Dr. Mike Swan named Regional Superintendent of the Year

Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Swan has been named the 2027 Regional Superintendent of the Year by the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance.

The recognition qualifies Swan for consideration for the statewide superintendent of the year award, co-sponsored annually by the N.C. Association of School Administrators and the N.C. School Superintendents’ Association. The state winner will compete for the national award offered by the American Association of School Administrators.

“It is truly an honor to serve as the NWRESA Superintendent of the Year,” Swan said. “I am passionate about public education and pulling out the potential in every student. I am proud of our accomplishments at Burke County Public Schools and the NWRESA as a whole. We have valuable partnerships with education leaders, collaborative committees, training and advancement opportunities throughout our region, and those partnerships strengthen public education and benefit the heart of what we do for our students.”

Swan is in his fifth year leading Burke County Public Schools. He was named superintendent July 1, 2021, after serving as interim superintendent. His previous roles in the district include teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of student services and assistant superintendent.

Swan began his education career in Burke County in 1998 after being recruited from West Virginia University to teach fifth grade at Chesterfield Elementary School.

According to NWRESA, Swan was selected for his leadership, commitment to student success and work in public education across Western North Carolina.

Under Swan’s leadership, the district has focused on academic opportunity, workforce readiness, student well-being and long-term financial planning, according to the announcement. The district also has worked to increase academic rigor following the COVID-19 pandemic and balance instructional technology with traditional teaching methods.

Swan has established a leadership development model in the district for teacher leaders, aspiring administrators, assistant principals and new principals. According to NWRESA, the model has drawn interest from other districts in North Carolina.

Burke County Public Schools also has received recognition for its balanced instruction initiative, which is designed to reduce excessive student screen time while maintaining instructional practices. The district’s Career and Technical Education programs also rank among top-performing programs in North Carolina for educational attainment and workforce preparation, according to the announcement.

Swan has worked with workforce leaders, higher education institutions and industry partners to expand career-related opportunities for students. Recent collaborations include a partnership with High Country STEM.

He also works with local business leaders, workforce development agencies and Western Piedmont Community College on educational attainment and workforce preparation efforts.

Swan leads a teacher advisory council and convenes a school safety council that includes local law enforcement agencies.

“Dr. Swan exemplifies the kind of leadership that strengthens public education,” said Terry Worrell, executive director of NWRESA. “His vision, collaborative spirit and unwavering focus on students have made a meaningful impact not only in Burke County, but throughout the region.”

Before entering education, Swan worked on barges along the Ohio River in West Virginia after graduating from high school. He has credited that experience with helping shape his work ethic and perspective on service.

Swan earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Virginia University, a master’s degree in school administration from Gardner-Webb University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Carolina University in 2020.

His community involvement includes current and past service on the boards of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee, YMCA of Catawba Valley, America 250 Committee, United Way, Burke Development Inc. and the Industrial Commons Steering Committee. He is also a member of Rotary International through the Morganton Rotary Club.

Swan and his wife, Sara, an instructional coach with Burke County Public Schools, have two children.