Taylor named Teacher of the Year

Rate	Price	Duration
One month	$13.52	for 28 days
Three months	$40.56	for 84 days
Six months	$81.12	for 168 days
One year	$162.24	for 365 days

Rate	Price	Duration
One month	$13.52	for 28 days
Three months	$40.56	for 84 days
Six months	$81.12	for 168 days
One year	$162.24	for 365 days

Rate	Price	Duration
One month	$13.52	for 28 days
Three months	$40.56	for 84 days
Six months	$81.12	for 168 days
One year	$162.24	for 365 days

Rate	Price	Duration
One month	$13.52	for 28 days
Three months	$40.56	for 84 days
Six months	$81.12	for 168 days
One year	$162.24	for 365 days

Laura Taylor, an English teacher at the Wayne School of Engineering, was named Teacher of the Year for the Wayne County Public Schools system during a May 2 award ceremony.

Taylor was recognized along with other outstanding educators at the Lane Tree Golf Club and Conference Center, on Salem Church Road.

“To be standing here in a room full of phenomenal educators is just astounding,” Taylor said. “I love teaching. There’s so many deserving teachers. I’m just honored to be among them.”

Yvette Mason, WCPS assistant superintendent of human services and professional development, said that Taylor is a teacher who has a goal of helping all students find their passion and become purposeful in their contributions to society.

Taylor embeds those goals into each of her lesson plans by teaching students how to be strategic problem solvers, Mason said.

Gary Hales, Wayne School of Engineering principal, said he is fortunate to have Taylor, who he described as a teacher-leader he can rely on for advice and guidance. Hales also said Taylor provides honest opinions and has a wealth of knowledge she is willing to share.

“Administrators appreciate and understand the value of high-quality teachers,” Hales said. “And I am fortunate to have Taylor in our school as one of our most talented, hardworking, dedicated teachers I’ve had the privilege to work with her during our time in education.”

Taylor’s husband, Mark, said the honor is well deserved.

“I see the hours that she puts in, nine, ten o’clock every night working on something,” he said. “Teaching these kids is the world to her.”

Taylor has 22 years of experience as an educator. She has a bachelor’s degree in Family and Community Services from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in school administration from Campbell University, Mason said.

Taylor was presented with the WCPS Teacher of the Year award trophy and a $50 gift card.

“The teacher of the year program provides an opportunity to honor and recognize exemplary teachers in Wayne County Public Schools with the selection of one teacher as our 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year,” Mason said.

Also during the event, the principal of the year and assistant principal of the year were named.

Hales, Wayne School of Engineering principal, received the Principal of the Year Award, and Linda Brown-Rouse, Carver Elementary School assistant principal, received the the Assistant Principal of the Year Award.

Hales credited his staff for playing a role in his achievements.

“I like to thank the people that paved the way for me to be here,” Hales said. “I couldn’t stand here on this stage without teachers like Laura Taylor. They’re the reason I’m up here because they make my job easy. And so my staff, they’re the ones that should be congratulated.”

Hales started working as an English teacher at Charles B. Aycock High in 1997 and later became principal of Goldsboro High in 2005. During his time at Goldsboro High School, Hales had the opportunity to create the Wayne School of Engineering, Mason said.

Hales has a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in school administration and a doctorate in education from ECU.

“I’m just so humbled,” Brown-Rouse said of receiving the Assistant Principal of the Year Award. “The only thing I can say is thank you.”

Brown-Rouse began working in education in 1993 in Cumberland County. She was hired to work for Wayne County Public Schools in 2004. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s degree in middle school science, and a master’s degree in school administration and principal instruction, Mason said.

Finalists for teacher of the year, principal of the year and assistant principal of the year also received awards for being named as top finalists in their respective categories.

Teacher of the Year finalists include Laura Dean, Eastern Wayne Elementary first grade teacher, and Richard Wingate, Physical education teacher at Grantham Middle School.

Principal of the Year finalists include Kelly Holland, Fremont STARS Elementary School, and Mario Re, Dillard Middle School.

Assistant Principal of the Year finalists include Laura Kester, Norwayne Middle School, and Angela Grantham, Southern Wayne High School.

Other award winners include:

• Career Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award: Amy Smith, Eastern Wayne High School health sciences teacher.

• School Counselor of the Year Award: Christa Coates, Wayne School of Technical Arts.

• Media Coordinator of the Year Award: Stacy Hersey, Northeast Elementary School.

Wayne County Public Schools support staff were also honored during the award ceremony.