The Wachovia Principal of the Year Award was introduced in 1984 to recognize the role of the principal in establishing an environment conducive to the pursuit and achievement of academic excellence. The award is sponsored by Wachovia Bank in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The awards program recognizes principals at the local, regional and statewide levels.
Local winners compete to advance to the regional level.
From among the six regional winners, the statewide Principal of the Year is chosen after a selection committee visits the schools of the finalists. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction administers the program. Local education agencies nominate a principal, who prepares a portfolio for review by a selection committee in each education region as designated by the Department of Public Instruction. She began her career in education as a math resource teacher at Maury School. She was appointed principal at East Greene Elementary School in 1988 and was named to her current position in 1991.