Phipps named Region Seven Superintendent of the Year

News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C.
·2 min read

May 20—LENOIR — Caldwell County Schools Superintendent Donald Phipps was named the Region Seven Superintendent of the Year by the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA) for 2022-2023.

NWRESA is an organization that provides professional services, staff development and support for public schools in the northwest region of North Carolina.

The Regional Superintendent of the Year Award winner is chosen by fellow superintendents from the 13 school districts in Northwest North Carolina. Phipps is one of eight superintendents in the state recognized for this honor and it places him in the running for State Superintendent of the Year.

Phipps joined CCS as superintendent in July 2018. Prior to that, he served the Beaufort County Schools as superintendent for 8.5 years. Dr. Phipps' 28-year professional career has been entirely in education. He has been a school psychologist, nonprofit director of research and development, university professor and department chair, assistant principal, principal, executive director, and superintendent. His work career has involved the Cumberland County Schools, Smart Start of Cumberland County, Pfeiffer University, Beaufort County Schools, and Caldwell County Schools. He has taught in adjunct roles at several colleges and universities.

He has earned the following degrees: Bachelor's degree from Methodist College (now Methodist University) in Psychology and Management Psychology; Master's Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study from Appalachian State University in School Psychology; Education Doctorate degree from Appalachian State University in Education Leadership; and a Master's of Education degree from UNC-Charlotte in Instructional Systems Technology.

Phipps is actively involved in public education locally and across the state. He has presented to the NC General Assembly, the Hunt Institute, NC State Board of Education, and at many professional conferences across the state, as well as regional and national conferences. He also serves on several local and state-level committees and boards. He has served as the President of the Northeast North Carolina Superintendents RESA as well as the Northwest North Carolina Superintendents RESA, the Chair of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Testing Compliance Commission, Vice-President of the Northwest North Carolina Superintendents RESA, and on several committees/teams with DPI. He was named Region 1 Superintendent of the Year in 2015 and Pfeiffer University professor of the Year in 2001.

Phipps is also actively involved in volunteer work throughout the community. As a charter member of the Foothills Rotary Impact club and other affiliations, his service within the community stretches far and wide. Dr. Phipps leads by example and his belief that the greatest way to lead is to serve is on display in many ways.

He is married to Nancy and they have four children and two grandchildren.