The Innovation and Excellence in Public Education Award was awarded to Wilson County for its Communicating with Confidence program. This award was established to recognize the exemplary work of school boards that have found creative solutions to district challenges.

Created by the Wilson Education Partnership and led by Executive Director Robin Williams, the Communicating with Confidence initiative helps students regain social skills and confidence lost during the pandemic. The program’s success is evident as it expanded from a pilot in one class to multiple English III classes across all five high schools, impacting 300 juniors and fostering meaningful connections between students and business leaders.

For its exemplary work, the district was recognized during the November 14 awards ceremony of the Association’s annual conference in Greensboro.