Johnston County Public Schools welcomed 18 new educators during its third annual Early Contract Signing Celebration on April 15. The event recognized future teachers joining North Carolina’s largest county employer as part of ongoing recruitment efforts.
Elementary school athletes took part in this year’s Special Olympics Johnston County Spring Games at Smithfield-Selma High on April 16-17. The event brought together hundreds of participants with intellectual disabilities for competition and celebration of sportsmanship.
The Johnston County Board of Education has recognized five students this April for outstanding character traits such as responsibility, self-discipline, integrity, respect, and compassion. These awards highlight ongoing efforts within Johnston County Schools to foster positive values among its diverse student population.
Christina Schaffer has been named April Certified Employee of the Month by Johnston County Schools. With over two decades in education, she emphasizes inclusivity through visual arts programs both locally and nationally. The school district highlights its commitment to diversity across its large student population.
Fifteen elementary school teams competed at The Clayton Center during the annual Science Olympiad on March 27. Students engaged in hands-on science events testing their knowledge and engineering skills. Polenta Elementary earned first place among participating schools.
Lauren Strickland has been named Assistant Principal of the Year by Johnston County Public Schools for 2025-2026. Her focus on positive behavior supports led to improvements at Pine Level Elementary School. JCPS serves over 37,000 diverse students across state-of-the-art facilities.
Alexandra Ennis has been recognized as Johnston County Schools’ Certified Employee of the Month for March. Ennis’s dedication at Powhatan Elementary is highlighted alongside her reflections on teaching and future goals.
Two staff members from Benson Middle School were honored by the Benson Area Chamber during an awards banquet held on February 26. Teacher Franklin Ruiz was named Teacher of the Year while Jaclyn Kliest received Police Officer of the Year honors for their dedication to students.
The Johnston County Board of Education has honored six students with Character Education Awards for March. The awards highlight traits such as compassion and perseverance among elementary and middle schoolers across the district. This initiative supports the district’s focus on fostering strong values in its diverse student body.
Over 1,200 Johnston County Public Schools students performed at this year’s Showcase of Stars event held at Johnston Community College. The program highlighted student achievements in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts while engaging families across local communities.