June Atkinson
Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on September 17, 2007 - 4:20pm.Tags: Under the Dome
| Office | District | Status |
| School Superintendt. | Statewide | Incumbent |
| Party | In Office Since | Term Ends |
| Democrat | 2004 | 2012 |
| Level of Government | ||
| Council of State | ||
| Date of Birth | Birthplace | Now Lives In |
| August 19, 1948 | Bedford, VA | Raleigh/Cary, NC |
Synopsis | A former teacher, June Atkinson worked for the state Department of Public Instruction for 27 years. In 2004, she was elected state superintendent of public instruction, but she did not take office until August of the following year because of a lawsuit. In 2007, she announced she would run for a second term, using the state's new public campaign financing. She defeated Eddie Davis in the Democratic primary and former House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan in the 2008 elections. |
Trivia |
She used to go hang-gliding and paragliding. |
Endorsements |
AFL-CIO of N.C., Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NARAL North Carolina, Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association, Simkins PAC, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Central North Carolina, Equality NC |
Biography
|
Marital Status
Married
Spouse
William Gurley
Children
None
|
June Atkinson is the state superintendent of public instruction.
Early Life and Education
June Atkinson was born in Bedford, Va. Her mother worked for a textile firm and her father worked in construction.
She graduated from Stanton River High School in 1966.
She then studied at Radford College (now University), earning a a bachelor of science in business education in 1969. She then went to work as a teacher while studying vocational technical education at Virginia Tech, earning her master's in 1974.
She graduated with a doctorate in education leadership and policy from N.C. State University in 1996.
Professional Career
From 1972 to 1976, she went to work for Charlotte schools, leading a business co-op program where students studied in the morning and worked in the afternoon.
From 1976 to 2003, she worked for the state Department of Public Instruction as chief consultant of business education, assistant division director, director of career education and director of instructional services, among other positions.
She retired in 2003 to run for office.
Political Career
She was elected superintendent of public instruction in November of 2004, but she did not take office because of a lawsuit until August of 2005.
In September of 2007, she announced she would run for re-election. She planned to use the state's new public campaign financing.
She was endorsed by the state chapter of the AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina.
She defeated Eddie Davis in the Democratic primary, winning 53 percent of the vote.
She defeated former House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan in the November election, winning 54 percent of the vote.
Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith.
Occupation
| Superintendent Department of Public Instruction |
Community Involvement:
Active in missions and volunteer projects at First United Methodist Church in Cary; board of trustees of North Carolina Symphony; past volunteer in career and technical education program.
Contact Info
Email: jatkinson@dpi.state.nc.us
| Superintendent's Office 6301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-6301 919-807-3430 |
The June Atkinson Committee PO Box 31461, Raleigh, N.C. 27622 919-818-7209 |
Education
| bachelor of science in business education Radford College Graduated: 1969 |
master of science in vocational technical education Virginia Tech Graduated: 1974 |
doctorate in educational leadership and policy N.C. State University Graduated: 1996 |
Military
Not specified.
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