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.
At Wilson Early College Academy, freshmen are welcomed like celebrities, with each being called by name and greeted with cheers by classmates and staff members.
This event is just the start of TigerFest, a back-to-school celebration and one of the many ways Shannon Campbell works to make her school a place where all students feel like they belong.
As a member of her school’s leadership team, she was also instrumental in the creation of Tiger Time, a weekly, 45-minute block created in response to the challenges students faced socially and emotionally after the pandemic. Students can use this block for academic needs like tutoring or test prep, but also have the option to connect with others through sports and games.
"These programs are not just about fun – they are about shaping the culture of WECA,” Campbell said. “In a school without feeder patterns, without traditional sports or clubs and in a district where many families face economic hardship, these programs ensure that every student knows they have a place, a voice and a community.”
Her whole-child approach to education is evident in her classroom, where she uses interactive projects that make history come alive for students. One of her favorites is a simulation in which students learn about the Treaty of Versailles through primary sources and then negotiate the treaty as representatives of various nations.
“These tasks require more than memorization; they demand critical thinking, problem-solving and compromise,” she said. “What makes the material effective is that it offers multiple entry points for students of all abilities. Strong public speakers shine in debates, writers excel in drafting the treaty and quieter students often find their voice as negotiators or researchers.”
Campbell has been teaching for 14 years and in her current position for nearly a decade. In addition to her work with students, she is passionate about supporting other educators. She mentors beginning and transitioning teachers, serves on her school’s leadership team and helped draft district-wide curriculum maps for both American History and Economics and Personal Finance.
WECA Principal Josh Rollins described her as “a model of 21st-century teaching excellence” in his recommendation letter for her Teacher of the Year application.
“Her commitment to her students, her school and her district reflects her deep sense of professionalism, service and leadership,” he said. “She is a teacher-leader who raises the bar for colleagues while remaining grounded in the needs of her students.”
Campbell prides herself on connecting the topics she teaches to the real world, guiding her upperclassmen through registering to vote and building their first budget.
But according to Wilson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lane Mills, what really sets Campbell apart is the meaningful relationships she builds with students.
"Ask any of them what they love about her, and they'll tell you that they never want to leave her class at the end of the period because she teaches with such warmth, joy and expertise,” Mills said. “Ms. Campbell has the exceptional ability to connect with students, foster a genuine love of learning and inspire academic excellence.”