Freebird McKinney, who teaches social studies at Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington, N.C., is an adjunct instructor in the School of Education.
Freebird McKinney, an adjunct instructor in Elon’s School of Education who teaches at Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington, has been named the 2018 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year.
McKinney was selected from a field of nine finalists representing the state’s eight education districts and charter schools. McKinney has been teaching for 13 years, the last three at Williams High School, in the Alamance-Burlington School System, where he teaches World and European history and also is co-coordinator of the school’s International Baccalaureate Pathway Program.
State Superintendent Mark Johnson, who announced the winner on Friday, April 20, congratulated McKinney on what he said was a well-deserved honor.
“The state of North Carolina is lucky to have Mr. McKinney and all of his hard-working colleagues who strive to provide all students with the opportunity to work hard and succeed,” Johnson said.
Bill Harrison, superintendent of Alamance-Burlington schools and the former chairman of the State Board of Education, said in a letter supporting McKinney’s nomination that during visits to his classroom, “I always stay longer than my schedule permits because it is tough to leave. … His students are not passive participants. They are actively engaged. Freebird is a true teacher leader and the type of teacher we would all want for our own children.”
The teacher of the year is chosen by a committee of professional educators as well business and community leaders. The state selection committee members are chosen based on their active public record in support of education.
Read the full announcement of McKinney’s selection for the award here.