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.
Nishelle Henson loves when students tell her they’re not good at math – because it gives her a chance to excitedly exclaim “You're not good at math... yet!”
Henson works to make the subject accessible and fun for students of all ability levels and backgrounds.
“I did not always love math. I struggled when I was in school and had to work extremely hard to do what naturally came to others,” she said. “I do not want students to fear math, therefore I celebrate all students who persevere through a struggle, get an answer correct, help one of their peers and ask questions that further engage the class.”
Henson uses real-life examples and gamified lessons to make her curriculum relevant to students. When seventh graders are learning about percentages, they practice calculating tax, tips and simple interest.
Local bankers are invited to the class to lead a simulation on personal finance. Each student is given a name, job, income and family size – and must use this information to budget for bills and other expenses. Just like in adult life, obstacles like flat tires, late fees and loans create an added layer of complexity.
“This lesson transcends the classroom by showing students the importance of percentages in their personal financial lives and promotes a healthy relationship with money and budgeting,” Henson said. “It allows students to understand the importance of knowing how to do calculations so they are not overcharged or underpaid. The representatives from the bank enjoy connecting their lesson with resources the bank can offer them, including a student savings account that can accrue interest.”
Students aren’t the only beneficiaries of Henson’s passion for innovative learning. As a member of her school’s AVID leadership/school improvement team, she has become a culture leader among her peers, providing technical training for new systems and taking the lead on a school-wide focus on organization.
Principal Mark Sutton describes Henson as a “go-to professional friend” because she stays up-to-date on the latest educational research and state-level policy changes.
“As a school principal, I am extremely grateful for her leadership, mentorship and friendship,” he wrote in a letter of recommendation to support her Teacher of the Year application. “If I were starting a school from scratch, she would be a first-round draft pick and she deserves the max contract. She is a SuperStar!”
A former NC Teaching Fellow, Henson has advocated for the teaching profession at events across the state through organizations like the Friday Institute for Beginning Teachers and Public School Forum.
In her own district, she makes herself a resource for beginning teachers, speaking with students in education classes at local universities, opening up her classroom for observation and providing support for coworkers who have not been traditionally prepared.
“I feel very blessed to have had opportunities in my life that have supported my profession,” she said. “I am an open book when people come into my classroom and share all that I can in hope that they, too, will fall in love with the profession that has fueled my passion for the past 15 years.”
Josh Lynch, superintendent of Macon County Schools, said Henson’s impact on both students and colleagues are wide-ranging and remarkable.
“Her willingness to adapt, whether shifting grade levels, taking on inclusion classes or co-developing an innovative 8/9 split Math I course demonstrates her dedication to ensuring all students receive challenging and high-quality opportunities for success,” he wrote in a recommendation letter. “Her contributions have strengthened Macon Middle School’s instructional program, raised student achievement and reinforced confidence in our district’s capacity to prepare students for future success.”