alumni awards
![](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/06/1.png)
Wake County’s Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year Sallie Allen ’20MAT Recognized for Focus on Flexibility, Advocating for Future Educators
![](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/06/2.png)
Wake County’s Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher of the Year Valerie Ahrens ’20MAT Recognized for Building Connections, Focus on Strengths-based Perspective
![Valerie Bridges](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/06/Award-Winning-Alumni-graphic-_-Valerie-Bridges-_-June-2021.jpeg)
#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
![Talia Laing](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/06/Award-Winning-Alumni-graphic-_-Talia-Laing-_-June-2021-1.jpg)
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
![](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/06/Award-Winning-Alumni-Courtney-Currin.jpg)
‘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
![Leo Nieves](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/04/Award-Winning-Alumni-Photo-and-graphic-Leo.jpg)
Nash County Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year Leo Nieves ‘18MSA: ‘It is My Goal to Help Make the Educational Experience for All Involved a Positive One’
![Megan Bain](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/03/Award-Winning-Alumni-Photo-and-graphic-Megan-Bain.jpg)
Nash County High School Assistant Principal of the Year Megan Bain ‘18MSA: ‘I Am Passionate About Supporting Teachers and Helping Students Pursue Their Own Pathway to Personal Success, Happiness and Productive Citizenship’
![Yolanda Wiggins](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/03/Award-Winning-Alumni-Photo-and-graphic-_-Yolanda-Wiggins.jpg)
Nash County Elementary School Principal of the Year Yolanda Wiggins ‘12MSA: ‘I Never Saw Myself as an Educator. Others Saw it in Me and Encouraged Me to Take My Love of Literacy into the Classroom to Inspire Students’
![Cliff Hudson](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/03/Award-Winning-Alumni-Photo-and-graphic-E-Cliff-Hudson.jpg)
‘I Had Great Teachers Growing Up Who Inspired Me With Curiosity and Encouraged Me to Do Whatever I Wanted in Life,’ Says NCSTA Ann and Dr. Bill Palmer Science Administration Distinguished Service Award Winner Cliff Hudson ‘16MSA
![C. Neill McLeod](https://ced.ncsu.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/12/Neill-McLeod-Distinguished-Alumna.jpg)