 |
In keeping with Mo Green’s call to revere educators, on Jan. 1, 2025, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI) kicked off the New Year with a message to those working in schools and districts:
Happy New Year! As we start 2025, we want to thank school and district personnel for their dedication and commitment to their school communities. You inspire us everyday! We are looking forward to a new year filled with exciting opportunities.
That thank you was posted even before the press release about the swearing in of Maurice “Mo” Green as North Carolina’s Superintendent of Public Instruction was issued.
During the day, Green went on to be sworn in; updated DPI’s website with his current bio; posted his entry plan, which outlines his goals, objectives, major activities, and timeline for transition; provided more information about his “Mo wants to know” listening and learning process; invited comment on his strategic plan; and launched social media accounts in his official capacity.
Green’s swearing in
Green was sworn in at the Meredith Leigh Haynes-Bennie Lee Inman Education Center in Jamestown in Guilford County, which serves approximately 140 students who have significant cognitive and/or physical disabilities, according to a press release from DPI. 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.
“I’m honored and humbled to be sworn in as North Carolina’s 22nd State Superintendent of Public Instruction,” said Green on Facebook. “Today is just the beginning with N.C. Public Schools.”
Green was sworn in by the Honorable N. Carlton Tilley, Jr., Senior United States District Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina. Green clerked for Tilley after graduating from law school.
Haynes-Inman Principal Kevin Carr welcomed everyone to the swearing in, and Rep. Amos Quick — who served on the Guilford County Board of Education when Green served as superintendent of Guilford County Schools — gave the invocation.
Leah Carper, the 2022 N.C. Teacher of the Year, was on hand to introduce Green before the oath of office was administered. Carper was an educator under Green when he was the district superintendent in Guilford County. She had read back through all of his emails to the educators during his tenure.
“New Year. New Superintendent. New opportunities for North Carolina students,” said Carper. “There is something special about NEW. The possibilities. The fears. The opportunities.” Carper encouraged Green to “stay true to your vision of excellence in academics and character” — words he had sent to educators years before.
Eric Davis, the chair of the N.C. State Board of Education, promised to work with Green. “The State Board of Education will work in close partnership with Mo to elevate student academic achievement and venerate our educators,” said Davis.
Getting to know Mo Green
EdNC has written about Green since he became a candidate for state superintendent, but today the DPI website was updated with this statement about who Mo Green is:
Maurice “Mo” Green’s vision for North Carolina public schools can be summed up in three words: Achieving Educational Excellence. The son of a special education teacher, Green is a lifelong champion of public education and has seen first-hand its ability to transform both lives and communities.
As North Carolina’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction, he is committed to ensuring all students in public schools have access to a high-quality education. He strongly champions greater support and resources for public education, striving to create a brighter future for students, educators and communities across the state.
After doing two United States judicial clerkships and working as a lawyer in private practice, Green served as general counsel for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), the second-largest school district in North Carolina, starting in 2001. In 2006, he was named its chief operating officer and later moved into the role of deputy superintendent.
In 2008, he became superintendent for Guilford County Schools (GCS), the third largest district in North Carolina. During his more than seven years of leadership, he was widely recognized for his innovative approach to education and impactful reforms. Under his guidance, the district achieved significant improvements in academic performance, increased graduation rates and prioritized character development, earning both state and national acclaim for these successes.
After leaving GCS, Green served as the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, an influential North Carolina foundation that supports various causes including public education, from 2016-2023. During his tenure, he led a strategic assessment and planning process that resulted in All For NC, a framework for grantmaking and learning that centers efforts to strengthen democracy, advance public education, foster a healthy and sustainable environment and promote social and economic justice.
Green has served on numerous boards focused on educational issues including homelessness, athletics, policy, media, arts and community support. He is a double Duke University graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and a law degree. Green is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi (the Boulé) fraternities. He is married and has two adult children, both of whom graduated from North Carolina public schools.
The press release says Green’s primary role will be to manage North Carolina’s public school system and lead DPI, but that he also will oversee policy implementation across school districts and charter schools, advocate for public education to the General Assembly, and serve as secretary of the N.C. State Board of Education.
“Mo wants to know”
The DPI website says Green is putting together a strategic plan that will include goals, initiatives, and accountability measures for schools. It says Green will be “meeting with and listening to students, parents, educators, community members, faith leaders, business leaders and anyone passionate about public education.”
You can submit comments for consideration in the plan here.
Green’s entry plan
Green’s vision for public schools, according to DPI’s press release, includes six pillars:
1. Prepare each student for their next phase of life;
2. Invest in public schools by fully funding public education;
3. Revere public school educators;
4. Enhance parent and community support;
5. Ensure safe, secure learning environments; and
6. Celebrate the good in public education.
DPI posted Green’s entry plan, which includes three phases and outlines the goals, objectives, major activities, and timeline for his transition into the role of state superintendent.
Phase 1 — anticipated to last through the end of February — is pre-entry through initial entry.
Phase 2 — from mid-January through March 2025 — is the listening and learning process called “Mo wants to know.”
Phase 3 — from March to June 2025 — is the development of a strategic plan.
The entry plan includes seven goals, each with objectives and activities:
1. Develop effective and positive SBE/Superintendent relations;
2. Establish the organizational structure for NCDPI that will be designed to increase organizational effectiveness and efficiency and successfully implement the strategic plan;
3. Establish the overarching themes that will serve as a foundation of the strategic plan — Achieving Educational Excellence — and the work of NCDPI;
4. Build and enhance meaningful and positive relationships with various communities;
5. Enhance personal understanding of current educational strategies and issues generally;
6. Enhance personal understanding of NCDPI/SBE special programs, initiatives, legal issues and related issues; and
7. Enhance personal understanding of NCDPI/SBE current strategic plan, policies and practices.
Here is the entry plan:
How to follow Green in his official capacity on social media
Also on Jan. 1, 2025, Green launched social media accounts in his official capacity as state superintendent.
Follow him on Facebook here.
Follow him on Twitter, now X, here.
Want to work for DPI?
In case you missed it, DPI previously announced its new organizational structure and posted job openings for leadership positions.
