Mooresville Middle School’s Carrie Tulbert has named the 2014 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year for North Carolina.
Part of her reward for winning the state’s top award for public school principals on Thursday is that Tulbert will become a member of the State Superintendent’s Principals’ Advisory Committee, serve a one-year term as advisor to the State Board of Education, serve a one-year term on the Board of Directors for the NC Public School Forum, and chair the 2015 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year Selection Committee.
Though she will be wearing many hats during the coming school year, Tulbert is looking forward to her new roles. “I’m very excited about all of these opportunities to serve education in a more impactful way,” she said. “But honestly, I’m rather nervous, too. I have big shoes to fill.
“But I will remain steadfast in my purpose, which is to represent our North Carolina educators.”
Tulbert said her task on those various committees and boards will be to “advocate for public educators. So I will do my very best in being a voice for public education.”
The selection committee said it chose Tulbert as top principal for several reasons, including her role in the Mooresville Graded School District’s implementation of the 1:1 digital conversion, her implementation of another school-wide program called “Capturing Kids’ Hearts” that focuses on preparing students to be productive citizens, and for impressive student scores at MMS.
During Tulbert’s time as assistant principal and principal, MMS has seen an increase in students’ end-of-grade tests performance composite from 72 percent (2007-08) to 87 percent (2011-12), a decrease in suspensions by approximately 60 percent in three years, and a doubling of Algebra I enrollment with a consistent 98 percent to 100 percent proficiency.
Tulbert was selected from among eight regional finalists following interviews and on-site visits by a statewide selection committee.
State Public Schools Superintendent June Atkinson presented Tulbert with the award on Thursday, calling her a “pioneer who believes in the power of shifting school culture, thoughtful planning, and cultivating meaningful and productive relationships among teachers and students.”
“It’s a joy to serve the community that served me so well as I grew up. I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to be an educator. Education has never been a job for me; it’s a lifestyle,” said Tulbert.