Left to Right: Van Heath, Chairman - MCS Board of Education; Kim Lilley, Director of K-5 Curriculum/Instruction and Beginning Teacher Support; Priscilla Baker, South Creek Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher; Dr. Michelle White, Superintendent of Martin County Schools.
Priscilla Baker, a kindergarten teacher at South Creek Elementary School, was recognized at Monday’s Martin County Board of Education meeting.
Baker was celebrated for being our district’s nominee for the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. She will submit her application for the regional competition next month. She will represent Martin County Schools well in this endeavor.
Kim Lilley, Director of K-5 Curriculum/Instruction and Beginning Teacher Support, read comments from district and administrative leaders, who described her as a team leader with enthusiasm for teaching. Her classroom is calm and completely focused on learning. Mrs. Baker radiates positive energy daily. She makes learning exciting for all learners. She helps lead her grade level and all of SCES. Ms. Baker has a true calling for education. She exercises patience and high expectations for all students.
Left to Right: Van Heath, Chairman - MCS Board of Education; Kim Lilley, Director of K-5 Curriculum/Instruction and Beginning Teacher Support; Constance Cumbee, E.J. Hayes Elementary School Math Teacher; Dr. Michelle White, Superintendent of Martin County Schools.
Constance Cumbee, 5th grade teacher at E.J. Hayes Elementary School, was also honored during the meeting. She was recently named the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) and the NC Department of Public Instruction Outstanding Elementary School Mathematics Teacher for 2024-2025 for Martin County Schools.
Lilley described Cumbee’s classroom as collaborative and engaging. Cumbee intentionally meets with students at small group instruction while her students work through various breakout tasks to engage in grade-level content. This past school year, she also provided professional development for our Beginning Teachers. Cumbee will attend the State Math Conference in November to receive her prestigious honor. Dr. White recognized Cumbee for having the highest math scores across the district for the 2023-2024 school year.