Orange County School Announces 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year Finalists

Following the announcement of our school-level Teacher of the Year (TOY) nominees, three teachers have been selected as TOY finalists, all in the running to be named Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year! 

A selection committee reviews each nominee’s recommendation letters, resume, and two essays on the teaching profession, then interviews each nominee to select three finalists. The OCS 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year will be announced Tuesday, April 28 at a special award banquet for all the nominees.

Meet our 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year finalists! 

Justin Boggus, Orange High School

Justin Boggus has been a math educator for over 20 years, spending his entire career teaching advanced mathematics in high schools in North Carolina and Colorado. He has also been a National Board Certified Teacher since 2020. In 2023, he joined the Orange High School Panthers, serving as chair for the math department as well as the OHS Guiding Coalition (collaborative team of curriculum leaders).

During his time at OHS, he’s been described as a “transformative” leader and educator both inside and outside of the classroom. Under his leadership, the Orange High School math department has seen significant growth including an increase in students’ proficiency on the state-mandated Math 3 exam from 45% (2022-23) to 74% (2024-25). 

His impact is felt throughout the entire school. One colleague said that through his work chairing the Guiding Coalition (since his first year at OHS), Boggus has fostered a "culture of reflection and continuous improvement.” This also extends to his informal mentorship for beginning teachers, leading professional development sessions for secondary math teachers across OCS, and serving as head coach for the OHS Junior Varsity (JV) volleyball team.

“My teaching philosophy is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: impactful instruction and leadership grow out of doing ordinary things extraordinarily well,” Boggus said. “I strive to create a community where students and teachers feel challenged, supported, and inspired to grow.”

Brittany Laube, Hillsborough Elementary School 

Brittany Laube was named Hillsborough Elementary School (HES) Teacher of the Year because she is a “remarkable” and “relentless” leader who has been “transformative” during her time as a Dolphin. With 16 years of experience as an educator, Laube has spent her career as a classroom teacher and reading specialist for students in Kindergarten through second grade. 

After teaching in several elementary schools across North Carolina, Laube found herself at Hillsborough Elementary School as a second grade teacher in 2023. Since then, she has been recognized for her abilities to create a nurturing environment with a tailored approach for each of her students. 

“The first time I visited her classroom during instructional time, I was struck by the ‘good quiet’,” said one parent. “Mrs. Laube moved around the room making small, specific adjustments for different students as she taught: a comment to one about her pencil grip, a tap on someone’s paper to draw his attention to the correct spot, a deep short breath by another who made eye contact and needed a steadying breath.” 

Her unique approach to educating is inspired by her own experiences as a student, educator, and parent which fuel her belief that students thrive when there’s a positive relationship between school and home. 

“I believe that students need and deserve teachers who work to maintain a positive relationship between the school community and the family,” Laube said. “As a general education teacher for 18 students with highly variable needs, I know that meaningful learning is predicated on authentic student engagement. I believe that my students work hard and stay engaged throughout the day, because they know I have developed positive relationships with each of their families.”

Heather Rosy, Pathways Elementary School

“Incredibly dedicated,” "exceptionally skilled,” and “impactful” are just a few of the ways Heather Rosy has been described by those closest to her and why she was named the Pathways Elementary School Teacher of the Year. 

An elementary school educator with nearly 20 years of experience, Rosy has spent seven of them at Pathways Elementary School, starting there as a fourth grade math teacher in 2019. In that time, Rosy’s “calm” and “steady” demeanor has created a learning environment that is structured and nurturing, where students excel and are challenged in a way that instills confidence. 

Rosy says she holds her students to high standards while also recognizing their individual needs, allowing students to strive and thrive in an environment that promotes growth. With her data-informed approach to instruction, Rosy implemented classroom strategies that measure student outcomes and also encourage students to reflect on their own learning: these include the use of interactive notebooks, “Room Transformation” review days, and “Fluency Friday.”

At Pathways, Rosy has also been in many leadership roles, collaborating with peers to increase student engagement, learning outcomes, and more. She represents fourth grade on the School Improvement Team, co-leads the Culture and Climate Committee, and actively participates in the Parent Teacher Association.  

“Each day I look forward to teaching the math curriculum and supporting my students as they grow academically and personally,” Rosy said. “When I work closely with my students to support them and grow their confidence, I build a relationship with them that lasts and is truly rewarding.”