- Duplin County Schools
- Overview
Employee of the Year Banquet
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Duplin County Schools and the Duplin County Education Foundation honored Teachers, Support Staff, Assistant Principal and Principal of the Year at the annual recognition banquet held at the Mad Boar in Wallace. Among the honorees, were members of the Duplin Education Foundation, Duplin County Board of Education and Duplin County Commissioners.
It was a wonderful evening of fellowship, inspiration and recognition. Curt Simpson, President of the Duplin County Education Foundation welcomed those in attendance. Guest speaker for the evening, Mr. Michael Mozingo gave words of inspiration and finished with an amazing rendition of, "You Lift Me Up". The ceremony continued as the honorees received their plaque and gift followed by the announcement of the district recipients.
Daniel “DJ” Fussell, teacher at Duplin Early College High School, was named the 2020 Teacher of the Year for Duplin County Schools. Amanda Kennedy, Wallace Elementary School Nurse was selected as Support Staff of the Year, BF Grady’s Elementary School’s Suzanne Vann was named Assistant Principal of the Year, and Selina Riley-Gurganus was selected as Duplin County Schools Principal of the Year.
School level Teacher of the Year nominees were selected by their peers and had the opportunity to complete and submit an extensive portfolio as well as participate in an interview process. School level teachers of the year are: Kristin Fantini, B.F. Grady Elementary; Thomas Whitfield, Beulaville Elementary; Gwen Ezzell, Chinquapin Elementary; Daniel Fussell, Duplin Early College High School; Kim Bowles, East Duplin High School; Will Clark, James Kenan High School; Mary Sue Hawes Dail, Kenansville Elementary; Brenda Herring, North Duplin Elementary; Kevin Anderson, North Duplin Jr/Sr; Meagan Harper, Renaissance Center; Nicole Williamson, Rose Hill Magnolia Elementary; Michael Sherrill, Wallace Elementary; Laterri Underwood, Wallace-Rose Hill High School and William Houston, Warsaw Elementary.
School media coordinators, guidance counselors, social workers, and school nurses are eligible for the Support Staff of the Year. Their district colleagues select one professional from each department from which one is chosen as the District Support Staff of the Year. Support Staff nominees are Dena Jenkins, School Media Coordinator at East Duplin High School; Lynne Smith, School Guidance Counselor at North Duplin Jr/Sr; Alison Raynor, School Guidance Counselor at James Kenan High School and Amanda Kennedy, School Nurse at Wallace Elementary.
The Assistant Principal and Principal of each school voted to select the district representative. This year, B.F. Grady’s Suzanne Vann was selected as Assistant Principal of the Year and Selina Riley-Gurganus was selected as Duplin County Schools Principal of the Year.
Dr. Austin Obasohan, concluded the evening by thanking the Board of Education, the Duplin County Education Foundation and all of the honorees for their continued service and commitment to the students of Duplin County Schools. “The students are very blessed to have amazing educators like you,” said Dr. Obasohan. He encouraged them to continue to do what is right for ALL students and know that the Board of Education stands behind you 100%. Dr. Obasohan did not let the evening close before thanking Ms. Dawn Smith, for everything that she does to make this celebration a huge success.