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There was a surprise celebration at Greenway Park Elementary School May 6 to name Caitlyn Mathis the 2026 School Nurse of the Year.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has a partnership with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, which provides registered nurses

and licensed practical nurses to deliver health care services throughout the district. Mathis, a nurse for 18 years, joined CMS in August 2024, and serves Greenway Park students and staff five days a week.

“I’m very surprised and very honored,” said Mathis on winning the award. “It’s really amazing. As a nurse, you don’t always get a ton of kudos for what you do, so it’s really an honor to be recognized and have some validation that I’m doing the right thing, and I’m in the right place.”

Mathis formerly worked in private practice at a pediatrician’s office. She knew someone who was in school nursing and really loved it, so she thought she would give it a try, considering her pediatric skills and ability to speak Spanish.

“It was kind of a great fit, and I’ve been loving it,” Mathis said. “I’ve actually been really surprised by how much school nurses do. It’s such a big range of responsibility, from dealing with minor cuts and boo-boos to dealing with chronic disease issues, like asthma. It’s more than what you’d imagine and a lot of challenges.”

Mathis’ award was announced by Dr. Vernessa Bowles, director of CMS Student Wellness and Academic Support, as she was cheered by students. Dr. Kimberly Scott, interim Health Director for Mecklenburg County; Tiffany Brown, Mecklenburg County Public Health school nurse director; and Principal Stephanie Range also praised Mathis’ selection.

Mathis was one of four finalists for the award. The other finalists were Katie Campbell, Piedmont Middle, Middle School Performance Area; Jane Lecznar, Renaissance West STEAM Academy, K‑8 School Performance Area; and Amber Hurst, North Mecklenburg High, High School Performance Area.

Treva Johnson, CMS Coordinated School Health specialist, said it is important to honor school nurses because they are a valuable asset to all schools and students.

“I think sometimes they do go unnoticed with the work they do,” Johnson said. “They’re not just Band-Aids and ice – they provide more, they make sure they’re covering the whole child, and this is an opportunity to make sure we honor them, respect them and that we appreciate them and the work that they do.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools hosted its second annual Arts Educators Awards on May 6 at the Stage Door Theater to celebrate CMS arts educators in the performing and visual arts. 

“Tonight is dedicated to those rare, wonderful people who teach our students how to think in color, move with purpose and speak with raw emotion,” said Director of Arts Education Justin Pierce. “You teach students how to see, how to listen and how to connect with the world around them. In a society that often prioritizes quick answers over deep questions, you remind our children their curiosity is a superpower, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that their unique voices are vital. And we really appreciate that.”

One-by-one, educators took stage during their respective categories to be recognized in front of their families and colleagues and hear some remarks submitted by their peers. Congratulations to the following educators:

K-5 Up and Coming Arts Educator | Ayden Lowe, University Park Creative Arts School 

K-5 Performing Arts Educator of the Year | Christopher Pringle, Mint Hill Elementary School

K-5 Visual Arts Educator of the Year | Tracey Wilson, Winget Park Elementary School

6-8 Up and Coming Arts Educator | Natalie Luengas, Collinswood Language Academy

6-8 Performing Arts Educator of the Year | Beth Coldiron, Bailey Middle School

6-8 Visual Arts Educator of the Year | Kelly Caracci, Kennedy Middle School

9-12 Up and Coming Arts Educator | Amanda Vergara, Palisades High School

9-12 Performing Arts Educator of the Year | Jacqueline Altmeyer, Providence High School

9-12 Visual Arts Educator of the Year | Kate Allen, Ballantyne Ridge High School

Veteran Arts Educator Award | Stacey Boone, Jay M. Robinson Middle School

“Thank you for the grueling, beautiful work of bringing students’ voices to life,” said Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. “By giving students a platform to share their work, you move them beyond mere participation. You usher them into a place of confidence and self-expression where their unique humanity is honored. In your classrooms, a student isn’t just a test score or a seat number, they are a creator with something vital to say and you give them the courage to say it loud.”

 

Addison Antonoff, a seventh grade student at Community House Middle School, is no stranger to the spotlight. Making a name for himself both inside and outside the classroom. 

Antonoff has been interviewed on local news outlets, has thousands of followers on TikTok and advanced to the Top 10 for his school at the semifinals of the Amazing Shake, a public speaking competition created by the Ron Clark Academy. 

Antonoff, who is hearing impaired, says he refuses to let his disability limit his abilities. He acknowledges that there are difficult moments, but he remains focused on moving forward and never giving up. “Sometimes I have difficult times,” Antonoff shared, “but I know it’s important to keep going and not stop believing.” 

"Addison always has a positive attitude regardless of any difficulty he may encounter. The Amazing Shake competition allowed others to see his positivity in action at the school and the district level,” says Christine Miller, career development coordinator at Community House Middle School.

Although he did not make it to the finals in the Amazing Shake competition, Antonoff describes his experience as transformative, fun, challenging and eye-opening. He says the competition gave him valuable public speaking skills that will help him in the future. “The Amazing Shake helps me talk to adults,” he said. “Sometimes students have a hard time with that, and it helps us feel more confident.”

Antonoff also spoke highly of his school community, saying he loves being a student at CMS, appreciates his teachers and enjoys all of his classes.

When asked who inspires him most, Antonoff had a heartfelt message for his mom: “Thank you for inspiring me and helping me. Mom, you are the best.”

Looking ahead, Antonoff has big dreams. When he grows up, he hopes to become a rock star — to show others that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.

Antonoff says that making it to the Top 10 of the Amazing Shake was an emotional moment, especially since he never expected to make it that far.

The future for Antonoff is bright, he aspires to stay true to his self-proclaimed motto:

“Keep going and don’t stop believing.”

 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced the recipients of its prestigious Teacher Assistant of the Year, Beginning Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards at the fourth annual Gem Awards ceremony at the Dale F. Halton Theater at Central Piedmont Community College on May 5.

This year, the spotlight shines on the remarkable accomplishments of the following recipients:

Teacher Assistant of the Year: Clarice Surles, Berryhill School (left)

Beginning Teacher of the Year: Reese Finnie, Bruns Avenue Elementary School (center)

Teacher of the Year: Rebeckah Hauss, Metro School (right)

 

The Gem Awards, presented by the Equitable Foundation, is a celebration of excellence in education and serves as a thank you to CMS educators and their dedication and commitment to their students, families and school communities. 

“You are truly the backbone of this district and the heartbeat of our classrooms,” said Stephanie Sneed, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education chair. “To every educator in this room, what you do matters, who you are matters and your impact will outlive us all.”

Hauss also received a vehicle courtesy of Hendrick Automotive Group and Honda of Concord. 

“I’ve said I wanted to be a teacher since the age of three,” said Hauss during her remarks. Hauss thanked her family, mentors and Metro School colleagues for helping develop her into the educator she is today. 

“I would also like to shout-out my students, both past and present,” said Hauss. “You guys are the reason I get up every day to come to work. You are my why.”

In addition to its winners, CMS also acknowledges and celebrates all of the outstanding honorees and finalists for the 2025-26 Teacher Assistant, Beginning Teacher and Teacher of the Year awards. 

 

2025-26 Teacher Assistant of the Year finalists

Miranda Bowens, Ridge Road Middle School

Aquisia Broome, Charles H. Parker Academic Center

DeShaun Connor, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Jameka Forte’, Ranson Middle School

Derrick Graves, Highland Renaissance Academy

Chania Sanders, Grand Oak Elementary School

Clarice Surles, Berryhill School

Samantha Tillman, Harding University High School

Journey Warren-Henderson, Lansdowne Elementary School

Rhonda Watson, Providence High School

Ashley Wells, Hickory Grove Elementary

 

2025-26 Beginning Teacher of the Year finalists

Breanna Beatty, Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School

Gwyndolyn Daniels, Wilson STEM Academy

Reese Finnie, Bruns Avenue Elementary School

Emily Henderson, Huntersville Elementary School

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jacob Kelly, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

April McClendon, Eastway Middle School

Sofia Pertinez, Knights View Elementary School

Elena Sheward, Myers Park High School

Victoria A. Walters, Rocky River High School

D’Onna Webster, Thomasboro Academy

Lexy Yeager, Greenway Park Elementary School

 

2025-26 Teacher of the Year finalists

Madeline Bowling, Winding Springs Elementary School

Antoinette Brandon, Ed.D., Winterfield Elementary School

Holly Corbit, Billingsville-Cotswold Elementary School

Tiara Davis, Harding University High School

Jennifer Gallagher, Ardrey Kell High School

Rebeckah Hauss, Metro School

Molly McKee, Irwin Academic Center

Abbey Saal-Dose, Highland Mill Montessori School

Seon Sloley, Ed.D., Southwest Middle School

Brittany Watkins, Francis Bradley Middle School

Courtney Weathers, Dilworth Elementary School

“Across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, our mission is clear: To create learning environments where every student can discover their brilliance and imagine a future without limits,” said Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. “That mission comes to life because of educators like you. Thank you for being the gems in our classrooms, for illuminating endless possibilities for our students and making our entire district stronger.”

Margaret Maurice and Bryan Wilson — two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools art educators from Northwest School of the Arts — were selected to be part of the 2026 cohort of the Arts & Science Council’s Creative Renewal Fellowship.

The Creative Renewal Fellowship is intended to reinvigorate experienced artists by offering the time, resources and freedom to explore new directions, deepen their practice and sustain their long-term creative vitality in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. This Fellowship is designed to help established creatives combat creative burnout and integrate new mediums/ideas into their practice.

Maurice’s fellowship, Creative Renewal Through Apprenticeship and Listening-Based Performance Inquiry, will deepen her artistic practice through study, cultural engagement and community-centered performance. Wilson’s fellowship, Reinvigorating a Mid-Career Practice Through Reflection and Research, will explore new dimensions of his visual art through inquiry and creative development.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, in partnership with Novant Health, hosted its inaugural Health and Wellness Fair on April 25 at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in Charlotte.

Families and staff had an opportunity to connect with more than 30 vendors that offered health assessments, immunizations, dental screenings, mammograms, financial literacy presentations, CPR classes, yoga demonstrations and more.

“We want to make sure that our CMS families and staff know that while we place a premium on academics, we also are concerned with the wellness of the whole child,” said Director of Student Wellness Dr. Vernessa Bowles. “Some of our goals and guardrails focus on making sure that we are enhancing social, emotional health and wellness, and financial health and wellness. So we want to expose our families to all of the things that CMS can support their students in to make them better scholars.”