WILMINGTON — Dr. Freddie Williamson, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County, was awarded the North Carolina Association of School Administrators’ (NCASA) 2024 Raymond Sarbaugh Leadership Award during the NCASA 2024 Conference on Educational Leadership.
This award, named in honor of NCASA’s first full-time Executive Director, the late Raymond Sarbaugh, is given annually to an NCASA member who shows outstanding leadership in public school service, as well as a commitment to enhancing and supporting the efforts of fellow public school administrators.
Over his decades of service to North Carolina public schools, Dr. Williamson has distinguished himself as a “leader among leaders” through his tireless dedication to improving public schools and for his support of his school leader colleagues and the thousands of students they serve.
Dr. Williamson has served as the Robeson County Superintendent since 2020, after previously serving as Superintendent of Hoke County Schools for 15 years.
During his time as district leader, he has earned a reputation as a true team player, focusing on building capacity in leadership and promoting a collaborative student-centered approach to district turnaround work. This focus on teamwork is not only reflected in his district accomplishments but also highlighted in his ongoing collaboration with fellow education leaders across the state.
“Dr. Freddie Williamson is truly a leader among leaders,” says NCASA Executive Director, Katherine Joyce. “He has served as President of NCASA’s core affiliate, the NC School Superintendents’ Association, and he took an active role in advocating on behalf of all superintendents and other school leaders during his service as Superintendent Advisor to the State Board of Education. He models leadership and integrity daily and mentors others with his inclusive approach to school leadership.”
His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2016 A. Craig Phillips NC Superintendent of the Year. That same year, Dr. Williamson was recognized as one of four finalists for National Superintendent of the Year and was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the state of North Carolina. Prior to serving as a superintendent, Dr. Williamson worked in various education roles in surrounding districts, including but not limited to athletic coach, assistant principal, program director, and associate superintendent.
"I am thankful that we all in this room have answered the call to serve," Williamson said upon accepting the award. "I'm emotional about the work. It means something. Leadership matters ... your heart matters. What you believe for and about kids matters."
Dr. Williamson was raised on a family farm in Sampson County, NC, and despite not graduating from high school themselves, his parents instilled in him and his 12 siblings the importance of obtaining a strong education.
As a result, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education from North Carolina A&T State University and began his career as a classroom teacher, before finding himself drawn to educational leadership roles. He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from A&T, an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree from Fayetteville State University.
About NCASA: The NC Association of School Administrators (NCASA) serves more than 7,000 school leaders from across the state and was established in 1976 with a mission of ensuring student success through visionary leadership.