Congratulations to our 2025 Teachers of The Year! Each year, schools select an educator from their ranks as their “Teacher of the Year” (TOTY). These teachers then go on to compete as TOTY for their district, and then the county as a whole. Once we announce the overall county winner in May, that individual will go on to compete for North Carolina Teacher of the Year, and then across the country!
The Teacher of the Year program was created to honor and recognize exceptional teachers who go above and beyond to bring compassionate and skilled teaching to our students every day. We appreciate our teachers and congratulate our 2025 Teachers of the Year!
AT LARGE
BCSVA – Nick Peragine
Community High School – Dylan McKnight
PEP – Nicole Steele
BCEC/BCMC/BCCI – Sam Summers
Nesbitt Discovery Academy – Caitlin Burnett
ENKA
Enka High — Matthew Long
Enka Middle – Martha Tallent
Enka Intermediate – Meredith Allen
Sand Hill-Venable Elementary – Cynthia Srijayanta
Pisgah Elementary – Stacey Pavlina
Candler Elementary – Sydney Fox
Hominy Valley Elementary – Jennifer Anderson
ERWIN
Clyde A. Erwin High – Jessica Jones
Clyde A. Erwin Middle – Sarah Nicholson
Joe P. Eblen Intermediate – Michelle Knapik
Johnston Elementary – Shanna Buckner
Emma Elementary – Heather Roy
West Buncombe Elementary – Louise Hall
Woodfin Elementary – Brenna Banks
Leicester Elementary – Courtney Green
REYNOLDS
A.C. Reynolds High – Brian Barnhouse
A.C. Reynolds Middle – Ashley Osmunson
Cane Creek Middle School – Cindi Gosnell
Charles C. Bell Elementary – Erin Seickel
Oakley Elementary – Codi Edenfield-Estes
Fairview Elementary – Taylor Sanders
Haw Creek Elementary – Vanessa Hensley
ROBERSON
T.C. Roberson High – Lori Galbert
Valley Springs Middle – John Keith Kloman
C.T. Koontz Intermediate – Elizabeth Roberts
W.W. Estes Elementary – Norren Drewery
Avery’s Creek Elementary – Jeffrey M. Eckler
Glen Arden Elementary – Paul Buckley
OWEN
Charles D. Owen High – Kim Clark
Charles D. Owen Middle – Joy Inabinette
Black Mountain Primary – Paula Schlenk
Black Mountain Elementary – Laura Josey
W.D. Williams Elementary – Catharine Laufer
NORTH BUNCOMBE
North Buncombe High – Corinne McNamee
North Buncombe Middle – Allison McQuinn
North Windy Ridge Intermediate – Rachel Brillisour
Weaverville Primary – Lee Jamison
Weaverville Elementary – Jill Bell
Barnardsville Elementary – Brittany Murray
North Buncombe Elementary – Jodi Mann