ROBESON COUNTY — Multiple local students and one educator have been selected among 530 teaching fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Purnell Swett High School Earth and Environmental Science teacher Daniela Dial joins Red Springs High School student Alena Oxendine, St. Pauls High School student Anna McMillian and Lumberton High School students Nicole Galvez-Hernandez, Kinley McIlwain and Kaitlyn Woodell in the Teaching Fellows Program.
“This is an exceptional program that helps pave the way to the classroom for many educators across the state. We are excited for our students and Ms. Dial to participate in the program and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson.
The program is a competitive, merit-based forgivable loan program providing tuition assistance of up to $10,000 per year for qualified students committed to teaching elementary education, special education, science, technology, engineering, or math in a North Carolina public school. The purpose of the program is to recruit, prepare and support future teachers who attend institutions of higher education in North Carolina and agree to work in the state’s public schools.
Fellows may attend any of the program’s 10 partner institutions pending institutional admission: Appalachian State University; East Carolina University; Elon University; Fayetteville State University; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; NC State University; Meredith College; University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Local Teaching Fellows share their plans
Local program participants shared their future plans in education connected to the Teaching Fellows Program.
Daniela Dial
“Being selected as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow means a lot to me, not just as a professional but personally. As a first-generation high school graduate working toward my master’s degree and teaching in the same community that raised me, this opportunity reflects the dedication and resilience it’s taken to get here. I’ve had to work hard to balance school, work, and family, and this recognition reminds me that it’s all been worth it,” Dial said.
“As a Teaching Fellow, I plan to continue my Master’s Degree in Teaching Secondary Science while staying rooted in Robeson County to grow as an educator and give back to the community that shaped me,” she added.
Alena Oxendine
“As a Teaching Fellow recipient, my plans are to attend UNC-Pembroke and major in Mathematics Education with the goal to become a High School Math Teacher.”
Anna McMillian
“I'm super excited to let everyone know that I've decided to attend UNC-Pembroke this fall! I'll be studying Elementary Education with plans to minor in American Indian Studies. It's going to be an amazing experience!”
Nicole Galvez-Hernandez
Nicole plans to attend UNC-Pembroke in the fall and major in Education.
Kinley McIlwain
“At UNC-Pembroke, I will be pursuing my Bachelors in Elementary Education. I want to see how the students that I will teach one day grow as people, and learn all that I am able to teach them. I hope to be able to use my creativity and passion for teaching in the classroom to create a warm and welcoming environment for all my future students. After graduation, I plan to dedicate my time to teaching as well as continuing my studies to earn a Masters in Administration. I look forward to being able to go to UNC-Pembroke to start my future career soon.”
Kaitlyn Woodell
"I am so grateful to be given this opportunity and I am eager to dedicate myself to educating and shaping young minds."
Application Process
The NCTF commission received a total of 809 completed and screened applications during this academic year. The commission considered grade point average, leadership and experience, awards and honors, written essays, and educator recommendations to offer the 530 awards. The total includes 199 early-window awards earlier this academic year.
“We are thrilled about the continued growth and interest in the Teaching Fellows program. The recruitment activities by our program and campuses, in conjunction with targeted efforts to recruit more high need areas in the state, led to the record number of applications and awards,” said Dr. Bennett Jones, Director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows. “We are grateful for the support of lawmakers and educational leaders across the state as we continue to recruit, train, prepare, and place high quality teachers in North Carolina.”
The awardees feature 268 high school seniors, 234 college transfer students including 29 from the state’s community colleges, and 28 licensure-only students who are currently teaching in North Carolina schools. Additionally, 344 of the recipients intend to study elementary education, 78 are to study special education, and 108 will pursue licensure in the areas of STEM education.
About the NC Teaching Fellows Commission
The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission is comprised of four deans from educator preparation programs, a community college president, a beginning teacher, a principal, a member from business and industry, and a local school board member. The NC Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Superintendent of the Year, chair of the State Education Assistance Authority Board of Directors, and director of the Teaching Fellows Program all serve as ex officio members of the commission.
For a list of those selected for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Class of 2025, please see this link.