Carrboro Elementary School teacher Briana Corke was named Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Teacher of the Year last week at the district’s annual recognition banquet.
Corke teaches the fourth-grade Spanish dual-language class at Carrboro Elementary, where she began her teaching career in 2003. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a bachelor’s degree in English from UNC. Corke earned her National Board Certification as a middle-childhood generalist in 2007.
In addition, she was a Kenan Fellow from 2006-08 and received the Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching Award from UNC-Greensboro.
At Carrboro Elementary, Corke is involved beyond the classroom level. She is the grade-level chair, serves on the Leadership Committee and is co-chair of the Student Services Team. Corke is also a mentor teacher for novice teachers and organized the school’s Hispanic Parent Night in February.
Outside of school, Corke does home visits for struggling students and meets with families to discuss strategies to support students’ learning.
“As a teacher, I am whole-heartedly committed to academic excellence and high growth for all my students,†Corke said. “To help each of my students to address their individual goals, I need to be willing to accept help in small group lessons, when working with a peer or when coming to have a ‘lunch date’ with me to work individually.â€
Corke will represent the district at the next level in regional competition.
Also at the district’s recognition banquet, Karen Galassi-Ferrer of East Chapel Hill High School and Kay Lawson-Demery of Chapel Hill High School were named Honor Teachers.
Gloria Woods-Weeks of East Chapel Hill High was named Assistant Principal of the Year.
—Staff Reports