Outstanding Young Educator 2025
 Caitlin Spruill
Director of Elementary Education
Dare County Schools

The Outstanding Young Educator Award is presented to an education professional, 40 years of age or younger, who demonstrates exemplary commitment and exceptional contribution to our profession
NCASCD annually recognizes and provides awards in three distinct areas for the talents and accomplishments of our educators state-wide across classrooms, schools, and school systems. These awards were developed to celebrate the success of our educators on behalf of our students in North Carolina.

Dr. Travis Reeves, Superintendent, 
Surry County Schools, is the 2025 Dr. Frances Jones Trailblazer Award Winner


This award was created to honor and celebrate Dr. Frances Jones who retired as the Executive Director of NCASCD in April, 2015. She served as the Executive Director for NCASCD for 21 years. The award is presented to an education professional who has dedicated their educational career to excellence in public education. They have demonstrated (a) a life-long dedication to the improvement of education for students and professional development for teachers and administrators as demonstrated by results for children and adults, (b) a belief in ASCD’s Whole Child philosophy through innovative programs and initiatives and (c) service as a an educational mentor and leader to other educational professionals throughout their career.
2025 Teaching Excellence Award
Danny Gallimore
8th grade teacher, AVID Coordinator
Mt. Airy City Schools

​The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes an innovative teacher in North Carolina with at least 3 prior successful years of teaching. This award is for a classroom teacher who exemplifies meeting the needs of his or her students each year using unique and innovative ideas with proven results for students in the area of student achievement or the whole child tenets

Distinguished Educator 2025
Seth Brown
Director of Educator Support & Leadership Development
Pitt County Schools

The Distinguished Educator Award is presented to a member of the association who has made significant contributions in the areas of curriculum and instruction as a teacher or administrator as attested by (a) innovative program initiation, (b) improved or increased achievement or performance of students, and (c) a demonstrated increase in the efficiency and effectiveness with which fiscal, human, and/or physical resources are used.
2025 Lighthouse School Awards
Benson Elementary, Johnston County Schools
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