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.
Where some might see learning English as a second language as a barrier to learning, Jonathan Lancho Villa sees a bridge.
In his classroom, each student's background is an asset. He encourages them to interview family members, collect stories or compare cultural traditions as part of their assignments.
"These projects promote pride in cultural identity and build bridges between home and school,” Lancho Villa said. “The impact of these efforts is clear: students show greater confidence when they see that their culture and community matter in the classroom. They participate actively, take ownership of their learning and begin to understand their role as contributors in the world, not just learners.”
In an effort to strengthen the connection between Pilot Mountain and its English learner families, Lancho Villa created Multilingual Family Engagement Night to give parents and caregivers an opportunity to engage in hands-on literacy and language activities in both English and their home language. It had wide-ranging impacts on the entire school community.
“After the event, I saw increased confidence in my students as their families became more visible and involved in school life, all because of the co-creation approach,” Lancho Villa said. “Parents reported feeling more connected to the school community and more equipped to support homework and reading at home. Teachers noted improved student participation and pride in their cultural identity.”
Multilingual Family Engagement Night has since become an annual event that continues to grow and incorporate new community partners.
Principal Martha Arrington said the event is just one of many ways Lancho Villa is a "transformative presence” at Pilot Mountain. He is known for stepping in to help without being asked, including as a volunteer bus driver.
“He advocates for his students beyond the classroom, working closely with families, building partnerships with community organizations and helping colleagues develop strategies to support language learners in all settings,” she wrote in a recommendation letter for his Teacher of the Year application. “He is a thoughtful, collaborative and solution-oriented natural leader.”
Lancho Villa also coaches the school’s running club, Pirates on the Run. The initiative combines physical activity with character development, guiding students through the process of setting and achieving goals while building perseverance, confidence and a sense of belonging.
In a recent district-wide 5K race, Pirates on the Run earned seven of the 12 medals. But for Lancho Villa, the real win was the students’ demonstration of community spirit.
“When the first group of runners crossed the finish line, they returned to encourage and run alongside the last participants, cheering them on until everyone finished,” he said. “That moment captured what I believe about teaching: education is not just about academic growth, but about building resilience and unity."
In a recommendation letter for Lancho Villa’s Teacher of the Year application, Surry County Schools Superintendent Travis Reeves said Lancho Villa has had a lasting impact on his students, colleagues and Surry County Schools as a whole.
“In his seven years of service to our district, Mr. Lancho Villa has distinguished himself as an extraordinary teacher, an innovative leader and a tireless advocate for students and families,” Reeves said.