BCS Names Top Teachers and Administrators | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    The top teachers and administrators in Beaufort County Schools were named during the September 19 annual celebration at Washington High School.

    Tracy Solano, who teaches third grade at John Cotten Tayloe Elementary School, was selected as the district Teacher of the Year. Solano recently began her 21st year in the classroom. Amanda Smith, who teaches Social Studies and History at the Beaufort County Early College High School, took the runner-up spot.

    "One panel member working with the teachers told us they would have never agreed to participate had they known what a tough decision this would be to make," Dr. Don Phipps, Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools explained. "That helps paint a picture of the quality and dedication seen in just a sampling of our teachers. We are extremely proud of our winners, all those in the running and every one of our teachers."

    Each school selected their teacher of the year. Those winners completed the state portfolio for candidates and participated in a panel interview conducted by members of the community.

    Administrators must have been on their current campus for at least two years to be eligible to participate in the annual competition. Their scores are determined by a panel interview as well as a scored survey completed by the staff members of their respective schools.

    Tracy Nixon, principal at P.S. Jones Middle School, took top honors among the administrators vying for Principal of the Year. Nixon began teaching at P.S. Jones in 2000 and has served as their assistant principal before taking the principal position in 2011.

    Pam Hodges, principal at Bath Elementary School, was named runner-up. Hodges could not help but smile as she informed the group she had taught Nixon when she was a student at Bath Elementary.

    "If you look at the resumes of the three most experienced administrators who were eligible for the title, only one person spent one single year working somewhere other than Beaufort County Schools," according to Phipps. "I believe that should tell the community a great deal about the dedication of our team members. Special people are making special things happen within Beaufort County Schools every single day."
Left to right are Pam Hodges, BCS Principal of the Year Runner-Up; Tracey Nixon, BCS Principal of the Year, Dr. Don Phipps, Superintendent; Tracy Solano, BCS Teacher of the Year; Amanda Smith, BCS Teacher of the Year Runner-Up and John Conway, Assistant Superintendent: Above.
Tracy Solano: Above.
    Solano's principal, Bubs Carson, had this to say about his Teacher of the Year.

    "She is the master of ceremonies of the Studio 102 at our school. She directs the activities taking place in this third grade setting as if she is coordinating twenty two different performers. Her talents and dedication result in not a three ring circus but a twenty two piece symphony. Music to a principal's ears!"
Tracy Nixon: Above.
    A comment from one of Nixon's staff surveys read, "I have had the opportunity to work with this principal for many years and I can truly say that this principal is a very strong, fierce, caring and courageous leader. They have exactly what it takes to continue to help our school continue to climb to the next level. This principal is definitely deserving of the Principal of the Year Award. It takes a very special leader to be in charge of a school like PSJ and she has done an outstanding job."


    Sarah Hodges
    Public Information Officer
    Beaufort County Schools
      252.946.6593 office
      252.402.5834 cell
      shodges@beaufort.k12.nc.us e-mailoto)