Rachel Candaso of Pitt County Schools was named the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Teacher of the Year last April. Watch her acceptance speech on the NCDPI YouTube page.
Q&A
NCDPI: Congratulations on becoming the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Teacher of the Year! What have your first few weeks been like?
Candaso: Thank you so much! It’s truly been a whirlwind of emotions, but the ones that have been surfacing the most are gratitude and reflection on my time in the classroom. I’ve been soaking in every moment, from the announcement luncheon and reuniting with my fellow regional TOYs to the assembly at my school with students sharing about their time in my class. Since I have returned after the announcement, I find myself getting teary-eyed over the smallest things. I have had students come up to me telling me they want to be a teacher too. My heart has felt so full. This recognition has brought so much pride and joy to my school community, and my students have embraced it as a win for them too. That’s been the most powerful part of this whole experience thus far — getting to be a champion for students!
As Teacher of the Year, you will be traveling the state to advocate for public education. What issues or stories do you hope to bring attention to this year?
As Teacher of the Year, I want to uplift stories that often go untold, especially those from our rural schools. These communities are vibrant, resilient and deeply committed to preparing students for life beyond the classroom. As an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) educator, my platform centers on ensuring comprehensive preparation for all students. That means fostering rigorous academic readiness while also empowering students to be active participants in their own learning journey. I want to use my platform to highlight the greatness happening in our public schools every day. I believe in the power of storytelling, because when we share our own stories, we shape the narrative instead of letting others define it for us.
The goal of NCDPI’s blog is to celebrate the good in public education. What are some good things happening in education that you think are worth celebrating?
One of the best things happening in education right now is the deepening connection between schools and their local communities. In Pitt County, the Grow Local initiative is a powerful example of this. Through Grow Local, students in grades 8-12 explore real-world career opportunities by engaging directly with local businesses and industries. For instance, my eighth grade students visited Greenville Utilities, where they met linemen who began their careers as early as age 18. These experiences open students' eyes to viable, fulfilling career paths right in their own backyard.
Another example of this that also invests in educators is the Kenan Fellows Program at NC State. This program provides exceptional professional development by pairing teachers with industry partners and giving them the opportunity to create meaningful, student-centered projects. I was fortunate to participate in this program, and it not only strengthened my teaching but also brought real-world relevance into my classroom!
Just for Fun
What’s the funniest thing a middle schooler has said to you?
Middle schoolers have a way of saying the most unexpected things, and they keep me laughing daily. Recently, one of my eighth graders looked at me very seriously and said, “Miss, your eyes look bald.” That’s when I realized I had forgotten to put on mascara that morning! It was a brutally honest moment but was also hilarious and endearing.
If your students gave you a superlative, what would it be?
Most likely to play Taylor Swift in class — I call it Taylor Tuesday!
Do you have a teacher catchphrase?
One of my classroom expectations is to communicate effectively and I always tell students to find alternatives to saying “shut up,” so I catch them quite often slipping up and say, “Oops, we do not say that!” and they tend to change their language after being redirected.
What would your students be surprised to learn about you?
My students are often surprised to learn that I didn’t originally go to school to become a teacher. I have a degree in criminal justice and political science but ended up following my passion for education. I always tell them I’m a great example of how sometimes our goals change, and that’s okay.
This or That
Lunch duty or carpool duty?
Lunch duty — I love getting to see students in more unstructured spaces where their personalities can shine!
Spring break or winter break?
Spring break! The sunshine and the reset hit differently right before the craziness of the end of the year.
White board or smartboard?
White board! I once had a chalkboard in my classroom and it made me realize how much I prefer a white board to anything else!