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Nishelle Henson ’14MS Named 2026 N.C. Western Regional Teacher of the Year

teaching learning and curriculum

NC State College of Education alum Nishelle Henson, pictured in the center holding flowers alongside, from left to right: Left to Right is her 3-year-old son, Jacob Henson, who is being held by her husband, Jon Henson; her 7-year-old son Noah Henson, Me, Lydia Sale Lunday (the 2025 Western Region Teacher of the Year), and Rachel Candaso (the current NC Teacher of the Year)

Feb 4, 2026

Nishelle Henson ’14MS Named 2026 N.C. Western Regional Teacher of the Year

Nishelle Henson‘’14MS didn’t think much about the morning announcement several weeks ago at Macon Middle School, in Franklin, North Carolina, where teachers were told there would be an indoor fire drill. During the drill, nearly 700 students and staff were supposed to practice taking attendance using their emergency protocol system. It wasn’t until one of her observant students noticed central office staff in the gym and asked Henson if the gathering was actually a ruse for her “award thing.” Turns out, it was.