Twenty-four teachers from across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the 2023 North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award.
The NCCAT recognizes their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to achieve.

Cumberland County Schools announced that Ashley Long McCullen, the agriculture teacher at Gray's Creek High School, is one of the finalists for the NCCAT honor.

From this impressive group of finalists, one educator will be chosen as the NCCAT 2023 NC CTE Teacher of the Year.

The finalists will gather at the NCCAT campus in Cullowhee for a week of professional development in October. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Oct. 19 at the Bardo Center on the Western Carolina University campus.

“Each day in schools, Career and Technical Education teachers inspire and guide students to important future careers and roles in society,” NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble said.

“Taking time to honor excellent Career and Technical Education educators across our state through the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching 2023 NC CTE Teacher of the Year program is important, as we are continually striving to elevate the teaching profession and emphasize the significance of the work educators do every day. Congratulations to these finalists and the school districts they represent. We look forward to having them with us for a week of professional development and a special night to honor the teaching profession.”