Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools principals celebrated their own at the CMS District Leadership Meeting on Oct. 7. During a packed day, the leaders took time to gather in the Elbert Edwin Waddell High School auditorium to show their appreciation for the 2026 CMS Principal of the Year finalists – 11 chosen by their peers by School Performance Area – and this year’s Principal of the Year winner, LaTresha Wilson of Tuckaseegee Elementary School in Elementary School Performance Area C.

“Behind every great school is a principal who is doing what they do best,” said CMS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Melissa Balknight.

Each finalist entered the auditorium and went onstage through cheers and pom-poms. Each received prizes as the audience watched their individual winner’s video, and they symbolically were passed the torch from last year’s winners. In addition to Wilson, this year’s finalists are:

• Christy McCauley, Hawk Ridge Elementary School (Elementary School Performance Area A)
• Frederick Mohrien, Mint Hill Elementary School (Elementary School Performance Area B)
• Wendy Harris, Lincoln Heights Montessori School (Elementary School Performance Area D)
• Kiesha Pride, Westerly Hills Academy (Elementary School Performance Area E)
• Toni Perry, Albemarle Road Middle School (Middle School Performance Area A)
• Patrice McCauley, Wilson STEM Academy (Middle School Performance Area B)
• Beth Marshall, Druid Hills Academy (K-8 School Performance Area)
• Stephanie Hood, North Mecklenburg High School (High School Performance Area A)
• Marc Angerer, South Mecklenburg High School (High School Performance Area B)
• Erik Turner, Central Piedmont Early College (High School Performance Area C)

Learn more about each finalist here. For more on Wilson’s win, click here.