. Johnson earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Office Systems and later became a two-time Spartan with his Master of School Administration and Specialist in Educational Administration from UNC-Greensboro.

Mr. Johnson was named OCS Principal of the Year in 2010, while serving Gravelly Hill Middle School. That same year, Gravelly also received the International Reading Association Exemplary Reading Program Award for the state of North Carolina. 

In 2019, while serving as OCS Executive Director of Schools, Mr. Johnson received the Dr. Sam Houston Jr. Leadership Award upon graduating from the Aspiring Superintendent Program of the NC School Superintendents’ Association and NC Alliance for School Leadership Development. The award is given annually to select leaders for “commitment to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance, and meeting the needs of the 21st century workforce.”

Mr. Johnson will represent OCS this year in the Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year (POY) program. After submitting applications in November, principals interview to become one of eight regional finalists, named in January 2025. The state POY will be named in May 2025.