Good News Spotlight

We are proud to recognize one of our outstanding educators who has achieved AVID Certified Educator status—a distinction that reflects a deep commitment to student success and college and career readiness. 

The AVID Certified Educator program is a nationally recognized professional learning pathway that develops teachers’ expertise in instructional strategies that support critical thinking, organization, collaboration, and academic rigor. Educators who earn this certification demonstrate strong implementation of AVID’s core practices, including writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading—often referred to as WICOR strategies. 

Through this process, teachers engage in sustained professional learning, classroom application, and reflection to ensure they are creating learning environments where all students, especially those who will be the first in their families to attend college, are supported and challenged to achieve at high levels. 

We are pleased to recognize Richlands High School math teacher Lacee Estes as the district’s first AVID Certified Educator. 

Ms. Estes has been a driving force in AVID success across Onslow County Schools. She helped lead Trexler Middle School through both its validation and revalidation as a National Demonstration Site, has served as AVID site coordinator at both Trexler and Richlands High School, and now supports students as both an AVID teacher and math teacher at Richlands High School.  

In addition to her work in the classroom, she has served for years as a national AVID Staff Developer and leader in AVID Math professional learning, while building lasting relationships with students that help guide them toward success after high school. 

This achievement reflects not only her dedication to professional growth, but also a strong commitment to ensuring every student has access to opportunities and the support they need to succeed. 

We congratulate Ms. Estes on this outstanding accomplishment and thank her for making a difference in the lives of our students every day. 

The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership was established in 2000 as an initiative of the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science at NC State University. The program invests in teachers through immersive industry experiences, professional development, and creation of a strong, enduring community.  

We are proud to share that two Onslow County Schools educators have been selected to participate as part of the 2026-2027 Kenan Fellowship cohort. 

Vicie Byrd is the Instructional Coach at Southwest Middle School, and the focus of her fellowship program will be NC’s Energy Future. Ms. Byrd will be mentored by the Volt Center at Craven Community College, and her fellowship is sponsored by the NC Department of Environmental Quality. 

Jennifer Griffin teaches AP and Honors Biology at Swansboro High School. Sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the focus of her fellowship program will be NC Resiliency. Ms. Griffin will be mentored by the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. 

Chosen from a competitive pool, Ms. Byrd and Ms. Griffin will join educators across North Carolina working to strengthen K-12 STEM education through summer externships in key industries such as energy, biotechnology, computer science, and resiliency. 

They will also create capstone projects inspired by those experiences, helping students connect classroom learning to future careers, while gaining professional development, funding, and support from a statewide network of fellows. 

Please join me in congratulating these outstanding local public school educators on their selection as Kenan Fellows. 

The NC Bandmasters Association (NCBA) All-State Honors Band event is an elite program that brings together North Carolina’s top student musicians for intensive rehearsals and culminating concerts. To participate, students must progress through competitive all-district auditions and earn top chairs in their respective regions. 

The 2026 North Carolina Bandmasters Association (NCBA) All-State and Honors Band season ended with the All-State Band clinic held on the UNC-Greensboro campus from May 1-3, with final performance in the UNC-G Auditorium on Sunday, May 3, 2026.  

Congratulations to the following students who were selected: 

Northwoods Park Middle School 

• Andrew Best, (8) – Trombone, 2nd Chair 

Northside High School 

• Dylan MacDonald, (10) – Timpani, 1st Chair 

Eastern Regional Orchestra ensembles are among the most prestigious honors groups for student musicians in North Carolina. Selection reflects exceptional talent, dedication, and musical achievement, and gives students the opportunity to rehearse and perform with outstanding peers from across the region under the direction of distinguished guest conductors. 

These honors reflect the hard work of our students, the guidance of their teachers, and the support of school leaders and families. They also highlight the strength of music education in our local public schools and the meaningful opportunities it provides for student growth and achievement. 

We would like to recognize the following students selected for the Junior Eastern Region Orchestra for grades 6–8, held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Gray’s Creek High School in Hope Mills, North Carolina:

Jacksonville Commons Middle School

• Simon Caro Castaneda, 8th grade, Cello

New Bridge Middle School

• Lyra Hopson, 7th Grade, Violin
• Julien Beard, 8th Grade, Violin
• Angel Carrasco-Serrano, 8th Grade, Violin
• Isaac Dupuis, 8th Grade, Violin
• Braden Powell, 8th Grade, Violin

Swansboro Middle School

• Layla Beninate, 7th Grade, Violin
• Emma Aguon, 8th Grade, Viola
• Isaac Newton, 8th Grade, Violin
• Lily Wilkins, 8th Grade, Cello

We would also like to extend our congratulations to the following high school students selected to be a part of the Eastern Region Orchestra for grades 9–12, held February 23–25, 2026, at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, with the final performance presented at Wright Auditorium on the campus of East Carolina University:

Jacksonville High School

• London Prakapenka, 10th Grade, Double Bass, String Orchestra
• Taylor Quickley, 12th Grade, Viola, String Orchestra

Swansboro High School

• Jillian Burns, 10th Grade, Viola, String Orchestra
• Alivia Squires, 11th Grade, Viola, Symphony Orchestra

White Oak High School

• Anthony Jones, 10th Grade, Cello, String Orchestra

We are proud to recognize Swansboro High School's Cason Justice as the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. 

The announcement was made by State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green on Friday, April 24, at an awards luncheon honoring Justice and the eight other regional TOY finalists at the Umstead Hotel in Cary.   

A National Board Certified Teacher and North Carolina Teaching Fellow, Justice inspires his students to be active participants in their education by “doing” history with lessons such as an archeology dig and a “WWI Dodgeball Battle.” A 13-year veteran educator, Justice serves beyond the classroom as a mentor teacher, strategic planning team chair and teacher leadership council member at Swansboro High School. As the advisor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes since his start at Swansboro High School, the program has grown from 15 to 250 students where he encourages them to be strong student leaders.  

“These lessons reflect my core teaching philosophy that anyone, especially my students, can ‘do’ history,” Justice shared. “Within a week, I’ve shown them that history isn’t crusty old books. History gives them the tools they need to investigate the world around them. It gives them confidence that they can do more than they thought possible before. I often tell my kids, ‘Be pilots, not passengers.’ I make all my kids believe in their ability as learners. All it takes is some dirt and dodgeballs.”  

In addition to his newly minted honor as the North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Justice has also been recognized as the Onslow County Schools Teacher of the Year and the Swansboro High School Teacher of the Year. Justice has also been previously recognized as Swansboro High School’s rotary and literacy teacher of the year, as well as a finalist for Onslow County’s Teacher of the Year in 2017-18.  

Justice’s platform reiterates the integral role educators play in the futures of students and their communities: “teaching isn’t just delivering content. It’s the daily act of believing in students, colleagues and communities. … Teaching is transferring belief. Students walk into our classrooms unsure of who they are or what they can become. But every teacher has the chance to look at a student and say, ‘I believe in you.’”  

Cason will spend the 2026-27 school year representing and advocating for North Carolina’s teachers. He will have the opportunity to participate in professional learning opportunities at the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), the National Teacher of the Year Conference, and International Space Camp. He will also be able to attend the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference with support from the Digital Learning Initiative, as well as travel abroad through an endowment sponsored by Global NC. Justice will receive a mobile device from Lenovo, an engraved award, financial support to serve as a liaison for North Carolina Public Schools, a monetary award from Bojangles and a gift from Carolina Hunger Initiative. He will also receive a prize package and recognition during an NC State Athletics football game.   

Additionally, Cason and the 2026 regional Teacher of the Year Cohort will also take part in the year-long North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship, with funding for his participation provided by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Throughout the 2026-27 school year, Justice will work alongside the eight additional regional Teacher of the Year finalists. 

Congratulations on this well-earned recognition. We are honored to have you represent Onslow County at both the state and national levels in the year to come.