Appalachian State University alumni Dr. James “Jim” Brooks ’85 ’97 ’11, John Thompson ’93, and Dr. Terry Worrell ’88 were inducted into the Rhododendron Society on June 6, 2025, at a brunch held at the Grandview Ballroom in Boone, North Carolina.
The brunch was attended by the award recipients and their guests; past recipients; university leadership, Reich College of Education (RCOE) Advancement Board members, and college leadership.
The RCOE established the Rhododendron Society in 1999, Appalachian’s centennial year. It is named for Appalachian’s former yearbook “The Rhododendron,” which captured the university’s historic moments, activities and accomplishments.
As the highest honor given by the college, the award honors alumni for their exemplary service to education and to their communities. The society recognizes RCOE graduates whose service as teachers, librarians, human service professionals or administrators has reflected great credit on themselves, the field of education and the university. Brooks, Thompson, and Worrell joined a distinguished group of Rhododendron Society members, bringing the total to 83.
Society members give back to the RCOE through an annual scholarship, which is awarded to an undergraduate and graduate students who are outstanding in their course of study.
RCOE encourages Rhododendron Society nominations of Appalachian alumni currently working in the field of education as well as those who have retired. To learn more about the Rhododendron Society or to view nomination materials visit rcoe.appstate.edu/rhododendron-society.
Dr. James A. Brooks '85 '97 '11
Dr. James Brooks, a National Board Certified Teacher, has dedicated 40 years to education in Wilkes County Schools. He began teaching English, Latin, and journalism at West Wilkes High School in 1985 after earning a B.A. in English education from Appalachian State University. He later earned an M.A. in leadership and higher education in 1997 and an Ed.D. in educational leadership in 2011, also from App State.
Brooks has been recognized at the local, state, and national levels for his teaching excellence. Honors include West Wilkes, Wilkes County, and Northwest Region Teacher of the Year, the North Carolina English Teachers Association's “Outstanding NC English Teacher,” and the National Education Association Excellence in Teaching Award. He received the Terry Sanford Award for Creativity in Teaching and was inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame in 2012.
He has served on advisory committees for Governors Hunt and Easley and national groups, such as the Hope Street Group and the Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics.
A Fulbright Fellow, Brooks has participated in cultural exchanges through the U.S. State Department, hosting educators and students from around the world. He has served on boards for numerous local arts and civic organizations. Brooks has served as Director of Music for 35 years at Wilkesboro United Methodist Church and was recently appointed Assistant Pastor for Worship and the Arts.
John Thompson '93
John Thompson earned his B.S. in business education from Appalachian State University in 1993 and has held National Board Certification in Career and Technical Education since 2001. He dedicated 28 years to teaching business education at West Stanly High School, where he also served as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor. Under his leadership, students earned over 100 state awards, and he also served two terms on the North Carolina FBLA Board of Directors.
Thompson also coached JV and Varsity boys basketball and was recognized as the Rocky River Conference Coach of the Year in 2021. He taught staff development at the North Carolina Career Technical Education Summer Conference for 18 consecutive years and contributed to two curriculum development teams for the NC Department of Public Instruction. A pioneer in digital learning, he helped launch the Stanly County Virtual Education Program, taught for NCVPS, and trained educators in online instruction.
During his career, Thompson has been recognized with numerous awards, including West Stanly High School and Stanly County Schools Teacher of the Year, North Carolina Business and Information Technology Education Teacher of the Year, North Carolina FBLA Advisor of the Year, and induction into the North Carolina Business and Information Technology Education Hall of Fame.
Today, Thompson serves as an Instructional Systems Designer and Course Developer with Leidos, creating online training for the Federal Aviation Administration. He now resides at the beach with his wife Emily and their pug, Dory, and enjoys offshore fishing in his free time.
Dr. Terry Worrell '88
Dr. Terry Worrell serves as the executive director of the Northwest RESA and a district leadership coach for multiple school leaders. She served as the superintendent for Asheboro City Schools and interim superintendent of Rockingham County Schools and Avery County Schools. She excelled as an award-winning science teacher, basketball coach, magnet elementary, middle and high school principal, assistant superintendent, regional superintendent, and adjunct professor. She is known for designing and implementing rigorous academic programs, strengthening cultural arts, and for her visionary leadership.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) in middle school science education, a master’s degree in human development and learning from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, an Education Specialist degree from Appalachian State University, and a doctorate from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Worrell’s awards include The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for exemplary service to the state, NCASCD’s Distinguished Educator Award, “The Woman Extraordinaire” by the Business Leader Magazine, Hubert Humphrey Most Improved High School Award, Guilford County Schools Wachovia Principal of the Year, Guilford County Schools PTSA Service to Children Award, Guilford County Schools Outstanding High School Administrator, North Carolina Association of Educators Principal of the Year, Guilford County Schools Middle School Administrator, and the Lincoln Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Worrell finds time to serve her community in a number of capacities. She serves as the chair of the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Board Member for the Children’s Council of Watauga County and Blue Ridge Partnership for Children. She loves spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and dog.
2025 Rhododendron Recipients
