Spotlighting Excellence: Meet the Educators Behind the 2026 LCPS Teacher of the Year Finalists
As Lenoir County Public Schools prepares for the 2026 Teacher of the Year Banquet on April 23, the district is proud to spotlight three exceptional educators who represent the very best of LCPS classrooms. Selected from 17 school-level Teachers of the Year, these finalists demonstrate a shared commitment to student success, strong relationships and instructional excellence.
Mari Hatcher Turner
8th Grade Math Teacher, Woodington Middle School
Mari Hatcher Turner’s journey to the classroom is rooted in both passion and purpose. Though she began her career in Lenoir County Public Schools in 2013 as a bookkeeper at Moss Hill Elementary, she felt a calling to teaching long before stepping into the role professionally.
“Long before I entered the classroom as a teacher, I knew in my heart that teaching was where I belonged,” Turner shared. “I vividly remember riding in the car with my grandmother as a high school student when she told me, without hesitation, that I needed to be a math teacher.”
Since joining Woodington Middle School in July 2018, Turner has taught multiple grade levels in mathematics and has served as department chair since 2019. In that role, she supports new teachers and serves as a liaison between her department and the school improvement team, demonstrating leadership beyond her classroom.
Turner continues to invest in her own growth as an educator. She earned her Master of Arts in Education in Mathematics from East Carolina University in May 2025, building on her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Mount Olive.
Her instructional philosophy centers on both rigor and relationships. “My approach emphasizes conceptual understanding, collaborative problem-solving, and
research-based strategies that engage students in meaningful mathematical thinking,” she said. “My goal is to ensure equitable access to rigorous mathematics instruction while fostering student confidence, perseverance and academic growth.”
This is Turner’s second time being named Woodington Middle School’s Teacher of the Year, having previously earned the honor during the 2022–2023 school year. She is known for creating a classroom environment where students feel both challenged and supported.
“I have worked relentlessly to create a mathematics classroom where all students feel capable, valued and challenged,” she said.
Woodington Middle School Principal Jeremy Barnett praised Turner’s dedication and connection with students.
“Mrs. Turner has a deep desire to see her students succeed and is willing to do whatever is necessary to prepare them,” Barnett said. “It is common to be in Mrs. Turner’s classroom and hear her singing to her students, speaking to them in different accents and engaging them through fun and meaningful activities. She has a unique ability to connect with students, regardless of their ability level.”
Angela Jarman
1st Grade Teacher, Banks Elementary School
For Angela Jarman, teaching has always been more than a career. It is a lifelong calling shaped by early experiences and a deep belief in the power of education to change lives.
“As a young child I always wanted to be a teacher,” Jarman shared. “I would teach my Barbie dolls and give them spelling tests on Fridays just as my teacher at school would give. I even tried teaching chickens, but that was not a success.”
Now in her third year at Banks Elementary School and with 16 years of teaching experience overall, Jarman brings that same passion into her first grade classroom each day. A graduate of Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and K–6 licensure, she also completed the Bob Jones University NCCSA Educator Certification Program in 2016.
Jarman currently serves as first grade chair and was previously recognized as a Southeast Regional Finalist for North Carolina Teacher of the Year during the 2008–2009 school year.
“One of my core personal beliefs about teaching is viewing education as nurturing the whole child and providing a safe and positive atmosphere where students feel secure and loved,” she said. “I listen. I listen because I want them to listen when I speak. When a child feels loved and safe, then they can learn to their fullest potential.”
Jarman’s intentionality is evident in every aspect of her classroom.
“Everything, from the music I play in the morning as the students enter, to the activities that we will be doing throughout the day, to the brain breaks the kids love, it is all intentional and purposeful,” she said.
Banks Elementary School Principal Dr. Heather Lancaster highlighted Jarman’s impact on both students and colleagues.
“Mrs. Jarman truly loves her students, the art of teaching and the education profession,” Lancaster said. “She has a positive energy that she carries into her classroom each day for her students. She makes sure her students know they are smart, they will achieve their goals in her classroom and they are cared about.”
James Lewis
Social Studies Teacher, North Lenoir High School
James Lewis brings a strong sense of purpose and perspective to his role as a social studies teacher at North Lenoir High School. Now in his fifth year of teaching, Lewis credits his path to education to the influence of his parents and the values they instilled in him.
“I became a teacher largely because of my parents and the example they set long before I ever thought about setting foot in the classroom,” Lewis said. “Watching my mother work showed me that relationships sit at the center of good teaching. These relationships are not part of the job, they are the job.”
His father, who worked as a custodian at North Lenoir High School during Lewis’s time as a student, also shaped his perspective.
“Those moments showed me that schools depend on people who are willing to show up behind the scenes,” he said. “From my father, I learned that showing up, doing your best and taking pride in your work matter, even when no one is watching.”
A graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and secondary education licensure, Lewis teaches social studies courses for grades 9 through 12. He also serves as chair of the school improvement team and has been an instructor with the ACE Academy since 2022, where he teaches aviation-focused STEM curriculum during the summer.
Lewis believes that effective teaching is built on both strong relationships and clear expectations.
“I believe students learn best when they feel respected, supported and challenged,” he said. “Relationships matter, but they only work when expectations are clear and consistent. In my classroom, I try to create an environment where students know what is expected of them and feel encouraged to engage.”
He also recognizes the long-term impact of the profession.
“Teaching is not always easy, and the impact is not always immediate,” Lewis said. “Still, showing up consistently, actively listening and supporting students can leave a lasting impression. Those moments of connection and growth continue to motivate me and remind me that education is one of the most noble professions.”
North Lenoir High School Principal Rhonda Greene praised Lewis for his leadership and commitment.
“Mr. Lewis consistently delivers engaging, well-structured lessons that encourage student participation, critical thinking and real-world connections,” Greene said. “He maintains a positive attitude, builds strong relationships with his students and creates a classroom environment where students feel valued, supported and motivated to learn.”
The district-level Teacher of the Year will be announced during the banquet, which will also honor the LCPS Teacher Assistant of the Year and both Non-Instructional Classified Employees of the Year. Together, these recognitions highlight the many individuals who contribute to student success across the district each day.
