Burke County Public Schools (BCPS) officials shined a well-deserved spotlight on teachers and employees across the district on Monday, recognizing them for their achievements and the ways in which they go over and beyond for the district.
When it was time to recognize the people who volunteered for the Exceptional Children (EC) department’s Summer Daze program, a special guest was brought onstage.
School board Vice Chair Jamey Wycoff’s son, who is enrolled in the district’s EC program and participated in Summer Daze, came up to hand out flowers to each volunteer. The adoration he had for them and vice versa was clear.
The recognitions started with Beginning Teacher of the Year, Carson Tilby of Mountain View Elementary, and Principal of the Year, Shanda Epley of Freedom High School.
Tilby, a Patton High School graduate, started working for the district as a kindergarten teaching assistant at Mountain View Elementary in 2023.
Tilby said being chosen as Beginning Teacher of the Year is an honor and a blessing.
“I truly love this job and cherish the time I get to spend with my students each day,” Tilby said. “Teaching is something I am incredibly passionate about, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my students.”
Teaching her students new things and helping grow their self-confidence are things Tilby finds rewarding.
Tilby’s advice to new teachers is to build strong relationships with students and co-workers.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, give yourself grace, and always remember why you chose teaching. There will be hard days, but even on those days, remember that the work you are doing matters. You have the opportunity to make a difference and change lives every single day,” Tilby said.
As the district’s Beginning Teacher of the Year, Tilby will represent BCPS in a statewide beginning teacher recognition program.
Epley was chosen by fellow principals as the district’s 2026-27 Principal of the Year and will represent BCPS at the regional level in the statewide Principal of the Year program.
“I feel truly honored to be recognized by my colleagues,” Epley said. “I have the privilege of working alongside so many dedicated educators who give their time, energy, and heart to serving our students and communities each day. I am grateful for the recognition, but I also believe it is a reflection of the incredible work happening all around me.”
Epley is a product of BCPS, having graduated from Freedom High School in 1992.
Her students are her “why,” Epley said.
“I am continually inspired by their stories, especially those who have overcome challenges and obstacles at such a young age. I believe deeply in the power of education to change lives for the better.”
Numerous others were recognized that evening. Below is the breakdown.
SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
Principals or other representatives from each school were recognized for the district’s school performances, released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction earlier this year.
Exceeded growth:
- Drexel Elementary
- Forest Hill Elementary
- George Hildebrand Elementary
- Glen Alpine Elementary
- Hildebran Elementary
- Icard Elementary
- Mountain View Elementary
- Mull Elementary
- Oak Hill Elementary
- Ray Childers Elementary
- Salem Elementary
- Heritage Middle
- East Burke Middle
- Table Rock Middle
- Walter Johnson Middle
- Patton High
- Freedom High
Met expected growth:
- Hillcrest Elementary
- Valdese Elementary
- W.A. Young Elementary
- Liberty Middle
- Draughn High
Progressing:
- East Burke High
- Hallyburton Academy
- North Liberty School
Grade A School:
- Burke Middle College
SUMMER DAZE VOLUNTEERS
- Hannah Crawford
- Shelbey Bolter
- Natalie Barrett
- Melinda Clark-Vazquez
- Amanda Orders
5-STAR PRE-K
- Drexel: Teachers Samantha Smith and Amanda Powell; Assistants Lainey Stinson, Caroline Carson Propst, and Madison Benfield.
- Forest Hill: Teacher Michelle Evans and Assistant Jocelyn Isbell.
- George Hildebrand: Teacher Meghan Armour-Steele and Assistant Emmie Aldridge.
- Glen Alpine: Teachers Sierra Henson and Lisa Hall; Assistants Christina Brooks Cannon, Jasmin Barker, Kaitlyn Saylor Gomez, and Jessica Stephenson.
- Hildebran: Teacher Alyssa Buckner and Assistant Chelsey Smith.
- Mountain View: Teachers Caitlin Phillips and Emily Angi; Assistant Sara Jordan.
- Mull: Teacher BJ Brittain and Assistant Brittany Benjamin.
- Ray Childers: Teachers Elizabeth Kennedy and Crystal Lail; Assistants Haley Houser, Cassie Nantz, Samantha Stilwell, and Trisha Carroll.
- Salem: Teachers Leah Cline Haynes and Sarah Fullbright; Assistants Shelly Spoon and Kelli Reece.
- Valdese: Teachers Melanie Rambarran and Alicia Harkey; Assistants Stacey Suttles and Jennifer Byers.
- W.A. Young: Teacher Jessica Holland and Assistant Jaszmine Corpening.
- North Liberty: Teacher Amy Olsen and Assistant Elizabeth Fisher.
- Itinerant Teachers: Amanda Adams, Kelly Sizemore, and Jessica Thompson.
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