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.”
In 2025, the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching offered two Holocaust education opportunities generously supported by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference).
CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Twenty-seven educators from across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. These outstanding educators are recognized for their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students to succeed.
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces the runner-up for the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award is Lacey Davis, a Consumer and Family Sciences teacher at Clyde A. Erwin High School in Buncombe County Schools.
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces Michaelle Overman, a Health Science teacher at Perquimans High School in Perquimans County Schools, as the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year. The award was presented at a special ceremony held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
