Following a student holiday orchestra performance in the Douglas Byrd Middle School gym, Social Studies teacher Manzell Spencer, Jr. was surprised with the announcement that he has been named the 2026 Sandhills Regional Teacher of the Year.
The news was met with cheers from students, teachers, staff, district leaders, representatives from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Spencer’s relatives, who gathered to celebrate the momentous achievement.
The reigning North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Rachel Candaso of Pitt County Schools, delivered the official announcement and shared her congratulations and well-wishes with Spencer. As the Sandhills Regional winner, Spencer will now advance to represent the region in the competition for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year title.
Kristen Botts co-founded the program with her husband, Nathan Botts, who is a Veteran himself. Photos provided by Kristen Botts.An organization helping Veterans live a full life after their service in the U.S. Military wants to connect Veterans and d
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