North Carolina School Superintendents' Association and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development
P.O. Box 28148
Raleigh, NC 27611
Contact: Jack Hoke, Executive Director
828.320.6767
For Immediate Release: May 2, 2023
Chris Poston has been selected as a 2023 Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award Winner for the Aspiring Superintendent Program Cohort VII.
The North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD) have announced the selection of Chris Poston as a recipient of the Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award. This annual award is presented to a graduate of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association Aspiring Superintendent Program, a program that is 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 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 Chris Poston exemplifies the traits that have guided Dr. Samuel Houston's career in educational leadership.
He commits to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance, and meeting the needs of the 21st-century workforce.
Chris Poston is a passionate and compassionate educator with over 27 years of experience. He has been an elementary teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director, and is currently the senior director of excellence and opportunity for Chatham County Schools. He was named Principal of the Year for Chatham County Schools in 2015 and 2017 and Regional Principal of the Year in 2015. He serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club and Communities in Schools. He enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with his family. Mr. Poston is currently pursuing his doctorate from High Point University.
Chatham County Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson added, "Chris Poston is an asset to Chatham County Schools. Chris is an amazing, dynamic leader who has served the district with distinction in numerous capacities for many years. He is poised to contribute to the future of our school system and community in the years to come. We are extremely fortunate to have him on our team."
“The learning and collaboration with school leaders from across the state and receiving the Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award was an honor that I don’t take lightly," Poston said of the award and the program. "Two significant things that were affirmed from the program: Leadership matters; as leaders, we must have a heart for all students, and a heart for the community. Through education, we can build strong students and a strong community. Secondly, professional learning is always important. I am thankful for the NCSSA and Mr. Jack Hoke for the experience to self-reflect, learn and grow as a district leader.”
