MAXTON — The Public Schools of Robeson County is proud to announce that Purnell Swett High School agricultural education teacher and FFA adviser, Taleek Harlee, has been selected to serve as a National FFA Teacher Ambassador for the 2026-2027 school year.
Harlee is one of just 88 agricultural educators from 38 states selected for this prestigious national leadership role. He is also one of only two educators chosen to represent North Carolina in this year's cohort.
National FFA Teacher Ambassadors are highly respected agricultural educators who provide professional development, mentorship, and educational resources to FFA advisers across the country. During their year of service, ambassadors support more than 13,000 FFA advisers throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands by leading workshops, sharing best practices, and serving as subject-matter experts in agricultural education.
The National FFA Teacher Ambassador program has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, reflecting the impact agricultural educators have on students and fellow teachers nationwide. This year's cohort is the largest in the program's history, further expanding opportunities to strengthen agricultural education programs across the country.
"Taleek's selection as a National FFA Teacher Ambassador is a testament to his passion for agricultural education and his commitment to developing the next generation of leaders," said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson. "He consistently goes above and beyond for his students and the Purnell Swett FFA Chapter, and we are incredibly proud to see his expertise recognized on the national stage."
As an agricultural educator at Purnell Swett High School, Harlee has played an instrumental role in creating meaningful learning experiences for students while fostering leadership, personal growth, and career readiness through FFA. His selection highlights not only his individual accomplishments but also the excellence of agricultural education programs within Public Schools of Robeson County.
"It is an honor to represent Purnell Swett High School, Public Schools of Robeson County, and North Carolina as a National FFA Teacher Ambassador," Harlee said. "I look forward to collaborating with agricultural educators from across the nation and helping support teachers and students through agricultural education."
The National FFA Organization is a school-based youth leadership development organization with more than one million student members and more than 9,400 local FFA chapters nationwide. Its mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.