RALEIGH — The finalists for the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year have been unveiled by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
Finalists from each of the state’s eight regions, plus one from a public charter school, were chosen:
- Northeast: Kelly E. Flora, Nags Head Elementary School, Dare County
- Southeast: Marlow Artis, Craven Early College High School, Craven County
- North Central: Mariah Walker, Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Wake County
- Sandhills: Latreicia Allen, John Griffin Middle School, Cumberland County
- Piedmont Triad: Darrell A. Harris Jr., Eastern Guilford High School, Guilford County
- Southwest: LaTresha Wilson, Tuckaseegee Elementary School, Mecklenburg County
- Northwest: Dustin Farmer, Ashe County High School, Ashe County
- Western: Jennifer McBrayer, CHASE Middle School, Rutherford County
- Charter School: Deborah Brown, The Exploris School, Wake County
More information about each finalist can be found on the Department of Public Instruction’s website under press releases.
“Being a principal is a unique role that combines leadership, management and people skills, pedagogical knowledge and a lot of hard work,” North Carolina Superintendent Mo Green said in a press release.
“These finalists are skilled professionals who help others succeed,” said Green. “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 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year serves as an “ambassador for the state’s approximately 2,700 principals.” The winner will have an advisory role to the State Board of Education for two years, as well as serve on the board of directors of the North Carolina Public School Forum.
“At Wells Fargo, we are proud to celebrate the outstanding principals who lead with passion, vision and dedication across North Carolina,” said Suzie Koonce, vice president for philanthropy and community impact for Wells Fargo. “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 winner will be named during a ceremony to be held at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary on May 15. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the Department of Public Instruction’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
