The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) proudly announces the selection of the 2025 America 250 NC Teacher Fellows. This unique, seven-month professional development initiative for K-12 educators is part of the state’s America 250 NC programming and will help ensure classrooms all around the state mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in engaging ways.
Fifteen exceptional middle and high school educators from each region of North Carolina have been selected for the 2025 Fellowship, representing varied backgrounds, experiences, disciplines, and locations.
“This fellowship will provide teachers with tools and resources to help students understand our state’s history and the important role it played in the American Revolution,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Throughout 2025, we are focused on connecting our department’s educational resources to as many teachers and students as possible through robust America 250 NC programming, including this fellowship.”
In a thematic and cross-disciplinary approach to history education, the America 250 NC Teacher Fellowship will broaden its scope beyond just the years of the American Revolution, as Fellows study how inhabitants of North Carolina throughout the last three centuries have interacted with the nation’s most cherished ideal: freedom. Fellows will visit N.C. Historic Sites around the state and engage in virtual learning throughout the seven-month fellowship to deepen their historical scholarship and enhance their teaching practices. This opportunity also aims to create a community of learning where educators can network with other historians, scholars, cultural institutions, and authors from around the state.
The Fellows will also play a pivotal role in advising DNCR on meeting the evolving needs of K-12 students and teachers. Their insights will shape the implementation of North Carolina’s America 250 initiative and its accompanying resources in classrooms statewide.
The 2025 America 250 NC Teacher Fellows are:
• Tim Barnsback, Burke Middle College, Burke County Schools
• Majulee Edwards, West Craven Middle School, Craven County Schools
• Ijeoma Eke, Oberlin Middle School, Wake County Schools
• Jessi Eriksen, The Experiential School of Greensboro
• Emily Grogan, Watauga High School, Watauga County Schools
• Kristen Kane, Supporting Multiple Schools, Duplin County Schools
• Jennah King, East Middle School, Montgomery County Schools
• Michael Llaury, Smithfield-Selma High School, Johnston County Schools
• Eustacia Lowry-Jones, Old Main STREAM Academy
• Elizabeth Muller, Riverside Middle School, Martin County Schools
• Rayshawn Powell, Cardinal Charter Academy
• Triana Rei Kraitz, Martin Millennium Academy, Edgecombe County Schools
• Colin Richardson, Green Hope High School, Wake County Public Schools
• Alex Rowe, Crest High School, Cleveland County Schools
• Tinisha Shaw, Supporting Multiple Schools, Guilford County Schools
Secretary Cashwell noted: “This program stands as a testament to the commitment of DNCR to our state’s talented teaching professionals. As we approach this significant milestone in American history, this collaborative fellowship will foster a deeper understanding of and interest in North Carolina's place in history and will support educators around the state in inspiring the next generation of engaged and informed leaders.”
The America 250 NC Teacher Fellowship is sponsored by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources in partnership with Carolina K-12. To learn more about DNCR’s America 250 NC initiatives, visit America250.NC.gov.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
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.