Eight Principals Honored as Regional Principals of the Year; Principals to Compete for Statewide Honor

Eight principals were recently selected to represent their regions as regional Principals of the Year and will now compete for the title of 2006 Wachovia Principal of the Year. The winner will succeed the 2005 Wachovia Principal of the Year, Margaret Hyatt, principal of Avery’s Creek Elementary School, Buncombe County Schools.

The regional principals of the year are:

• West Region:
  Judd Porter, Asheville High, Asheville City Schools;
  


• Northwest Region:
  Jack Leonard, Walter R. Johnson Middle, Burke County Schools;
  


• Southwest Region:
  Marian Yates, South Mecklenburg High, Charlotte/Mecklenburg Schools;
  


• Piedmont-Triad/Central Region:
  Carol Younger, South Graham Elementary, Alamance-Burlington Schools;
  


• Sandhills/South Central Region:
  Conrad Lopes, Jack Britt High, Cumberland County Schools;
  


• North Central Region:
  Chris Blice, Louisburg High, Franklin County Schools;
  


• Northeast Region:
  Allison Sholar, First Flight High, Dare County Schools; and
  


• Southeast Region:
  Meghan Sweeney Doyle, Hunters Creek Middle, Onslow County Schools.

"Research has shown time and again that strong, vibrant schools are led by principals who exhibit similar qualities. These principals know what it takes to be successful in the classroom and how to facilitate strong student achievement," State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson said. "We are so fortunate to have a cadre of strong administrators in public schools across the state. I appreciate Wachovia Corporation’s continued support in helping us recognize some of our very best public school principals."

The State Selection Committee, chaired by the 2005 Wachovia Principal of the Year Margaret Hyatt, will visit each of the eight schools this month. Results of these site visits, portfolio assessments and personal interviews will be used to determine the 2006 Wachovia Principal of the Year.

The recipient will be announced on April 6 in Raleigh at a state luncheon sponsored by Wachovia Corporation to honor the regional winners. He or she will receive a $3,000 check for personal use and/or professional development and a $3,000 check for their school to purchase materials or other equipment. They also will serve a one-year term as advisor to the State Board of Education.

The Wachovia Principal of the Year program is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Wachovia Corporation and the Principals’ Executive Program. In its 23rd year, the program provides a unique opportunity to recognize outstanding principals from North Carolina public schools. The eight regional winners each received $1,500 for their school and $1,500 for personal use.

For more information, please contact the NCDPI’s Communications division at 919.807.3450.

Story from DPI at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/newsroom/news/

Eight Teachers Honored as Regional Teachers of the Year; Teachers to Compete for Statewide Honor

Eight teachers were recently selected to represent their regions as regional Teachers of the Year and will now compete for the title of 2006-07 North Carolina Teacher of the Year. The winner will succeed the 2005-06 Teacher of the Year, Wendy Miller, a K-2 elementary teacher at James W. Smith Elementary School, Craven County Schools.

The regional teachers of the year are:

• North Central Region:
  William "Bill" Ferriter, language arts/social studies teacher, Salem Middle School, Wake County Schools;
  


• Northeast Region: Grady "Coleman" Bailey, Jr., science teacher, D.H. Conley High School, Pitt County Schools;
  


• Northwest Region:
  Diana Beasley, biology teacher, Hickory High School, Hickory City Schools;
  


• Southeast Region:
  James Strope, history teacher, Southwest High School, Onslow County Schools;
  


• Southwest Region:
  Bradley "Luke" Hyatt, health and physical education teacher, Peachland-Polkton Elementary School, Anson County Schools;
  


• Sandhills/South Central Region:
  Debra Stuckey, language arts teacher, Lumberton Jr. High School, Public Schools of Robeson County;
  


• Piedmont-Triad/Central Region:
  Shayne Madison, kindergarten teacher, Easton Elementary School, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools; and
  


• West Region:
  Marianne Leek, English teacher, Hayesville High School, Clay County Schools.

"These eight individuals represent the strong instructional and professional quality in many of our state's public school teachers," State Superintendent June Atkinson said. "It's wonderful to be able to publicly recognize their accomplishments, and we look forward to their contributions to our state's public schools as they serve as ambassadors for education."

Each of the regional teachers of the year will receive a one-time stipend of $5,000 and will serve on the 2006-07 Teacher of the Year team. The 2006-07 Teacher of the Year will be announced May 2 at a banquet to be held at the Embassy Suites, Cary. The winner receives a one-time stipend of $7,500, a personal automobile (thanks to the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association), a technology package from SMARTer Kids Foundation, a trip to the National Teacher of the Year conference, and an international trip through the NC Center for International Understanding. In addition to being a full-time ambassador for education, the state Teacher of the Year also serves a two-year term as advisor to the State Board of Education.

The Public Schools of North Carolina and the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association sponsor the North Carolina Teacher of the Year Program. For more information, please contact the NCDPI's Communications division at 919.807.3450.

Story from DPI at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/newsroom/news/