Craven County Schools Teacher Selected as a North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources “Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassador”
New Bern, NC — The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of 18 Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors, exceptional K-12 educators from across the state. These ambassadors will collaborate with DNCR to champion innovative, experiential, and place-based learning that connects classrooms with North Carolina’s rich cultural, historical, and natural resources.
Representing a diverse array of grade levels, subject areas, and backgrounds, these educators are recognized for their creativity, collaboration, and dedication to inspiring a love of learning. By partnering with DNCR, they will help students in each region of the state cultivate a deep connection to and appreciation for North Carolina.
Secretary Pamela Cashwell expressed her enthusiasm for the program, saying, "These ambassadors represent the extraordinary talent of North Carolina’s public-school educators. Their collaboration with DNCR will bring our state’s unique treasures—historic sites, museums, parks, the zoo, and more—into classrooms, showing that learning truly happens everywhere."
Through the program, the Teacher Ambassadors will:
● Explore DNCR sites statewide to develop innovative, standards-aligned resources for classroom use.
● Act as liaisons between DNCR and educators in their regions, showcasing enhancing teaching and learning opportunities that will positively impact students all around the state.
● Inspire teachers to use North Carolina’s history, natural resources, and culture as powerful educational tools.
Kathleen Brinson, a Craven County Schools ESOL teacher who was selected as one of the ambassadors, looks forward to the exciting opportunity: “This opportunity will allow me to engage with educators, learn from them, and exchange knowledge regarding the diverse educational institutions and resources offered by the DNCR across North Carolina.”
Meet the 2025 Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors:
● Amanda Aguayo – Visual Arts Teacher at Gravelly Hill Middle School (Orange County)
● Nicole Ahn - Arts Integration Specialist at Magellan Charter School (Wake County)
● Kathleen Brinson – ML Teacher/Refugee School Impact Coordinator at James W. Smith Elementary, West Craven Middle School, & West Craven High School (Craven County)
● Heather Butler – Visual Arts Teacher at Northwest Elementary School (Pitt County)
● Patrice Hardy -English and African American Literature Teacher at Willow Spring High School (Wake County)
● Guy Hill – English Teacher at Triton High School (Harnett County)
● Rody Huertas – Music Teacher at Frank Porter Graham Bilingual Elementary School (Orange County)
● Starlette Jacobs – ELA and Social Studies Teacher at Kernodle Middle School (Guilford County)
● Landon Leggett – 6th and 7th grade STEAM and Social Studies Teacher at Martin Innovative Middle School (Martin County)
● Allyson McFalls – 6th grade ELA and Science Teacher at Blowing Rock School (Watauga County)
● Natalia Mejia – ML Teacher at CC Griffin STEM Middle School (Cabarrus County)
● Pauline Merritt – English Teacher at Crest Senior High School (Cleveland County)
● Ashley Moser – 3rd grade Teacher at the Exploris School (Wake County)
● Talicia Smith – Science Specialist/Multi Classroom Leader at Douglas Byrd Middle School (Cumberland County)
● Sean Stanek – 8th grade History Teacher at Holly Shelter Middle (New Hanover County)
● Robert Summerell – Music Teacher at Freedom High School (Burke County)
● Patrice Wade – Technology Teacher at Guilford Preparatory Academy (Guilford County)
● Sarah Walls – ELA and Social Studies Teacher at Lakewood Montessori Middle School (Durham County)
The Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors program exemplifies DNCR’s commitment to public education and the value of North Carolina’s state parks, museums, historic sites, and cultural resources as living classrooms.
For more information about the Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassador program and the teachers selected, visit dncr.nc.gov/learning-happens-
About DNCR
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state.
DNCR’s Learning Happens Here initiative highlights the educational mission, programs, teacher professional development, and classroom resources available across the 100+ sites comprising DNCR. For more information, visit www.dncr.nc.gov/
- West Craven High
- West Craven Middle