North Carolina Teacher Of The Year Helps Answer An Age Old Question Students Have

I have a special place in my heart for teachers.  Many members of my family and several close friends are teachers with a passion for changing students' lives for the better.  And, this North Carolina teacher of the year helps answer an age old question students have had as long as I can remember.

'When am I going to use this in real life?'  I remember asking that of my teachers.  And, I know my son and probably plenty of your children had the same query when facing some complicated math equation.  Well, Heather Smith, a Haywood County Schools math teacher was recently named 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year.

And, she indicates one of the most frequent questions from students she strives to answer is the ever popular 'When am I going to use this?' This North Carolina Teacher of the Year employs project-based learning so students actually discover how classroom lessons apply in every day life.

Smith says in a press release, "I believe that allowing students to think for themselves, discover new things, engage in inquiry-based learning and take responsibility for their learning in the classroom is essential in building 21st century skills that will help them to excel outside the classroom."

Next, the Western Carolina University graduate will spend the 2024-25 school year as a representative and advocate for North Carolina teachers.  Plus, as North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Smith will work in conjunction with the 8 regional Teacher of the Year finalists.

The North Carolina Teacher of the Year program has been celebrating outstanding teachers since 1970.  And, you can find more information on their website.  And, for more on this year's North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Heather Smith, see the full article from dpi.nc.gov.

But, this story has me thinking about the teachers I remember.  And, I still have a special place in my heart for my 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Yarborough and my senior English teacher Mrs. Smith.  Mrs. Yarborough sparked a love of learning for me early on.  And, my senior English teacher helped me navigate college applications as the first in my family to ever attend college.

As for the subject I actually feel I use the most in every day life as many students wonder...it's typing.  I use it more than anything I can think of!

Yesterday 8 North Carolina schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the Department of Education, "the recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. These schools demonstrate what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives." A total of 353 schools nationwide received this distinction, this included 313 public schools and 40 private schools. Each of the 8 North Carolina schools recognized was a public school.

The award-winning schools will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on November 16 and 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the 40th year the Department of Education has selected the National Blue Ribbon Schools. According to the department the criteria for public schools are as follows:

Performance Award Criteria for Public Schools: In order to be eligible for nomination, a school must meet several criteria based on the performance of its students on state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics or a composite of performance on these assessments with other measures of student performance (e.g., student growth on state assessments, performance on state assessments in other subjects, graduation rates, or other indicators in the state’s accountability system).

You can read more about the eligibility requirements here. Congratulations to each of these eight North Carolina Schools that received the National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. They represent elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. In fact, there are 7 different school districts represented with the remaining school being a charter school. Keep reading to see and learn a little more about each of these schools. Congratulations and thank you to the teachers and staff of these schools for giving your best to the children of North Carolina!

Location: 5337 Highway 264 East, Washington, NC

District: Beaufort County Schools

Public

Beaufort County Early College High School exists in coordination with Beaufort County Community College where students can earn college credits while in high school. It's one of only two high schools that made this list.

Location: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC

District: Buncombe County Schools

Public

There are actually several Fairview Elementary Schools in Charlotte. This one though is in Buncombe County and has approximately 660 students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.

Location: 4049 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro

District: n/a

Public

Greensboro Academy is a charter school in Greensboro. Charter Schools offer a private school quality eduction but for free. Students simply have to apply for admission which is available to any student in NC. Greensboro Academy serves grades K-8.

Location: 70 Sanders Road, Wilmington

District: New Hanover County Schools

Public

Known as Bellamy Elementary School, this award-winning school serves students in grades 1-5 in Wilmington, NC.

Location: 1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia

District: Gaston County Schools

Public

Our second and last high school on this list, is Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. Highland is the first magnet high school in this district. Students complete courses in one of three academies: Health Sciences; Business, Legal, and Information Sciences; and Manufacturing/Engineering Technology and Graphics. 

Location: 5925 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC

District: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Public

Jay M Robinson is a 6-8th grade middle school in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. It's home to the Chargers!

Location: 6260 E Blalock Road, Lucama NC

District: Wilson County Schools

Public

Lucama serves students in Wilson County in grades K-5. They state the school's purpose is to develop each student to their fullest potential.

Location: 1885 Odell School Road, Concord, NC

District: Cabarrus County Schools

Public

Odell Elementary is a grades 3-5 elementary school in Concord, NC.