Wayne County Public Schools

On Tuesday evening, Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) held a "Celebration of Excellence" at the Lane Tree Conference Center to present its top staff awards. As part of the opening comments, outgoing 2024-2025 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Heather Smith, gave words of thanks, inspiration, and congratulations to all of the award recipients.

Charles B. Aycock High School marketing teacher, Stephanie Grimes, was recognized as this year's WCPS CTE Teacher of the Year.

"Our CTE Teacher of the Year is a fierce advocate for high expectations and opportunity for all," states Dr. Carol Hayes Artis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Instruction. "As the NC DECA District II Chairperson, she flawlessly pulled off the 2024 Competitive Events Conference—where her students absolutely crushed it. Her team’s commitment to giving back through hurricane relief and partnerships with local senior care homes also helped them snag the Civic Awareness Award. And her own leadership? It was recognized with the prestigious Clifton B. Belcher Award, naming her the NC DECA Marketing Teacher of the Year."

Grantham Middle School media coordinator, Lori Benning, was recognized as this year's WCPS Media Coordinator of the Year.

A great media coordinator wears many hats, often working behind the scenes to ensure things run smoothly—but Lori’s work is anything but hidden," states Robert Yancey, Executive Director of Accountability/Technology Support Services and Program Evaluation. "Her impact is felt throughout the school building. Whether she’s curating a diverse and engaging collection of books, running the most successful Book Fair in school history, or helping students discover the joy of reading through creative programs like book tastings or wrapped “mystery reads,” Lori is building a space where students feel seen, supported, and inspired."

Grantham Middle School counselor, Michelle Crawford-Jones, was recognized as this year's WCPS School Counselor of the Year.

“Mrs. Crawford-Jones demonstrates dedication to her students, school staff and fellow school counselors through leadership at the school and district levels to ensure positive change for students in her school building and across the entire district,” states Ken Derksen, Executive Director for Community Engagement and Student & Family Support. “ An encouraging leader amongst her colleagues, she is helpful, hard working, compassionate, and a cohesive member of Grantham Middle’s staff.”

Thirty-three school-level Teachers of the Year were recognized, with each receiving a special plaque from WCPS Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard. Wayne School of Engineering science teacher, Susan Dobbins Randolph, was named the 2025-2026 WCPS Teacher of the Year. As part of the recognition, she received a local $1,000 award.

Realizing that students need more than just academics, Mrs. Randolph does not shy away from providing students with extracurricular activities and recently won a grant to begin an outdoor club that enables our students to engage in outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, and zip lining," states Dr. Yvette Smith Mason, WCPS Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Professional Development.  "Additionally, she supervises a very active Fellowship of Christian Athletes club and spends many hours outside of regular school hours with club members and working with homebound students."

Spring Creek High assistant principal, Randall Meisenhelder, was named the 2025-2026 WCPS Assistant Principal of the Year. As part of the recognition, he received a local $500 award.  It is worth noting that this is the second year in a row that Mr. Meisenhelder has received this district award!

"Mr. Meisenhelder has made a tremendous impact on school culture and academic growth for both students and staff through consistent encouragement and coaching, holding high expectations, and serving the various needs at the school and community," states Anita Martin, WCPS Beginning Teacher Coordinator. "This year’s focus has been on expansion in the areas of administrative impact, instructional coaching capabilities, and community outreach efforts."

Carver Elementary School principal, Karla Smith, was named the 2025-2026 WCPS Principal of the Year.  As part of the recognition, she received a local $1,000 award.

"Mrs. Smith has learned that children may come from different lives and backgrounds, but they all deserve respect, high expectations, structure, security and someone to believe in them,"  states Beyanka Lewis, WCPS Beginning Teacher Coordinator. "She believes that leaders are change makers. She leads with passion, creativity, and a strategic vision which has profoundly impacted her school."

The district’s Teacher of the Year and the Principal of the Year are part of state and national awards programs. The CTE Teacher of the Year is part of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) CTE Teacher of the Year program. The WCPS Assistant Principal of the Year, School Counselor of the Year and Media Coordinator of the Year are district-level awards programs which represent WCPS locally. Each program has its own nomination and selection process. For the Teacher of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, and Principal of the Year programs, a district-level selection committee will interview each candidate. It will also review an information portfolio submitted by each candidate. Once finalists are selected, a follow-up interview with each finalist will then help determine who is named the “of the Year” for that program.

The WCPS Teacher of the Year, CTE Teacher of the Year, and Principal of the Year will now move on to a regional competition, which is the next stage in their respective state-level competitions.