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From the NCCAT Executive Director: Congrats to Keana Triplett and finalists for Teacher of Year!

By NCCAT Executive Director Richard Thompson

We were delighted to learn Keana Triplett, an English teacher from Ashe County, received the honor of 2015 North Carolina Teacher of the Year this week. Five of the finalists, including Mrs. Triplett, have attended NCCAT programs. Mrs. Triplett attended the NCCAT Beginning Teachers Program, and we look forward to having her, and all of our finalists join us again this year.

NCCAT is grateful for these and for all of the teachers of North Carolina who do incredible work for the children of our state.

Each year the outstanding candidates for Teacher of the Year serve as an important reminder to us at NCCAT about the work teachers across our state are doing. It also reaffirms the importance of the work we do at NCCAT to support teachers. The important work of teaching leads directly to student success in life.

We congratulate Mrs. Triplett on this honor and the other finalists.

Region 1: Jami Dickerson, Eastern Elementary (Pitt County Schools);

Region 2: Joshua Gaskill, Pamlico County High (Pamlico County Schools);

Region 3: Jeremy Tucker, James B. Hunt High (Wilson County Schools);

Region 4: Mariel Barker Sellars, East Columbus High (Columbus County Schools);

Region 5: JoAnna Massoth, Chatham Middle (Chatham County Schools);

Region 6: Jennifer Whitley, Forest Hills High (Union County Schools);

Region 8: Randy Pressley, Tuscola High (Haywood County Schools); and

Charter Schools: Elizabeth Padgett, Lake Norman Charter (Mecklenburg County).

In accepting the award, Mrs. Triplett said, "Outstanding teachers know their students. They understand how each student learns and responds appropriately. They set high expectations then provide challenging, rigorous and relevant learning activities, so students are engaged learners - not apathetic learners."

We agree and appreciate the efforts to make that happen which comes from the work of Mrs. Triplett and teachers across our state every day.

Photo of Keana Triplett and State Superintendent June Atkinson. From NC DPI.