Superintendent-elect Maurice “Mo” Green gave his first press conference on Wednesday following his victory, sharing plans for how he will support the state’s more than 2,500 public schools and lead the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) when he takes office in January.

Green, the Democratic candidate, won with 51.09% of votes, according to unofficial results.

“The very soul of public education was on the ballot this November,” Green told reporters on a Zoom call. “I am so pleased and thankful that champions of public education did meet this moment.”

In North Carolina, the state superintendent also administers a $17.2 billion budget, serves as the secretary and chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education, and manages more than 1,000 employees.

Green, an attorney and former superintendent of Guilford County Schools, has said his experience as a school superintendent will help him serve in this statewide role.

During his campaign, Green called for increased respect and pay for teachers, more funding for public schools in North Carolina, and celebrating the good happening in public schools while working to expand opportunities for all students.

On Wednesday, Green said in the weeks ahead, he plans to thank the people who helped him win, rest and reflect, and then “get to work to…implement a bold vision, direction, and plan for our public schools.” Specifically, Green plans to focus on student academic achievement and character development, increasing base pay for teachers, and promoting school choice within public schools.

Before taking office in January, Green said he will spend time with current Superintendent Catherine Truitt, learning about her priorities and leadership choices.

“I want to spend this moment first of all thanking Catherine Truitt for her incredible service to the students of North Carolina. I think she did some great work, particularly around early literacy skills,” Green said. “… It’s always easy to come in from the outside and say, ‘Well, I’m going to do it a different way,’ but I am one that always likes to first understand why it is the way it is first.”

On Wednesday morning, Truitt pledged a smooth transition.

“Congratulations to @MoGreenforNC! Team DPI pledges to work with you on a smooth transition on behalf of our 1.5 million @ncpublicschools’ students,” Truitt said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Green said he plans to continue Truitt’s efforts to promote and advance early literacy skills in the state’s public schools.

He also plans to meet with Truitt about her current team at DPI.

Green shared several things he learned from his time at Guilford County Schools that he plans to bring to his role as superintendent: stakeholder listening sessions, bold visions, hiring well, student engagement, and support from parents and community members.

“It will not work well if we don’t have parents and community involved in this work,” he said.

Reporters asked Green about his plans to reach out to voters who may not have voted for him.

First, Green said he plans to acknowledge people’s concerns, while also celebrating the good that is already happening in public schools and revering educators.

“And ultimately more important, beyond sort of mindset shifts, is we have to improve outcomes for our students,” he said.

In addition to improving student academic achievements, Green said he will also focus on addressing mental health challenges and student discipline.

While he believes the 51% of North Carolinians who voted for him chose “a more positive way forward” for public schools, he wants to address concerns about public schools.

“For those who didn’t chose me, I want to be abundantly clear that I hear the concerns, I do. I’m a listener,” Green said. “We’ll invite people to engage in a conversation that allows us to figure out how, perhaps with the way that I approach the work, to be heard and to help us improve public education.”