Vision, tenacity, courage and sacrifice are all values central to an effective teacher.
As a life-long educator and now as state superintendent, I have the opportunity to see great teachers and education leaders in action, people who make a difference in the lives of young people, and a lasting impact on North Carolina.
This past March, I was honored to receive the Razor Walker Award praising those character values from the Watson College of Education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Deeply honored, I want to acknowledge a fellow Razor Walker Award winner dedicated to education and an inspiration of mine.
Tannis Nelson has been a champion of education almost all her professional life. From her involvement in the NC PTA and the NC Partnership for Children (Smart Start), her two time Order of the Long Leaf Pine recognition and fellow Razor’s Edge walker, Tannis has immersed herself in serving North Carolina students to their great benefit.
Most recently, she contributed to the Give Five, Read Five campaign, where she coordinated the collection of over 20,000 books and use of Seaside Linen & Co. vans to distribute the books to New Hanover County’s low performing schools, giving the students an opportunity to read over the summer. This is an opportunity that they may not have had otherwise.
We are so proud to have her support, and I am happy to have accepted this award at the nomination of such a champion for education.
