Each year, Beaufort County Schools recognizes a Teacher of the Year as well as a Principal of the Year. Rick Anderson, principal of Southside High School, and Dana Hudnell, a Northeast Elementary School teacher, will end their terms as the county’s top educators when this year’s winners are named on Oct. 4.

Teacher Selections

To be eligible for selection as a Teacher of the Year, a person must hold a Standard Professional 2 (SP2) license, be employed full time and spend at least 70 percent of his or her time in direct instruction of North Carolina public school students.

The Teacher of the Year is selected by a two-fold process. Each school level winner completes a portfolio, which is required for the state competition. This document has the candidate delve into his or her philosophy of education, practices and principals as well as their personal influences.

Candidates then participate in an interview with a committee of retired school personnel, community leaders or other individuals. The panel has the opportunity to study each portfolio prior to the panel review. All candidates respond to the same questions, and interviewers score them with a pre-established rubric or guidelines.

The portfolio of the winning teacher is sent to the regional level, where he or she will be invited to participate in another interview to determine who represents each district.

The candidates for Teacher of the Year are:

Northside Attendance Area

• Leanna Holmes, 6th grade language arts – Bath Elementary School
• Kathy Brinn, art – Northeast Elementary School
• Gretchen Cushing, English – Northside High School

Southside Attendance Area

• Amanda Cooper, 4th grade – S.W. Snowden Elementary School
• Jennifer Sneed, kindergarten – Chocowinity Primary School
• Elise Staats, 8th grade math – Chocowinity Middle School
• Kathy G. Clark, business – Southside High School

Washington Attendance Area

• Twilla Woolard, Eastern Elementary School
• Amanda Van Staalduinen, exceptional children – J.C. Tayloe Elementary School
• Carolyn Ford–Ashley, 4th grade – John Small Elementary School
• Tim Cashion, MG business/computers – P.S. Jones Middle School
• Phedorah Johnson, Spanish – Washington High School
• Anna Clingenpeel, science – BC Early College High School
• Danielle Woolard, exceptional children – BC Ed Tech Center

Principal Selections

The state requires candidates have a minimum of four years experience as an assistant principal, principal or central office administrator – or any combination of these roles which equal four years. Local stipulations state eligible principals must have been on the same campus at least two consecutive years. Principals are ineligible for two years after winning the title.

Those eligible for the title this year are:

Northside Attendance Area

• Pam Hodges – Bath Elementary School
• Donna Moore – Northside High School

Southside Attendance Area

• Alicia Vosburgh – Chocowinity Primary School

Washington Attendance Area

• Debra Kinsey –  Eastern Elementary School
• Bubs Carson – J.C. Tayloe Elementary School
• Lisa Tate – John Small Elementary School
• Tracey Nixon – P.S. Jones Middle School
• Russell Holloman – Washington High School
• Dr. Todd Blumenreich – BC Early College High School
• Will Bryant – BC Ed Tech Center.