Luca Clemens Announced as 2025 Beginning Teacher of the Year!

Hall Fletcher Elementary Teacher, Luca Clemens, Named NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Welcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Nominee!

Luca Clemens has been nominated for the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. This nomination places them among a distinguished group of educators across North Carolina who are recognized for their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students. From these nominees, 27 teachers will be selected as finalists for the prestigious award.

“We are proud to recognize Luca Clemens as a nominee for the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year,” said Dr. M. Brock Womble, NCCAT Executive Director. “These educators are the future of North Carolina’s public schools, and their passion for teaching and learning is truly inspiring.”

Principal Carrie Buchanan of Hall Fletcher Elementary is incredibly proud of this nomination, saying, “Mr. Luca shows exceptional dedication and passion for teaching. His ability to engage students is remarkable. He fosters a positive learning environment that impacts our whole school community. I am so incredibly proud of him and am excited to see his continued growth as an educator. Hall Fletcher is a better place because he is here.”

A former student teacher at Hall Fletcher Elementary, Luca Clemens is now a dedicated fourth-grade math teacher. 

“At Hall Fletcher, I truly value the strong sense of community. The administration and staff create an environment where I feel welcomed, cherished, and supported. My experience as a student teacher here while in college allowed me to connect deeply with the school, its staff, and the students, which greatly benefited me when applying for jobs. Choosing Hall Fletcher was an easy decision after witnessing the positive atmosphere during my student teaching experience.

This school feels like home to me, and I aim to make my students feel the same warmth and belonging every morning as they enter my classroom. I also cherish the team I work with; they bring joy and excitement to each day. Collaborating with colleagues who are not only friends but also share a passion for teaching makes my work even more fulfilling.

One of my favorite aspects of teaching is building strong relationships with students. When they feel loved and accepted, it fosters trust, making them eager to engage with the lessons I present. I view teaching like solving a puzzle; each student is unique, and it’s all about figuring out what strategies and support will help them best. I enjoy teaching a standard, assessing understanding, and then re-teaching or providing additional support as needed. Witnessing the growth of my students is incredibly special and a major reason why I love my job.

Seeing students face challenges and guiding them to adopt a growth mindset is immensely rewarding. The joy on their faces when they grasp a concept brings me immense happiness to be able to witness their confidence and growth as learners,” says Clemens.

The NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year selection process includes:

• Nomination: Each school district and charter school in NC can nominate one teacher.

• Regional Finalists: Regional Education Service Alliances and the DPI Office of Charter Schools will select 27 regional finalists.

• Finalist Celebration: Regional finalists will participate in a celebration and week of Teacher Leadership from March 24-28, 2025.

• Award Announcement: The winner will be announced at a celebration event on March 27, 2025.

The NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Award was established to honor and retain promising beginning teachers in North Carolina public schools. One of the 27 finalists will be named the 2025 NCCAT Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year by a panel of judges. Finalists will participate in a week-long NCCAT professional development program from March 24-28, 2025, at the Truist Leadership Center in Greensboro, NC, with the award being presented at the Elliott University Center at the University of North Carolina- Greensboro on March 27, 2025.

 

The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year will receive:

• $5,000 cash prize

• Participation in a GoGlobal NC trip in 2026

• Instructional supply funds for the teacher’s school

• A piece of fine jewelry from Diamonds Direct

 

The Runner-up will receive:

• $2,000 cash prize

 

The Finalists will receive:

• Travel expenses and substitute costs paid for participation at NCCAT.

 

About NCCAT - NCCAT supports teachers and impacts students through high-quality

professional development, aiming to improve public education by increasing teacher

effectiveness. NCCAT provides educators with new knowledge, skills, teaching methods, best practices, and information to enhance their classrooms. For more information about NCCAT’s programs, visit www.nccat.org or call 828-293-5202.