WCE Alums Named NHCS Educators of the Year

Congratulations to New Hanover County Schools’ 2024-25 Educators of the Year – all graduates of UNCW’s Watson College of Education:

• Hannah Moon ’08M - High School and Overall Educator of the Year
• Sydney Kong ’15 - Elementary Educator of the Year
• Latasha Howard-Mott ’11 - Middle School Educator of the Year
• Brent Hall ’09, ’17M - Principal of the Year

The educators were recognized for their outstanding dedication to their students, schools and communities at the district’s annual Educator of the Year celebration at the Brooklyn Arts Center on May 9.

Hannah Moon has been an English teacher at Laney High School for the past 20 years. She graduated from UNCW with a degree in English Literature, a teaching certificate, and a master's degree in secondary education. In 2021, she earned National Board Certification, the highest possible certification in the teaching profession.

Moon has maintained strong ties to UNCW’s Watson College of Education. As a PDS partnership teacher, she most recently mentored Cassie Crisp ’24 during her internship at Laney High School this spring. She is also a member of the 2022-2025 cohort of PDS Master Teachers.

Sydney Kong earned a degree in elementary education from the Watson College. She is a first grade teacher at the International School at Gregory.

Latasha Howard-Mott earned a degree in middle grades education from UNCW’s Watson College. She teaches math at Williston Middle School.

Brent Hall became the principal of Winter Park Elementary School in April of 2021. Prior to joining the Dolphin family, he served as assistant principal at Eaton Elementary for 3 years, and as an elementary classroom teacher in both New Hanover County and Columbus County Schools for 9 years. 

Hall earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a history minor from UNCW’s Watson College of Education in 2009. He returned to UNCW’s Watson College for his Masters in School Administration, with an add-on licensure in Curriculum, Instruction, & Supervision. He also obtained National Board certification in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts shortly before transitioning out of the classroom.

NHCS announced the winners on social media and the NHCS home page on May 10.

Local Media Coverage

Wilmington StarNews, April 23 Meet the finalists for New Hanover County Schools’ Educator of the Year