Itamar Tejada, a 12th grade student at Lenoir County Early College High School, got quite the surprise when members of the district’s senior leadership team showed up Wednesday morning with balloons and an award with her name on it.

Tejada has been selected as this year’s Lancer Educator Apprenticeship Promise Fellow, a program that supports aspiring educators in their journey to become highly qualified professionals.

“It feels amazing. I’m grateful to God for this opportunity because this is my passion, so I’m very excited,” said Tejada after she found out.

“Her application was just stellar, and her academic credentials proved to us that she has what it takes to complete the LEAP program and become a teacher for us,” said LCPS Associate Superintendent, Frances Herring.

Tejada has been a student in the LCPS system her entire life, starting at Pink Hill Elementary, moving on to Woodington Middle School, and now represents the picture of success as she continues her education at the early college high school.

“Whatever she’s been asked to do, she’s been willing to do,” said Principal Steve Saint Amand. “She’s a credit to this institution, she makes us a lot better, and we’re a lot better off just by having her here.”

Through the LEAP Fellowship, Tejada will gain hands-on experience in high school through paid apprenticeships. Scholarships paid for by LCPS will cover tuition and fees at Lenoir Community College and East Carolina University. Once she has graduated and gotten her teaching license, Tejada will return to the school district and teach for three years.

Superintendent Brent Williams says “This is a true ‘Grow Your Own’ initiative, and it’s really starting organically in our own classrooms and will result in a great opportunity pathway for our own current LCPS aspiring educators to complete the university work and to return to our classrooms to invest in our students and our community. We thank the leadership of LCC and ECU for partnering with us to provide this wonderful opportunity for the young people we serve.”

Tejada already has her sights set on the school she’d like to teach at once she’s ready, and that’s returning home to Pink Hill Elementary School. She will also be recognized at the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on September 9th.