Six teachers from across North Carolina received Honored Educator Scholarships at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, a recognized national leader in professional development programming for our state’s teachers. NCCAT’s Honored Educator Scholarships program pays tribute to outstanding individuals and educators, covering all expenses associated with the teacher’s participation. Each teacher receives $250 for use in the classroom.
The scholarships were awarded during the program, “Reading, Writing and Ready by 3rd Grade: Early Grades Literacy Instruction,” held the week of Dec. 9–15. Teachers created model lessons to share on Edmodo after demonstration lessons and were able to demonstrate understanding of how to make reading and writing instruction explicit in the classroom through the use of modeling, among other topics covered. The six teachers in the group of 23 were honored for their efforts in the classroom. Honored teachers were:
Lori Barnes, a teacher at Vinson-Bynum Elementary School in Wilson, received the John F. and Emy Swindell Hinnant Honored Educator Scholarship for 2013–14. Emy and John Hinnant began teaching in 1970 and had careers that spanned over 60 years combined in Wilson County schools.
Amanda Evans, a teacher at G.W. Bulluck Elementary School in Rocky Mount, received the Mary Jo Allen Honored Educator Scholarship for 2012–13. An outstanding educator in North Carolina, Allen began her distinguished career as a teacher in Edgecombe County, ultimately serving as a principal, superintendent, and the Executive Director of NCCAT, 1994–2002.
Melissa Gillespie, a teacher at Saluda Elementary School in Saluda, received the Susan S. McHugh Honored Educator Scholarship for 2013–14. The Susan S. McHugh Honored Educator Scholarship award is made possible by a gift from the Stuart and Margaret L. Forbes Foundation of Polk County and honors McHugh, a former superintendent of Polk County Schools and life-long educator.
Missy McConnell, a teacher at Iotla Valley Elementary School in Franklin, received the Marjorie T. and John S. Britt Honored Educator Scholarship for 2013–14. During her lifelong career of over 25 years with North Carolina schools, Mrs. Britt taught both language arts and mathematics.
Jennifer Radford, a teacher at Mount Pleasant Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, received the Richard L. Thompson Honored Educator Scholarship for 2013–14. Thompson’s work includes service as a North Carolina principal and district superintendent, state superintendent of education in Mississippi and vice president in the University of North Carolina General Administration. He also served as NCCAT’s Executive Director from 1992–1994 and currently is serving in this role again.
Suzanne Sharpe, a teacher at G.W. Carver Elementary School in Pinetops, received the Richard L. Thompson Honored Educator Scholarship for 2012–13.