alumni awards

Nov 9, 2022

Johnny Crow ’62, ’68MS, ’85 EDD Named NC State College of Education’s 2022 Distinguished Alumnus

Johnny Crow '62, '68MS, '85EDD has always believed that everyone is a teacher. "We're all teachers to someone," Crow said. "That's the very purpose for being at NC State. It doesn't matter whether you're majoring in biology, molecular science, horticulture, engineering — there's someone that's always looking to you as their hero." 

Oct 18, 2022

Patrick Holmes ’12MSA Named 2022-2023 Person County Schools Principal of the Year

After implementing a dual language program and global approach to learning at South Elementary School, Patrick Holmes '12MSA has been named, for a second time, Person County Schools Principal of the Year. 

Nov 8, 2021

Valerie Bridges ‘02MSA, ‘10EDD Named NC State College of Education’s 2021 Distinguished Alumna

In recognition of her accomplishments, Valerie Bridges ‘02MSA, ‘10EDD, was honored at NC State University’s Evening of the Stars Gala, where she was named the NC State College of Education’s 2021 Distinguished Alumna. 

Jul 29, 2021

Nash County Public Schools 2021-2022 Principal of the Year Timothy Mudd ’13MSA Recognized for Success in Creating Opportunities for Students

Timothy Mudd ’13MSA wanted to coach high school basketball. But while that was his goal when he launched his education career, it didn’t take long for his purpose to change. His new purpose soon became ensuring all students, especially low-income students and students of color, received the opportunities they needed to succeed. 

Jul 14, 2021

Focus on Mentorship Leads to Laura Wilson-Wadsworth ’18MSA Being Named Franklin County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year

When Laura Wilson-Wadsworth ’18MSA was named Franklin County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year, she was overwhelmed by the emails, phone calls and socially distanced visits she received. Her favorite note came from a student she had mentored for over three years, a testament to the work she’s done mentoring students and teachers at Bunn High School. 

Jun 28, 2021

Wake County’s Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year Sallie Allen ’20MAT Recognized for Focus on Flexibility, Advocating for Future Educators

Sallie Allen ’20MAT began her career as a teacher just as Hunter Magnet Elementary students returned to in-person learning. Her ability to be flexible while also advocating for future teachers led her to be named a Wake County 2020-2021 Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year. 

Jun 28, 2021

Wake County’s Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year Valerie Ahrens ’20MAT Recognized for Building Connections, Focus on Strengths-based Perspective

When faced with the challenges of remote learning, elementary school teacher Valerie Ahrens ’20MAT rose to the occasion. Her ability to build connections and her focus on a strengths-based perspective led her to be named a Wake County 2020-2021 Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year. 

Jun 22, 2021

#WhyIChoseEducation: ‘A Quality Education is a Game Changer for All Children, But is a Dire Need for Children in Poverty,’ Says 2021-22 CCRESA Regional Superintendent of the Year Valerie Bridges ’02MSA, ’10EDD

When Valerie Bridges '02MSA, ’10EDD was growing up, she witnessed firsthand the impact a teacher could have on the lives of students through her mother, which inspired her to become an educator. As superintendent of Edgecombe County Schools, Bridges, who was named the 2021-22 CCRESA Regional Superintendent of the Year, shares why she chose education, why she chose the College of Education and how education has shaped her. 

Jun 7, 2021

N.C. Council for the Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year Talia Laing ’20MAT Hopes to Facilitate Diplomatic Discussion and Create Opportunities in Her Classroom for Students To View Historical and Contemporary Issues from Other Perspectives

As an undergraduate student studying archaeology, Talia Laing ’20MAT had the opportunity to participate in overseas excavations, which magnified her love of history. She plans to bring those experiences into her future classroom, teaching students how to learn history from different angles -- a philosophy that helped earn her the 2020-2021 N.C. Council for the Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year honor. 

Jun 1, 2021

‘My Purpose in Life is To Help Others Achieve their Highest Potentials and the Education Field Allows Me to Do That Daily,’ Says Granville County Principal of the Year Courtney Currin ’12MSA

For Courtney Currin ’12MSA, being an educator has always been her life’s purpose. And it shows through her work as principal of Tar River Elementary School, where she was just named the 2020-2021 Granville County Public Schools’ Principal of the Year.