Gary Weart is a retired North Carolina public school teacher, coach, administrator, and lifelong advocate for safe, thriving schools. He has dedicated over 50 years to education, serving as a teacher, coach of seven sports, administrator, violence-prevention specialist, teacher-support specialist, and adjunct professor at UNC Charlotte.
After witnessing too many young people affected by violence, Gary co-founded Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.) in 1989. Today, the S.A.V.E. program has over 5,000 clubs in 49 states and several international chapters, and is recognized as Point of Light #875 by President George H.W. Bush. Gary also received the Presidential Service Award from President Bill Clinton in 1995 for his work in school safety and violence prevention.
A lifelong learner, Gary graduated cum laude from Pfeiffer College in 1971 with a degree in Social Studies and Biology, earned a Master of Science in Educational Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University in 1974, and completed an Educational Specialties degree from Appalachian State University in 1981.
Gary is also a proud U.S. Army veteran, serving three years as a 97-B Counterintelligence Special Agent during the Vietnam era. In 1972, he received the American Spirit Honor Medal at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Beyond education and public service, Gary has lived a remarkable life: he carried the Olympic Torch twice (Atlanta 1996, Salt Lake City 2002), introduced Governor Jim Hunt to the National SAVE Summit, and was recently awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
When he isn’t advocating for schools and communities, Gary enjoys early morning walks to capture sunrises and sunsets, and watching a good ballgame. Now, he is ready for a new challenge: running for North Carolina Senate District 33, which includes Rowan and Stanly Counties, to put his lifelong experience in education and public service to work for the people of North Carolina.
“Gary Weart will work for North Carolina—our students, our families, and our communities.”
Gary Weart for NC Senate district 33 