RALEIGH — The finalists for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year have been named by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction
Nine North Carolina educators have been recognized as regional Teachers of the Year for their outstanding leadership and teaching excellence and are now finalists for North Carolina Teacher of the Year (NCTOY).
The N.C. Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, has been honoring teachers with this award since 2013.
“These nine educators are just a sampling of the incredible talent we’re lucky to have in North Carolina public schools,” said State Superintendent Catherine Truitt in a press release.
“They represent excellence across disciplines, from core subjects to career and technical education to the arts,” Truitt said. “I commend each of them for their dedication to getting students excited about learning, and I can’t wait to see what this cohort accomplishes together on behalf of students in the year ahead.”
The finalists include educators from nine different regions and one from a charter school:
- Charter School: Lee Haywood, Uwharrie Charter Academy (Randolph County)
- Northeast: Anita Rubino-Thomas, Currituck County High School (Currituck County)
- Southeast: Nardi Routten, Creekside Elementary School (Craven County)
- North Central: Rachel Brackney, Southwest Edgecombe High School (Edgecombe County)
- Sandhills: Jennifer Blake, Carthage Elementary School (Moore County)
- Piedmont Triad: Will Marrs, Davie County High School (Davie County)
- Southwest: Sarah Lefebvre, Health Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle School (Union
County)
- Northwest: Erik Mortensen, Watauga High School (Watauga County)
- Western: Heather Smith, Waynesville Middle School (Haywood County)
The mission of the NCTOY Program is to promote the teaching profession through advocacy and support, recognizing outstanding educators implementing best practices.
The winner will be announced on April 5, 2024, during an awards ceremony.
Nine principals have been selected as regional Principals of the Year (NCPOY), with one to be named the Wells Fargo Principal of the Year at a ceremony on May 24.
“Principals are challenged with creating a culture of excellence and advocating for both students and teachers,” State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said in a press release. “Though these nine regional Principals of the Year are from diverse backgrounds and different areas of the state, what they have in common is an unwavering commitment to improving student outcomes and making an impact on their communities.”
The NCPOY serves as an ambassador for the state’s principals, advising the State Board of Education and participating in the North Carolina Public School Forum.
The selected principals include leaders from various schools, each recognized for their exceptional contributions to education. Their achievements range from improving student credentials and graduation rates to transforming school cultures and fostering professional development opportunities for teachers.
The nine principals, along with their region and school are:
- Charter: Dr. Sarena Fuller, ArtSpace Charter School
- North Central: Winston Pierce, Farmington Woods Magnet Elementary School (Wake County Public Schools)
- Northeast: Sonya Rinehart, John A. Holmes High School (Edenton-Chowan Public Schools)
- Northwest: Beckie Spears, Wilkesboro Elementary School (Wilkes County Schools)
- Piedmont Triad: Dr. Nancy Martinez, Career Center High School (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools)
- Sandhills: Erica Fenner-McAdoo, Howard Hall Elementary School (Cumberland County Schools)
- Southeast: Christianne May, Castle Hayne Elementary School (New Hanover County Schools)
- Southwest: Dwight Thompson, Renaissance West STEAM Academy (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)
- Western: Phil Rogers, R-S Central High School (Rutherford County Schools)
The 2023 Principal of the Year was Donna Bledsoe of Surry County.
