Submitted by Johnston County Public Schools
Kathryn Farrior has been named Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2025 Employee of the Year for Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability. Farrior is the Workforce Development Specialist for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department.
Her introduction into the classroom was as a CTE business education teacher at Clayton High. Farrior transferred to Princeton High, where she served the school community for 24 years. For the last six of those 24 years, Farrior was the school’s CTE Career Development Coordinator.
Farrior’s goal has always been to grow professionally and step into a leadership role, so she pursued and received a Master of School Administration from North Carolina State University. Then, in 2021, she became JCPS’ CTE Workforce Development Specialist.
The CTE curriculum is powered by passionate educators, like Farrior, who specialize in career field program areas, facilitate career development, and support students with unique needs. The department’s focus is on expanding students’ career and college options and making the transition from high school to adulthood easier. CTE’s mission is for every Johnston County Public Schools graduate to have a plan for their future and the skills, knowledge, and aptitudes to make it a reality.
As the CTE Workforce Development Specialist, Farrior’s primary role is to oversee K-12 career development planning. She has established strong partnerships with local employers to provide students with industry tours, guest speakers and other work-based learning experiences such as job shadowing, internships and apprenticeships.
Although she is no longer in the classroom, Farrior is a behind-the-scenes advocate. “Knowing that what I do opens doors to students motivates me to keep growing professionally, and to keep making connections with community and employer partners who help students with their futures,” she said.
