New Hanover County Schools names 2023-2024 educators of the year

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - New Hanover County Schools has announced the recipients of the 2023-2024 Educator of the Year Awards.

“NHCS recognized the winners at the annual Educator of the Year Celebration at Brooklyn Arts Center for their outstanding dedication and commitment to their students, schools, and communities,” states an NHCS announcement from Monday, May 8.

The winners of the elementary, middle school and high school Educator of the Year awards are:

Nikki Karnes at Masonboro Elementary School
Clary French at Williston Middle School
Fatima Sail at Ashley High School

Sail also was named Overall Educator of the Year, with NHCS writing in the announcement that “Ms. Sail’s dedication to her students and innovative teaching methods make her a role model for educators across the district.”

Christianne May from Castle Hayne Elementary School was named Principal of the Year.

“These educators represent the best of our school district, and we are grateful for their hard work and dedication,” said Dr. Charles Foust, Superintendent of New Hanover County Schools. “Their commitment to their students and their schools inspires us all.”

Sail will receive $5,000 from Jeff Hovis of Intracoastal Realty, $350 from the Board of Education and $500 from Hendrick Toyota Wilmington. Karnes and French will also receive awards from the BOE and Toyota, and Principal May will receive $1,000.

All educators of the year will receive $100 from the BOE, 11 finalists will get another $150 and a HotWorx membership and principal finalists will receive $500. You can see the full list of awardees below:

Elementary

Ashley Sansing - Annie H. Snipes Academy of Arts and Design
Heidi Pfirman - Bradley Creek Elementary School
Chloe Mabe - Carolina Beach Elementary School
Angelica Hicks - Castle Hayne Elementary School
Jennifer Chetti - College Park Elementary School
Rebecca Long - College Road Early Childhood Center
Victoria Rexroad - Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-K Center
Jaimie Lang - Dr. Hubert Eaton Sr. Elementary School
Collins Hewett - Dr. John Codington Elementary School
Ambie Hower - Edwin A. Alderman Elementary School
Kimberly Houser* - Edwin A. Anderson Elementary School
Ashley Keegan - Forest Hills Global Elementary
Cheryl Emmerich - Heyward C. Bellamy Elementary School
Whitney MacDaniel - Holly Tree Elementary School
Kasseady Beam - John J. Blair Elementary School
Jennifer Hinson - Lake Forest Academy
Kevin Murphy* - Mary C. Williams Elementary School
Kimberly Huene - Mary Washington Howe Pre-K Center
Nikki Karnes* - Masonboro Elementary
Lacey Somech - Murrayville Elementary School
Danielle Smallwood* - Ogden Elementary School
Tommy Tarrant - Pine Valley Elementary School
Aubree Garcia - Porters Neck Elementary School
Kamica Morris - Rachel Freeman School of Engineering
Taylor Adams - Sunset Park Elementary
Tara Mulvey* - Winter Park Elementary School
Amy Pollard - Wrightsboro Elementary School
Sarah Holliday - Wrightsville Beach Elementary School

Middle School

Robert Roth - Charles P. Murray Middle School
Schala Harper - Emma B. Trask Middle School
Kelly Meddock - Holly Shelter Middle School
Jennifer Booth* - The International School at Gregory
Catherine Massa - JC Roe Center
Britt Rogers - M.C.S. Noble Middle School
Brittany Kontas - Myrtle Grove Middle School
Lori Roy* - Roland-Grise Middle School
Clary French* - Williston Middle School

High School

Erin Daniels - Career Readiness Academy at Mosley PLC
Tod Bonello - Emsley A. Laney High School
Fatima Sail* - Eugene Ashley High School
Daniel Walter - Isaac Bear Early College High School
Shaney Fersinger - John T. Hoggard High School
Taylor Henderson* - New Hanover High School
Gayle Woodcock* - Southeast Area Technical High School
Amanda Sharp-Royals - Wilmington Early College High School

Principals

Christianne May - Castle Hayne Elementary
Paul Slovik - Porters Neck Elementary
Diego Lehocky - Sunset Park Elementary

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