Onslow County Schools name the 2025-26 Teacher of the Year
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Cason Justice, a Social Studies teacher at Swansboro HighSchool, has been named the 2025-2026 OCS Teacher of the Year by Onslow County Schools. Thenews was delivered in a surprise announcement at the district's annual OCS Excellence in Education event on May 22.
As a 13-year educator, a proud graduate of North Carolina State University, and an accomplished, National Board-Certified teacher, Justice brings exceptional academic credentials to his teaching practice.
Justice's leadership extends beyond the classroom to his work on Swansboro High's StrategicPlanning Team, where he and his colleagues routinely examine evidence showing the strongcorrelation between student involvement and academic success. As a Fellowship of ChristianAthletes advisor since 2012, he takes student involvement very seriously, striving to create aninclusive environment where students develop leadership skills and connect with their community through service.
His leadership has also made an impact at the district level. As part of the Onslow County Schools Teacher Leadership Council, which he served for three years, he helped create the county's Standards Division Documents and Course Outline for World History, resources now used by teachers throughout the district. He has also dedicated his time and expertise to the important job of mentoring beginning teachers and has a particular passion for creating a future for NC public schools where students have access to qualified, well-trained, and well-compensated educators.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Jayden Perkins murder trial: Chicago man found guilty of murdering 11-year-old boy
CHICAGO - A verdict has been reached in the trial of Crosetti Brand, the man accused of fatally stabbing 11-year-old Jayden Perkins as the boy tried to protect his mother during an attack in their Edgewater home. Brand was found guilty on all counts, according to prosecutors. The jury needed less than 90 minutes to return guilty verdicts on all charges, including murder, home invasion and aggravated domestic battery. What we know Brand was facing 17 charges stemming from the March 13, 2024, incident, according to officials. He represented himself during the trial. Prosecutors said Brand stabbed Perkins to death after he allegedly broke into the family's Edgewater home and attacked his mother, LaTerria Smith. Perkins was trying to defend her when the attack happened, according to previous FOX 32 reports. A 5-year-old boy, Perkins' brother, also witnessed the attack, but was unharmed. Brand had previously been in a relationship with Smith, who was denied an emergency order of protection against him shortly before the attack, according to FOX 32. He had been released from jail just one day before the stabbing. This is a developing story and we'll bring more updates as they become available. Defense rests in murder trial of Chicago man accused of killing 11-year-old boy Murder trial for Chicago man accused of slaying 11-year-old boy begins
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Mom of murdered 11-year-old Jayden Perkins on facing killer in court as he represented himself: "This is sick"
The mother of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, who was stabbed to death protecting her from an attack by her ex-boyfriend, said his memory kept her strong as she had to face his killer in court. Laterria Smith was pregnant when she was stabbed 15 times by Crosetti Brand outside her home in Edgewater. Her son Jayden was killed trying to help her. "So I ran down the hall, trying to get away from him. Blood was just gushing from my neck. And that was like, 'I'm about to die,'" Smith recalled. "He, he stabbed my son. My son hit the floor. I said, 'Jayden, please get up.' He didn't move or anything. It just looked like my baby was sleeping right there on the floor." Smith and her baby girl survived; her daughter Jayda is named after the brother she will now only know through photos and videos. Brand was quickly caught and charged following the attack. "I want to see the person who did this to my son be put away forever," Smith said. A year later, Smith had to face Brand in court and, because he represented himself at trial, she was forced to be grilled by him on the witness stand. "I never even looked at him," she said. "I'm like sitting here, having to answer questions from the person who took my child away from me. This is sick." It was her son who kept her focused and strong. "At that moment, all I kept thinking about was my son Jayden. I'm like, 'I'm gonna sit here and do what I have to do so that I can get justice for him, 'cause I wanna see him, Brand, put away forever,'" she said. The 11-year-old was remembered for his talent, singing and dance, and how he'd light up a stage. His mom said he had drive and big dreams that were ripped away when he was killed. His memory is precious to her. "He always told me that, 'You're the best mom,'" she said through tears. "He always tell me like how much he love me and how great I'm doing as a mom." Jayden was a member of the Gus Giordano Dance Studio, where there is now a scholarship in his name. The first recipient was his best friend.
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Man found guilty in 2023 fatal stabbing of 60-year-old Michigan woman
A man accused of fatally stabbing a Michigan woman and attacking a man in 2023 was found guilty on Thursday, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office. Shane Burns, 33, of Washington Township, Michigan, was convicted of one count of first-degree premeditated murder, assault, felon in possession of a weapon, two counts of felony firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, disarming a peace officer and carrying a concealed weapon. Burns was also charged as a habitual offender. Macomb County Prosecutor's Office Prosecutors say on May 17, 2023, Burns stabbed 60-year-old Cheryl Ann Parsley, of Clinton Township, and slit her throat in a random attack. The incident happened in a Belle Tire parking lot on Gratior Avenue in Roseville. Authorities say Burns then attacked 42-year-old Robert Baecke Jr., who was waiting at a bus stop on 12 Mile Road and Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores. Police arrested Burns later that day near Van Dyke and Stephens. The prosecutor's office says that while in custody, Burns began biting his wrist, and a struggle occurred with officers. Authorities say Burns grabbed a knife and began cutting his wrist. A search of his vehicle uncovered a shotgun, a 9mm gun and ammunition. "Today's verdict brings a measure of justice to the victims of this horrific attack. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, who have shown extraordinary strength. We hope this conviction offers them some solace. I want to thank the investigators, first responders, and our prosecution team for their tireless work. While nothing can undo the harm caused, we remain committed to pursuing justice for all victims of violent crime," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido in a news release. Sentencing is scheduled for July 24. NOTE: The video above previously aired on May 18, 2023.
