In a celebration of educational excellence, the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) recently honored Tyler D’Angelo, an agriculture educator from CE Jordan High School in Durham, as the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year. The accolade was awarded during a ceremony at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center, Western Carolina University, on February 20th.
This award, now in its third year, recognizes exceptional CTE educators who show remarkable commitment to their vocation. Before the ceremony, finalists participated in a week-long professional development event hosted by NCCAT.
D’Angelo has significantly influenced his students, enabling them to exceed state benchmarks, earn industry credentials, and gain practical work experience. A colleague praised him, stating, “Mr. D’Angelo embodies the qualities of an outstanding educator: dedication, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the future leaders of our community and the agriculture industry.”
One of his students expressed gratitude, saying, “Though my time in high school is coming to an end, I feel confident that Mr. D’Angelo will continue to strengthen our program and prepare the next generation of students. He has inspired me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Agroecology from North Carolina State University starting next fall.”
Dr. M. Brock Womble, NCCAT Executive Director, acknowledged the dedication of CTE educators, stating:
“At NCCAT, we are honored to celebrate and support the exceptional Career and Technical Education teachers who inspire and prepare the next generation of North Carolina’s workforce. The NCCAT Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC CTE Teacher of the Year Award highlights the dedication, innovation, and passion these educators bring to their classrooms every day. This week of professional development recognizes their impact and equips them with valuable resources to continue fostering student success across our state.”
Runner-Up and Finalists
Alisha Pierri, who teaches Culinary Arts and Hospitality at the Center of Applied Science and Technology in Brunswick County Schools, was named runner-up for the prestigious award.
The finalists for the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC CTE Teacher of the Year Award included:
- David Dixon, Southside High School, Beaufort County Schools
- Alisha Pierri, Center of Applied Science and Technology, Brunswick County Schools
- Ashleigh Miller, Mount Pleasant Middle School, Cabarrus County Schools
- Travis Adkison, Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Fred Mason, Columbus Career and College Academy, Columbus County Schools (in memoriam)
- Misty Guthrie, Tucker Creek Middle School, Craven County Schools
- Megan Frazier, JP Knapp Early College High School, Currituck County Schools
- Cathy Berrier, Ledford High School, Davidson County Schools
- Tyler D’Angelo, CE Jordan High School, Durham Public Schools
- Brooke Clapp, Southeast Guilford High School, Guilford County Schools
- Terry Drum, Hickory High School, Hickory City Schools
- Tracy Skeens, Crossroads Arts and Science Early College, Iredell-Statesville Schools
- Melissa Haigler, Smoky Mountain High School, Jackson County Public Schools
- Ashley Holloman, Corinth Holders High School, Johnston County Public Schools
- Nicole Extine, Madison High School, Madison County Schools
- Stephanie Shaw, Mooresville Middle School, Mooresville Graded School District
- Miranda Wells, Topsail High School, Pender County Schools
- Angie Byrne, JH Rose High School, Pitt County Schools
- Phyllis King, Lumberton Junior High School, Public Schools of Robeson County
- Vernon Blackman, Midway High School, Sampson County Schools
- Sarah Johnson, Surry Central High School, Surry County Schools
- Toby Sorrell, Swain County High School, Swain County Schools
- Steven Ward, Watauga High School, Watauga County Schools
- Megan Gambill, West Wilkes High School, Wilkes County Schools
Awards and recognition, facilitated by the Development Foundation of NCCAT, Inc., were bestowed as follows:
The NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year receives:
- $5,000 cash prize
- Instructional supply funds for their school
- Three-year membership in NCACTE
- Participation in the national ACTE Conference as the NC ACTE Teacher of the Year representative
The runner-up receives:
- $2,000 cash prize
- Three-year membership in NCACTE
Finalists receive:
- Travel and substitute cost for NCCAT professional development
- One-year membership in NCACTE
Sponsors
NCCAT acknowledges the generous sponsors who made this program possible:
Signature Sponsor:
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsors:
- Bojangles
- Branching Minds
- Edmentum
- Hendrick Motorsports
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Instructure
- Schwartz Law, P.L.L.C.
- zSpace/Carolina Training
Patron Sponsors:
- Builder Services, Inc.
- Campbell Shatley, P.L.L.C.
- Farm Bureau – Ag in the Classroom
- Gameplan
- Pierce Group Benefits
- Paxton Patterson
Special Thanks
- The CTE Teacher of the Year Steering Committee
- The Development Foundation of NCCAT, Inc. Board of Directors
- The NCCAT Board of Trustees
About NCCAT
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) is dedicated to supporting educators and enhancing student outcomes through top-tier professional development programs. By boosting teacher effectiveness, NCCAT strengthens the fabric of public education statewide. Educators are equipped with innovative teaching strategies, best practices, and resources that they can implement in their classrooms. For more information about NCCAT’s offerings, visit www.nccat.org or call 828-293-5202.
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