Cason Justice, a history teacher at Swansboro High School in Onslow County, is the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year, according to a press release from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Justice received the recognition during an awards luncheon on Friday at the Umstead Hotel in Cary to honor him and the regional teachers of the year. State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said Johnson exemplified the state’s commitment to having the best public schools nationwide.
“Mr. Justice approaches teaching with a level of dedication and excellence that creates results,” Green said. “Through his intentional lessons and investment outside of the classroom, Mr. Justice encourages his students and colleagues to reach their full potential.”
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Justice is a 13-year veteran educator and North Carolina Teaching Fellow who has taken on several roles at Swansboro High, the release says, including mentor teacher, strategic planning team chair, and teacher leadership council member. He also advises the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at his school, a program that has grown from 15 to 250 students under his leadership.
He has previously been honored as Teacher of the Year at the district and school level, and was also recognized as his school’s rotary and literacy teacher of the year.
In the classroom, Justice focuses on teaching his students that history isn’t about “crusty old books,” the release says. Instead, his teaching reflects his philosophy that students can “do” history through active lessons such as an archeology dig and a “WWI Dodgeball Battle.”
“History gives them the tools they need to investigate the world around them,” Justice said. “It gives them the confidence that they can do more than they thought possible before. I often tell my kids, ‘Be pilots, not passengers.’ I make all my kids believe in their ability as learners. All it takes is some dirt and dodgeballs.”
During his acceptance speech, Justice thanked his role models — from family to former teachers of his — and North Carolina’s students, whom he described as the state’s most important asset.
“These kids, each and every one, every background and culture, they deserve real opportunities provided by a sound, basic education,” Justice said. “They deserve adults who will set aside differences and share in our collective responsibility to make North Carolina a state of true opportunity for all of our students. All of them.”
Dr. Louis Muglia, president and CEO of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, said the award recognizes the impact teaching has on students’ futures.
“Great teachers ignite curiosity, build confidence, and open doors to futures students may not imagine for themselves,” said Muglia. “The Burroughs Wellcome Fund Teacher of the Year exemplifies this spirit, demonstrating how inspired teaching can transform classrooms into spaces of discovery and possibility.”
Justice says, “teaching isn’t just delivering content. It’s the daily act of believing in students, colleagues and communities. … Every teacher has the chance to look at a student and say, ‘I believe in you.’”
North Carolina has recognized outstanding teachers through its Teacher of the Year program since 1970.
In his role as Teacher of the Year, Justice will be an ambassador for the state’s public school teachers during the 2026-27 school year. He will also be able to access professional development opportunities like the National Teacher of the Year Conference, International Space Camp, the International Society for Technology in Education conference, and programs at the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). He will also receive several gifts and financial awards, according to the release.
Alongside his fellow regional Teachers of the Year, Justice will also participate in the year-long North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship. The following regional teachers were also celebrated at the 2026 Teacher of the Year ceremony:
- Northeast: Heather Dail, Hertford Grammar School (Perquimans County Schools)
- North Central: Shannon Campbell, Wilson Early College Academy (Wilson County Schools)
- Sandhills: Manzell Spencer, Jr., Douglas Byrd Middle School (Cumberland County Schools)
- Piedmont-Triad: Jonathan Lancho Villa, Pilot Mountain Elementary School (Surry County Schools)
- Southwest: Melissa Hollar Culp, St. James Elementary Schools (Lincoln County Schools)
- Northwest: Gina Holste, Valle Crucis School (Watauga County Schools)
- Western: Nishelle Henson, Macon Middle School (Macon County Schools)
- Charter: Stephanie Lane, Lake Norman Charter School
Learn more about them here.
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