Mike Swan named as Regional Superintendent of the Year

Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Swan has been chosen as one of eight regional Superintendent of the Year winners and nominees for the 2027 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year award.

“It is truly an honor to serve as the NWRESA Superintendent of the Year,” Dr. 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.”

Regional winners compete for the title of State Superintendent of the Year, which the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) calls a “prestigious annual honor.”

“The honor is awarded to a superintendent who exhibits outstanding leadership in service to K-12 public schools and is named in honor of the late Craig A. Phillips, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction in NC, who served from 1969-1989,” according to NCASA Communications Manager Rick Scoggins.

Winners are chosen each year by NCASA, the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) with support and sponsorship from Burroughs Wellcome Fund and Scholastic Education.

The 2027 Superintendent of the Year Award will be livestreamed on the NCASA YouTube channel on Oct. 8, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Swan is the Region 7/Northwest regional winner.

The state winner will compete for the 2027 National Superintendent of the Year Award, which will be presented at the American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education between Feb. 25-26, 2027, in Atlanta.

Swan’s official biography on the BCPS website reads in part:

“I have called Burke County home since the late 1990s when I moved here from West Virginia to take a job as an elementary school teacher. I fell in love with not only the place but also the people and the school district. My wife also works for the district, and we are proud parents of a graduate of Burke County Public Schools and another child who is thriving as a current student.

“As Superintendent, one of the best perks about my job is getting to meet and engage with the people of this community. We have 27 schools spread out over a county with a total area of 515 square miles. I love visiting our schools — whether they are side by side or 25 miles apart — chatting with our great employees, and getting to know students and parents.

“We have three main goals at Burke County Public Schools, and they are Academic Opportunities for All, All-around Well-being and All Schools Connected to the Community. You may have noticed the word “All” is in each one of our goals, which leads us to our All-in Promise — which cultivates genuine relationships between students, staff, parents/caregivers, and the community.

“We believe all students have a bright future and will make positive contributions to the community throughout their career journeys. While each student’s path is unique, it is our responsibility to equip them with the educational tools they need to make their dreams come true.

“But we don’t do this alone. To help our students reach their dreams, we have great parents, community, business and faith partners who participate in our journey. Great schools and great communities go hand-in-hand, and we are blessed to have both here in Burke County.

“Thank you again for your interest in Burke County Public Schools. As Superintendent, I count it a privilege and an honor to work alongside great educators and support staff who are all-in to elevate learning for all students.”