Nash County Public Schools Announces 2025 Educator of the Year Finalists NASH COUNTY, N.C. (May 8, 2025) — Nash County Public Schools has announced its 2025 Educator of the Year finalists, recognizing outstanding educators and support staff across the district. Winners will be honored during the annual Educator of the Year Celebration on Tuesday, May 20, at Benvenue Country Club. The celebration highlights excellence in education by recognizing Teachers of the Year, First-Year Teachers of the Year, Teacher Assistants of the Year, Assistant Principals of the Year, and Principals of the Year. For the first time, the district has expanded the event to include a new division: Student Instructional Support Personnel of the Year. This new category honors staff who contribute to student wellness and academic success outside the traditional classroom. New awards include Counselor of the Year, Social Worker of the Year, School Nurse of the Year, and Psychologist of the Year. 2025–2026 Finalists Student Instructional Support Personnel of the Year ● Trish Weeks – School Counselor ● Beth Jenkins – School Nurse ● Laysha Williams – School Social Worker ● Andrea Snyder – School Psychologist Teacher Assistant of the Year Finalists ● Taniqua Rackley – Williford Elementary ● Bernice Battle Smith – Rocky Mount Middle ● Sonya Pickett – Rocky Mount High Assistant Principal of the Year Nominees ● Ronnie Bridges – Englewood Elementary ● DeWayne Ward – Southern Nash Middle ● Cara Patterson – Northern Nash High Principal of the Year Finalists ● Courtney Land – Coopers Elementary ● Michael Girouard – Red Oak Middle ● Thomas McGeachy – Nash Early College High Teacher of the Year Finalists ● Georgette Thompson – Edwards Elementary ● Matthew Bissette – Southern Nash Middle ● Caroline Winchester – Nash Central High First-Year Teacher of the Year Finalists ● Erica Puente – Bailey Elementary ● Reena Simmons – Rocky Mount Middle ● Jessica Manning – Southern Nash High Nash County Public Schools extends a special thank-you to the generous sponsors who make this celebration possible: Pierce Benefits Group, First Carolina Bank, Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services, Southern Bank, Communities in Schools, Edward Jones Investments - Cliff Joyner’s office in Nashville, Davenport, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Herff Jones, and Lamar. For more information about the Educator of the Year program, contact the Department of Communications at Nash County Public Schools. ### Media Contact: Heather Louise Finch, Executive Director of Communication/Public Information Officer hlfinch@ncpschools.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nash County Public Schools Announces 2025 Educator of the Year Finalists

Heather Louise “HL” Finch

May 9, 2025

Nash County Public Schools Announces 2025 Educator of the Year Finalists

NASH COUNTY, N.C. (May 8, 2025) — Nash County Public Schools has announced its 2025 Educator of the Year finalists, recognizing outstanding educators and support staff across the district. Winners will be honored during the annual Educator of the Year Celebration on Tuesday, May 20, at Benvenue Country Club.

The celebration highlights excellence in education by recognizing Teachers of the Year, First-Year Teachers of the Year, Teacher Assistants of the Year, Assistant Principals of the Year, and Principals of the Year.

For the first time, the district has expanded the event to include a new division: Student Instructional Support Personnel of the Year. This new category honors staff who contribute to student wellness and academic success outside the traditional classroom. New awards include Counselor of the Year, Social Worker of the Year, School Nurse of the Year, and Psychologist of the Year.

2025–2026 Finalists

Student Instructional Support Personnel of the Year

  • Trish Weeks – School Counselor

  • Beth Jenkins – School Nurse

  • Laysha Williams – School Social Worker

  • Andrea Snyder – School Psychologist

student instructional support headshots

Teacher Assistant of the Year Finalists

  • Taniqua Rackley – Williford Early Learning Center

  • Bernice Battle Smith – Rocky Mount Middle

  • Sonya Pickett – Rocky Mount High

TA of the year finalists

Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists

  • Ronnie Bridges – Englewood Elementary

  • DeWayne Ward – Southern Nash Middle

  • Cara Patterson – Northern Nash High

Asst principal of the year

Principal of the Year Finalists

  • Courtney Land – Coopers Elementary

  • Michael Girouard – Red Oak Middle

  • Dr. Thomas McGeachy – Nash Early College High

principal of the year finalists

Teacher of the Year Finalists

  • Georgette Thompson – Edwards Elementary

  • Matthew Bissette – Southern Nash Middle

  • Caroline Winchester – Nash Central High

teacher of the year finalists

First-Year Teacher of the Year Finalists

  • Erica Puente – Bailey Elementary

  • Reena Simmons – Rocky Mount Middle

  • Jessica Manning – Southern Nash High

1st year teacher

Nash County Public Schools extends a special thank-you to the generous sponsors who make this celebration possible:

Pierce Benefits Group, First Carolina Bank, Hedgepeth-Hutson Insurance Services, Southern Bank, Communities in Schools, Edward Jones Investments - Cliff Joyner’s office in Nashville, Davenport, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Herff Jones, and Lamar.

For more information about the Educator of the Year program, contact the Department of Communications at Nash County Public Schools.

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Media Contact:

Heather Louise Finch, Executive Director of Communication/Public Information Officer hlfinch@ncpschools.net