This fall, State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green and other leaders hosted launch events in each region of the state for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education’s joint strategic plan, “Achieving Educational Excellence.”
Educators in each region are sharing their reflections about the tour stops, which include several school visits during the day and a public presentation on the strategic plan in the evening. Learn more about the strategic plan by visiting the NCDPI website.
Dr. Jessica Anthony
Anthony is the principal of Davenport A+ Elementary School (Caldwell County Schools) and the 2025 Wells Fargo Northwest Region Principal of the Year.
Having the opportunity to serve as the 2025 Wells Fargo Northwest Region Principal of the Year has been one of the greatest honors of my career. One of the highlights so far has been the incredible opportunity to join State Superintendent Mo Green on a tour of North Carolina’s Northwest Region. As a school leader, it is easy to get caught up in the fast-pace and rush of the everyday. So to be able to step outside of my building for a day, slow down and witness firsthand the remarkable work that educators and districts in my region are doing was nothing short of inspiring! As a lifelong resident of the Northwest region of NC, I was thrilled to be able to spend time talking with and extending my sincerest gratitude to the leaders and educators for their purpose-driven work in public education. It was a day filled with a deep sense of pride in the outstanding work taking place across our public schools in our region.
Our morning began in Watauga County, where Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander and her leadership team shared their ongoing efforts to support educators and students in the aftermath of last year’s devastation from Hurricane Helene. Their presentation highlighted intentional, research-driven strategies for developing strong school leaders and ensuring student success. Listening to their reflections on community recovery and renewal moved me to tears as it emphasized the power of compassionate, student-centered leadership.
The tour continued at Watauga High School, where they showcased their thriving Career and Technical Education program in which students were learning in classrooms designed to mirror the real world. From a full salon for cosmetology, to a class learning how to leverage AI in the real world, to a garage where students were learning how to service vehicles, these students have so many opportunities to explore their various areas of interest. I LOVE how Watauga County Public Schools has invested time and resources in the idea that student success can be defined in many ways and, therefore, provides a variety of career pathways for students to explore before they graduate high school. I must also note that it was at Watauga High School that I also experienced my first full-circle moment of the day, reconnecting with one of my former fifth grade students from my very first year as Principal at Davenport A+ Elementary. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of public education. So proud of you, Rosalyn!
We then visited Valle Crucis School, where students and staff spent their first official day inside their brand new building. After holding classes at the Valle Crucis Convention Center and the Caldwell Community College Watauga Campus for the past year following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, their excitement was palpable. Witnessing the perseverance and optimism of this community was one of the most inspiring moments of the entire day. Their experience and resilience put on full display that it is the teacher that has the most significant impact on student learning. I am in awe of their resilience and determination to ensure that learning never stopped, even though they were without most of their materials, desks, chairs and traditional classrooms. If this proves anything, it is that the magic of learning rests in the hands of the teachers. Teachers are the real heroes of public education.
Our next stop brought us to Appalachian State University, a cornerstone of teacher preparation in North Carolina and one of my favorite places in the world. Superintendent Green presented the state’s strategic plan to university partners, emphasizing collaboration between K-12 and higher education. The Reich College of Education continues to play a vital role in shaping the next generation of educators, and the innovative work happening there is truly commendable. At Davenport A+ Elementary, we get to host many student interns as well as student teachers from the RCOE, and I can tell you that they are not only prepared but also excited to enter the field of education and make a BIG impact on student lives! Thank you, Appalachian State, for investing in and uplifting public educators the way you do!!
In Burke County, we toured Mountain View Elementary School, home to an outstanding dual language immersion program. The program reflects a commitment to global learning and bilingual proficiency, and the engagement we witnessed among students and staff was exceptional. As a former Spanish teacher, I very much value the efforts towards cultivating students who are global learners because that prepares them for real life outside of a school environment.
The day concluded with a visit to Patton High School, a place that holds special meaning for me personally, as I spent two years teaching there early in my teaching career. Walking those halls brought back countless memories of the students who shaped my journey as an educator. It was another beautiful full-circle moment for me as an educator because I am proud to say that those students are now thriving adults, professionals and parents.
This tour of the Northwest region with Superintendent Green served as a powerful reminder of the resilience, innovation, and heart found in North Carolina’s public schools. Every child in NC public schools is valued and there are countless educators in the NW Region and across the state who have dedicated their lives to ensuring students grow and become thriving citizens of their communities.
I am grateful to Superintendent Green and the NCDPI staff for organizing such a meaningful day and for their ongoing commitment to supporting educators statewide. I ended the day feeling rejuvenated and proud to serve in North Carolina’s public schools. Now and always, I am a champion for public education!
Tayler Bomar
A second-grade teacher at Greenlee Primary School (Mitchell County Schools), Bomar is the 2025 Northwest Region Teacher of the Year.
I’ve had the incredible honor of traveling with Superintendent Mo Green on his Northwest tour. One of the most unforgettable parts of this journey was visiting the newly built Valle Crucis Elementary School, a school that embodies resilience, strength and the heart of public education.
The story of Valle Crucis Elementary is one of tragedy turned triumph. When Hurricane Helene devastated the area, floodwaters swept through the school, leaving educators, students and families heartbroken. Yet, in the face of unimaginable loss, the staff and community did what educators do best, they acted.
Within days, teachers and leaders found creative ways to make sure learning continued. They transformed unlikely spaces into classrooms: the basement of the Valle Crucis Conference Center, where as many as 40-50 students crowded into a single small room, and some were even in a barn up the road. Despite losing nearly every resource they had, the teachers’ determination never wavered. They rebuilt not just lessons, but a sense of normalcy, stability and hope for their students.
Walking through the new Valle Crucis Elementary School was nothing short of inspiring. The building stands as a testament to perseverance — a space filled with light, purpose and possibility. The beautiful outdoor classroom overlooking the surrounding mountains is a reminder of renewal and of the unbreakable spirit of this community.
Standing there, I was struck by the incredible truth that public education is built on resilience. No storm, no setback and no challenge can dampen the dedication of educators who show up every day determined to make a difference.
Valle Crucis Elementary has risen above the storm, and in doing so, it stands as a symbol for all of us in the northwest region of North Carolina: that learning, compassion and community can weather anything.