Greene County Schools Names Julia Gurkin as Teacher of the Year
Mr. Phil Cook, Principal of West Greene Elementary and Dr. Rodney McNeill, Executive Director of Human Capital present Mrs. Julia “Griffin” Gurkin a gift after being named Greene County School’s Teacher of the Year
Snow Hill - Every year between March and May, each individual school selects its teacher of the year representative. Each school may have a different process for doing this. Once each school forwards their nominee to the district level, a panel is created. This year the panel consisted of Dr. Rodney McNeill, Mrs. Cathy Williams, and Dr. José Garcia. They interview each nominee extensively and then sit down to make a tough decision, as all the nominees have outstanding qualities.
This year Mrs. Julia Griffin Gurkin, from West Greene Elementary School was chosen to represent Greene County Schools as the Teacher of the Year. Mr. Phil Cook, principal at West Greene Elementary says "Mrs. Gurkin is one of the most rounded teachers I have had the pleasure of working with. I have watched her grow into an amazing educator who builds positive relationships with all students. As you enter her room you immediately feel the positive energy and family atmosphere she has created. Not only does she push her students to new heights academically, but also behaviorally and socially. From small group instruction to restorative circles, she makes every student feel valued and walks alongside them as they reach their fullest potential."
Mrs. Gurkin will be honored at the Staff Convocation in August 2023, where she will give a welcoming keynote message to the staff of Greene County. Mrs. Gurkin will compete for the title of Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year this fall. Each fall representatives from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction visit each county Teacher of the Year and observe their classrooms as well as interview the candidate. If chosen, Mrs. Gurkin will represent the South East Region which represents 12 counties from Greene South to New Hanover. From there she will compete with 8 other representatives to become the North Carolina State Teacher of the Year which is named each April at a banquet in Raliegh.
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