RALEIGH, NC (August 20, 2026) – The Public School Forum of North Carolina is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Martinette V. Horner as Senior Director of the North Carolina Center for Resilience and Learning.
Dr. Horner brings nearly three decades of experience as an educator and leader in North Carolina. Her career has included service as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, university faculty member, and program director. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she has led the Master of School Administration program and served as Regional Director of the NC New Teacher Support Program, supporting educators while strengthening partnerships with school districts across the state.
Dr. Horner also brings a strong record of building statewide partnerships and securing resources to support schools, educators, and educational leaders. Her work has included partnerships with school districts and regional organizations, including the Roanoke River Valley Education Consortium and the Central Carolina Regional Education Service Alliance, helping connect local priorities with research, professional learning, and university resources.
As a principal investigator, Dr. Horner has helped secure and lead more than $4.7 million in funded initiatives, including the $4.2 million UNC LEADS NC Principal Fellows Program and the $500,000 NC Research-Practice Network. Her experience in relational leadership, trauma-informed practice, continuous improvement, and research-practice partnerships closely aligns with the mission and work of the Center for Resilience and Learning.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Martinette V. Horner to the Public School Forum and the Resilience and Learning team,” said Public School Forum President and CEO Dr. Anthony D. Jackson. “Dr. Horner brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, relationships, and leadership to this work. Her deep roots and connections across North Carolina, along with her understanding of schools, educators, and the Forum, uniquely position her to lead and grow our Resilience and Learning efforts across the state. We are fortunate to have her on our team.”
As Senior Director, Dr. Horner will provide strategic leadership for the Center’s work with schools, districts, funders, and partners, advancing efforts to strengthen supportive and resilient learning environments for students and educators across North Carolina.
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About the Public School Forum of North Carolina
Since its founding in 1985 as a nonpartisan “think and do tank,” the Public School Forum of North Carolina has been a champion of better schools and one of the most trusted sources in the state for research and analysis on vital education issues. In order to provide meaningful action on the state’s most important public education issues, the Forum brings together leaders from business, education and government to study education issues, develop ideas, and ultimately inform and shape education policy. The Forum team conducts research and policy analysis, leads innovative programs, and advocates for high-quality, equitable educational opportunity for all children in North Carolina. Follow the Forum on social media at @theNCForum and visit our website at http://www.ncforum.org/
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