Special to IFN
RALEIGH — Maurice “Mo” Green was sworn in as North Carolina’s new Superintendent of Public Instruction on Tuesday in Jamestown.
“After more than 20 years of working in education, I am humbled and honored that North Carolinians have chosen me to lead our public schools,” Green said. “I believe that North Carolina’s public school system desperately needs a bold vision, direction and, ultimately, a plan that can galvanize all North Carolinians. Achieving Educational Excellence and becoming the best public school system in the country is my vision for North Carolina’s public schools. We can realize this vision by combining high academic achievement and strong character development with a relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Green was sworn in by the Honorable N. Carlton Tilley Jr., Senior U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. Green clerked for Tilley after graduating from law school.
Remarks were given by State Board of Education Vice Chair Alan Duncan; Haynes-Inman Principal Kevin Carr; N.C. Rep. Amos Quick; Leah Carper, 2022 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Teacher of the Year; and Magan Gonzales-Smith, a consultant for Public School Forum of North Carolina. Students from Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology provided a special performance. Duncan and Quick served on the Guilford County Board of Education when Green served as superintendent of Guilford County Schools GCS.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Haynes-Inman Education Center, which serves approximately 140 Guilford County students who have significant cognitive and/or physical disabilities. Green chose this location to honor his late mother, a special education teacher, and to highlight the school’s recognition as a 2024 State School of Character by Character.org.
Green’s vision for N.C. public schools includes six pillars:
♦ Prepare each student for their next phase of life;
♦ Invest in public schools by fully funding public education;
♦ Revere public school educators;
♦ Enhance parent and community support;
♦ Ensure safe, secure learning environments; and
♦ Celebrate the good in public education
State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis shared a message of congratulations.
“Mo Green has long been a champion for public education in our state. I can’t wait to see what he will accomplish as our next superintendent,” Davis said. “The State Board of Education will work in close partnership with Mo to elevate student academic achievement and venerate our educators.”
As state superintendent, Green’s primary role will be to manage North Carolina’s public school system and to lead the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). In addition, he will oversee policy implementation across school districts and charter schools, advocate for public education to the N.C. General Assembly and serve as Secretary of the State Board of Education.
“I look forward to working with educators, parents, community leaders and members, government officials, the team at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education and students to make that vision a reality across our state,” Green said.