ECSU Graduate Program Alum Named NC Principal of the Year

June 7 2017

Jason Griffin a graduate of Elizabeth City State University’s school administration graduate program has been named the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year for 2017. Griffin is the principal of Hertford Grammar School in Perquimans County.

Griffin was selected from a field of eight regional finalists chosen earlier this year following interviews and visits to their schools by the selection committee for the award.

State Superintendent Mark Johnson said Griffin exemplifies the qualities of leadership essential for helping teachers excel and students to achieve.

&quotHertford Grammar School’s strong progress is clear evidence of Jason’s leadership&quot Johnson said.

&quotHe makes smart use of data to work with his teachers to personalize learning for all students&quot Johnson said. &quotHe delegates to help his teachers grow as leaders themselves and he works to provide them with innovative strategies to improve teaching and learning for students.&quot

The Title I school where nearly two thirds of the 400-plus students are from low-income families achieved a school grade of &quotB&quot for the first time last year. The school which enrolls third through fifth graders was also just one of six elementary schools in the state’s northeast education region to earn at least a B while also exceeding their targets for academic growth.

In naming Griffin the 2017 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year Wells Fargo Senior Community Relations Manager Juan Austin said &quotOur education system has never been at a more critical juncture than now and with administrators like Jason we can see how dedication and effort connects with students staff and parents on so many levels at Hertford Grammar School.

Griffin joined the faculty at Hertford Grammar in 2011 as a third-grade teacher and served as dean of students before being named principal. He was previously a second-grade teacher at Perquimans Central School from 2008-2011 and started his education career in 2002 as a third-grade teacher at E.J. Hayes Elementary School in Martin County where he taught for six years.

Among his several degrees Griffin received a master’s in school administration from Elizabeth City State University and an education specialist degree from ECU.

He was teacher of the year for Perquimans County Schools in 2012 and participates in numerous leadership activities in the district. In his submission for the principal of the year award Griffin cited as his greatest accomplishment as principal was leading Hertford Grammar to its performance grade of B – noting that five years earlier the school was facing &quotcorrective action&quot from the state.

&quotI believe my leadership style collaboration with our district personnel hiring effective teachers and my understanding of schoolwide data has helped Hertford Grammar School become one of the most improved schools in Region I and in North Carolina&quot he wrote in a statement.