Meet the finalists for New Hanover County Schools' Educator of the Year

A surprise visit to classrooms by New Hanover County Schools leaders was made recently to acknowledge the 11 finalists for its Educator of the Year, and to announce the three finalists for Principal of the Year for the 2024-25 school year.

"Each represents the professionalism, instructional excellence, and relationship-building that define New Hanover County Schools educators and make them recognized for excellence throughout the state," according to a news release from New Hanover County Schools.

Some of the teachers were described by their peers as being spectacular, genuine, talented, caring and creative. Fellow educators noted that these finalists are deserving of the award because they show true commitment to education and their students.

Educator of the Year finalists

Elementary schools

• Amber Faulhaber, music teacher at College Park
• April Thompson, kindergarten teacher at Alderman
• Damy Buck, first-grade teacher at Holly Tree
• Sydney Kong, first-grade teacher at the International School at Gregory
• Marissa Neely, second-grade teacher at Winter Park

Middle schools

• Katie French, seventh-grade English Language Arts teacher at Trask
• Dustin Fitzgerald, seventh-grade social studies teacher at Roland-Grise
• Latasha Howard-Mott, seventh-grade math teacher at Williston

High schools

• Hannah Moon, English teacher at Laney
• Taylor Spear, math teacher at Isaac-Bear Early College
• Rick Kukor, science teacher at SEA-Tech (Southeast Area Technical High School)

Principal of the Year finalists

• Brad Lewis, Holly Shelter Middle School
• Kimberly Morrissey, J.C. Roe Center
• Brent Hall, Winter Park Elementary