Jason Johnson, leader of Orange High School, was named the 2025 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year at an awards luncheon at the Umstead Hotel in Cary. The event also recognized eight other regional finalists for their contributions to education in the state. Johnson has worked in education for 27 years in Orange County, Chatham, and Guilford County Schools. In the 2023-24 school year, he led the Orange County Panthers to exceed growth expectations, improve their school grade, and increase proficiency across all racial groups, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
State Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green said, "It is evident that Jason is dedicated to developing teacher leaders and fostering student success regardless of their postgraduate pursuits," about Johnson's work in education. Dr. Danielle Jones, Orange County Schools Superintendent, noted Johnson’s efforts to build a community culture in his school. Johnson will serve as a statewide ambassador for the profession with support from Wells Fargo and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. His role includes joining the Truist Leadership Institute and attending educational platforms and conferences. His rewards include a Lenovo mobile device, an engraved award, a gift from the Carolina Hunger Initiative, and participation in the International Society for Technology in Education conference.
Johnson stated, “Working with students, teachers and families is at the heart of who I am as an educational leader.” He also said, “My experiences at Central Office and the other jobs that I had over the years helped me realize my passion for building leadership capacity in others.” Johnson has been named a finalist for the National Association of Secondary School Principals Distinguished Principal of the Year award. The Principal of the Year program in North Carolina has recognized principals since the 1980s and includes finalists from various regions of the state, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
