Kathryn Farrior has been recognized as the 2025 Employee of the Year for Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability by Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS). Farrior serves as the Workforce Development Specialist within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department.
Farrior’s career began in real estate law, but she transitioned to education influenced by her father, a CTE agriculture teacher. “I did what Daddy always said I should do, and moved into the classroom,” she stated. She started teaching business education at Clayton High before moving to Princeton High, where she spent 24 years. In her last six years there, she was the CTE Career Development Coordinator.
With aspirations for leadership, Farrior earned a Master of School Administration from North Carolina State University and became JCPS’ CTE Workforce Development Specialist in 2021. Her role involves overseeing K-12 career development planning starting from kindergarten. She believes early exposure helps children avoid eliminating careers due to biases.
In middle school, students explore careers matching their interests with support from local employers through industry tours and work-based learning experiences like job shadowing and internships. Farrior coordinates district-wide events such as JOCO WORKS World of Work (WOW), which engages eighth-grade students with hands-on activities supported by various partners.
She also collaborates on Discover Construction Day with the Johnston County Building Industry Association to introduce students to construction trades. High school students focus on interview skills and earning certifications that prepare them for immediate employment or further academic pursuits. “That’s what I love about CTE. You’re helping them find their passion and build their future around it,” Farrior expressed.
Farrior values hearing success stories from students who overcame challenges through community partnerships. “It’s very rewarding and satisfying to hear those stories,” she noted, maintaining contact with some former students.
Being named Employee of the Year humbles Farrior while reinforcing her commitment to student opportunities. Although not in a classroom setting anymore, she remains an advocate behind the scenes: “Knowing that what I do opens doors to students motivates me to keep growing professionally.”
