Meet Rachel Candaso, the 2025 NC Teacher of the Year

Rachel Candaso, a middle school teacher in rural Pitt County, has been named the 2025 NC Teacher of the Year. 

In a significant recognition of educational excellence, Rachel Candaso, a middle school teacher from Pitt County Schools, has been crowned the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. The announcement honor’s Candaso’s extraordinary impact in just five years of teaching, demonstrating her commitment to addressing educational disparities in rural communities.

A champion for rural education

Candaso, who serves as both a teacher and AVID coordinator, was honored at a luncheon at the Umstead Hotel in Cary alongside eight other regional finalists. State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green praised her dedication, stating, “Every student in North Carolina deserves a teacher like Ms. Candaso. It is clear that she is committed to a vision of comprehensive, intentional student preparation, empowering educators, families and communities to ensure that all students are poised for success.”

Her impressive portfolio includes serving as Pitt County Schools’ Teacher of the Year and participating in the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows Program. She has also maintained strong ties with Teach for America, contributing as a storytelling fellow and advisory board member.

Rachel Candaso speaks during a recent reception honoring her as NC Teacher of the Year in 2025. (Photo via NC Public Schools)

Advancing educational equity

Candaso’s mission extends beyond the classroom walls. She chose to work in northeast North Carolina specifically to address the resource gap between rural and urban schools.

“By continuously learning, leading and innovating, I continue to strive to make a meaningful impact both within my school and in the broader community, working towards a more equitable educational system for all,” Candaso explained.

Alfred Mays, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Program Officer at the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, emphasized the significance of Candaso’s approach: “Her commitment to addressing disparities in rural education and her deep belief in collective responsibility remind us that transformative teaching goes beyond the classroom.”

Benefits and responsibilities of the role

As the 2025-26 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Candaso will receive numerous professional development opportunities, including:

• Participation in the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching
• Attendance at the National Teacher of the Year Conference
• International Space Camp experience
• International travel through Go Global NC
• Technology support from Lenovo
• Various monetary awards and recognition opportunities

Eight regional finalists, representing districts across North Carolina, were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to education. The complete list includes educators from the Southeast, North Central, Sandhills, Piedmont-Triad, Southwest, Northwest, and Western regions, as well as a Charter School representative.

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This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Cardinal & Pine staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.