WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — A Wayne County educator has earned statewide recognition for excellence in career and technical education, being named one of 24 finalists for the 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award.
Christopher Hicks of Wayne County Public Schools was selected as a finalist by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the North Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education (NCACTE).
The award honors outstanding educators who prepare students for success through career and technical education programs while demonstrating leadership and innovation in the classroom.
State Superintendent Maurice ‘Mo’ Green praised the impact of CTE educators across North Carolina, noting that public school students earned a record 382,964 career and technical education credentials last year.
“Numbers like that do not happen by accident,” Green said. “They happen because of the CTE teachers in classrooms across North Carolina who pour their hearts into preparing students for what comes next.”
Hicks joins a distinguished group of educators from school districts across the state who were selected for their commitment to helping students develop technical, leadership, and workforce skills needed for future careers.
As part of the recognition process, finalists will participate in a week of professional development hosted by NCCAT from Oct. 26-30, 2026. The statewide winner will be announced during a recognition ceremony on Oct. 29 at the Embassy Suites in Concord.
The recipient of the State Superintendent Maurice ‘Mo’ Green will receive a $5,000 cash prize, instructional supply funds for their school, a three-year membership in NCACTE, and the opportunity to represent North Carolina at the national ACTE Conference. The runner-up will receive a $2,000 cash prize and a three-year NCACTE membership.
All finalists, including Hicks, will receive travel and substitute costs for the professional development week and a one-year membership in NCACTE.
NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble said the organization is proud to recognize educators who are making a lasting impact on students and communities across North Carolina.
The award is sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, which supports educational initiatives and workforce development programs throughout the state.
For Wayne County, Hicks’ selection as a finalist highlights the quality of career and technical education opportunities available to local students and the important role educators play in preparing the next generation of skilled workers and leaders.
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