The North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD) have announced the selection of the following as the recipients of the Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award:  Ms. Jessica Anderson, Executive Director of Exceptional Children and Student Services, Alexander County Schools; Dr. Bryan Denton, Executive Director for Secondary Education, Gaston County Schools; Ms. Lisa Gahagan, Assistant Superintendent, Madison County Schools, and Dr. Jayme McPhatter, Instructional Program Facilitator, Chatham County Schools.

This annual award is presented to graduates of the NCSSA/NCASLD Aspiring Superintendent Program, a program designed to empower transformational education leaders for North Carolina’s public schools.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel Houston, who is President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center. Dr. Houston served as superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District for ten years, where he opened the first year-round school in North Carolina. Dr. Houston has been a champion for strategic planning, student performance, and accountability, meeting the needs of the 21^st-century workforce, skills for the STEM world, and building education partnerships. Dr. Houston also served as the first executive director of the University of North Carolina Center for Leadership Development.

Dr. Houston was awarded the Jay Robinson Leadership Award as an Exemplary Educator for his outstanding contributions to statewide public K–12 education. He also earned the RJR-Nabisco Foundation's China Breaker Award for implementing educational change. He has been inducted into the Appalachian State University Reich College of Education's Rhododendron Society and East Carolina University's Education Hall of Fame and has received the Distinguished Career Award from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, School of Education. He has also been inducted into the North Carolina School of Science and Math Hall of Fame. He received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in December of 2024.

NCSSA Executive Director Jack Hoke said, “Ms. Jessica Anderson, Dr. Bryan Denton, Ms. Lisa Gahagan, and Dr. Jayme McPhatter exemplify the traits that guided Dr. Sam Houston's career in educational leadership. They have a commitment to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance, and meeting the needs of the 21^st century workforce. I am very proud of these Dr. Samuel Houston Jr. Leadership Award winners and look forward to seeing them progress in their leadership journey in education."

About the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA)

The North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) is dedicated to supporting the state’s 115 superintendents through high-quality professional development, leadership training, and advocacy for strong public schools. NCSSA provides a range of resources, including two statewide leadership conferences, executive coaching for new superintendents, webinars, and a weekly email update, ensuring that educational leaders are well-equipped to guide their districts effectively.

Membership in NCSSA is available to all 115 local superintendents in North Carolina, as well as the directors of the state’s Regional Education Service Alliances (RESAs). Superintendents and their local boards of education may also choose to join NCSSA’s umbrella organization, the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), as a District Member. This membership extends NCSSA benefits to the entire leadership team, including principals and assistant principals, while providing access to NCASA’s premier professional development, timely communications, and effective nonpartisan advocacy in education policy and law.

Jack Hoke serves as the Executive Director of NCSSA, bringing over three decades of experience in school administration, including 12 years as superintendent of Alexander County Schools. He leads NCSSA with the support of the NCASA team, ensuring a strong foundation for educational leadership across the state.

As a trusted resource for North Carolina’s educational leaders, NCSSA plays a vital role in strengthening public education. As a core affiliate of NCASA, NCSSA membership includes privileges in both organizations, providing a comprehensive network of support for superintendents and school administrators statewide.