Cherokee County Teacher Named Finalist for State Beginning Teacher Award

Photo from NCCAT-The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Facebook page.

The Cherokee County School Board recognized a local educator during its February 5 meeting for earning statewide recognition as an outstanding beginning teacher.

Dr. Karen Sumner, Deputy Executive Director of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and Caesar Campana, Beginning Teacher Coordinator for Cherokee County Schools, presented Morgan Dudley with a plaque honoring her selection as a finalist for the Burroughs-Wellcome Beginning Teacher of the Year award.

Dudley, a Hayesville High School graduate, teaches drone technology and aviation science at Cherokee County Schools of Innovation. The Burroughs-Wellcome award recognizes excellence and contributions from beginning teachers across North Carolina.

As a finalist, Dudley will join other selected educators in March for a week of professional learning. The experience will conclude with a celebration event and the announcement of the 2025 Burroughs-Wellcome Beginning Teacher of the Year.

School leaders congratulated Dudley on the achievement and wished her success as she advances in the selection process.