Every day, educators across North Carolina shape the lives of students and the future of our communities. Just as teachers work to ensure students have what they need to succeed, school, district and state education leaders strive to ensure educators have the supportive and effective environments they deserve that allow them to teach and lead. One of the most important ways educators can help ensure educator needs are met is by completing the 2026 North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Survey.
Topics Related to Celebrate the Good
A math teacher at Macon Middle School (Macon County Schools), Nishelle Henson is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.
A multilingual specialist at Pilot Mountain Elementary School (Surry County Schools), Jonathan Lancho Villa is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.
A second-grade teacher and K-5 reading specialist at St. James Elementary School (Lincoln County Schools), Melissa Hollar Culp is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.
A social studies teacher at Swansboro High School (Onslow County Schools), Cason Justice is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.Cason Justice uses two unexpected elements to make World History and AP European History relevant for students: dirt and dodgeballs.
A seventh-grade social studies teacher at Douglas Byrd Middle School (Cumberland County Schools), Manzell Spencer Jr. is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.
A K-5 reading specialist at Valle Crucis School (Watauga County Schools), Gina Holste is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.
A STEM teacher at Hertford Grammar School (Perquimans County Schools), Heather Dail is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.Hertford Grammar School sits in a town of fewer than 2,000 people, but thanks to Heather Dail, its students are learning their potential has no bounds.
A history, economics and personal finance teacher at Wilson Early College Academy (Wilson County Schools), Shannon Campbell is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.
A first-grade teacher at Lake Norman Charter School, Stephanie Lane is one of nine finalists for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 24. Ahead of the event, we are sharing the finalists’ stories so the public can get to know these extraordinary individuals and learn about their contributions to North Carolina public schools.Stephanie Lane’s classroom is a place where a kid can be a kid.