RALEIGH, N.C. — After 13 years in education, English Teacher Leah Carper says everything changed with an email.
"It was just a regular day, and I was looking at my computer, and it says 'congratulations to Leah Carper, who's been voted our Teacher of the Year.' I jumped up and down, and I called my husband and my friends in the hallway were screaming," Carper said.
What You Need To Know
- The pandemic made it a rough couple of years for teachers and students, with virtual school, hybrid school, staffing shortages and burnout
- The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports about 8.2% of teachers left their jobs in the public school system during the 2020 to 2021 school year
- Amid these circumstances, an English teacher in Greensboro continues to bring positivity and infectious energy to her classroom as she works to uplift her students and other educators
Aside from winning for her school, district and region, Carper took home the award for her entire state.
"There's 100,000 teachers in North Carolina, and you don't think it's going to be you," she said.
It's a big title that's fitting for someone with big ambitions, which Carper certainly has.
The pandemic made it a rough couple of years for teachers and students, with virtual school, hybrid school, staffing shortages and burnout. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports about 8.2% of teachers left their jobs in the public school system during the 2020 to 2021 school year.
"[I want to find] ways to advocate for students and for educators, finding ways to express their needs and their hopes," Carper said.
The classroom is one of the platforms Carper uses to teach and inspire, the social media platform of TikTok is another.
"I love scrolling through and finding teachers who are doing amazing things in their classrooms, and I incorporate it into mine too," Carper said.
With her more than 18,000 followers, Carper uses all her skills to help and empower other educators. And she says some comic relief is a must.
"Every day is not going to be filled with a-ha moment after a-ha moment with a kid, but every day you can make a connection with somebody and you can build a foundation," she said.
Carper says her students make all the work worthwhile. And although Carper may be the one with the award, she says all educators deserve infinite support and praise.
"Thank you for giving up your time and your talent and your skills and your sanity for loving kids and building a future," Carper said.
As the 2022 Teacher of the Year, Carper says she will spend all next year advocating for students. She will be an advisor on the State Board of Education, speak at different events and make visits across the state.
Carper says she wants to use her knowledge and experience to make education better. She says her biggest hope is to do what's best for the kids.