Last Updated on April 29, 2024 9:24 am
WATAUGA — Watauga County Schools is extremely fortunate to have incredible school leaders and educators serving our students, staff and school community. 10 outstanding teachers were selected as their school’s Teacher of the Year.
This year’s group includes Hope Mough from Bethel School, Lara Whiteside from Blowing Rock School, Tamara Buckley from Cove Creek School, Hailey Aldridge from Green Valley School, Ali Pace from Hardin Park School, Annie Johnson from Mabel School, Jenny Phillips from Parkway School, Kiaya Brooks from Valle Crucis School, Jamie Wilson from Watauga High School and Dante Binotto from Watauga Virtual Academy.
Each school had a special surprise announcement for their TOY in their classroom with students, staff and family members.
A school-wide surprise announcement was held at Cove Creek School on April 19 to honor the 2024-25 Principal of the Year Scott Carter.
The celebrations continued with an elegant and memorable celebration for the 2024-25 Principal and Teachers of the Year on April 25 at the Meadowbrook Inn & Conference Center located in the town of Blowing Rock.
Each school’s Teacher of the Year received an award of $350 from the school system and was considered a candidate for Watauga County Schools Teacher of the Year. The teacher selected as the WCS Teacher of the Year will receive an additional $350 from the school system.
The selection team included a representative from the Central Office, the 2023-24 WCS Teacher of the Year, the 2023-24 Rookie Teacher of the Year, 2023-24 Principal of the Year and a BOE member. Selection team members were Dr. Brian Bettis, Erik Mortensen, Shelley Dewey, Dr. Bonnie Smith and Marshall Ashcraft.
Sponsors for this very special event included Appalachian State University, Appalachian Theatre, Chick-Fil-A of Boone, Hickory Crawdads, Grandfather Mountain, Meadowbrook Inn & Conference Center, Mast Store, NASCAR, OP Smiles, Stick Boy Bread Co., Vicious Biscuit, Watauga County Schools and Wendy’s/Tar Heel Capital. WCS thanks each of these sponsors for their support.
Gift bags were presented to each TOY and the POY at the banquet containing items donated by the aforementioned local businesses and organizations.
At the ceremony, WHS Automotive Technology teacher Erik Mortensen was the speaker. Mortensen was the 2023-24 WCS Teacher of the Year and also the 2023-24 Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year. Mortensen spoke very highly of each honoree and shared what a pleasure it was to be a member of the selection team for the district TOY. He shared how impressed he was by their interactions with students and the wonderful atmosphere of their classrooms where learning takes place each day.
Another highlight of the evening was a video presentation which included a segment for each TOY showcasing their values and their relationships with students in the classroom setting.
Following the video presentation, each principal proudly introduced and shared remarks about their school’s TOY. At this time, each teacher received a certificate and their gift bag.
Chairman Dr. Gary Childers, Vice Chairman Steve Combs and board member Marshall Ashcraft were present on behalf of the Watauga County Schools Board of Education. Vice Chairman Combs provided the Invocation for the evening and Mr. Ashcraft delivered the closing remarks.
From Left: Annie Johnson (Mabel School), Jamie Wilson (Watauga High School), Hope Mough (Bethel School), Tamara Buckley (Cove Creek School), Dante Binotto (Watauga Virtual Academy), Lara Whiteside (Blowing Rock School), Hailey Aldridge (Green Valley School), Kiaya Brooks (Valle Crucis School), Ali Pace (Hardin Park School) and Jenny Phillips (Parkway School)
