Sophia Foster, a 6th grade English Language Arts teacher at Burgaw Middle School, has been selected as a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Foster also serves as Pender County Schools’ 2025–26 Beginning Teacher of the Year.
As part of this recognition, Ms. Foster has been invited to participate in NCCAT’s Beginning Teacher of the Year Program, scheduled for March 9–13, 2026, at the Truist Leadership Center in Greensboro. The week will include leadership sessions, opportunities for discussion and sharing instructional practices, and time for interviews with finalists from across North Carolina.
The recognition event will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. Additional details about the week and the event will be shared by NCCAT in January.
NCCAT also plans to recognize Foster at a Pender County Board of Education meeting later this winter.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Ms. Foster said. “Teaching in Pender County has been a meaningful way to start my career, and I’ve learned so much from my students and colleagues at Burgaw Middle School.”
Burgaw Middle School Principal Brian Allen shared his support following the announcement. “Our school family is very proud of Ms. Foster,” Allen said. “We know she will continue to represent Burgaw Middle School and Pender County Schools well, and we look forward to supporting her along the way.”
Pender County Schools is proud to see Sophia Foster recognized at the state level and appreciates the work NCCAT does to support beginning teachers across North Carolina.