Dr. Jason Atkinson
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Dr. Jason Atkinson, who is the superintendent for Bladen County Schools, is the recipient of the Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award, it was announced Friday by the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD).
The annual award is presented to a graduate of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association Aspiring Superintendent Program, a program which is designed to empower transformational education leaders for North Carolina’s public schools.
“I am humbly honored to receive this award named after someone who paved the way for 21st century leadership in education,” said Dr. Atkinson. “Wherever one goes in North Carolina, and across the country for that matter, the name Sam Houston is synonymous with excellence.”
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 10 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 21st 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 the East Carolina University’s Education Hall of Fame and has received the Distinguished Career Award from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro School of Education.
Jack Hoke, executive director of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association, said that Dr. Atkinson exemplifies the traits that have guided Dr. Samuel Houston’s career in educational leadership. “Dr. Atkinson has a commitment to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance and meeting the needs of the 21st century workforce.”
Dr. Atkinson holds a bachelor’s degree in K-12 music education from UNC Pembroke, a master’s in K-12 music education from UNCP, a master’s in instructional technology from East Carolina, an education specialist postgraduate degree in educational leadership from Liberty University, and a doctoral degree in worship studies from Liberty University. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral degree program in school administration at Liberty University.
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