Guilford County educator Jason Johnson named national high school principal of year

A Guilford County education connection is now on the national stage. Jason Johnson, a UNC Greensboro School of Education alumnus who once worked in Guilford County Schools, was named the 2026 National High School Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, a recognition that puts both Orange County and UNCG in the spotlight.

NASSP announced the national Principals of the Year at a gala in Washington, D.C., on April 19, following Johnson’s recognition at the National Education Leadership Awards on April 17. Johnson is principal of Orange High School in Hillsborough and has more than 25 years in education, including service in Chatham County Schools, Guilford County Schools and as a school transformation coach with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

For Guilford County, Johnson’s rise is a reminder that the region has long been part of the state’s educator pipeline. The UNCG School of Education has sent graduates into school leadership across North Carolina, and Johnson’s path runs directly through local public schools before reaching one of the top leadership posts in the country. He first led Orange High School from 2012 to 2016 and returned as principal in 2021.

Johnson’s state-level recognition preceded the national honor. He was named the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year after an awards luncheon in Cary. He had already been a two-time Orange County Principal of the Year, in 2010 and 2025, and served on Orange County Schools’ Equity Task Force. In his current role, state education officials said he helped Orange County Schools exceed growth in 2023-24, improve its school performance grade and raise proficiency for every student group.

The national award also highlights the kind of leadership school systems are asking for now, leadership that builds inclusive culture and produces measurable results. North Carolina Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said Johnson’s leadership is felt across the state, while Orange County Schools Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones called him “a visionary, collaborative leader” who promotes high expectations and continuous improvement.

Johnson’s recognition also reflects the scale of North Carolina’s principal pipeline. The Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year program began in 1984. Since then, the state has had 40 state Principals of the Year, 264 regional award recipients and 3,364 local award recipients. As the state winner, Johnson serves as an ambassador for about 2,500 principals in North Carolina and sits in an advisory role to the State Board of Education for a two-year term.

Johnson said the national honor represents North Carolina public schools on a national stage and affirms the work of students, staff and the community around him. For Guilford County, it also underscores how local preparation can shape leadership far beyond the Triad.