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2026 Staff of the Year KENANSVILLE, NC - Duplin County Schools celebrated the outstanding educators, support staff, and administrators who make a difference in the lives of students each day during the annual Teacher, Support Staff, Assistant Principal, and Principal of the Year Banquet. The event was held August 20, 2026, at the River Landing Clubhouse in Wallace.

Hosted by the Duplin Education Foundation, the special evening brought together honorees from across the district, along with their families, colleagues, school and district leaders, and community supporters. The banquet provided an opportunity to recognize individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service help make Duplin County Schools a place where students can learn, grow, and succeed.

Kendra Jones, Vice President of the Duplin Education Foundation, served as the evening’s emcee, welcoming guests and guiding the program. Aaron Smith, a member of the Duplin Education Foundation Board, offered the invocation.

Guests were also treated to a special musical performance by Addie Kate Kornegay, a seventh-grade student at North Duplin Jr./Sr. High School. Kornegay performed “Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus” on violin, accompanied on keyboard by her grandmother, Deborah Kornegay. She also shared a vocal performance of “Feed the Birds,” adding a memorable student-centered element to the celebration.

A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the district-level honorees:

• Mrs. Tanya Smith, Duplin Early College High School, was named Principal of the Year and received a $1,000 award. She will advance to the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year competition.
• Ms. Erica Levai, Kenansville Elementary School, was named Assistant Principal of the Year and received a $1,000 award.
• Ms. Lindsey Miller, Wallace-Rose Hill High School Digital Learning and Media Coordinator, was named Support Staff of the Year and received a $2,500 award.
• Mrs. Dena Hall, Wallace Elementary School, was named Duplin County Schools Teacher of the Year and received a $5,000 award. She will represent the district in the North Carolina Teacher of the Year competition.

Adding an especially meaningful connection to this year’s celebration, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Smith are sisters. Their selection for two of the district’s highest honors reflects a shared commitment to education, leadership, and service to students and families.

Each school’s Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year was also recognized during the banquet. Each school-level honoree will receive a $500 award in recognition of the exceptional work taking place throughout Duplin County Schools each day.

School-Level Teachers of the Year

Melanie Garris, B.F. Grady Elementary School

Amanda Hughes, Beulaville Elementary School

Rena Patrick Lunsford, Center of Opportunity

Pansy Brown, Chinquapin Elementary School

Garrick Purdie, Duplin Early College High School

Samantha Vega, East Duplin High School

Azael Perez, James Kenan High School

Nicole Williams, Kenansville Elementary School

Candice Southerland, North Duplin Elementary School

Hannah Smith, North Duplin Jr./Sr. High School

Natasha Sutton, Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School

Dena Hall, Wallace Elementary School

Jordan Boser, Wallace-Rose Hill High School

Regina Sherrod, Warsaw Elementary School

Superintendent Mr. Daren Tyndall congratulated all of the honorees and thanked the Duplin Education Foundation for its continued investment in the people who serve Duplin County Schools.

The evening celebrated more than individual awards. It honored the people behind the daily work of public education, including the teachers who inspire students in the classroom, the support staff who help schools operate successfully, and the administrators who lead their schools with purpose.

Duplin County Schools extends its congratulations to all of this year’s honorees and its sincere appreciation to the Duplin Education Foundation for hosting the banquet and continuing to recognize and reward excellence throughout the district.

Through their service, leadership, and dedication, these outstanding employees exemplify the commitment to students and community that remains at the heart of Duplin County Schools.