Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) held its third annual Early Contract Signing Celebration on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
This year’s celebration hosted 18 JCPS educators signing one-year contracts in front of friends, family, JCPS teachers and administrators, and members of JCPS Leadership.
Attendees and their families were welcomed with words of encouragement and inspiration from several JCPS team members, including 2025-2026 Assistant Principal of the Year Lauren Strickland and Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year Nicole Riggs.
Early contract signee Renotha Penny said, “It makes me excited and secure knowing I have a job where I can practice what I’ve studied and teach children. I am looking forward to beginning my career.”
The Early Contract Signing Day reflects Johnston County Public Schools' commitment to hiring dedicated educators
who are excited to enter the classroom."
- Shelley Siegert
JCPS Director of Recruitment and Retention
The celebration, which is modeled after a sports contract signing celebration, recognizes and welcomes the student-teachers who have committed to beginning their professional careers as JCPS educators.
Alongside JCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pearce, the best and brightest newcomers signed their contracts, officially bringing them on board.
“This celebration provides an opportunity to celebrate this partnership and to continue strengthening an exemplary teaching workforce. As JCPS continues to achieve academic success, more educators are inspired to join the district,” said Shelley Siegert, JCPS Director of Recruitment and Retention.
“The Early Contract Signing Day reflects Johnston County Public Schools' commitment to hire dedicated educators who are excited to enter the classroom,” Siegert remarked.
For Lilly Johnson, it was a day she had been dreaming of her entire life. A graduate of Smithfield-Selma High, Johnson was part of the JOCO TEACH program offered through the school.
As a senior, she received a JOCO TEACH scholarship, worth $10,000 per year for three years, towards her teaching degree.
One of the scholarship parameters is that once recipients graduate from college, they return and teach in the school district for two years.
“I was excited to learn about the Early Contract Signing Celebration. It makes me feel secure in knowing that I am about to embark on the next chapter of my life, and I get to come back home and give back to the students of Johnston County Public Schools,” Johnson said.
JCPS has increased its employee recruitment efforts to attract and retain qualified educators, including strategies such as employee compensation, highlighting the positive school and district culture, and professional development opportunities.
Currently, the school district ranks at the top in the area for beginning teacher salary rates, which has been a point of emphasis in recent years as district leadership understands the needs of these employees and values what they contribute to education.
JCPS prides itself in providing the best educational opportunities possible to its more than 37,000 students, and attracting the newest educators who are excited about working in the school district is monumental.
Johnston County Public Schools strives to provide quality educational opportunities for its students and professional environments for its educators to excel and make a long-lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the community.
For opportunities to join the JCPS team, please view job openings at https://johnstoncountync.schoolspring.com.