NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year

Mission:

The NCCAT Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Selection Process was developed to honor Career and Technical Education teachers and their dedication to students. The goal of this program is to encourage all North Carolina school districts to celebrate CTE teachers and to retain excellent teachers in North Carolina public schools. 

Each of district and charter school may nominate one CTE teacher annually to submit a portfolio to be considered one of the 24 CTE Teacher of the Year Finalists. These finalists will attend a week of professional development, during which time the NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year Selection Committee will interview each finalist. The winner of the NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year will be announced at a recognition celebration at the end of the week. 

Goals:

1. Honor CTE teachers.
2. Retain excellent teachers in both the profession and NC public schools.
3. Encourage all NC school districts to celebrate CTE teachers as a method of retention.
4. Build relationships with districts and schools in North Carolina.

NCCAT CTE TOY Eligibility Requirements:

1. Nomination by teacher's school district or charter.

2. Successful completion of at least 5 years of teaching in a NC public school.

3. Employed full time as a CTE teacher during nomination year.
4. Must teach students directly for at least 70% of the time.

Orange County Schools NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year Recipients:

• Cole Watkins, 2025-2026
• Alexis Cates, 2024-2025
• Keidra Smith, 2023-2024
• Beth Ball, 2022-2023
• Monique Holmes, 2021-2022

All pictured with Orange County Schools CTE Director, Shannon Braxton.

Learn more about this program on the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Website.