Lauren Strickland has been named the Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Assistant Principal of the Year for 2025-2026, according to a Mar. 26 announcement. Strickland, who has worked in education for more than two decades, began her career with Alamance-Burlington School System after graduating from Elon University and later returned to Johnston County.
Strickland’s recognition highlights her long-standing commitment to education and student success in Johnston County. JCPS serves over 37,000 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and is known as the largest employer in Johnston County while offering services like student transportation and nutrition programs, according to the official website.
After teaching and serving as a curriculum coach at Four Oaks Elementary for fourteen years, Strickland earned advanced degrees from North Carolina State University and Campbell University. She was previously recognized as a finalist for the Flame for Learning Award in 2011 and received the Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Math and Science Teachers in 2017—a five-year grant that supports professional development within JCPS. “I’ve been blessed throughout my career to have a lot of wonderful opportunities afforded to me, and lots of people who have poured into me,” Strickland said.
As assistant principal at Pine Level Elementary, she focused on classroom management techniques and positive behavior supports designed to keep students engaged in learning environments. “I’m a firm believer that students can’t learn if they aren’t in the classroom,” she said. The school saw discipline referral numbers decrease after implementing these strategies.
Reflecting on her motivation, Strickland described how visiting an elementary classroom during high school helped define her purpose: “When I stepped foot into that classroom and was back in that environment, something clicked,” she said. “I knew that being an educator was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Johnston County Schools fosters cultural diversity with students representing more than forty-five languages across its state-of-the-art facilities supported by community backing, according to its official website. The district embraces a vision of empowering students to succeed globally while serving communities throughout Johnston County, North Carolina.
Looking ahead as principal at Glendale-Kenly Elementary School, Strickland emphasizes teamwork among staff: ”The school is not just the building; school is really the people. We can only be better together,” she stated.
