Have a Great Panther Day, North Carolina!

Jason Johnson of Orange High School Named 2025 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year

“All I knew was I wanted to make a difference…”

NC DPI video tribute, featuring Orange High School Principal Mr. Jason Johnson

 

 

Jason Johnson of Orange High School has been named the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year.

The surprise announcement was made during a luncheon to honor all nine finalists in the company of education and community leaders, and a host of family members and supporters, on Friday, May 16 at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, NC.

Following a series of video tributes that showed each principal in their school, Maurice “Mo” Green, State Superintendent of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), shared remarks about all the finalists, including these words for the Orange County Schools and North Central Region Principal of the Year:

 

 

“Jason Johnson’s breadth of leadership not only as a school leader, but also in the classroom, district office, and even NCDPI, speaks volumes to his talent as an educator,” Green said. “It is evident that Jason is dedicated to developing teacher leaders and fostering student success regardless of their postgraduate pursuits.”

Green added, “Jason, as a school leader, you recognize the importance of leading your administrative team towards a culture of instructional excellence that promotes students’ college and career readiness.”

Orange County Schools Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones commended Mr. Johnson as district Principal of the Year in the fall of 2024 based on the “remarkable success” and positive direction at Orange High School under his leadership:

“Jason Johnson is a visionary leader who understands the complexities involved in overall school improvement,” Orange County Schools Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones said.

“His ability to motivate teachers and engage students is unmatched. He instills a sense of community within his school, promoting a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement.”

 

 

For this occasion, she added: “We are so proud to recognize Mr. Johnson as a capable and truly deserving educational leader to represent the public schools of our district and all of North Carolina. Through his words and his actions, he continually shows himself as a champion and advocate, committed to providing the very best for his Panther students, teachers, and families, and our whole community. In the year ahead, I am excited to see him both inspire and inform the leadership of schools across our state for the benefit of our students.”

Mr. Johnson is the first NC Principal of the Year from Orange County. Upon receiving the award, he immediately opened up to share the honor:

“To the Orange High School and Orange County community: we did it! Orange County is a great place to be, and this award belongs to all of us.”

He thanked Dr. Jones for her leadership, his peer mentors for their role in coaching him, and his assistant principals and office staff for their “unwavering support” in leading OHS. He added heartfelt thanks to Ann Osburn, who first hired him as an assistant principal in 2001 at A.L. Stanback Middle School, and to the members of his family.

Mr. Johnson called for speaking the truth about public schools, especially for schools to unite with parents as “essential partners” in every child’s educational journey, then added:

“I believe that our students in North Carolina and beyond, are a part of the greatest generation. Do not believe the lies that say they are lost.

“The truth is, this generation is the most accepting of others—of different races, backgrounds, and identities. They embrace authenticity, unafraid to be themselves and to speak their truth. They stand up for what is right, not just for themselves but for those around them. They are willing to work hard and to protect and uplift people who may not look like them, because they understand that strength lies in unity.

“The future is bright because of our students. And remember our communities want to see our students succeed—and when our students thrive, the entire community benefits.”

 

 

Mr. Johnson was selected as OCS Principal of the Year in October 2024, then in January 2025 was chosen North Central Region Finalist in the Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year (POY) program.

His students know well that he ends every phone call and every morning announcement with the same message, which he offered with “a special twist” to end his remarks:

“To my students, staff, and community back home; to the sponsors of the NC Principal of the Year program; to the Regional Principals of the Year; Superintendent Mo Green; DPI staff; State Board of Education members and advisors; former Principals and Regional Principals of the Year; my family; Dr. Jones; and Ann Osburn—

“I love each and every one of you. And I hope you have a great Panther Day!”

Mr. Johnson will spend the 2025-2026 school year traveling to engage with and support schools, supported by Wells Fargo and NCDPI. He will also compete nationally for the honor of National Association of Secondary School Principals Distinguished Principal of the Year.

 

 

Mr. Johnson will be invited to various leadership training opportunities, all the finalists will collaborate in forming a cohort of educational advisors throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

The Wells Fargo Principal of the Year serves as the North Carolina ambassador for the state’s approximately 2,500 principals. The NC Principal of the Year will serve in an advisory capacity to the State Board of Education for a two-year term and serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Public School Forum.

Related resources:

• NCDPI Press Release
• NCDPI Finalist Jason Johnson Video Tribute
• NCDPI Livestream Awards Ceremony
• NCDPI Principal of the Year Program
• Jason Johnson OCS Principal of the Year
• Jason Johnson North Central Region Principal of the Year