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Drew Cook honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine

drew cook receives the Long Leaf Pine award and takes a photo with his family

Retired Wake County Public School System administrator Drew Cook was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during the Wake County Board of Education meeting on Sept. 1. The honor recognizes Cook’s nearly three decades of service to public education in North Carolina.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors and is presented to individuals in recognition of significant service to the state and their communities.

Cook is a lifelong Wake County resident and graduate of Garner High. He began his career with WCPSS in 1997 as a social studies teacher at Garner High and went on to serve as an assistant principal, principal, senior director, and Assistant Superintendent for Academics before retiring from the district in December 2025.

Cook served as principal of Garner High School from 2009 to 2014. During his tenure, he was named the 2011 WCPSS Principal of the Year and the 2012 North Carolina High School Principal of the Year.

In district leadership roles, Cook helped develop and implement academic programs, instructional systems, and support structures serving schools and students across Wake County. As Assistant Superintendent for Academics, he worked to strengthen instructional practices, expand academic opportunities for students, and provide support to school leaders.

“Drew has dedicated his career to giving back to the school system that educated him,” Superintendent Dr. Robert P. Taylor said. “He has built instructional systems and structures to support all school leaders, with an unwavering focus on improving student outcomes.”

In 2024, Cook received the Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award from the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association. The award is presented to a graduate of the association’s Aspiring Superintendent Program who demonstrates transformational leadership in public education.

Cook was joined for the presentation by his wife, two daughters, and mother, all of whom have also served as classroom teachers.