Bladen County Schools gathered on Monday, June 8, to celebrate the dedication and service of its employees at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon, honoring teachers, administrators, and support staff who have made extraordinary contributions to the district, and bidding a heartfelt farewell to the retirees whose careers have shaped generations of students.
Employees of the Year
After a rigorous selection process, district-level honorees were announced across four categories. A committee reviewed nominees from each school and, by all accounts, had a difficult task, because the educators representing each building were extraordinary in their own right.
Asia Burney of Elizabethtown Primary School was named the Balden County Schools Teacher of the Year. Burney was selected from a field of school-level Teachers of the Year representing every school in the district.
Michaela McKinley of Elizabethtown Middle School earned the title of Bladen County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year, recognized for the promise and impact she has already demonstrated early in her career.
Mitchell Newkirk of East Bladen High School and Elizabeth Roberson of West Bladen High School, were named co-CTE Teachers of the Year, representing the district’s career and technical education programs.
Vanessa Ruffin of Tar Heel School was named Principal of the Year, an honor voted on by her fellow principals.
The luncheon also recognized school-level Teachers of the year, Beginning Teachers of the Year, and Teacher Assistants of the Year from schools across the district.
Honoring Retirees
Twenty-three retirees were recognized for their years of service to Bladen County Schools. Those in attendance represented a combined 430.65 years of service, a number that speaks to the depth of commitment these educators and staff members gave to their schools and their communities.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Atkinson remarked, “You have invested your time, talents, and hearts into the success of countless students. While your names may not appear in every story, your influence is woven into the achievements of generations of young people who have walked through our doors. The legacy you leave behind is not found in buildings or programs, but in lives changed and opportunities created.”
A Celebration of Past, Present, and Future
Executive Director of Human Resources Priscilla Brayboy set the tone for the event, noting that the luncheon brings together those who represent the full continuum of the district’s story. “Together, you remind us of the power of teaching; to inspire, to lead, and to change lives.”
Superintendent Atkinson echoed that sentiment in his closing remarks, thanking employees for the daily impact they make. “Today, we have celebrated two groups of individuals whose impact cannot be measured simply by years of service, job titles, or awards,” he said. “We have honored employees who have consistently gone above and beyond in their roles, and we have recognized retirees whose careers have left a lasting mark on our schools, our students, and our community.”
Please join us as we celebrate our 2026-2027 Employees of the Year and retirees, Congratulations!