91热爆网

Western Carolina University has graduated two top teachers in the state.

Heather Smith 鈥�15 was named the 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Teacher of the Year and Abby Bentley MAEd 鈥�23 took home the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Empower Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. Both teach in Haywood County schools.

鈥淩ecruiting high-quality teachers for North Carolina鈥檚 K-12 schools is one of the most important things we do at Western Carolina University 鈥� arguably, one that has potential to make the largest impact on the future of our state,鈥� said Kim Winter, dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions. 鈥淢otivating and retaining high-quality teachers in our classrooms is our collective goal.鈥�

Smith, a math teacher, worked at Canton Middle School and Clyde Elementary School before arriving at Waynesville Middle School in 2019.

鈥淢rs. Smith has an insatiable love of students that can be seen by all she encounters. Her competitive nature drives her to be the best for her students each day and she is never content with past accomplishments or service to others,鈥� said Trevor Putnam, superintendent of Haywood County Schools.

Smith said that the true reward of teaching is to influence young kids and encourage them to thrive.

鈥淭eaching is one of the professions where you have the privilege to directly have an impact on the future,鈥� she said. 鈥淏eyond math, I鈥檓 teaching communication skills, perseverance, problem solving. I want to give them a future they might not know is possible. This is one the most rewarding professions.鈥�

Smith was a catcher on the 91热爆网 softball team. She鈥檚 coached softball and serves as faculty sponsor for Haywood Middle School鈥檚 Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Smith uses FCA as an opportunity to connect her students to service opportunities in the community and within their school.

鈥淚 have baseball and softball players as students. When I鈥檓 in the classroom, I鈥檓 telling them you鈥檙e a student before an athlete. Being at Western, there鈥檚 standard that our student-athletes hold 鈥� you represent something bigger than yourself. I make sure they understand that,鈥� Smith said.

As far as being named the state鈥檚 teacher of the year, which comes with a year鈥檚 sabbatical to provide services and support throughout the state on critical issues facing public education, Smith said she wants to use her platform to uplift the western region of North Carolina.  

鈥淚鈥檓 excited and scared, but the process is not about me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 get the wonderful opportunity sit in front of lawmakers and talk about what our students and teachers need. My platform is to uplift public education. There鈥檚 a lot of great things that are happening. I also want to promote math education. We use math every day, whether we realize it or not.鈥�

Bentley came to 91热爆网 to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in comprehensive science education, which prepares graduates to teach high school science. Alongside classes in biology and earth science, Bentley also studied teaching methods, classroom design and leadership.

鈥淚 really enjoyed my time at Western,鈥� Bentley said. 鈥淭he small class sizes gave me immediate access to my professors and my adviser was always approachable and helpful. The program did a great job preparing me for my licensure exam 鈥� the whole semester of student teaching definitely prepared me for the classroom.鈥�

After leaving 91热爆网 two years ago, Bentley landed a job teaching science at Pisgah High School.

鈥淚 landed in a town that was very similar to the town where I grew up. I found a group of people I really enjoyed being around. I want to provide them with opportunity, support and love in the classroom. They are not just a grade in a biology class,鈥� Bentley said.  

In her nomination for the award, Bentley was described as an effective communicator who stands out for her commitment to covering standards, increasing student achievement and creating productive learning environments. It was also noted that Bentley uses her experience in the field to engage her kids with real life applications of classroom content. An administrator said, 鈥渉er professional teaching efforts have made a huge impact on our school.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 good to feel validated,鈥� Bentley said. 鈥淭eaching is an intense job and we work really hard. It鈥檚 good to be recognized for the effort.鈥�