The North Carolina Association of Middle Level Education has honored two teachers at EB Frink Middle School with statewide awards.

At the NCMLE awards luncheon in Charlotte on March 21, La’Keesha Faircloth was presented the 2023 Social and Emotional Learning Educator to Watch award and Vinson Biggs was presented the 2023 Social Equity Educator to Watch award.

NCMLE presented eight awards at the event, “an outstanding conference with many exemplary educators from all over North Carolina,” said EB Frink principal Michael Moon, who nominated Fairclothe and Vinson for the awards.

“To work with two educators who are being recognized from among every other teacher in the state is a testament to their ongoing hard work and the impact they have in service of their students every day,” Moon said.

Both Frink teachers were singled out for praise and presented certificates of achievement at the March 6 meeting of the Lenoir County Board of Education.

Faircloth came to the classroom after a 17-year career as a lab tech assistant. She started teaching in 2016 and, as part of the Exceptional Children’s faculty at Frink, has developed a reputation for building relationships with students that help them reach their potential as learners. According to her principal, Faircloth’s work in the classroom was instrumental in Frink’s being named a Top 10 School for North Carolina in the National ESEA Distinguished School Program.

“I am so honored to have received this award,” Faircloth said. “I love building relationships with all students. They mean the world to me! It warms my heart to know that if I have made a difference in at least one child’s life, I know I’ve done what God has called me to do.”

She holds bachelor of arts degrees in psychology and criminal justice from NC Wesleyan University and a master of science degree in human services with a concentration in family and community services.

Biggs is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University, where he is currently working on an advanced degree. He has worked in North Carolina public schools for a decade and is in his third year as a sixth-grade teacher at EB Frink.

“This award is so special to me because it demonstrates all the wonderful educators who have come before me, who all demonstrated how to be honest and fair by giving every child the opportunity to learn and feel safe,” Biggs said. “This embodies my favorite quote by Isaac Newton: ‘If I’ve seen further than others, it’s because I'm standing on the shoulders of giants.’ ”