Alumni Update

Asheville City Schools names 2025 beginning teacher of the year Oct 28, 2025

Asheville City Schools is proud to announce that Lyndsi Devito, a 5th Grade Teacher at Isaac Dickson Elementary School, has been selected as the district’s Beginning Teacher of the Year for

Alumni Update, In the Media, Elementary Education, Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum

New Leadership for Enrollment, Veterans and Student Support Oct 21, 2025

Scarlet Edwards has been named the new associate vice president for Enrollment Services, which oversees Admissions and Outreach, Financial Aid, Registration and Records and Educational Pathways... Alumni Update, In the Media, Department of Counseling, Family Therapy, and Higher Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Teacher of the Week: Katie Pennington Mayo Oct 21, 2025

Katie teaches second grade at North East Carolina Preparatory School in Tarboro in Edgecombe County. Katie began her teaching career in 2021 after she graduated from Appalachian State University... Alumni Update, In the Media, Elementary Education, Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum

Wilkes School Superintendent Mark Byrd, left, is presented a plaque for being named School Superintendent of the Year by superintendents of school districts in the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA). Presenting the plaque is Dr. Stewart Hobbs, NWRESA executive director.  Photo courtesy of Morgan Mathis/Wilkes County Schools

Byrd named top superintendent in 8-county region Jun 21, 2021

Congratulations to alum, Mark Byrd '94 '15, on being named the Region Seven Superintendent of the Year!

In the Media, Alumni Update
Olivia Tarnowski

Alumni Update: Olivia Tarnowski ’18 Jun 7, 2021

Olivia Tarnowski (née Watson), originally from Boone, North Carolina, graduated in 2018 with a B.S.

Features, Alumni Update, Career and Technical Education
Teachers of the Year

Gaston County Schools names top teacher, principal of the year Jun 7, 2021

Congratulations to alumni Tyler West '11, Brett Buchanan '06, and Maddison Szucs '17!

In the Media, Alumni Update

Master Your Future May 25, 2021

Alumna Heather Brandon ' 20 shares her experience with the MA in educational media program.

In the Media, Alumni Update, Media, Technology and Learning Design
Interim Superintendent Brian Schultz, along with Odell Elementary Principal Dr. Sandy Ward, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Kecia Coln and Assistant Superintendent Of Facilities and Auxiliary Services John Legrand, surprised Ms. Berry in her classroom this morning. (Source: Cabarrus County Schools)

Ashtyn Berry named Cabarrus County Schools Teacher of the Year May 25, 2021

Congratulations to alumna Ashtyn Berry '13! She is currently enrolled in the MA in Curriculum Specialist program.

In the Media, Alumni Update, Curriculum Specialist
Audrey Jones accepts her award from Superintendent Scott Elliott and Parkway Principal Patty Buckner.  Photo submitted

Audrey Jones named Rookie Teacher of the Year May 25, 2021

Congratulations to alumna Audrey Jones '20! 

In the Media, Alumni Update, Middle Grades Education
Ann Morris receives recognition, celebration, and balloons to celebrate being named Burke County Public School’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.  Photo submission, Jonelle Bobak

Top of the Class Oak Hill Elementary’s Ann Morris named Teacher of the Year May 25, 2021

Congratulations to alumna, Ann Morris! She completed her M.A. in reading education at App State! 

In the Media, Alumni Update, Literacy Education
Kelsey Byrd

Alumni Update: Kelsey Byrd ’13 Apr 27, 2021

Kelsey Byrd, originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and Hendersonville, North Carolina, graduated in 2013 with a B.S. in elementary education.

Features, Alumni Update, Elementary Education
Daniel Prouty

Alumni Update: Daniel Prouty ’09 Apr 13, 2021

Daniel Prouty, originally from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, graduated in 2009 with a B.S.

Features, Alumni Update, History Education
Ann Grogan

Alumni Update: Ann Grogan ’19 Mar 29, 2021

Ann Grogan (née Furr), from Hudson, North Carolina, graduated in 2019 with a... Features, Alumni Update, Career and Technical Education