SMITHFIELD – On Thursday, April 11, 2024, James Faggart, Jr., a teacher at Corinth Holders High was named JCPS 2023-2024 Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year. The celebration was held at Cleveland High, and honored all 34 first year teacher nominees who were selected by their administrators for the award.
Faggart is a resource/inclusion teacher at Corinth Holders High, who began his educational career with JCPS as a substitute teacher. Faggart has also served as a long-term sub and teacher assistant.
“I’m honored just to be Corinth Holders beginning teacher, but this exceeds all of my expectations,” he said. “It’s validation that I have a purpose.”
Faggart retired from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and began his second career as an educator, following the suggestion of a local school administrator. The journey has been rewarding and impactful for Faggart and his students.
Before being given the honor of becoming JCPS 2023-2024 Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year, Faggart was one of three finalists revealed at the event. The two runners up are Alyssa Martens of McGee’s Crossroads Elementary, and D’Andra Garcia-Duhaney of Smithfield Middle.
This year’s nominees are:
Archer Lodge Middle – De’ovyun LeRouge
Benson Elementary – Bobbi Capps
Choice Plus Academy – Kaveyana Snow
Clayton High – Jessica Wall
Clayton Middle – Grace Moore
Cleveland Elementary – Emma Hicks
Cleveland High – Bailey Brown
Cleveland Middle – Cliff Brown
Corinth Holders High – James Faggart, Jr.
East Clayton Elementary – Natascha Ridley
Four Oaks Elementary – Brianna Ellis
Four Oaks Middle – Isaiah Creech
Glendale-Kenly Elementary – Kalli Jones
McGee’s Crossroads Elementary – Alyssa Martens
Meadow School – Gabby Godwin
Micro Elementary – Zoe Rowe
North Johnston High – Taylor Glover
Pine Level Elementary – Kaylah Lee
Polenta Elementary – Baylie Lucus
Princeton Elementary – Amy L. Mitchell
River Dell Elementary – Kim Buchanan
Riverwood Elementary – Sue Ann Hallinger
Riverwood Middle – Gia Witmer
Selma Elementary – Sherica Lewis
Selma Middle – Jamie Biddix
Smithfield Middle – D’Andra Garcia-Duhaney
Smithfield Selma High – Mia Acquanita
South Johnston High – Zach Brittain
South Smithfield Elementary – Ellie Hwang
Swift Creek Middle – Caison Basden
Thanksgiving Elementary – Jessica Patrella
West Johnston High – Christopher Moor
West View Elementary – Kayla Williams
Wilson’s Mills Elementary – Rachel Huff
In addition to the award, Faggart received $500 from Horace Mann Educators Corporation. Finalists Alyssa Martens and D’Andra Garcia-Duhaney each received $250 from the Johnston County Education Foundation.
