Wake County Board of Education chair congratulates Class of 2026, thanks educators

Tyler Swanson, chair of the Wake County Board of Education, addressed students and staff at the close of the school year, congratulating those advancing to new grades and the Class of 2026 on reaching "a major milestone." "You should be proud of what you've accomplished this year," Swanson said.

Swanson said diplomas represent "years of hard work, late nights, early mornings, obstacles you've overcome, and goals that you've achieved," and urged graduates to take time to recognize the people who supported them. He listed common next steps for graduates—four‑year colleges and universities, community college, apprenticeships, workforce entry and military service—and told students moving to middle or high school that they would have staff and classmates ready to support them.

The chair also offered explicit thanks to school employees, naming teachers, principals, counselors, instructional assistants and support staff, and noting that "our educators are changing lives for the better every single day." He acknowledged that much of that work can go unrecognized but said the dedication of school staff has been a constant through recent challenges.

Swanson framed schools as more than centers of academics: places where students discover passions, build confidence, find mentors and, for many, receive essential support. "They are places of belonging, places of growth, and places of joy," he said.

He closed by thanking every student, family and staff member across Wake County for the school year and wishing everyone a safe and fulfilling summer before again congratulating the Class of 2026.