Jarman Named LCPS 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year in Emotional Celebration of Educators
The 2026 Lenoir County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Banquet was not just a celebration of excellence. It was a night grounded in stories, relationships and the deeply personal reasons educators choose to do this work.
Educators, families and community members gathered to honor all 17 school-level Teachers of the Year, each representing their school and the impact happening across the district. The evening also recognized the district’s Teacher Assistant of the Year, Sorita Powell of Northwest Elementary, as well as the Non-Instructional Classified Employees of the Year, Timothy Davis of Kinston High School and Phyllis West of Frink Middle School.
Superintendent Brent Williams reflected on the strength of that work across Lenoir County Public Schools, emphasizing a shared commitment to excellence and expressing confidence in the future of the district. “The best is yet to come,” he said, pointing to the dedication seen in classrooms across the county.
The program then turned to the three finalists for the 2026–2027 LCPS Teacher of the Year: Angela Jarman of Banks Elementary School, James Lewis of North Lenoir High School and Mari Hatcher Turner of Woodington Middle School. What followed were not just speeches, but personal reflections that revealed how closely teaching is tied to family, identity and purpose.
Jarman’s remarks resonated most deeply, weaving together her experience as a teacher, daughter and parent. She described the moment as “a full circle moment,” standing in a space she had once stood in years earlier, now with a different perspective shaped by time and life experience.
Her message centered on the value of time, not in counting down days, but in making each one meaningful for students.
“We only have at most 180 days to influence our students. So take full advantage of every day, every encounter, not just with your students, but with your students, parents and with your colleagues,” she said.
That sense of urgency was rooted in something more personal. Jarman spoke about the recent loss of her father, describing him as her biggest supporter, and the realization that came with it.
The moment shifted from reflection to a call to action as she urged those in the room to be intentional with their words and encouragement.
“So tell your students, tell your family how much they mean to you,” she said.
Her connection to family carried throughout her remarks. She spoke about her son and how becoming a parent reshaped her understanding of the profession. What once felt like a job became a responsibility grounded in trust, as she now sees school through the eyes of a parent.
“I try each and every day to be the teacher that I want my son to have,” she said.
That perspective, she explained, drives everything from how she builds relationships to how she creates a classroom where students feel safe to ask questions, take risks and grow.
Lewis followed with a reflection that was equally personal, shaped by his own upbringing in Lenoir County Public Schools. He described teaching as a journey, but one where the goal is not to lead from the front, rather to guide from alongside.
“Teaching means to me putting those students in the driver’s seat,” he said, emphasizing the importance of helping students take ownership of their learning.
He credited both of his parents for shaping that philosophy, sharing how his mother modeled the importance of relationships and how his father, who worked behind the scenes in the school system, showed him the value of consistency, humility and service. Those influences continue to shape how he approaches his classroom and his role within the school community.
Turner brought a different kind of energy, blending humor with a clear sense of purpose. Known for her creativity in the classroom, she used that same authenticity during her remarks, but her message was grounded in something simple and powerful.
“Every student needs a little something to feel confident, seen and capable,” she said.
She spoke about the dual nature of teaching, the visible moments of success and the unseen work that makes those moments possible. From long hours to moments of self-doubt, she reminded the audience that growth often happens where no one else can see it.
“Everyone sees the fruit system… but not everybody sees the root system,” Turner said, offering a metaphor that resonated with educators across the room.
When Angela Jarman was announced as the 2026–2027 LCPS Teacher of the Year, the response was immediate and emotional. In her acceptance, she returned once again to the people who shaped her. She thanked her mother for supporting her decision to pursue teaching.
“Thank you for allowing me to pursue my dream,” Jarman said.
She also spoke directly to her son, describing how he has influenced her both personally and professionally, a moment that captured the heart of the evening and the deep connection between family and education.
By the end of the night, the message was clear. Teaching is not just about lessons or content. It is about people, the relationships that shape us, the families that support us and the students who carry that impact forward.
The banquet served as both a celebration and a reminder that behind every classroom is a story, and those stories are what make the work matter. LCPS would like to thank every staff member and community partner that made the banquet happen. Their unending support is how the district continues to model excellent education for every student.
2026-2027 Awards and Nominees:
Non-Instructional Classified Employee of the Year: Timothy Davis (Kinston High School) Phyllis West (Frink Middle School)
Teacher Assistant of the Year: Sorita Powell (Northwest Elementary School)
Teacher of the Year Nominees: Angela Jarman (Banks Elementary), Kaci Turner (Contentnea-Savannah K-8), Samantha Hawkins (Frink Middle School), Nadine Gordon (Kinston High School), Kelly Sears (La Grange Elementary), Zachary Pierce (Lenoir County Early College High School), Cynthia Jarman (Lenoir County Learning Academy), Kristina Jones (Moss Hill Elementary), James Lewis (North Lenoir High School), Gloria Finch (Northeast Elementary), Marla Ham (Northwest Elementary), Breanna Tyndall (Pink Hill Elementary), Jemmeta Demay Nesbeth (Rochelle Middle School), Ashley Turnage (South Lenoir High School), LaToya Phillips (Southeast Elementary), Carol Grady (Southwood Elementary), Mari Hatcher Turner (Woodington Middle School)
