Melissa Hubbard, principal of Archer Lodge Middle, was selected as the 2022-2023 Principal of the Year for Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS). Igor Gorbatovski, assistant principal of Cleveland Elementary, was selected as the 2022-2023 Assistant Principal of the Year for Johnston County Public Schools.
Hubbard and Gorbatovski were surprised with the recognition in front of their families and JCPS staff on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Hubbard was honored at a breakfast for JCPS principals and Gorbatovski was honored at his school.
Hubbard has been with the school district since 1997 and has served as the principal of Archer Lodge Middle since 2017.
“Being nominated and receiving Principal of The Year for the school system I grew up in is an honor. However, I couldn’t do what I do everyday without a supportive family and school staff,” said Hubbard. “I could not have achieved any of last year’s accomplishments alone. It took a team and now this team will continue to raise the bar!”
Gorbatovski has been employed with JCPS since 2001 and has served as the assistant principal of Cleveland Elementary since 2016.
“It is such an honor to be nominated in front of my colleagues, the students, and administration,” said Mr. Gorbatovski. “It’s a great recognition not just for me, but also for our school and community. Our entire staff focuses on excellence and this recognition reflects how exemplary Cleveland Elementary is.”
The Amy Renfrow Leadership Principal of the Year Award is named after former Corinth-Holders Elementary principal Amy Renfrow. The awards are given through the Johnston County Principal and Assistant Principal Association (JCPAPA) to recognize outstanding principalship.
Both Hubbard and Gorbatovski were nominated by their colleagues to receive the award.
Hubbard is described as someone who is dedicated to improving both student learning and staff morale while helping both raise the bar of success from one year to the next. She is known throughout the school and community for being inspirational, hard working, and for motivating people to be their best.
Gorbatovski is described as someone who has a selfless drive, passion for education, and a desire to see the needs of staff and students met. His colleagues stated that he leads with his heart as demonstrated day to day as he serves students and their families.
“Johnston County Public Schools has some of the best principals in the education field, and Ms. Hubbard and Mr. Gorbatovski rank right at the top,” said Superintendent Dr. Eric C. Bracy. “These two individuals are dedicated to student and staff achievement, and the results of their hard work shows in their schools’ most recent achievement scores. I am proud to have them as leaders with the school system.”
Congratulations Ms. Melissa Hubbard, well deserved.