Latest news with #NorthCarolinaTeacheroftheYear
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Departing NC Teacher of the Year challenges State Board, legislators to do more for public schools
North Carolina State Board of Education honored its departing NC Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year at its June 5th meeting. (NCDPI Screengrab) When Kimberly Jones was selected as the 2023-24 North Carolina Teacher of the Year she earned a two-year appointment to the State Board of Education. This week, as the veteran Chapel Hill English teacher attended her final meeting in that leadership capacity, she challenged both the board and state legislators to invest more in public schools. Jones urged the State Board of Education on Thursday to stay grounded in the constitutional mandate to provide every North Carolina child with a sound basic education. 'Be wary of oversimplified solutions to complex challenges,' Jones advised. 'Invest not only in outcomes, but in the conditions that produce them — teacher retention, culturally relevant pedagogy, instructional materials that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives and learning environments that allow our students to feel safe, both physically and emotionally.' During her time on the board, the Trump administration's U.S. Department of Education has sought to block diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs nationwide. Jones cautioned her colleagues to never confuse neutrality with justice. 'Please make equity, access, or whatever synonym meets the current criteria to guide your compass, even when that path is hard to navigate. The very future of our democracy and our society depends on how courageously you continue to steward this responsibility,' Jones said. As Newsline has previously reported, this legislative session state Republican lawmakers have advanced multiple proposals to eliminate DEI from all corners of the public sector — government, higher education and K-12 education. At the same time, the North Carolina House has passed legislation that would promote 'wholesome' content for students, but that critics have derided as an invitation to censorship. The bill would require the State Board of Education to maintain a database of all banned media across the state with annual updates. Jones reminded the board that reading and inquiry are not a nuisance, but rather an engine of learning. 'In my classroom, we use complex questions to feel reading, research, and rigorous dialogue to build empathy and to strengthen civic understanding,' she said. 'I believe students of every background and every region of our state deserve access to such curricula. Ones that affirm their identity, reflect their communities, inspire their best efforts, and invite them into meaningful conversations about the world they are inheriting and shaping.' Jones, a high school English and AP African American studies and Holocaust educator, said students should be encouraged to explore not just what was said or written, but why it mattered. For legislators who will be working on a compromise budget in the weeks ahead, Jones urged improved funding for schools and better respect for educators. 'Public education cannot be reimagined if it is consistently underfunded, undermined, or politicized,' she said. 'If we are to recruit and retain a diverse, highly qualified, and effective workforce, then we must offer more than praise. We must offer respect, autonomy, and trust.' Jones said her classroom colleagues simply deserve more. 'We need competitive teacher pay that honors both experience and expertise. We need sustainable investments in student mental health because no curriculum is effective in a crisis. We need clean modern school buildings, not just in select counties but in every community.' The House budget proposes to increase new teacher pay from $41,000 a year to $48,000 for the next school year but offers little to more experienced teachers. The Senate budget offers average raises of 2.3% in FY 25-26 with a $3,000 bonus spread out over two years. The two sides are reportedly far apart from reaching a consensus. Beyond the classroom, Jones said lawmakers should acknowledge those behind the scenes — cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and those willing to pitch in to maintain the grounds and buildings when the needs surpass the resources. For parents and community advocates, Jones encouraged them to visit a classroom, become a mentor, vote in their local school board elections, and ask their local school district leaders what they're doing to serve the most marginalized students. Jones said it's important to understand that not every student learns the same way, and not every parent's experience with their school is universal. 'In public schools, there are no applications for admission. There are no filters to whom we serve. We don't select who enters our classrooms, but every day we get the unparalleled opportunity to shape and influence what kind of person leaves our classrooms.' Jones said that during challenging times she reflects on a proverb which holds that children are born with their hands closed because that's where their gifts and talents lie. 'As they grow, their hands begin to open so they can share those talents with the world. At its most essential level, education is not about what we put into young people. It's about what we pull out of them,' she said.
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.
