Wayne County Public Schools

Eastern Wayne High (EWH) Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher Christopher Hicks has been named a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Hicks teaches Animal Science, Horticulture, and Ag Mechanics at the school. He is also the FFA Club Advisor.

“Mr. Hicks exemplifies the dedication, passion, and leadership that make Career and Technical Education so impactful,” said Dane Jones, EWH principal. “Through his commitment to student success, hands-on learning, and community engagement, he inspires students to develop valuable skills and strong work ethics. We are proud of the positive influence he has on our students, school, and community and are thrilled to see him recognized as a state finalist.”

NCCAT, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the North Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education (NCACTE), established the CTE Teacher of the Year Award to recognize outstanding CTE educators, encourage teacher leadership, and highlight the critical role Career and Technical Education plays in North Carolina public schools.

“We are very proud of the work that Mr. Hicks has done to revitalize the Eastern Wayne High Agriculture program,” states Kevin Smith, WCPS Director of Secondary Education and CTE. “He is laser-focused on his mission and has demonstrated a willingness to put in the long hours required to manage a complex and expanding program.”

As a finalist, Mr. Hicks will compete alongside 23 other educators from across North Carolina. The 24 finalists will participate in a week of professional development at NCCAT in Cullowhee, North Carolina, in October. The statewide winner will be announced during a recognition event in Concord, North Carolina, on Oct. 29.

“Being named a state finalist in this distinguished NCCAT Burroughs Wellcome Fund awards program is an outstanding accomplishment,” states Dr. Marc Whichard, WCPS superintendent. “Mr. Hicks’ passion for teaching, dedication to students, and commitment to excellence within Career and Technical Education make him highly deserving of this recognition. We congratulate him on this achievement and wish him the very best in the final stage of the awards program.”

About NCCAT
NCCAT supports teachers and impacts students through exemplary professional development programs. By increasing teacher effectiveness, NCCAT strengthens public education across North Carolina. NCCAT equips educators with innovative teaching methods, best practices, and resources that they can bring back to their classrooms.

About the Burroughs Wellcome Fund
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is a private foundation dedicated to advancing biomedical sciences and supporting the next generation of scientific researchers and educators. With a strong commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in science, BWF has invested more than $100 million in initiatives and networks that support STEM education.