Topsail High School teacher named finalist for statewide CTE Teacher of the Year award

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Topsail High School teacher has been named a finalist for one of North Carolina’s top honors recognizing excellence in Career and Technical Education.

Luke Smith, a Career and Technical Education teacher at Topsail High School, has been selected as a finalist for the 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award. The award is presented by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT).

Smith will be recognized by the North Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education during its Summer Conference Keynote and Awards Gala on July 14 in Winston-Salem. As a finalist, he has also been invited to participate in NCCAT’s Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Program, scheduled for Oct. 26-30 at NCCAT’s Cullowhee campus.

The recognition highlights Smith’s work helping students connect classroom learning to real-world careers through hands-on instruction and career-focused experiences.

“I am honored to be selected as a finalist for this recognition,” Smith said. “CTE gives students the opportunity to connect what they are learning in the classroom to real careers and real possibilities for their future. I’m proud to represent Topsail High School and Pender County Schools, and I’m grateful for the students, colleagues, and community partners who make this work so meaningful.”

Pender County Schools officials said Smith’s selection reflects the strength of the district’s Career and Technical Education programs and their role in preparing students for success after graduation.

“Mr. Smith represents the very best of Career and Technical Education,” said Dominique Bates, director of Career and Technical Education for Pender County Schools. “He understands how to engage students through relevant, hands-on learning and how to help them see the connection between their education and their future goals.”

Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove said the honor is a testament to Smith’s impact on students and the importance of career-focused education.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and student engagement. Smith’s selection places him among the state’s top CTE educators.

Career and Technical Education programs provide students with opportunities to develop practical skills, explore career pathways, and gain experience that can help prepare them for college, the workforce, and lifelong success.