Orange County Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Wirt has been named the 2016 Outstanding Young Educator by the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum.

Wirt began his job as superintendent on July 1, 2015.

“Everything that I’ve thought about Orange County has been affirmed and more. We are excited about the work that’s going on and is ahead,” said Wirt.

Orange County Schools Superintendent Todd Wirt. Photo via Orange County Schools.

Orange County Schools Superintendent Todd Wirt. Photo via Orange County Schools.

The award is given to an education professional under 40 that makes an exceptional contribution to the profession.

Wirt had success in several school districts around the state before coming to Orange County but he humbly credited the people he has worked with for the award.

‘I’ve had great mentors and I’ve had great colleagues over the years and the award is just a representation of that,” said Wirt.

Gravelly Hill Middle School in Orange County Schools has also been awarded the 2016 Lighthouse School Award. This award is given to a school that shows student achievement and innovative teaching methods.

That award also made Wirt proud. He has a child at Gravelly Hill and has a close professional relationship with their principal.

“I had lots of pride yesterday on several levels, not only for our school system but as a parent and as a friend and colleague of our Principal Eric Yarbrough,” said Wirt.

As for his goals for the future of the district, Wirt hopes to make Orange County Schools a career destination.

“That’s really the terminology that we are using. We are trying to look for some of those internal things that we could put in place that are wins for our employees,” said Wirt.

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