Hands-On CTE Programs Earn Top State Teacher Honor
North Carolina families weighing high school pathways can see how agriculture and technical courses now lead to industry-recognized credentials.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Christopher Hicks, an agriculture education teacher at Eastern Wayne High School in Wayne County, was named the 2027 NCCAT Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC CTE Teacher of the Year at a celebration at the Concord Convention Center. Caroline McKee of Trinity High School in Randolph County was named runner-up.
Why it matters
The award spotlights career and technical education programs that North Carolina families and students rely on for workforce-ready skills. North Carolina public schools earned over 380,000 industry-recognized career and technical credentials in the 2024-25 school year, showing how widely these pathways reach students across the state.
Christopher Hicks received a $5,000 cash prize, instructional supplies funding for Eastern Wayne High School, and a three-year NCACTE membership, with runner-up Caroline McKee receiving a $2,000 prize and the same membership. Hicks has raised more than $400,000 in grants for initiatives including fruit production, greenhouses, hydroponics, and school-based dog grooming.
The players
Christopher Hicks
An agriculture education teacher at Eastern Wayne High School in Wayne County who runs programs in hydroponics, greenhouse production, and agricultural mechanics.
Caroline McKee
A teacher at Trinity High School in Randolph County who was named runner-up for the 2027 NC CTE Teacher of the Year award.
Michaelle Overman
The 2026 NC CTE Teacher of the Year who presented this year's recognition at the celebration event.
The details
Hicks has launched programs in fruit production, greenhouse spaces, hydroponic systems, school-based dog grooming, and agricultural mechanics, giving students hands-on experience in several agricultural fields. He has also created online courses to expand access beyond his own classroom. Recognition came from the 2026 NC CTE Teacher of the Year, Michaelle Overman, at a celebration event recognizing the finalists.
Timeline
The celebration recognizing North Carolina CTE teachers took place on Thursday in November 2026 at the Concord Convention Center.
Hicks will represent North Carolina at the national Association for Career & Technical Education conference.
The North Carolina CTE Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the North Carolina School Superintendent's Association winter conference in December 2026.
The Home Front
The honor continues the annual NCCAT Burroughs Wellcome Fund recognition of North Carolina career and technical education teachers, following Michaelle Overman's 2026 award. For families weighing high school pathways, it highlights how state-recognized CTE programs now sit alongside traditional college-prep tracks in many North Carolina districts.
If your student is considering a career and technical education track, ask their school counselor which industry-recognized credentials are offered and how to enroll in those courses. Keep a record of any credentials your student earns, since they can support later job applications and college admissions.
The takeaway
Career and technical education is a practical pathway that families can explore early, especially with the more than 380,000 credentials earned across North Carolina public schools in 2024-25. Ask your student's counselor about credential options before course selection for the coming year.
What happens next
North Carolina's 2027 CTE Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the state School Superintendent's Association winter conference in December 2026.
Further reading
Explore more on Secondary Education to see how career and technical programs fit into high school planning across North Carolina.
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