Two Lenoir County Public School educators who not only teach the students in their Exceptional Children’s classrooms but also work to champion their success have been honored with the EC Department’s top awards for 2023-2024.

Stacy Britt of North Lenoir High School is the EC Teacher of the Year and Shonda Hines of Kinston High School is the EC Teacher Assistant of the Year. Both were recognized during recent EC Opening Day ceremonies and presented plaques by LCPS Superintendent Brent Williams.

Called a “model teacher” in remarks that accompanied her award presentation, Britt was described as a teacher “who understands the power of connection and insists her students become the best they can possibly be.”

Britt joined LCPS in 2002 and has spent her entire career as a teacher at North Lenoir, where she is known for her willingness to engage in professional development and her use of all available tools to assess student progress and provide students with a record of their growth.

At North Lenoir, she also coaches softball because “she wants to help encourage and work with all students at the school,” according to remarks made at the award presentation. “She never shies away from any task ask of her.”

Shonda Hines joined LCPS in 2003 as a teacher assistant and bus driver at Rochelle Middle School and work as an EC teacher assistant at Southeast Elementary before moving to Kinston High. 

In her award presentation, she was praised as an educator “with a passion for helping her students” both in the classroom and away from school. “She does a great job helping families connect with local community resources.”

Hines has also been active as a softball, volleyball and basketball coach in the school district.

2023-2024 EC Teacher of the Year Stacy Britt of North Lenoir High School, second from right, is recognized with, from left, Elizabeth Thompson, North Lenoir assistant principal; Rhonda Greene, North Lenoir principal; Vivian Roach, EC department director; and Superintendent Brent Williams.

2023-2024 EC Teacher Assistant of the Year Shonda Hines of Kinston High School, second from right, is recognized with, from left, KHS principal Kellan Bryant, EC Department Director Vivian Roach and Superintendent Brent Williams.