Johnston County Public Schools named Lance Atkinson as the First Year Teacher of the Year at the annual Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year Banquet on April 4.
Atkinson, a teacher at Clayton High, received a $500 check sponsored by Alison Hudson with Horace Mann Insurance Company for being named the JCPS First Year Teacher of the Year.
Benson Middle teacher Katie Carraway and South Johnston High teacher Ashley Brittain were named finalists for the award.
There were 26 first-year teachers who were recognized for their outstanding performance in the classroom for the award.
Those who were nominated for the award include:
Archer Lodge Middle – Michael Prouty
Benson Elementary – Cristal Atkinson
Benson Middle – Katie Carraway
Clayton High – Lance Atkinson
Cleveland High – Jacob Diehl
Cleveland Middle – Isabella Boorey
Cooper Academy – Haley Sauls
Corinth-Holders Elementary – Anna Lee
Corinth Holders High – Nella Chamblee
Dixon Road Elementary – Heather Meyer
East Clayton Elementary – Logan McCullen
Four Oaks Elementary – Kristin Bolejack
Four Oaks Middle – Dianne Noel
JC Early College Academy – Grant Shoaf
McGee’s Crossroads Middle – Kessler Sorrell
North Johnston High – Savannah Frossard
Princeton Middle/High – Michael Lane
Riverwood Elementary – Kaitlyn Fulkerson
Selma Elementary – Alissa Fritz
Selma Middle – Jordan McDaniel
Smithfield-Selma High – Cole Bray
South Johnston High – Ashley Brittain
West Johnston High – Kelsie Clary
West Smithfield Elementary – Melanie O’Dell
West View Elementary – Megan Gibbons
Wilson’s Mills Elementary – Brittany Clements