This Wake school leader is a finalist for North Carolina Principal of the Year
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mariah Walker named Wake County 2025–26 Principal and state North Central winner.
- She leads Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy with two decades of district service.
- Peers cite Walker's instructional rigor, trust-building, and culture of growth.
Wake County’s top principal is now a finalist for North Carolina Principal of the Year.
On Monday, Mariah Walker was announced as the state’s North Central Region Principal of the Year during a surprise assembly at the Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Raleigh. She’s among nine finalists who will compete next spring to be named the 2026 North Carolina Principal of the Year.
“This is an amazing surprise,” Walker said at the ceremony. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve and reflect all that is right in public education in North Carolina.”
Elena Ashburn became the first and still only Wake County principal to win North Carolina Principal of the Year in 2021 when she led Broughton High School in Raleigh.
Principal ‘fosters deep trust’
Walker was named the Wake County school system’s 2025-26 Principal of the Year in October.
Walker has worked in Wake for two decades, including being principal of the Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy since 2022. The academy is the only single-gender school for girls in the school district.
The Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy allows female students to take single-gender courses in middle and high school before taking courses at Shaw University..
Jason Johnson, the 2025 North Carolina Principal of the Year, praised Walker during Monday’s surprise assembly.
“Dr. Walker leads with the belief that every young woman is gifted, ensuring rigorous and intellectually rich instruction is accessible to all,” said Johnson, who is the principal of Orange High School. “She fosters deep trust within the school community by showing up authentically, encouraging vulnerability, and honoring staff as whole people, not just educators.
“Teachers describe the culture under her leadership as joyful, courageous, and purpose driven. She has created a place where growth is expected, supported, and celebrated.”
This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM with the headline "This Wake school leader is a finalist for North Carolina Principal of the Year."
