Ashton Allgood-Batten ’11M

Ashton Allgood-Batten ’11M has received the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (SMT) Center’s 2025 Outstanding 9-16 Educator Award. Allgood-Batten teaches Chemistry, AP Environmental Science and Earth Science at Richlands High School in Onslow County.

She was featured in an NC SMT video.

Allgood-Batten grew up in Apex, NC and became a certified SCUBA diver at 12 years old. Her passion for diving and love of the environment led her to major in science at North Carolina State University. While at NC State, she realized that part of her love for science came from sharing it with others and helping people explore the world around them.

Allgood-Batten went on to earn her MAT in Secondary Education with a science concentration from UNCW”s Watson College of Education. While at UNCW, she completed student teaching at Wilmington Early College (Earth Science, Biology) and Topsail High School (Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry) and  participated in a study abroad program at San Pedro High School in San Pedro, Belize (Physics). She has been a science teacher at Richlands High School since 2011.

In May, she reached out to Dennis Kubasko, coordinator of WCE’s MAT in Secondary Education program.

“Since it is teacher appreciation week, I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your encouragement and your love for teaching—it’s something that really stuck with me,” she wrote. “After receiving the NC SMT Center’s Outstanding 9-16 Educator Award, I have been thinking about how much your support in the MAT program, especially around inquiry-based and hands-on instruction, helped shape who I am as a teacher today. Being able to go to Belize and see how education happens globally and how important it is to teach students about different cultures was also so beneficial for me.”

Kubasko said he’s thrilled to see Allgood-Batten receive this recognition.

“Ashton is an amazing teacher who is doing amazing work,” he said. “Ashton is a creative and authentic science educator, and she teaches the discipline with an inquiry mindset. Ashton is such a model educator and to see her recognized for her craft is exciting!”

Allgood-Batten’s Outstanding Educator award was presented at the 2025 Annual SMT Celebration at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh/Durham/RTP in Cary, North Carolina on Saturday April 26^th.

The N.C. Science, Mathematics, and Technology Center is focused on improving education as a means of providing all students in North Carolina with the knowledge and skills to have successful careers, be good citizens, and advance the economy of the state. The Center celebrates educational excellence in North Carolina by supporting educators, engaging students, and advancing the growing importance of having a STEM-educated workforce