Latest news with #Candaso
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wellcome Middle School celebrates Rachel Candaso as North Carolina Teacher of the Year at assembly
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)– Wellcome Middle School hosted an assembly Monday, Apr. 14, 2025, for Rachel Candaso, the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. Pitt County Schools officials, friends and family of Candaso, teachers, and students of Wellcome all joined Candaso for the assembly. Candaso is the first teacher from Pitt County to win this award in its 55-year history. 'Pitt County is just doing tremendous things. We are so outstanding and I'm so proud to represent us, not because I've been given a title or anything like that, but just because of the work we do,' Rachel Candaso said. 'So much of the work I do in my own position has been working with people throughout the county, and so just to see all the hard work not only I've put in, but my staff here, at Wellcome is just truly remarkable. Our school has grown so much. Our county has grown so much, and this is just the beginning of a lot of great things happening,' Candaso said. At the assembly Candaso shared a story with her students from the beginning of the school year. At the beginning of the school year, Candaso and her students wrote down goals for the year in their daily planners and notebooks. She says giving the students something to reach for and seeing it as a reminder everyday will help them and encourage them to achieve those goals. Today Candaso shared that the one and only goal she wrote in her notebook that day was to 'win teacher of the year for 2025'. Today she shared her example of success with her students and the school. Candaso said that she could not have done this without the support from the staff and the students at this school. She wants her award to reflect on her students that if you set goals and work hard at meeting them every day, great things can happen. 'It feels like a homecoming. It felt so great walking through the halls knowing that I was coming home to this gym to see not only all of the students that I've taught but also former students, county representatives, things like that. It's just amazing to see the support that Pitt County has shown especially over the weekend, but to be here and see and feel this support was truly amazing,' Candaso said. More from Candaso on her win can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pitt County educator earns top honor as N.C. Teacher of the Year
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Rachel Candaso, a dedicated educator at Wellcome Middle School, was named the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. This selection marks the first time in the program's 55-year history that a teacher from Pitt County Schools has received this prestigious honor. Candaso was chosen from a field of nine finalists that represented the state's eight education districts and charter schools. 'I'm immensely grateful for the journey God has led me on,' Candaso said. 'As a Pitt County Schools educator, I have found not just a career but a calling. Teaching is my gift, it is the way I serve, it is the way I love, and it is the way I lead. This honor is a reminder that when we lean into the gifts God has given us, no matter where we come from, we can make a difference exactly where we are planted. Candaso was recognized for her exceptional leadership, innovative teaching practices, and unwavering commitment to educational equity. She has also worked tirelessly to close opportunity gaps and prepare students for college and success in their careers. 'This recognition is not just about me – it's about the incredible students, families, colleagues, and community members who inspire me every day,' Candaso said. 'Together, we are proving that all students can succeed when given the tools and support they need.' Now that Candaso is North Carolina Teacher of the Year, she will serve as an ambassador for public education, getting to travel across the state to advocate for teachers and students. She will also get to join the State Board of Education as an advisor for two years and participate in national professional development opportunities. 'Ms. Candaso's recognition as North Carolina Teacher of the Year is a testament to her hard work, passion, and belief in her students' potential,' PCS Superintendent Dr. Steve M. Lassiter Jr. said. 'She has made history for our district and set a shining example for educators everywhere.' For more information about the North Carolina Teacher of the Year Program, visit the NC Department of Public Instruction website or follow #NCTOY on social media. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
