Education Leader Maria Pitre-Martin Receives 2024 Friday Medal

When Maria Pitre-Martin addresses a crowd, she usually starts with some version of her signature phrase, “Hello, everyone!” The “everyone” she’s addressing is intentional, in an effort to be inclusive to all—all students, all educators and all who live in her community. Inclusivity is in her nature, in her words and in her actions.

On Monday, Nov. 18, Pitre-Martin, executive director of the SERVE Center at UNC-Greensboro, was honored as the recipient of the annual Friday Medal award during a ceremony at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. This award honors significant, distinguished and enduring contributions to education and beyond through advocating innovation, advancing education and imparting inspiration. 

“Dr. Pitre-Martin is a visionary leader committed to expanding access and innovation for all learners,” said Krista Glazewski, executive director of the Friday Institute and associate dean for translational research in the NC State College of Education, in her opening remarks during the ceremony. “She recognizes the value of partnership and uses her influence strategically. Recently, she shared with me that her driving motivation has always been ‘to have utility to others.’ She embodies these ideals through service, selflessness and dedication to the greater good.”

The Friday Medal is given annually to selected individuals who embody the mission and spirit of the Friday Institute. It is named after Bill and Ida Friday, who were passionate advocates and leaders in education for more than 50 years. Pitre-Martin is the 26th recipient to receive this honor. 

Pitre-Martin has an extensive history of education leadership in different states and has significant leadership experience in North Carolina. Before working at the SERVE Center, she was the executive director of board operations and policy for the North Carolina State Board of Education and the deputy state superintendent, chief academic and digital officer, the state director of K-12 curriculum and instruction, and regional lead coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). She also served as superintendent of Thomasville City Schools in North Carolina, where there were double digit gains in state-mandated test scores, and the district had the highest graduation rate in the county, exceeding the state average. Pitre-Martin was named deputy superintendent by Superintendent-elect Maurice (Mo) Green when he announced his first appointment Nov. 22, which will be effective Jan. 2, 2025. Pitre-Martin will lead Green’s transition of NCDPI. 

During the ceremony, Paola Sztajn, the dean of NC State’s College of Education, and Alyson Wilson, interim vice chancellor for research and innovation at NC State University, gave welcoming remarks to congratulate this year’s Friday Medal recipient.

Longtime colleague and friend June Atkinson, CEO of Emerald Education and the first woman elected as North Carolina state superintendent of public instruction, paid tribute to Pitre-Martin during the ceremony before she received her award.

“Regardless of the role that Maria has had, she has achieved much and has led staff to do more than what they thought they could do,” said Atkinson. “In the many years I have known her, she has exhibited the heart of a teacher as she has carried out her duties. A teacher who listens— one who seeks to understand another person’s point of view before talking. A teacher who sets an example for others to follow by being kind, respectful and principled. A teacher who focuses on what the needs are before jumping to conclusions. A teacher who does her own work and prepares well. A teacher who is confident and not afraid to make mid-course corrections when goals or objectives are not being met. A teacher who takes pride in the accomplishments of those surrounding her.”

Glazewski presented Pitre-Martin with the signature Friday Medal plaque. After accepting her award, Pitre-Martin discussed the importance of education leaders.

“Education is the key to economic and social prosperity,” said Pitre-Martin. “Regardless of where students come from, it is where they are going that’s most important. We play a significant role in the process of pouring into students. We also know that it is our role to pour positivity into our educators because they cannot pour from an empty cup.”

She ended her remarks with her vision for education, discussing two key tenets of her work that need to be in place in order to implement high-quality education practices.

“My vision for education is clarity and cohesion,” said Pitre-Martin. “This is needed for the future and beyond. Our students deserve it, our families deserve it and our communities deserve it…As I continue to work in this great state of North Carolina, I pledge to focus my attention on these important tenets of clarity and cohesion in all work and to keep what is the most important the priority, which has to be the education of our students, the support of the educators pouring into those students and our efforts to ensure that our families and communities are given what they need to believe and support the educational journey.”

Also during the ceremony, Callie Edwards, Friday Institute senior director of evaluation programs and director of strategic programs, announced this year’s Friday Institute graduate student fellow winners. NC State College of Education doctoral students Margaret Borden, Amber Meeks and Janell Miller will receive $2,000 to support their dissertation research. Borden is a doctoral student in the Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM Education math education concentration; Meeks is a doctoral student in the Ph.D. in Learning and Teaching in STEM Education science education concentration; and Miller is a doctoral student in the Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences literacy and English language arts concentration.