WCE Celebrates Master Teachers

Members of the 2022-2025 cohort of PDS Master Teachers were recognized at the PDS Partnership Teacher Celebration on May 1.

The Master Teacher initiative, offered through WCE’s Professional Development System Office, is designed to recognize teachers in partnership schools who have demonstrated excellence in teaching.

During the three-year appointment, teachers selected for the program receive 30 hours of professional development and work closely with WCE’s academic programs to impact their instruction and student learning. During the final year, each teacher collaborates with a Watson College faculty member on the design and implementation of a shared professional growth opportunity impacting their students, school, district and/or broader professional community.

At the PDS celebration, posters were displayed showcasing each participant’s accomplishments as a Master Teacher. Teachers recognized at the event were:

• Christine Capen, English teacher, Wilmington Early College High School, NHCS. Chris partnered with Professor Robert Smith on a project titled “Rethinking Grades – SBG & Nongrading Ideas”
• Katelyn Durkin, Reading Instructional Coach, Ogden Elementary School, NHCS. Katelyn partnered with WCE math lecturer Maggie Guggenheimer on a project titled, “BridgeBuilders: Connecting Teachers and Caregivers”
• Lauren Flythe, Second-grade teacher, Murrayville Elementary School, NHCS. Lauren partnered with Professor Caitlin Ryan on the project, “Bringing Joy to Common Curriculums”
• Bradley Hodges, 8th-grade social studies teacher, Murray Middle School, NHCS. Bradley partnered with Professor Jeremy Hilburn. Their project was titled, “Lessons from a First Year History Club:
• Hannah Moon, English teacher, Laney High School, NHCS. Hannah partnered with Professor Donyell Roseboro on a project titled, “Supporting AP Students Through Mentorship”
• Gabrielle Riesner, 9-12 science teacher, Sea-Tech High School, NHCS. Gabrielle partnered with Professor Amy Taylor on the project, “Adapt and Experiment: Teaching Biology Using the New Standards”
• Brittany Riggs, Third-grade teacher, Carolina Forest Elementary School, Onslow County. Brittany partnered with Dr. Traci Bellas on a project titled “Meeting the Needs of English Learners in the Classroom Setting”
• Christine Sawyer, Second-grade teacher, Bradley Creek Elementary School, NHCS. Christine partnered with Professor Angie Reid-Griffin on a project titled, “STEM with Mrs. Sawyer: Unlocking STEM for All Learners”
• Marisol Soto, Spanish 9-12 teacher, Topsail High School, Pender County. Marisol partnered with Dr. Denise Ousley on a project titled, “Mindful Walking”

Posters showcasing the accomplishments of the 2022-2025 cohort of Master Teachers will be displayed again at the Teach & Lead Conference to be held at the Watson College on June 11.

New MT Cohort Begins in Fall 2025

WCE’s PDS Office will continue the Master Teachers program with a new 2025-28 cohort. Nominations will be accepted beginning in early August.

For more information visit the PDS Website.