Pender County Schools shares that Sophia Foster, a sixth grade ELA teacher at Burgaw Middle School, has been named runner-up for the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year.
The award, presented by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, recognizes beginning teachers across North Carolina public and charter schools.
At Burgaw Middle School, Ms. Foster is known for creating a classroom where students are expected to work hard and know they are supported.
“Sophia fosters a classroom environment where students feel both challenged and supported,” one of her instructional coaches said. “She is encouraging yet firm, maintaining consistently high expectations while ensuring that every student feels seen, valued, and cared for.”
Her co-teacher said Ms. Foster has connected well with students since the start of her teaching career.
“From the very first day in the classroom, Miss Foster has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with middle school learners and foster a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment,” Foster’s ELA co-teacher said. “She creates lessons that not only build strong reading and writing skills but also cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine love for literature.”
The recognition event was held March 12 at Wake Forest University. Finalists also took part in a week of professional development at the Truist Leadership Institute in Greensboro before the ceremony.
This is the seventh year of the award. Molly Todd, a special education teacher at Panther Creek High School in Wake County Schools, was named the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year.
Pender County Schools congratulates Ms. Foster on this recognition and appreciates the work she is doing with students at Burgaw Middle School.
