The top teachers and administrators with Beaufort County Schools were honored Thursday night during the annual Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year banquet.

 

TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Katherine Alligood

Katherine Alligood, 10^th-grade biology and chemistry teacher with the Early College High School, was named Teacher of the Year. Alligood is in her sixth year at the Early College. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science and a master’s degree in teaching secondary science.

Principal Emily Pake said this about Alligood: “Mrs. Alligood is an exceptional teacher who is always seeking new ways to facilitate learning in order to provide the best educational experience for her students. She plans small group activities daily to teach students how to become problem solvers and independent thinkers.”

 

RUNNER-UP: Toni Taylor

Toni Taylor, a middle school teacher at Bath Elementary School, is this year’s runner-up. She has been teaching computer and business classes at Bath Elementary School for seven years and has been in education for 18 years. Taylor graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science and is also a National Board Certified Teacher in career and technical education.

Principal Brian Swain said this about Taylor: “Mrs. Taylor is a total team player that can multi-task and motivate her students to be their best.”

 

 

PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR: Alicia Vosburgh

Chocowinity Primary School’s Principal Alicia Vosburgh has earned the top honor as Principal of the Year for 2016-2017.

• Joined Beaufort County Schools in August 2002. She first taught at Chocowinity Primary as a reading lab teacher and was also a half-time assistant principal. She became a full-time assistant principal in 2006. She is still at Chocowinity Primary as principal and has been since January 2009.

• Undergraduate degree from UNC-Wilmington in 1996 and master’s degree from East Carolina University in 2002

Here is what the staff at CPS have said about Alicia: “If you have ever walked through the doors of Chocowinity Primary School, you probably noticed that it is a lot like walking into the home of an excessively large family. The people have distinctly different personalities, there are a lot of stories and inside jokes, and it could seem a little chaotic to the outside eye. Alicia is not just the principal in charge of this school, she is the matriarch of our family. She motivates, encourages, rallies, nurtures, loves and sometimes disciplines all the people that walk through these doors. Each staff member, student and family is an integral part of CPS. That is due entirely to her strong leadership example and her guidance. This isn’t a job to her. It is her calling and she is in 110 percent, no matter what. She does whatever it takes to make sure that our family is provided for. Sometimes that means that she takes kids to the dentist or gets professional wear for a mom that is starting a new job that she really needs. It may mean that she counsels or mentors a teacher or a parent. Whatever it is, she won’t give up until everyone experiences success. Alicia is the driving force behind the family atmosphere at CPS. She is the driving force behind our success. We couldn’t imagine this place without her.”

RUNNER-UP: Emily Pake

This year’s runner-up is Early College High School Principal Emily Pake:

• Joined Beaufort County Schools in 2005. She first taught social studies at Jamesville High School before moving to Washington High to teach civics and U.S. history. She became an assistant principal at P.S. Jones Middle in 2008, and took the position as Early College principal in 2012.

• Undergraduate degree from East Carolina University in 2003 and master’s degree from University of Cambridge in 2007

An ECHS staff member had this to say about Pake: “I have never had a principal who was more involved in the classroom and in such a positive way. She is truly the instructional leader in our school and never settles for ‘OK.’ She is always working to improve our school and always reflects on our progress based on data and feedback from stakeholders. I have never felt more supported or listened to or appreciated by any administrator than I have by Ms. Pake.”