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Name: Casey Lewis Schulte
Age: 34

Residence: Bath, NC

Hometown: Bath, NC

Casey Lewis Schulte dons the cap of Biology and Forensics teacher at Northside High School. A graduate of NC State University, wife and proud mother of two boys, Schulte believes in the transformative impact teachers can have on students, often viewing them as real-life superheroes. Beyond the classroom, she is actively exploring the role of EdTech in enhancing her teaching methods, seeking fellowships to deepen her understanding of connecting community stakeholders to the classroom. In her “me time,” she delves into a diverse array of books, finding solace and enrichment through the pages she turns. Casey was recognized as the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Northeast Region Teacher of the Year.

• Why should people consider working, living, and playing in Beaufort County? This past year I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel all around the state of North Carolina – from the mountains to the sandhills. There are some great things going on in the state, but I know that we live in the best part of the state. The community that I have been a part of growing and am still apart of today, you can’t find that everywhere. I love how our community sees a need and fills it. I think when you walk downtown Belhaven or Washington, and people are smiling and speak to you, they really encourage you to be a part of the community. You don’t see that everywhere across the state. It’s unmatched. It’s the people that make this place special. 

 

• Who in Beaufort County has influenced your life the most? I would not be the person I am today without my parents and my grandmother, all who have been residents of Beaufort County. My mom and dad have instilled in me this idea of having a servant’s heart and giving back to my community. They have been such a good role model for me. On a professional level, I have had so many amazing teachers that taught me here in Beaufort County. Two of them that have just really inspired me are Master Sgt. Charlie Woolard, my JROTC instructor and track coach, and Miss Jennifer Cornelius, my AP U.S. History teacher. Woolard taught me the importance of building relationships with students. He modeled it so amazingly. And Cornelius was the one to teach me the importance of holding kids to standards. Having high expectations for your kids because they will meet your expectations every single time. 

 

• Where would you take someone to visit in Beaufort County for the first time? They have to go to Spoon River! I love it and it is beautiful. If you haven’t been, you need to go. Then shopping at the Refinery and Market 32. Stopping for a sweet treat from Mad Batter. After that I would take them out on the boat. 

• If you were to plan Beaufort County’s future and it was to come true, what would you like to see happen? From an educator’s lens, I would love to see more people get involved in the school system. That could be in a variety of different ways. Maybe you have a free hour at lunch time, and you come in and you read to students, volunteering at a book fair, donating cleats, or simply come share your story with a class. I want people to be more involved with their local school before they start to criticize it. There’s room for help from everybody. I would love to see opportunities to build STEM in Beaufort County more – that’s the way the future is going – and encourage our students in these programs. I just want to see a relationship built where we can take our kids dreams and make them a reality. I would love to see our ‘Adopt-a-Panther’ program implemented at all schools so that no kid goes without all year long. 

• What are some unique challenges your generation faces versus other generations? I graduated high school from Northside in 2007 and cell phones were just coming out. As a teacher today, these students that are coming through my classroom now, technology is playing such a big role in how they learn. This is a generation that needs instant answers. That is the first thing I think of that is drastically different. It was a lot more direct instruction when I was here, but kids don’t respond to that as much anymore. They want to be engaged and entertained, so I am trying in my classroom to bring in ways that they can learn some 21st century skills – adaptability, flexibility, communication. How can I build in opportunities for them to learn from one another? I am using technology to support their learning, not as the way that they are learning. 

• Why are people so obsessed with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce? I am a big Taylor Swift fan. I haven’t been to a concert, but I love the empowerment she gives her Swifties. I enjoy watching football, whether it’s here at Northside or at the collegiate level. I wouldn’t say Travis Kelce is my favorite player, but I just love that you have a power couple. You have two people who are king and queen of their craft – what a great overlap. I think people love rooting for a love story. Even if you don’t like Taylor Swift involved in football, it gives you a nice chuckle, something positive compared to all the other news.