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Nine educators from across North Carolina have been chosen as regional teachers of the year (TOY), according to a press release from the Department of Public Instruction.
The 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year will be announced at an April 11 ceremony in Cary.
“Those of us doing the work see the incredible impact of public education every day, so to see these nine exceptional educators lifted up and honored for their dedication to students is priceless,” state Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said in the release. “I know that this group will serve their students and fellow educators admirably, and I look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in the year ahead.”
The state has recognized “Teachers of the Year” since 1970, according to the DPI release. Since 2013, DPI has partnered with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to honor North Carolina teachers.
The state TOY is recognized at the school, regional, and statewide levels. North Carolina is divided into eight geographical regions and charter schools together form the ninth region of the state. The charter school TOY joins the regional winners as a finalist for the state award.
Once the winner is announced, the teacher of the year travels the state as an ambassador for teachers and serves as an advisor on the State Board of Education for two years. Typically, the winner also receives opportunities for statewide and national professional development, a global travel experience, a technology device, and cash prizes totaling more than $10,000.
“In accordance with national guidelines, North Carolina chooses a candidate who is ‘dedicated and highly skilled, a candidate proven capable of inspiring students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn,'” DPI’s TOY website says. “Because the State Teacher of the Year will be asked to travel, speak on behalf of education and demonstrate master teaching skills, the candidate must be poised, articulate, and energetic in order to meet the demanding responsibilities.”
The event will be livestreamed on DPI’s social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook. You can read more about the North Carolina TOY program on DPI’s website, and follow along on social media at #NCTOY.
Here’s a look at this year’s TOY finalists.
Northeast | Rachel Candaso, Wellcome Middle School, Pitt County Schools
Candaso, a middle grades elective teacher and site coordinator for the AVID program, started teaching five years ago.
According to the press release, she chose to teach in the Northeast region “because she was drawn to the opportunity to contribute to addressing disparities between urban and rural schools.”
She has held firm in the belief that all students, regardless of background or ability, can succeed when given an equitable education. It is this belief that has made her particularly passionate about community involvement, stating it plays a crucial role in public education.
DPI press release
“The success of our students is not the sole responsibility of our education system alone, but is also shaped by the engagement of families, local businesses and community organizations,” Candaso said. “I have witnessed firsthand the benefits of this community engagement through my own work, where partnerships with local universities and businesses have given students exposure to real-world opportunities.
“By working together, communities can provide students with the resources and mentorship needed to succeed both academically and personally,” she said.
Southeast | Hannah Moon, Emsley A. Laney High School, New Hanover County Schools
Moon, a high school English teacher, has taught at Emsley A. Laney High School for 20 years.
She is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she earned a degree in English literature, a teaching certificate, and a master’s in education. In 2022, she received her National Board Certification.
Her ultimate goal as an educator, according to the press release, is to make learning relevant and applicable to life.
Believing that every student has unlimited learning potential, she skillfully adapts her teaching methods to meet the unique needs of her students. When teaching pieces of literature to her students, her lessons help students to connect personally with the writing, leading to higher engagement and success from students.
DPI press release
“Facilitating success is based on motivation, encouragement, meeting students where they are, setting the bar high and fun,” Moon said. “All of my students can find success with the right support, and I always aim to provide that for every single student, every single day in my classroom.”
As an advocate for teacher supports, Moon “has provided vital support to future educators in her community for years by serving as a supervising teacher for students in the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s education program, as well as being a mentor for beginning teachers at her school,” the release says.
North Central | Tamika J. Farmer, G. W. Carver Elementary School, Edgecombe County Schools
Farmer, a fourth grade teacher, was described by her superintendent as “the epitome of a dedicated and passionate educator who continually goes above and beyond to inspire and empower her students,” according to the release.
“My philosophy is to help empower students to actively explore, create and apply knowledge in authentic and meaningful ways, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and prepare them for academic success and future challenges in an ever-changing world,” she said. “I believe in fostering a supportive and engaging environment where every child feels valued, safe and motivated to learn.”
One way Farmer makes students feel safe is being an advocate for mental health, serving in a leadership role on her school’s Resilience Team which focuses on creating a trauma-informed school environment. She believes schools can play a critical role in supporting both students and educators with mental health issues.
DPI press release
Farmer previously served as a field medic in the U.S. Army for four years. After working in high-stress combat environments, the release says Farmer felt called to become an elementary school teacher — where she has now worked for more than a decade.
“She continues to serve others as a beginning teacher mentor, sharing classroom management strategies and insights on creating inclusive learning environments, playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of educators in her community,” the release says.
Sandhills | Dr. Anthony Martin, East Columbus Junior/Senior High School, Columbus County Schools
Martin, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) educator, believes in “integrating practical, real-world applications into all subjects to create engaging, student-centered learning environments, focusing on helping students connect their learning to the world beyond the classroom and preparing them for future success,” the release says.
When Martin started working at East Columbus Junior/Senior High School three years ago, he said there were no programs related to computer engineering or technology support. At that point, he started a mission to build a technology-focused program, resulting in the creation of the school’s student tech team.
“The impact on students has been profound; being part of the Student Tech Team has given them a strong sense of accomplishment and responsibility,” Martin said. “They take pride in knowing that they are helping the school operate more efficiently and that their skills are valuable in real-world settings.”
Martin has over 20 years of service to North Carolina Public Schools, serving in district and state roles before entering the classroom as a technology, engineering and design instructor. He actively promotes teacher recruitment and retention through innovative programs and outreach initiatives as well as being an outspoken advocate for streamlining the residency license program, making it easier for people to enter the teaching profession and strengthen North Carolina’s teaching workforce.
DPI press release
Piedmont-Triad | Chanel Jones, Broadview Middle School, Alamance-Burlington School System
Jones, a sixth-grade social studies teacher, “aims to foster a sense of dignity, equity and care within her school, and she leads by example,” the release says.
To build stronger connections and develop a sense of trust with her students, she often attends personal events like athletic events and birthday parties. She also developed a classroom-based laundry service in which she personally took students’ clothes home to be washed, ensuring that students’ needs were being met without drawing attention to their circumstances.
DPI press release
“As a lifelong learner, I continuously deepen my understanding of issues and strategies. As a leader, I influence my school and community to prioritize equity,” Jones said. “As an innovator, I create solutions to meet my students’ diverse needs. My commitment to these principles drives my efforts to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
Jones also serves as in-school suspension (ISS) coordinator and varsity cheerleading coach for a high school in the district.
Southwest | Yaronda Kilgo, Wingate Elementary School, Union County Public Schools
Kilgo, who serves as grade-level chair and mentor at her school, has worked to champion schoolwide professional development initiatives that “empowered teachers to apply new strategies in their practices, ultimately resulting in improved student outcomes and a more positive school culture,” the release says.
Kilgo believes that every student should have access to quality instruction in a class environment that meets the needs of the whole child.
DPI press release
“By validating our students and their needs, we can create a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive both academically and emotionally,” she said. “By connecting content to students’ lived experiences, promoting representation and empathy, and fostering social-emotional learning, I strive to empower students to thrive and become active participants in their own learning journey, forever.”
Northwest | Tayler Bomar, Greenlee Primary School, Mitchell County Schools
Bomar, a second grade teacher, is a teacher leader at her school. In addition to seeking professional development opportunities for her school’s teachers, she also serve’s on her school’s multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and school improvement planning (SIP) teams.
Bomar has a clear devotion to her community. Having felt a calling to be a teacher since she was young, she says she is especially grateful to be teaching in the same county and primary school that she attended as a child.
DPI press release
“Mitchell County Schools shaped me into the person I am today. I remember my experiences, my teachers and unique ways I was taught and able to learn,” Bomar said.
Bomar also recognizes the importance that things like parent involvement and social-emotional learning play in a student’s educational journey. Last holiday season, she invited parents and caring adults to surprise students by coming in before the school day started to decorate their desks for the holidays, adding extra joy and sense of community to her students and their parents’ days.
DPI press release
Western | Lydia Sale, West Elementary School, Swain County Schools
Sale, a first grade teacher, comes from a family of educators and is passionate about advocating for students in low-income communities.
“Not just as a responsibility, but as a powerful call to action that seeks to reveal the challenges faced by students and educators, ensuring that every child has access to the quality education they deserve,” Sale said.
She goes out of her way to create an inclusive, supportive classroom environment where all students feel valued and empowered, championing individualized instruction to fulfill this aspiration.
DPI press release
Sale also coaches the high school volleyball team and is pursuing her master’s in education, the release says, “and plays a critical role in organizing schoolwide programs, like initiatives that improve school culture and staff morale.”
Charter | Lindsay Phillips, Mountain Island Charter School
A 19-year veteran elementary educator, Phillips has worked as a kindergarten teacher since 2015. She has worked at Mountain Island Charter School, located in Mount Holly, for nine years.
Phillips is committed to teaching not only academic standards but also preparing our youngest learners for life outside of the classroom, beginning in kindergarten.
DPI press release
She is guided by her teaching philosophy that “reflective and intentional teaching will increase learning and help me become a better teacher.”
Phillips knew she wanted to be a teacher from the time she was in first grade.
“Teaching was never just a career path; it has always been a calling,” the release says. “That deep sense of purpose continues to shape her approach, ensuring that every lesson not only meets academic standards but also fosters lifelong skills and meaningful connections.”
