WCE Alums Named NHCS Educators of the Year
Congratulations to New Hanover County Schools’ 2025-26 Educators of the Year! Four of this year’s top honorees are graduates of UNCW’s Watson College of Education and all are current or former WCE PDS partnership teachers:
- Benjamin Lord ’22M - Middle School and Overall Educator of the Year
- Desiree Traylor ’14 - Elementary Educator of the Year
- Jessica Harvey ’12M – High School Educator of the Year
- Alicia Chapman ’21M - Assistant Principal of the Year
- Rosemary Wheeler – Principal of the Year
The educators were recognized for their instructional excellence, leadership, and dedication to their students, schools, and communities at the district’s annual Educator of the Year celebration at the Brooklyn Arts Center on May 8.
“The Watson College of Education joins New Hanover County Schools in celebrating the success of their outstanding teachers and administrators,” said WCE Dean Tracy Linderholm. “We are proud to see so many of our alumni among those recognized this year.”
Benjamin Lord teaches seventh grade social studies at Myrtle Grove Middle School. He holds dual degrees in French and History from the University of Warwick in England, and worked as an English language instructor at the Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour in France and as a bilingual product support specialist for Garmin International before beginning his teaching career. Mr. Lord earned his Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Grades Education from the Watson College in 2022.
“Ben was a truly exemplary student in the Middle Grades MAT,” said WCE Professor and Program Coordinator Jeremy Hilburn. “For several years now, many of the exemplar assignments I show current students are his work. He has deep content knowledge and couples this knowledge with student-centered teaching methods. His students are lucky to have him as a teacher!”
Desiree Taylor teaches first grade at Pine Valley Elementary School. A former North Carolina Teaching Fellow, she earned a degree in elementary education from the Watson College. This is her 10th year teaching in New Hanover County, and her 9th year at Pine Valley.
Jessica Harvey is a social studies teacher at Laney High School. Ms. Harvey is a longtime WCE partnership teacher, founding member of Laney Leaders as part of the NHCS Emerging Leaders program, and founding member of WCE's new Joy in Teaching Network. She earned her Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education from the Watson College in 2012.
Alicia Chapman is assistant principal at Holly Shelter Middle School. She earned her Master of School Administration (MSA) degree from the Watson College in 2021.
NHCS announced the winners on social media on May 9 and in a news story on May 12: NHCS Announces 2025–2026 Educator of the Year Award Recipients
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This article has the following tags: Watson College of Education Students & Alumni Accomplishments