Michael E. Ward is an American politician who served as North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1996 to 2004.[1]

Michael E. Ward
Ward in 2015
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction
In office
1996–2004
GovernorJim Hunt
Mike Easley
Preceded byBob Etheridge
Succeeded byPatricia N. Willoughby
Personal details
BornFranklin County, North Carolina, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseHope Morgan Ward
Alma materNorth Carolina State University

Born in Franklin County, North Carolina, Ward attended North Carolina State University. Upon graduation, he was employed as a public school teacher, and later principal, before serving as superintendent of public schools in Granville County. After being named North Carolina's 'Superintendent of the Year' in 1994, Ward was elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1996. A Democrat, Ward was elected to a second term in 2000. He chose not to stand for reelection in 2004.

In August 2004, Ward stepped down from his position prematurely to join his wife, Hope Morgan Ward, who had accepted a position as a Methodist bishop in Mississippi. Patricia N. Willoughby was appointed to fill the position for the remainder of Ward's term.

Personal life

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Ward and his wife have two children, Jason and Brooke.

References

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  1. ^ Manzo, Kathleen Kennedy (May 17, 2006). "Investing in the Future". Education Week. Retrieved 3 July 2011. "Frankly, there was a need for some pressure" on schools to perform better, says Michael E. Ward, who was the state superintendent of public instruction ...