Elizabethtown, NC — Bladen County Schools is proud to announce that Elizabeth Roberson, a Career & Technical Education teacher at West Bladen High School, is a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award.
This recognition places Roberson among an outstanding group of educators from across North Carolina, each recognized for their excellence in career and technical education pathways and their commitment to fostering student success.
“Mrs. Roberson is a true expert in her field,” shared Bladen County Schools CTE Director, Dana Mize. “She truly cares about her students and the impact that her classes have on their future. Mrs. Roberson serves on the West Bladen High School, School Improvement Team, she is an advisor for the National Technical Honor Society, and can often be found helping her fellow teachers, and introducing new ideas to CTE.”
NCCAT, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the North Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education (NCACTE), developed the CTE Teacher of the Year award to honor outstanding CTE educators, encourage teacher leadership, and emphasize the importance of CTE instruction in North Carolina public schools.
“Mrs. Roberson does an incredible job connecting with students and providing support based on their unique learning needs,” remarked Chris Orrock, principal at West Bladen High School. “With patience, encouragement, and a strong understanding of technology, she has created a learning environment where her students feel supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.”
The 24 finalists will attend a week of professional development from October 26-30, 2026. The winner will be announced during a recognition event on October 29, 2026, at the Embassy Suites in Concord, North Carolina.
State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green
State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said, “Last year, North Carolina public school students earned 382,964 career and technical education credentials, the most in our state's history. Numbers like that do not happen by accident. They happen because of the CTE teachers in classrooms across North Carolina who pour their hearts into preparing students for what comes next. These twenty-four finalists are an extraordinary representation of that work.”
Awards and Recognition, presented by the Development Foundation of NCCAT, Inc., include:
The NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year will receive:
$5,000 cash prize
Instructional supply funds for their school
Three-year membership in NCACTE
Participation in the national ACTE Conference as the NC ACTE Teacher of the Year representative
The Runner-Up will receive:
$2,000 cash prize
Three-year membership in NCACTE
All Finalists will receive:
Travel and substitute costs for the week of NCCAT professional development
One-year membership in NCACTE
About NCCAT:
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) supports teachers and impacts students through exemplary professional development programs. By increasing teacher effectiveness, NCCAT strengthens public education across the state. NCCAT equips educators with innovative teaching methods, best practices, and resources to take back to their classrooms. To learn more about NCCAT’s programs, visit www.nccat.org or call 828-293-5202.
About the Burroughs Wellcome Fund:
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is a private foundation dedicated to advancing biomedical sciences and supporting the next generation of scientific researchers and educators. With a strong commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in science, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund has made a significant investment in the realm of STEM education. In the past 25 years, BWF has invested more than $100 million to support initiatives and networks in STEM education. In addition to funding, BWF provides opportunities for interactions with colleagues and engagement with the broader community of educators and grant recipients across other BWF education programs. BWF’s focus on support of education highlights the belief in the pivotal role it plays in shaping the future of scientific discovery and addressing complex global challenges.