They say "Mom knows best," and for Mrs. Freda Messick, our Teacher of the Year, that certainly turned out to be true! While she took a few scenic detours through nursing school, psychology, and even a stint as a vet tech, her heart eventually found its true calling in the classroom. Now an integral part of our Burgaw Middle School family, Mrs. Messick brings a wealth of life experience and a deep love for history to her students.
Join us in congratulating Mrs. Freda Messick, Burgaw Middle School’s Teacher of the Year! As an 8th grade social studies teacher with a Master’s in History and a knack for storytelling, she has a fascinating background that led her from East Carolina University to the heart of Pender County. Here is her story, in her own words.
"I grew up in a small, rural area in the foothills of North Carolina. It makes a small school like Burgaw Middle School feel like home. My mom, an instructional assistant in the school district I grew up in, encouraged me to go to school to be a teacher. Being a teenager that knew everything, I refused to go to school for education. Apparently, she was right all along.
At first, I thought I wanted to be a nurse, so I went to East Carolina University. However, I ended up earning a degree in psychology because organic chemistry was not my thing. While trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, I tried many different jobs. I worked as a vet tech, a bank teller, and even stayed at home to raise my kids. Finally, as someone who loves learning new things, I went back to school and earned a Master’s degree in History. With encouragement from my husband, I also completed a Master of Arts in Teaching from UNCW in 2017. I’ve been teaching since then, except for a short break.
Today, when I am not teaching or coaching, my family and hobbies take up most of my time. I enjoy gardening, collecting houseplants and books like it’s my job, and reading a good book."
Written by Freda Messick, 2026