Branch Awarded Friday Medal
November 21, 2006 - Ken Branch was presented the inaugural Friday Medal by University of North Carolina System President Emeritus William C. "Bill" Friday on Nov. 15 at the William and Ida Friday Institute on Centennial Campus.
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"This is a wonderful and deserved honor that we are proud to see Ken Branch receive," said Wake Superintendent Del Burns. "The Friday Medal is a prestigious honor. Ken earned it through his hard work as principal of Centennial Campus Middle School and his support for NC State's Friday Institute. This is recognition awarded for building a relationship that will reward our state with innovative instruction and new teachers well-prepared for the classroom."
Dr. Branch currently serves as the WCPSS Magnet Schools Senior Director, managing a program that provides a rich array of educational choices for students. WCPSS magnet schools have earned recognition as the best magnet schools in the country. The schools offer parents a choice of instructional programs such as Creative Arts and Sciences, Gifted and Talented, International Studies, Active Learning and Technology, International Baccalaureate, Community Model, Leadership, Montessori and Museums.
As the founding principal of Centennial Campus Middle School, Branch worked to bring to life the magnet school where students, teachers and parents frequently engage with faculty, students and the facilities of North Carolina State University's 10 colleges, as well as its corporate and governmental partners on Centennial Campus. Before the doors opened for class in July 2000, he managed every detail - from hiring teachers to selecting equipment. Branch created a true model middle school for Wake County and the state.
Branch was a key partner in working with NC State University's College of Education in developing the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. Branch talked about the educational and research advantages that would result from building the facility adjacent to the Centennial Campus Middle School. He championed the Friday Institute's themes of innovation, education and inspiration, drawing donors and partners through his enthusiasm and vision.
A native of Rich Square, N.C., Branch holds two post-graduate degrees from NC State and has been an educator for more than 30 years. He was named Middle School Principal of the Year by the Wake County PTA Council in 2006.
The Friday Medal was created to honor significant contributions to education for the people of North Carolina and beyond through advocating innovation, advancing education and imparting inspiration. Celebrating the achievements of Bill and Ida Friday, the medal will be given annually to those who best exemplify the vision, mission, ideals and goals of the Friday Institute. "We are grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of honoring distinguished service to public education. In a democracy there is no higher calling," says Bill Friday.
The Friday medal presentation to Branch was one of the events surrounding NC State's celebration of American Education Week.
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