Mattie Johnson is NHCS Rookie of the Year

Mattie Johnson ’22M has been named New Hanover County Schools’ 2025 Rookie of the Year. Ms. Johnson earned her MAT in Secondary Education at the Watson College. She teaches English at Ashley High School.

The award was presented in a ceremony at the Wilmington Downtown Rotary Club on February 18.

“Ms. Johnson’s creativity, energy, and ability to foster student discourse set her apart,” Ashley High School Principal Michael Perez said in an NHCS press release announcing award finalists. “She is a gifted educator with remarkable pedagogy and classroom management skills. Compared to all teachers I have worked with in Virginia and North Carolina, she is in the top 1%—a truly rare talent for a third-year teacher.” 

The Rookie of the Year Award honors outstanding NHCS teachers early in their careers. The finalists included three other UNCW alumni:

• Jeff Bell ’22M, CTE Teacher at New Hanover High School. Mr. Bell earned his MAT in Physical Education and Health from UNCW.
• Lilah Rossell ’22M, first grade teacher at Alderman Elementary School. Ms. Rossell earned her MAT in Elementary Education from the Watson College.
• Deirdre Taylor ’22, fifth grade science teacher at Holly Tree Elementary School. Ms. Taylor has a degree in Elementary Education.

New Hanover County Schools (NHCS), in partnership with the Wilmington Rotary Club, proudly celebrates the district’s outstanding beginning teachers through the Rookie of the Year program. This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional educators in their second and third years of teaching and highlights their dedication, innovation, and impact on student success.

Recent News and Announcements

• WECT, Feb 18 Ashley High School English teacher wins NHCS Rookie of the Year
• WWAY, Feb 19 Ashley teacher named NHCS Rookie of the Year
• New Hanover County Schools, February 5 NHCS Announces Rookie of the Year Finalists 2025