Tuckaseegee Elementary School’s gymnasium was filled with cheers early Friday morning as Principal LaTresha Wilson was named the 2026 Principal of the Year for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

“To come in and notice all of these people here to support me, it was just an absolutely wonderful experience,” said Wilson. “I know that I live and I breathe being a principal and I pour into these kids every day. It means so much to me, and as I’ve said before, when I think about the accomplishments, it’s not about me. It’s not about me at all. But what’s on the other side of those accomplishments — the kids. Kids are shattering stereotypes. Kids are growing. Kids are becoming better versions of themselves. This is a very humbling and honorable honor.”

Wilson arrived at Tuckaseegee three years ago as a first-time principal. In her first year, the school was on the low-performing list, but by year’s end, its school performance grade moved from a D to a C. In 2024-25, Tuckaseegee moved from a C to a B.

“Principal Wilson is an amazing leader,” said Stephen Esposito, Elementary School Performance Area C assistant superintendent. “She has the ability to motivate, inspire and empower those that she serves to make a positive impact on students.”

Wilson comes from a family of educators and grew up in the Tuckaseegee neighborhood. Her family is embedded in the community, and the school benefits from having strong community support and long-time staff members, some of whom attended Tuckaseegee and are now back as teachers.

“LaTresha is the most passionate person about children that I know,” said Danielle Belton, Paw Creek Elementary School principal. Belton worked with Wilson 13 years ago at Tuckaseegee when Belton was the assistant principal and Wilson was a facilitator.

“It was a full circle moment because I had an assistant principal opening at Paw Creek and she came, interviewed and served as an assistant principal with me for seven years before returning to Tuckaseegee as principal,” said Belton. “Her heart is in all that she does. She truly leads with love. She is very data driven in her approach, making sure every single kid gets exactly what they need. I am overfilled with joy to celebrate her.”

Learn more about Wilson here.