Dr. Brad Breedlove, Superintendent of Pender County Schools, was named the Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2027 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year at an awards presentation and banquet held Thursday, October 8, at the Grandover Resort.

This prestigious annual honor is presented jointly by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) and the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA), and includes a $5,000 award to the winner. The state award ceremony and selections process is sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF).

Jack Hoke, NCSSA’s Executive Director, recognized Dr. Breedlove’s leadership after he was introduced as the winner. “It is an honor to present Dr. Breedlove with this award,” Hoke said. “Through his selfless leadership, Dr. Breedlove fosters an environment where the entire organization achieves success. Pender County Schools has consistently achieved excellence under his watch. Today we recognize that achievement."

Dr. Breedlove has served in public education for more than two decades. Since assuming the role of Superintendent of Pender County Schools in 2022, Dr. Breedlove has championed a philosophy of continuous improvement, guiding the district to new levels of academic achievement, career readiness, and operational efficiency. Under his leadership, Pender County Schools has earned statewide recognition for student and school achievement. In 2025, the district was recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for exceptional academic growth at several schools and strong district graduation rates. Dr. Breedlove has also made workforce development a priority, leading the district’s Career and Technical Education program to a Top 10 state ranking for credential attainment in 2025. His strategic oversight of all aspects of running a school district reflects a commitment to maximizing resources to improve student outcomes, modernize facilities, and expand equitable access to curriculum, technology, and academic support.

During his acceptance, Dr. Breedlove celebrated the work being done by Pender County students, staff, and administrators: "Nothing happens without what's happening in our classroom. You're only as good as the people that you surround yourself with. All of us are."

As the Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2027 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Breedlove will compete at the national level for the Superintendent of the Year Award, to be given at the American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education Feb. 25-27, in Atlanta, GA.

"It's wonderful. We always love being able to participate in awarding outstanding educators. It's part of what the Burrough's Wellcome Fund is all about," noted Dr. Sam Houston, President and CEO of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center.

The 2027 North Carolina Regional Superintendents of the Year, all of whom were nominees for this prestigious state award, were also recognized as such at the Oct. 8 ceremony, thanks to the sponsorship of Scholastic Education:

·       Region 1 | Northeast | Dr. Matt Lutz, Currituck County Schools

·       Region 2 | Southeast | Dr. Brad Breedlove, Pender County Schools

·       Region 3 | Central | Dr. Steve Ellis, Nash County Public Schools

·       Region 4 | Sandhills | Dr. Jamie King, Sampson County Schools

·       Region 5 | Piedmont-Triad | Dr. Stephen Gainey, Randolph County School System

·       Region 6 | Southwest | Dr. Crystal Hill

·       Region 7 | Northwest | Dr. Mike Swan, Burke County Public Schools

·       Region 8 | Western | Mr. Chad Calhoun, Mitchell County Schools

ABOUT US

NCASA is a non-profit membership organization serving over 8,000 school administrators from across North Carolina and uniting 12 educational leadership groups with the common mission of ensuring student success through visionary leadership. www.ncasa.net

NCSSA is a core affiliate of NCASA, is the membership and professional development organization for superintendents from North Carolina’s 115 public school districts. www.ncssa.net

Burroughs Wellcome Fund is a private foundation dedicated to advancing biomedical sciences and supporting the next generation of scientific researchers and educators. With a strong commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in science, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund has made a significant investment in the North Carolina educational landscape. www.bwfund.org

Scholastic Education helps educators create effective literacy and learning experiences and welcoming classrooms through rich stories and meaningful instructional tools. Grounded in research and shaped by deep partnerships with practitioners and thought leaders, their supplemental literacy solutions reinforce core instruction while cultivating a culture of literacy where all children feel motivated, confident, and capable. www.scholastic.com/education