The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces Molly Todd, a special education teacher at Panther Creek High School in Wake County Public Schools, as the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. The award was presented at a recognition event held on March 12 at Brendle Recital Hall on the campus of Wake Forest University.
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces Sophia Foster, a sixth grade ELA teacher at Burgaw Middle School in Pender County Schools, as the runner-up for the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year.
"Sophia fosters a classroom environment where students feel both challenged and supported,” one of Foster’s instructional coaches said. “She is encouraging yet firm, maintaining consistently high expectations while ensuring that every student feels seen, valued, and cared for.”
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Board of Trustees will convene a meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The meeting will take place at the NCCAT Cullowhee campus, located at 276 NCCAT Drive, Cullowhee NC, 28723. The purpose of the meeting is to update the Board members on NCCAT’s progress.