With nearly all the district’s 6,000 employees in attendance at Convocation 2023, Cumberland County Schools announced its 2024 Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, and other awards on Tuesday.
The celebration was at the Crown Complex and was themed “Cumberland Strong: United for Student Success.”
“During today’s Convocation 2023, we were honored to recognize these exemplary premier professionals who are true champions in education and advocates for every student,” said Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. “In CCS, we prioritize retaining exceptional talent and are proud to support the professional development of every employee.”
With a focus on tailoring the student experience to best support success, 2024 Teacher of the Year Steven Barbour of Terry Sanford High School wrote in his nomination portfolio: “Students need to feel personally invested in their learning to be successful. Building meaningful relationships with students is an important component of that investment. Empowerment is the other.”
Using these two concepts, Barbour designs his classroom and history course instruction to empower students of different backgrounds and abilities to succeed, according to a school system news release. He has taken the initiative to modify course timelines to ensure that students understand the complexities of history. He also began what is now an annual photography exhibition in honor of Chris Hondros, an American war photographer and Terry Sanford alumnus who was killed while covering the violence in Libya in 2011.
Sanford Principal Catherine Abraham-Johnson praised Barbour, who also serves as head coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams, for his leadership in the classroom and beyond.
“Mr. Barbour is an outstanding educator, coach, mentor and overall wonderful person who exemplifies distinguished leadership in the teaching profession,” said Abraham-Johnson.
Barbour began his education career in 1996 and joined CCS in 2000. He earned his master’s in social studies education in 2009 from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
As Teacher of the Year, Barbour received a trophy; cash awards from the Board of Education, Olde Fayetteville Insurance and Financial Services, and LaFayette Ford-LaFayette Lincoln; a ring from Jostens; two season tickets from Fayetteville Marksmen Hockey; and a $50 gift card from Luigi's Italian Chophouse & Bar.
As the county winner, Barbour will advance to compete for the regional title.
Other winners announced Tuesday were first runner-up David Gilchrist of John Griffin Middle School, and second runner-up Katheryn Lee of Cape Fear High School.
2024 Principal of the Year
Erica Fenner-McAdoo of Howard Hall Elementary School was named 2024 Principal of the Year. She says students need a challenging and personalized experience in school. She has enacted systems to ensure that students prioritizes professional development for school staff.
“I strive to make our school atmosphere one that is desired to work in, and I know that begins with me,” says Fenner-McAdoo.
Fenner-McAdoo joined CCS in 2009 as an assistant principal at Ponderosa Elementary School before becoming principal at Walker-Spivey Elementary School in 2014 and Howard Hall in 2017. She earned her master’s in school administration in 2009 from Fayetteville State University.
Fenner-McAdoo received a trophy; a commemorative ring from Jostens; two season tickets from Fayetteville Marksmen Hockey; a $50 gift card from Luigi’s; a massage session at Between Heaven & Earth Day Spa; and $3,000 from LaFayette Ford-LaFayette Lincoln.
Fenner-McAdoo will compete for the Sandhills Regional Principal of the Year title.
2024 Assistant Principal of the Year
Kristle Rouse of Westover High School is the 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year. Rouse earned her master’s of school administration in 2018 from Grand Canyon University. She began her CCS career in 2013 at A.B. Wilkins High School.
In addition to a belief that leaders need to practice servant-leadership and open-door style communication, Rouse said in her nomination portfolio: “I believe it is important for leaders to be continuous, lifelong learners. Education is always evolving and, as instructional leaders, we have to be well-versed in educational trends.”
Rouse received a trophy; two season tickets from Fayetteville Marksmen Hockey; and $100 from Olde Fayetteville Insurance and Financial Services.
2024 Beginning Teacher of the Year
Sade' Mangum, who teaches at Seventy-First High School, was named the 2024 Beginning Teacher of the Year.
“Mrs. Mangum took risks in her classroom and was not afraid to allow her students to engage in rich discourse and allowed her scholars to discover their individual strengths through exploration. She has definitely demonstrated her ability to make connections with scholars in and outside the classroom,” said Seventy-First Principal Niesha Witherspoon.
Mangum received a trophy and iPad; $200 from Olde Fayetteville Insurance, a $100 gift card from School Tools; a gift card from Texas Roadhouse; and two season tickets to the Fayetteville Marksmen hockey games.
Mangum will advance to compete for a statewide award.
