RALEIGH, NC – Page High School teacher Elizabeth Hackney is the finalist from North Carolina for the National Education Association (NEA) Foundation’s prestigious California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence in 2023. This award recognizes, rewards and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession.
The daughter of a band director and principal, Hackney grew up playing school in her parents’ classroom educating teddy bears and imaginary students in fairy tales, vocabulary, or whatever unit was being covered at school. “As I stood in front of the chalkboard making sure Mr. Ted E. Bear understood the magic in ‘The Princess and the Pea’ I never could have imagined 35 years later the chalkboard would become a digital board and the stuffed animals would become high schoolers. I still work each day to transfer the magic of literature and the power behind rhetoric to my students because I know the power my class will give them after they graduate.”
Hackney prides herself on being a lifelong learner. She completed her undergraduate studies at Appalachian State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (English). After graduating, she returned to school to pursue a Master’s in English Education from UNC-Greensboro as well as a Master’s in School Administration from her alma mater, where she also received a Specialist in Educational Leadership certification. “Each time I returned to the classroom I gained not only core knowledge but was reminded what it felt like to sit on the other side of the desk. I continue to seek ways to develop my ability to reach all students and stay up to date with changing technology and trends.”
A National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent/Youth Language Arts, Hackney is an advocate for her colleagues and the profession. She serves as chair of the English Department and is a member of the departmental and leadership teams working to establish policies and practices that improve the education for students and work experience for teachers. She has also worked with UNC Greensboro’s, NC A & T’s, and Appalachian State’s education programs as a supervisor for student teachers helping the next generation of educators sharpen their skills and become more comfortable in their new profession.
When it comes to professional accomplishments and accolades, Hackney has many of which to be proud. She is a long-time member of NCAE/NEA and has served in many leadership roles including on the NCAE Board of Directors and currently as treasurer of the Guilford County Association of Educators. She has been recognized by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Professional Honorary Society for Women Educators, is the recipient of the Young Educator of the Year Award from the High Point Jaycees, was named Page High School’s Teacher of the Year, and was a Guilford County Schools Mentor of the Year Finalist.
Each year, NCAE, along with other state affiliates of the National Education Association, selects a teacher to represent the state in this national awards program. The national winner will be announced in early 2024.
NCAE is the state’s largest education advocacy organization for public school employees, and represents active, retired and student members.
