Raleigh, NC - The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) Division of Principals and Administrators has announced the recipients of its 2026 Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, and Central Office Administrator of the Year awards. These honors recognize exceptional leadership and the outstanding contributions administrators make to students, staff, schools, and public education across North Carolina.
Dr. Melanie Shaver has been named the 2026 Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Shaver has served as Superintendent of Hyde County Schools since 2022 and was previously recognized in McDowell County as both Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year.
Regina Rainey has been named the 2026 Principal of the Year. Rainey serves as principal of Carver Elementary School in Henderson and has distinguished herself as a passionate advocate for students and educators through her commitment to instructional excellence, teacher leadership, and school improvement.
Monkia Vasili has been named the 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year. Vasili serves as assistant principal at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem and has earned Assistant Principal of the Year honors at her school four of the past five years. She believes in putting passion and enthusiasm into her work teaching skills that are useful not only in the classroom, but throughout life as well.
Amber Hines has been named the 2026 Central Office Administrator of the Year. Hines serves as an elementary literacy coordinator and has used her instructional expertise, creativity, and innovative thinking to help educators across her district translate research into effective classroom practice.
“The work these educators have done and continue to do elevates not only their local schools, but North Carolina as a whole,” said Tamika Walker Kelly, president of NCAE. “Their leadership is a testament to the incredible work happening in our public schools every day to ensure students succeed. We are proud to honor each of them with these awards.”
