Roxboro Community School (RCS) high school biology teacher Ashley Bailey has been named North Carolina Charter Schools Teacher of the Year 2020.
Bailey said she was honored to have been selected RCS’ teacher of the year for 2019. She said of the statewide honor, “I was so surprised to find out that I had reached the finals! I am honored to be able to represent RCS.”
RCS high school Principal Dakarai Bryant said, “It is wonderful that Mrs. Bailey is being recognized for the exceptional job she does. She has the amazing ability to reach all kids and give them the knowledge and confidence to achieve. Any organization’s strength lies with its personnel. I’m glad Mrs. Bailey is on the RCS team.”
Bryant explained the process of becoming NC Charter Schools Teacher of the Year. He said Bailey was chosen the RCS Teacher of the Year for 2018-2019. After this, she created and turned in a portfolio to represent RCS at the state level.
He said, “Of all the teachers in the NC Charter School Teacher of the Year process, she was one of 29 selected for the second round. Of that 29, two were selected as finalists for NC Charter School Teacher of the Year.” Bailey and the other selected finalists were interviewed.
"I am humbled and honored to be selected as North Carolina's Charter School Teacher of the Year,” said Bailey. “I am so excited for the opportunity to represent RCS at the state level and I look forward to all I will learn and can bring back to our school. I want to thank my students, colleagues, parents, and administration for the overwhelming support they have provided during this process. Through this process, I have had the opportunity to hear many stories shared by students (and parents) about how being in my class impacted them. That is such a gift. Teachers don't teach to receive accolades but I was truly blown away by the support shown to me by my colleagues, students, and parents,” said Bailey.
Bailey graduated from North Carolina State University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences and a bachelor of science in secondary science education. She has been teaching at RCS for six years, after beginning her teaching career in 2000.
Bailey is the second RCS teacher to be named NC Charter Schools TOY. Wanda Ball, retired English teacher, won the honor in 2007-2008.