Mo Green is running to be North Carolina’s next State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the chief administrative officer for North Carolina’s public school system. 

 

Mo has strived to be a champion for public education in North Carolina throughout a professional career that has included being a school district superintendent, a chief executive for a large foundation that awards grants supporting public education and a school board attorney. 

 

Mo served more than seven years as superintendent of Guilford County Schools – the third largest district in North Carolina with more than 70,000 students. While Superintendent, Mo earned many accolades for his innovative leadership and reforms. GCS garnered state and national recognitions for improved academic performance, increased graduation rates, and character development/service learning. Today, GCS has some of the best schools in the state and the country.

 

After leaving GCS, Mo served as the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a major North Carolina foundation that supports various causes including public education, from 2016-2023.  When Mo retired from ZSR in 2023, it honored him with a $425,000 grant to fund college scholarships for graduates of Guilford County Schools.

 

Before Guilford County Schools, Mo joined Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in 2001 as general counsel. CMS is the second-largest school district in North Carolina. In 2006, he was named chief operating officer and later moved into the role of deputy superintendent. 

 

Mo has served on numerous boards dealing with a host of educational issues including homelessness, athletics, policy, media, arts and community support. He is committed to ensuring all students in public schools receive a high quality education, advocating for substantial investments in public education, making North Carolina a better state for educators, and ensuring students have safe and secure learning environments.  

 

Mo began his career as a lawyer in private practice after doing two United States judicial clerkships. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and a law degree, both from Duke University. Mo is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi (the Boulé) fraternities. Mo is a longtime resident of North Carolina. He is married and has two adult children, both of whom graduated from North Carolina public schools.