ROBESON COUNTY — Two Robeson County educators have been named Kenan Fellows and will participate in immersive professional development opportunities to sharpen their skills as educators and leaders.
PSRC Director of Indian Education Dr. Connie Locklear, and PSRC’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year Sarah Griffin-Greene, who serves as a STEM educator at Rowland-Norment Elementary, are among the 30 Kenan Fellows statewide selected for the 2025-26 cohort.
“On behalf of the Public Schools of Robeson County, I would like to congratulate Dr. Locklear and Mrs. Griffin-Greene on this incredible opportunity to serve as Kenan Fellows,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson.
“Their selection reflects their outstanding commitment to educational excellence and innovation. We are proud to have them represent PSRC on a statewide level, and we look forward to the impact their experiences will have on our students, schools, and community,” he added.
Dr. Locklear will partner with the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). Her fellowship will involve site visits to tribal communities and DNCR heritage locations across the state. Through this work, Dr. Locklear will develop culturally responsive teaching materials that reflect the history and contributions of North Carolina’s Indigenous populations.
“I am excited about this wonderful opportunity to partner with the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as a Kenan Fellow,” Dr. Locklear said. “This experience will enhance the work that I am already doing to support Native students and ensure that all students gain a deeper understanding of the rich culture of Indigenous communities.”
Griffin-Greene will complete her summer fellowship with Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation (EMC). She will collaborate with professionals to explore the electric cooperative business model and energy distribution systems. This immersive experience will help her create hands-on classroom resources that introduce students to the science behind the electric grid and highlight careers in the energy sector.
“I am looking forward to working with Lumbee River EMC and North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives to learn about their business model and how they distribute energy in our area,” Griffin-Greene said. “This opportunity will help me create exciting lessons to help my students understand where their electricity comes from and the opportunities they might pursue in the future.”
About the Kenan Fellows Program
The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at N.C. State University is designed to strengthen teacher leadership and bridge the gap between education and the workforce. As part of the fellowship, educators participate in immersive summer externships across industries critical to North Carolina’s economy—including energy, agriculture, tourism, scientific research, and high-tech manufacturing. These hands-on experiences allow educators to observe industry practices and translate their insights into innovative classroom instruction.
Fellows benefit from 80 hours of intensive professional development throughout the year, aimed at building leadership capacity and increasing their impact within their schools and communities. Each fellow also receives a stipend to support their participation.
Selection for the Kenan Fellows Program is highly competitive. Applicants undergo a rigorous process that includes a written application, professional recommendations, and interviews with program staff and industry mentors. Finalists are chosen based on their demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and commitment to educational innovation.
“We are proud to welcome the 2025–26 Kenan Fellows,” said Vance Kite, Director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership. “These accomplished educators have shown strong leadership within their schools and a desire to enhance their practice. The Kenan Fellows Program is dedicated to investing in educators and elevating the teaching profession. We look forward to supporting these teachers as they build skills and confidence that will benefit their communities.”
The full announcement from the Kenan Fellows Program can be viewed at kenanfellows.org.