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An educator in Rutherford County Schools since 2003 has been named to a position with the State Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Julie Pittman of Rutherfordton will serve as the special assistant to the superintendent--educator engagement.
The announcement was made by State Superintendent-Elect Catherine Truitt who said Pittman and the other new staff members will be essential to the operation and success of the department and for its critical support of schools across North Carolina.
A 23-year educator, Pittman has been a high school English teacher in Rutherford County Schools since 2003 at R-S Central High School. She was named the 2018 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Western Region N.C. Teacher of the Year. For the last two years, Pittman has been a teacher on loan to No Kid Hungry, serving as the education outreach manager in North Carolina.
"I am really honored to be appointed to this special advisory position," Pittman said. She said everybody in a school facility is engaged in building education in North Carolina. "From the cafeteria to the board room, bus garage... we are all dedicated to student success."
Pittman holds a master of arts degree from UNC Chapel Hill and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She serves as a Governor Cooper appointee to the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching Board of Trustees, is a member of the N.C. Hispanic/LatinX Action Coalition, and a board member of American Friends of the Bajio.
Pittman has worked in rural and urban public school districts in the state to develop educator advocacy and teacher leadership opportunities. In this newly-created position, she will work to lift up the voices of educators as well as other education stakeholders, to the department as well as the legislature. Her weekly school visits will serve as a source of feedback from those who are serving our students daily.
Pittman said she is excited to be a part of building and understanding policy and practice as she continues to work under the leadership of the new superintendent.
Pittman commented on her Facebook post after the announcement she is "excited to join forces with my new colleagues at DPI and to join the work and efforts of the NC State Board of Education in a collaborative effort of promise and partnership- "One Voice, One Vision."
Pittman and her husband Blue Pittman have twin daughters, Sophie and Mia, 11-year-old sixth graders at R-S Middle. The Pittmans will continue living in Rutherfordton.
