We are thrilled to congratulate Mrs. Jessica Mooney, our health education instructor at Mattamuskeet Early College High School. Mooney will be representing Hyde County Schools as our nominee to the very first edition of the NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year Award program this school year.

This is a new statewide recognition sponsored by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Mooney is currently in the process of submitting a portfolio for the regional-level competition.

The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year will receive:

• $5,000 cash prize
• Participation for the winner in a GoGlobal NC trip to Australia in 2020
• Instructional supply funds for the teacher’s school
• $2,000 cash prize to the runner-up
• Travel expenses for regional winners to participate in NCCAT professional development and leadership development

When notified of her recognition, Mooney was overjoyed.

“I am honored to be chosen as the Hyde County Schools nominee for the NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year,” she said. “Last year, I left the health care field to come into the classroom. This was challenging in many ways but very rewarding. Each student in my classroom has their own story and their own learning strategies. My goal is to assure everything I do is for my students and what is best for them. I am eager to continue the application process that leads to state competition and meet other amazing educators.”

Hyde County Superintendent of Schools Stephen Basnight stated, “As a new educator Ms. Mooney is all about doing what is best for students. She commits many hours in and outside of school working to support the students at Mattamuskeet Early College. Mrs. Mooney plans her lessons to insure a high level of student engagement in her classroom. She is always so positive and encouraging to all students both in her class and around the campus. I am positive she will represent us well.”

The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year process was developed to honor beginning teachers and to retain teachers who show promise as excellent teachers and education leaders in North Carolina public schools and public charter schools.

On behalf of all district faculty and staff, we wish Ms. Mooney the best of luck as she moves forward with the selection process and commend her on an outstanding job as an educator for our school system. We are very lucky to have her.