When Layla Allen ’23 was still a Teaching Fellow in the NC State College of Education, she was provided with the opportunity to work part time as a tutor at A.L. Stanback Middle School in Orange County. She fell in love with both the school district and the close-knit community, so much so that, when she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in science education, she took a job as an earth science teacher at Cedar Ridge High School.
“When I started my first year of teaching at Cedar Ridge High School, I was excited because I already knew many of the students and had met their families,” Allen said.
In her first year at the school, Allen put in a special effort to foster a sense of community among her students and, this fall, she was named Orange County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year.
“I was definitely surprised, but it was also very validating to see all of my hard work being noticed,” Allens said. “I knew there were plenty of other great teachers in Orange County, so I was very honored to be chosen to represent the district.”
Allen said she credits her time with the College of Education and as a Teaching Fellow for preparing her to make her classroom productive and educational.
“I don’t think that there’s a bad teaching program here in North Carolina; but based on my experience, I do think that NC State’s is the best,” Allen said. “They offer so many concentrations, are flexible for double majoring and have opportunities for add-on licenses and minors that can enhance your experience, like teaching English as a foreign language.”
In the essay she wrote as a nominee for the award, Allen discussed how, by having students place their phones in a holder on the door for the duration of the class period, she was able to leave space for connections to form.
“Without their phones, they had no choice but to talk to each other,” Allen said. “At times, the increased chatter was overwhelming, but I quickly noticed that the quality of their group work improved, and they were genuinely engaged and connected with each other.”
That increased engagement made it easier for Allen to assign her students creative projects that they could tie back to the real world. She had them create their own water filters to see if the dirty liquid they poured through it was suitable for aquatic life, and she also taught them about soil horizons by having the students construct their own, edible models.
No matter the assignment, Allen said she works hard to make sure she remains flexible to her students’ learning needs.
“Showing patience and grace helps build trust and create a bond that is really meaningful,” Allen said. “I love to make a difference in students’ lives and see them grow every day. I love to challenge them in new ways and encourage them to try new things. It’s such a privilege to have this job.”
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