Rowan-Salisbury School System Teacher of the Year Receives Phillip J. Kirk Honored Educator Scholarship
Phil Kirk, a native of Rowan County, presented the Phillip J. Kirk Honored Educator Scholarship to the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) and awarded it to Michael Knox, the Rowan-Salisbury School System’s 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year, at the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education meeting on Monday. Knox is in his sixth year at Hurley Elementary School, where he teaches fifth grade.
Presenting the scholarship, Kirk, who taught at Knox Middle School and Salisbury High School in 1967-72 and was former chairman of the State Board of Education, said he and Knox shared a strong belief that every child can succeed. “I also share your belief that students thrive the most when they feel supported and actively involved in the learning process,” he said.
The scholarship will cover all costs associated with Knox’s participation in a week-long program, including instruction, program materials, food and lodging on the NCCAT campus at Cullowhee or Ocracoke, travel to and from the campus, and payment for a substitute teacher while Knox is at NCCAT. In addition, Knox will receive $250 for classroom use.
Dr. Brock Womble, the Executive Director of NCCAT, in his letter announcing the scholarship wrote, “The Phillip J. Kirk Jr. Honored Educator Scholarship honors an outstanding advocate for public schools and an influential businessman who uses his energy, understanding of education issues, and connections with the business community to champion education in North Carolina.” Kirk also served as President/CEO of the North Carolina Chamber for 16 years and as Chairman of the Public School Forum of North Carolina.
Prior to presenting the scholarship, Kirk commended the Rowan-Salisbury Schools for their continued improvement in accountability standards and testing results. “This is an indication of the hard work and focus on excellence by the teachers, administrators, staff, and of course, the students.”
He also said that, as a 20-year board member of Participate Learning, he is proud of the use of international teachers in several local schools. “Understanding global issues and learning other languages is important in today’s society, and I congratulate you for utilizing these programs.”
Kirk also quipped that he was proud to have been selected as the “Salisbury Teacher of the Year” in 1970, before the consolidation of the Salisbury and Rowan systems. “That was also before there were such high standards for the winner!” Kirk graduated from East Rowan High School and Catawba College.
