Teacher Appreciation in Orange County Schools
Orange County Schools 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year
Thank you to all our amazing educators who serve every student in Orange County Schools every day to ensure they graduate with options available in further education, meaningful employment, and enlistment in the military. We appreciate you!
Thank you for helping our students realize their potential and for supporting and inspiring them to continue to grow academically and be the best versions of themselves. Your impact and influence reaches beyond the classroom.Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones
Letter from Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones
May 5, 2025
Teachers,
To you and all our educators across Orange County Schools — as we kick off Teacher Appreciation Week — I want to take this moment to recognize you and express my gratitude for everything you do for our students.
YOU are the primary and most important resource for our students — there is no curriculum or program that can replace what you do each day.
The work that you do is not easy. Teaching requires resilience, flexibility, creativity, patience and long hours that many people do not see. Teachers, I want you to know that we see you and appreciate how dedicated you are to this work, to your schools, to your community, and to each other.
Thank you for helping our students realize their potential and for supporting and inspiring them to continue to grow academically and be the best versions of themselves. Your impact and influence reaches beyond the classroom.
As we celebrate you this week, I hope you take some time to reflect on the positive impact that you have on the Orange County Schools Community and the difference you make in the lives of our students.
It is truly an honor and privilege to work alongside you to support our students and community.
Wishing you all a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week, filled with the recognition and appreciation that you deserve.
Sincerely,
Dr. Danielle Jones
Superintendent
Orange County Schools
More "Thank You" Messages for OCS Educators
Sending "Thank You" Cards
During the week of May 5-9, 2025, OCS received almost 140 requests for digital "Thank You" cards to help educators celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week.
We always strive to recognize and highlight the difference our educators make in the lives of students, families, fellow educators, and our community.
Please enjoy these messages of gratitude, including videos of teachers in action and students sharing what they love most about their teachers.
Stay tuned to OCS social media pages and feel free to share praise with any educator or staff member who changed your life for the better.
Thank you for helping us celebrate Orange County Schools educators during Teacher Appreciation Week, and all year long!
Video Messages
Thank You OCS Teachers!
Dr. Danielle Jones shared a message of thanks for all educators in Orange County Schools, in this video that features all 13 OCS Teachers of the Year in their classrooms.
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 Student Voices
Some of our youngest learners shared why they love their teachers who make them feel safe, seen, and supported to learn and grow every day in Orange County Schools!
News Headlines and Appreciation
The gratitude that we show — in sharing these stories and tokens of appreciation — goes a long way toward showing the lasting value of this work. Thank you!
Educator Spotlights
These and a growing number of stories show our teachers as leaders for students and families, as well as colleagues and our community.
![Selena Masse, Orange Middle School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":1080}])
Selena Masse has been named the first-ever Outstanding Holocaust Educator of the Year, by the Center for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Education of North Carolina
![OCS 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year José Hidalgo and Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745606794/orangecountyfirstcom/xnjbkqapirjvkqbqzbhe/IMG_5036.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745606794/orangecountyfirstcom/xnjbkqapirjvkqbqzbhe/IMG_5036.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745606794/orangecountyfirstcom/xnjbkqapirjvkqbqzbhe/IMG_5036.jpg","width":631}])
Known for his 'unconditional' support of students and staff, Mr. José Hidalgo has been named OCS 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year.
![Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year Finalists]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745441545/orangecountyfirstcom/ywxqwnuxbkhthmxqob1u/Showcase3TemplateSixStory.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745441545/orangecountyfirstcom/ywxqwnuxbkhthmxqob1u/Showcase3TemplateSixStory.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745441545/orangecountyfirstcom/ywxqwnuxbkhthmxqob1u/Showcase3TemplateSixStory.png","width":800}])
Following the announcement of the school-level Teacher of the Year (TOY) nominees, three teachers have been selected as TOY finalists, all in the running to be named the Orange County Schools District Teacher of the Year at the TOY Banquet on April 24, 2025.
![Jason Johnson, Alexis Cates and Shannon Braxton posing]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742906259/orangecountyfirstcom/ucda0qeds4tugg263dpu/Showcase3TemplateSixStory24.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742906259/orangecountyfirstcom/ucda0qeds4tugg263dpu/Showcase3TemplateSixStory24.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742906259/orangecountyfirstcom/ucda0qeds4tugg263dpu/Showcase3TemplateSixStory24.png","width":800}])
Orange High School Agriculture Teacher Alexis Cates has been named North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year for Orange County Schools!
![Layla Allen, Beginning Teacher of the Year poses]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727791648/orangecountyfirstcom/r93e5nddrjwkg68hqsok/btoy2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727791648/orangecountyfirstcom/r93e5nddrjwkg68hqsok/btoy2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727791648/orangecountyfirstcom/r93e5nddrjwkg68hqsok/btoy2.png","width":800}])
“Ms. Allen has a unique gift of creating a safe and unifying student community, with her kind demeanor and inclusive leadership”
Digital "Thank You" Cards
Here are just a few of the heartfelt words offered to OCS educators during Teacher Appreciation Week 2025. Thank you for sharing!
To: Jamie Borland, A.L. Stanback Middle
Dear Mrs. Borland,
I want to thank you for being my teacher of 2+ years ever since I had you for Bulldog Academy. AVID has helped me immensely academically, and personally.
I hope other students feel the same way. Thanks for being my AVID teacher!
(student)
To: Cynthia Chandler, Cedar Ridge High
Dear Ms. Chandler,
Thank you for being such a understanding and an amazing teacher. You are my favorite teacher and you're the reason I come to school. You make school fun!! You truly are amazing.
(student)
To: Beverly Jones, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Bev,
For 12 incredible years, you have been more than a therapist to [our son] - you’ve been a guide, a mentor, a cheerleader, and a true light in his journey. Your unwavering belief in him, your tireless efforts to empower and challenge him, and your ability to see his potential even when the path was hard—that is the kind of love and dedication that changes lives.
(parents)
To: Sarah Sandbeck, New Hope Elementary
Mrs. Sandbeck, thank you!
Thank you for being patient with [our son]. It has been tough but we made it through. With your love, kindness, support, tough love and the talks... We appreciate you and nothing you do for him goes unnoticed! We love you bunches 😘🖤
(parents)