The Public School Forum of North Carolina mourns the passing of Jo Ann Norris, a founding member of the Forum’s leadership team, serving as associate executive director from from 1986 until 2011 and then assuming the role of executive director from 2011 until 2014. Her leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to public education strengthened the Forum’s voice and deepened its impact across the state.
Jo Ann began her career as a first-grade teacher and was honored as North Carolina Teacher of the Year in 1979 before bringing her experience and insight to state-level education advocacy. At the Forum, she had a close working relationship and friendship with founding executive director John Dornan. Those who knew the duo remarked that they were the perfect combination with John generating great ideas and Jo Ann making sure the trains ran on time. In her role as associate executive director, she built on the organization’s legacy by championing high-quality teaching and expanded opportunities for educators, and elevating the conversation around public education policy and practice in North Carolina.
Throughout her career, Jo Ann was known for her thoughtful leadership, steadfast dedication and genuine belief in every child’s potential. For many years she oversaw both the NC Teaching Fellows Program and the Education Policy Fellowship Program. Her work deepened the Forum’s role as a trusted voice for students, educators and communities.
“Jo Ann was a very strong but warm woman who really inspired the individuals that she worked with. She left a legacy. She truly did leave a legacy, especially within the Teaching Fellows Program,” remarked Jo Ann’s longtime friend Pat Orange. “She and John did an enormous amount of good for public education and for teaching in North Carolina.”
“I first met Jo Ann when I was a beginning teacher in Wake County and she was the NC Teacher of the Year. The professionalism, high standards, and expectations she set for us as teachers made her a formidable force that she carried throughout her career and life. As a principal and superintendent, I admired and greatly appreciated her advocacy work at the Forum and as my Educational Policy Fellowship Program facilitator,” remarked Forum Emeritus Board Member Tom Williams. “Jo Ann set a very high bar for thousands of our amazing NC Teaching Fellows alumni across North Carolina. Thanks to her, many of us were made better educators, and North Carolina, a better place to learn and teach!”
We are grateful for her many years of service to public education and to the Forum’s mission.
Rest in peace, Jo Ann Norris. Your legacy of leadership and service will continue to inspire.
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