Dr. Don Phipps joined the Caldwell County Schools as superintendent in July 2018. Prior to that, he served the Beaufort County Schools as superintendent for 8.5 years. Dr. Phipps’ 29-year professional career has been entirely in education. He has been a school psychologist, non-profit 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.
Dr. Phipps is actively involved in public education locally, regionally, as well as 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 7 Superintendent of the Year in 2022, Region 1 Superintendent of the Year in 2015 and Pfeiffer University professor of the Year in 2001. He was awarded the American Heart Association’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2022.
Dr. Phipps is also actively involved in volunteer work throughout the community. He serves on eleven boards/teams throughout Caldwell County. 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.
Dr. Phipps is married to Nancy and they have four children and two grandchildren.
Past AASA North Carolina Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2022 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year: Dr. Valerie Bridges
2021 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year: Brent Williams
2020 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year: Anthony Jackson
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
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- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement