Sophia Foster

Sophia (Sophie) Foster is Pender County Schools’ Beginning Teacher of the Year. She teaches sixth grade English Language Arts at Burgaw Middle School. The award was presented at the PCS Awards Night held at Heide Trask High School on May 5.

Foster earned her bachelor’s degree at UNCW where she double majored in English and Communication Studies. She began teaching in Pender County during the 2024–2025 academic year, and is currently a residency teacher, enrolled in WCE’s Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Grades program.

“I didn’t have one straight path that led me to teaching—I had like…six,” she said. “I was juggling this wild love for imagineering, hospitality, storytelling, communication, reading, writing, visual learning—you name it. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I realized the common thread was people. I love people. I love being around people. And I had this gut feeling that if I could bring all these things I loved into one space and hand them off to students, they’d leave with something unforgettable.”

She said she chose UNCW’s Watson College because it has a strong reputation, outstanding faculty, and offers a program that enables her to earn a master’s degree while qualifying for an NC license in the subject she’s passionate about teaching.

“Sophie is an outstanding student and she’s already a wonderful teacher and strong mentor to her students,” said WCE Professor Jeremy Hilburn, coordinator of the MAT in Middle Grades program. “We are thrilled to see her receive this recognition. It’s well deserved.”

“I’m honored to receive this award and to represent my county at the state level. I will do that with sincerity, purpose, and a whole lot of gratitude,” Foster said. “It’s not about recognition—it’s about the why behind all the tiny, behind-the-scenes moments that usually go unseen. What I love most about teaching is that I get to bring all the pieces of me into the classroom—my voice, my thoughts, my heart, and even the weird little tangents that somehow always tie back to the lesson. Every day, I get to tell a story. Not just with books or standards, but with real connection—between the students, the content, and the joy of learning. That’s my favorite part.”

“I see myself teaching for a very long time,” she added. “I want to be someone students remember not just for what I taught, but for how I made them feel. There’s just nothing like the bond between a teacher and a student.”

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