Teacher from Gaston County Schools wins N . C . Teacher of the Year Bobbie Cavnar of South Point High School captures the state ’ s highest honor for teachers
During a luncheon and ceremony at the Umstead Hotel in Cary , State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson announced Cavnar as the winner . He will represent North Carolina in the 2017 National Teacher of the Year competition .
Cavnar bested eight other regional finalists to capture the state ’ s top honor for teachers . He is the third Gaston County teacher to receive the recognition .
As the North Carolina Teacher of the Year , Cavnar will spend the 2016-2017 school year traveling the state and serving as an ambassador for public schools . He also will act as an adviser to the State Board of Education , serve on the Board of Directors for the N . C . Public School Forum , and participate in the Education Policy Fellowship Program .
Cavnar is an English teacher at South Point High School in Belmont . This is his 17th year in the teaching profession , and he has taught at South Point High School since 2003 .
Superintendent of Schools W . Jeffrey Booker stated , “ We are elated to have the State Teacher of the Year in Gaston County Schools . However , we are not surprised to see Bobbie Cavnar win this prestigious award . He is an exceptional teacher who cares deeply for his students and is extremely passionate about public education .”
Booker continued , “ Simply put , Mr . Cavnar is a model teacher . He is admired and respected by his students , colleagues , parents , and the community . When you think of great teachers , Bobbie Cavnar comes to mind immediately . He is a prime example of the many excellent teachers we have in Gaston County who give their all to students .”
As the North Carolina Teacher of the Year , Cavnar receives a $ 7,500 cash award , use of a car for the next year , a study abroad opportunity through The Center for International Understanding , opportunities to attend professional development seminars and conferences , and other prizes .
Cavnar is the third Gaston County Schools teacher to win the North Carolina Teacher of the Year recognition since the first award was handed out in 1970 . Dixie Abernathy , who taught science at Southwest Junior High School in Gastonia , was the State Teacher of the Year in 1992 . Scott Griffin , who taught at Rankin Elementary School in Mount Holly , received the honor in 1996 .
A graduate of Florida State University and UNC- Charlotte , Cavnar holds a bachelor ’ s degree in English Education and a master ’ s degree in English . He won the Gaston County Teacher of the Year honor last May and was named the Southwest Region Teacher of the Year in December , which qualified him to compete for the state title .
Booker concluded , “ The North Carolina Teacher of the Year award is the most significant distinction bestowed on a teacher in our state . We are grateful to the selection committee for recognizing Bobbie Cavnar ’ s steadfast commitment to teaching , his eagerness to be an advocate for our students and his fellow teachers , and his ability to be a voice that tells us about all that is great in public education .”
The North Carolina Teacher of the Year recognition program is sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction .
-Continued from previous page Chart II – Six-Year Comparison of Suspensions and Expulsions
• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions – 2014-2015 2014-2015 – Short-term Suspensions – 6,375 2014-2015 – Long-term Suspensions – 9 2014-2015 – Expulsions – 0
• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions – 2013-2014 2013-2014 – Short-term Suspensions – 4,579 2013-2014 – Long-term Suspensions – 0 2013-2014 – Expulsions – 0
• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions – 2012-2013 2012-2013 – Short-term Suspensions – 6,643 2012-2013 – Long-term Suspensions – 31 2012-2013 – Expulsions – 1
• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions – 2011-2012 2011-2012 – Short-term Suspensions – 6,811 2011-2012 – Long-term Suspensions – 22 2011-2012 – Expulsions – 0
• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions – 2010-2011 2010-2011 – Short-term Suspensions – 6,213 2010-2011 – Long-term Suspensions – 46 2010-2011 – Expulsions – 2
• GCS Suspensions and Expulsions – 2009-2010 2009-2010 – Short-term Suspensions – 6,684 2009-2010 – Long-term Suspensions – 51 2009-2010 – Expulsions – 1
• Chart III – Nine-Year Comparison of Dropout Rate – Grades 9-13 |
2014-2015 – 2.02 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 2.39 |
2013-2014 – 1.84 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 2.28 |
2012-2013 – 1.61 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 2.45 |
2011-2012 – 3.43 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 3.01 |
2010-2011 – 4.46 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 3.43 |
2009-2010 – 4.43 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 3.75 |
2008-2009 – 5.60 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 4.27 |
2007-2008 – 5.69 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 4.97 |
2006-2007 – 6.29 dropout rate . |
State dropout rate : 5.24 |
Parent Teacher News • May / June 2016 • 5