Union County principal named state's best

Cuthbertson High School Principal Rob Jackson was named the 2011 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year during a ceremony in Cary on Wednesday night.

Posted 2:26 a.m. May 5, 2011 — Updated 2:26 a.m. May 5, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — Cuthbertson High School Principal Rob Jackson was named the 2011 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year during a ceremony in Cary on Wednesday night.

"Rob understands the importance of graduating students career and college ready in a global economy. Through Cuthbertson High's rigorous academics and interactive technology, he works to empower students to be leaders and conduits to change in a global community," State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison said in a statement.

Jackson said the academic success at Cuthbertson High can be attributed to his belief that students are both valued and valuable.

"One of my greatest joys to date has been the graduation of three of my juniors last year who were told by their former schools' principals that they were too far behind to graduate with their peers," Jackson said in a statement.

"These students didn't give up, and their teachers didn't give up. Through a lot of hard work by all, they were able to graduate on time. Students are worthy of our very best."

The Union County Schools' principal succeeds Henderson County Schools principal Jan King of Glenn Marlow Elementary.

Jackson was among eight regional finalists for the honor. The other finalists were:

North Central Region: Elizabeth Shearer, City of Medicine Academy (Durham Public Schools)
Northeast Region: Diane Newbern, Currituck County High (Currituck County Schools)
Northwest Region: Sandy George, Mount Airy High (Mount Airy City Schools)
Southeast Region: Lisa Tart, Grantham School (Wayne County Schools)
Sandhills/South Central Region: Cory Satterfield, Richmond Senior High (Richmond County Schools)
Piedmont-Triad/Central Region: Anna Brady, Grimsley High (Guilford County Schools)
West Region: Marcia Perry, Haw Creek Elementary (Buncombe County Schools)

Each regional finalist received $1,000 for their school and $1,000 for personal use.

As Principal of the Year, Jackson will receive an additional $3,000 for his school and $3,000 for personal use and a 10-day educational trip to China. Jackson will also be appointed to the State Superintendent’s Principals’ Advisory Committee and serve as an advisor to the State Board of Education.

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