Governor Stein Announces Teacher Advisory Committee On Teacher Appreciation Day Congratulations to Christian Martin, HJ MacDonald Middle School Teacher, for Being Selected

On Tuesday, May 6th, during National Teacher Appreciation Day, Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order to establish the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee. Governor Stein is deeply committed to ensuring North Carolina has excellent public schools and understands that teachers are a critical component to student academic success and well-being. The Committee will advise the Governor on issues related to education and serve as education ambassadors throughout the state.  

Click here to watch Governor Stein’s video message celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day.  

“Our students are our future, and high-quality teachers make all the difference in their education,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am proud to celebrate teachers this week and all year by calling for raising teacher pay and investing in support staff so teachers can focus on teaching. I am grateful for the teachers who are stepping up as leaders on the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee, and I look forward to their expertise guiding our state forward.”  

“Every day, the incredible teachers across our state dedicate themselves to helping their students succeed, giving them the skills they need to be resilient, capable, and ready,” said Rachel Candaso, Chair of the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee and 2025 North Carolina Teacher of the Year. “Public schools are a launch pad for life, and I am proud to represent the people who champion our students.”  

Click here to read Governor Stein’s executive order establishing the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee. 

The members of the Advisory Council are as follows: 

Rachel Candaso, Chair, Wellcome Middle School, Pitt County Schools 

Amanda Aguayo, Gravelly Hill Middle School, Orange County Schools 

Tayler Bomar, Greenlee Primary School, Mitchell County Schools 

Emily Burrus, Pisgah High School, Haywood County Schools 

Elyse Cannon McRae, South Central High School, Pitt County Schools 

Bobbie Cavnar, South Point High School, Gaston County Schools 

Summer Espinosa, W.R. Odell Primary School, Cabarrus County Schools 

Tamika Farmer, G.W. Carver Elementary School, Edgecombe County Public Schools 

Emma Geist, Davis Drive Middle School, Wake County Public School System 

Chanel Jones, Broadview Middle School, Alamance-Burlington School System 

Yaronda Kilgo, Wingate Elementary School, Union County Public Schools 

Christian Martin, HJ MacDonald Middle School, Craven County Schools 

Dr. Anthony Martin, East Columbus Junior/Senior High School, Columbus County Schools 

Marisha Merchant, White Oak High School, Onslow County Schools 

Hannah Moon, Laney High School, New Hanover County Schools 

Lindsay Phillips, Mountain Island Charter School 

Lydia Sale, West Elementary School, Swain County Schools