Polner named Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year

Tears of joy streamed down Jennifer Polner’s face after Wilson County Schools named her the Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year on Thursday. Polner teaches early childhood education and childhood development at Beddingfield High School.

“It’s an incredible honor just being able to be recognized for all the work the students put in,” Polner said. “They work really hard, too. It’s because of them that I do what I do.”

District officials and Beddingfield staff and students gathered around Polner for the award. Polner’s students also work closely with Beddingfield’s in-house day care program.

“I’m so excited for her,” said Beddingfield senior Stephanie Guerrero. “She’s an amazing teacher.”

Guerrero said Polner is special to her because they’ve build a close relationship over time.

“She’s a person I trust,” she said. “She likes to build closer bonds with students.”

Polner, who has worked at Beddingfield for 16 years, was selected from among all CTE teachers in the district’s middle and high schools.

Beddingfield Principal Jenny Hayes nominated Polner for the award.

“She’s the sunshine in the building,” said Hayes, who was recently announced as the district’s Principal of the Year. “She does whatever needs to be done. She doesn’t question if that’s her role. She takes her job seriously. She’s always involved.”

The next step in the award process is for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching to select regional finalists. The state winner will announced in the fall.

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