Wayne County’s Christopher Hicks named NC CTE Teacher of the Year
Christopher Hicks, an agriculture education teacher at Eastern Wayne High School in Wayne County, was recently named the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year.
The celebration event was held at the Concord Convention Center at Embassy Suites on Thursday to recognize teachers who are shaping the future of CTE in North Carolina.
“It is always good to honor outstanding educators, strengthen teacher leadership, and demonstrate what it means to invest in the people who make our public schools great,” State Superintendent Mo Green said.
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During his remarks, Green enthusiastically stated that in the “24-25 school year, North Carolina public schools earned over 380,000 industry recognized career and technical credentials — (the) most in the state’s history.” While the statistics for the 2025-26 school year have not been finalized, Green assured the audience that the figures make him smile.
“These achievements did not happen by accident,” Green said. “It happens because our CTE teachers set high expectations, develop strong partnerships, and pour their hearts into preparing students for what comes next.”
Green said that CTE is essential to the goal of making North Carolina public schools the best in the country by 2030. Thus, while only one educator received the title of North Carolina CTE Teacher of the Year, he thanked all finalists for the difference they make and the opportunities that they create for students across the state.
The 2026 North Carolina CTE Teacher of the Year, Michaelle Overman, recognized this year’s award winner. Leading up to the official presentation of the award, Hicks was described as “a lifetime student of CTE.”
Overman shared that Hicks has initiated programs in fruit production, greenhouse spaces, hydroponic systems, school-based dog grooming, and agricultural mechanics. In addition to creating online courses to expand access, it was stated that Hicks has raised over $400,000 in grants for his initiatives.
“I’m a product of CTE,” Hicks said in his acceptance speech. “I wouldn’t be where I am without it and my CTE teachers that I had, that believed in a young man from rural Jones County.”
Hicks continued, thanking his wife, administration, colleagues, and concluded by acknowledging his students. “At the end of the day, this is for my students,” he said. “I’m thankful for them and what they pour into our program as well.”
As CTE Teacher of the Year, Hicks will receive a $5,000 cash prize, instructional supplies funding for Eastern Wayne High School, and a three-year membership in the North Carolina Association for Career & Technical Education (NCACTE).
In addition to representing North Carolina at the national Association for Career & Technical Education conference, Hicks also earned a trip to Argentina via the 2027 Global Teachers program.
Caroline McKee, agriculture education teacher at Trinity High School in Randolph County Schools, was announced as the North Carolina CTE Teacher of the Year runner-up. She was awarded a $2,000 cash prize and three-year membership in NCACTE.
“I’m just thanking God for this opportunity. I’m thankful for where I work in Randolph County Schools and a supportive CTE team and administration,” McKee said. “There’s no better feeling than knowing what you’re doing for students — they’re learning to do, and doing to learn.”
Finalists for the NCCAT 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina CTE Teacher of the Year award included:
- Adara Barnes, Alamance-Burlington School System
- Justin Deal, Alexander County Schools
- John Moody, Asheville City Schools
- Elizabeth Roberson, Bladen County Schools
- Kelly Richardson, Brunswick County Schools
- David Brotherton, Caldwell County Schools
- Amanda Forbes, Camden County Schools
- Clare Matusevich, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Matthew Wykoff, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Tammy Cox, Cumberland County Schools
- Deni Pickell, Currituck County Schools
- Regina Smith, Guilford County Schools
- Kimberly Hackett, Harnett County Schools
- Austin Rash, Iredell-Statesville Schools
- Caitlin Goforth, Madison County Schools
- Sophie Voris, McDowell County Schools
- Luke Smith, Pender County Schools
- David Tripp, Pitt County Schools
- Caroline McKee, Randolph County Schools
- Bradford Taylor, Rowan-Salisbury Schools
- Donnie Henson, Rutherford County Schools
- Heather Graves, Scotland County Schools
- Marie Antonette Jimenez, Warren County Schools
- Christopher Hicks, Wayne County Schools
Additional announcements
Several other recognitions were made for contributions to the CTE in North Carolina.
- The Business-Education Partnership Award was presented to Alamance-Caswell Builders Association
- The William Frye Career and Technical Student Organization Award was presented to John Owens, marketing education and CTE teacher at Pine Forest High School in Cumberland County Schools
- Champion for CTE Award was presented to Dr. Andrew Bryan, superintendent of Edgecombe County Schools
Notably, the inaugural NCACTE North Carolina CTE Superintendent of the Year award was also introduced. The following superintendents are the eight regional finalists:
- Region 1: Steve Basnight, Dare County
- Region 2: Brent Williams, Lenoir County
- Region 3: Dr. Robert Taylor, Wake County
- Region 4: Dr. Jamie King, Sampson County
- Region 5: Dr. Aaron Fleming, Alamance-Burlington
- Region 6: Dr. Andrew Houlihan, Union County
- Region 7: Dr. Leslie Alexander, Watauga County
- Region 8: Chad Calhoun, Mitchell County
The North Carolina CTE Superintendent of the Year winner will be announced at the North Carolina School Superintendent’s Association winter conference in December.