LCPS top employee awards go to Banks teacher assistant, Northwest bookkeeper
Two women who feel they were called to work with children have been honored by Lenoir County Public Schools with two of the district’s top annual awards.
Lauren Artis of Banks Elementary School is the 2024-2025 LCPS Teacher Assistant of the Year and Bonnie Whitehurst, the administrative assistant and bookkeeper at Northwest Elementary School, is the 2024-2025 LCPS Non-Instructional Classified Employee of the Year.
The two were surprised at their schools on Friday with the announcement by Superintendent Brent Williams and balloons borne by the LCPS Celebration Squad. They will be honored again at the district’s Employee Recognition Banquet in April.
Both were chosen for the awards during a process that began with nominations from schools, submission of an information form to a panel of judges comprised of district administrators and an interview of each candidate by the judges.
Both were lauded for their dedication – to the work they do and to the welfare of the children in their schools.
“She loves the babies as much as I do,” said Banks first-grade teacher Kathryn Griffin, who works with Artis. “I feel that’s absolutely the most important trait of anybody who’s in education.”
Artis joined LCPS in 2020 after working in child care and deciding she wanted to do more to impact student learning. She’s been at Banks as a teacher assistant and bus driver her entire time with the district.
“My greatest contribution to students has been my passion and desire to reach all children, no matter who they are, including background, home life and more,” she wrote in the professional biography that judges consider. “I love connecting with the students that need a little more love and support.”
In 2021, she began working toward her bachelor’s degree through Grand Canyon University and her teacher certification, expected in December. She previously earned an associate degree in early childhood education from Pitt Community College.
She serves on Banks’ School Improvement Team and its Family, Community and Staff Engagement Committee.
Whitehurst started at Northwest in 1996 as a part-time cafeteria worker and bus driver, moved into a full-time role as a teacher assistant in 1998 and after nearly 20 years shifted to the school’s front office and her present job. Over that time, she’s come to be known for her work ethic, her loyalty to Northwest and her positive attitude.
“She doesn’t have a bad day,” principal Christy Eubanks said. “If she does, she doesn’t let you know it.”
And there have been a lot of days. Whitehurst has not missed a day of work in 15 years.
“I do what I can in my role to make sure Northwest students feel special and know they are loved and supported,” Whitehurst wrote in her professional biography. “I want to make sure that our students are provided with every opportunity to succeed.”
Whitehurst is a member of Northwest’s Technology Team, Crisis Intervention Team, School Improvement Team and the Climate Committee. She serves as co-chair of the school’s Hospitality Committee. She is active in the Lenoir County chapter of the Association of Education Office Professionals.
The Teacher Assistant and Classified awards are the first of four honors presented to LCPS employees in the spring. The 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year award will be announced at the Employee Recognition Banquet on April 16. Principal of the Year will be announced at a later date.
First graders in Kathryn Griffin’s class at Banks Elementary School joined in the excitement when their teacher assistant, Lauren Artis, was named LCPS Teacher Assistant of the Year. On the back row are, from left, Kathryn Griffin; Pam Heath, LCPS HR director; Superintendent Brent Williams; Ms. Artis; Assistant Superintendent Nicholas Harvey II; Banks principal Dr. Heather Lancaster; Jennifer Sutton, beginning teacher support specialist; and Lynn Morris, beginning teacher coordinator.
Bonnie Whitehurst of Northwest Elementary School, front row, center, is the LCPS Non-Instructional Classified Employee of the Year. Gathered for the announcement are, from left, front row, Jennifer Sutton, beginning teacher support specialist; Northwest principal Christy Eubanks; Ms. Whitehurst; Pam Heath, LCPS HR director; and Lynn Morris, beginning teacher coordinator; back row, Superintendent Brent Williams and Assistant Superintendent Nicholas Harvey II.
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