NicoleRivers, a Fayetteville State University (FSU) alumna, has been named CumberlandCounty Schools’ 2021 Teacher of the Year. Rivers graduated from FSU in 2004 witha degree in Secondary English Education. She teaches English at Gray’s CreekHigh School.
“My job as an educator is not to just get whatI deem as valuable information into the minds of my students,” Rivers wrote inher TOY nomination portfolio. “It is not just to show students how the words ofothers impact them, but how to effectively and responsibly use their words tochange the world around them. So, when I see students from every level ofcapability do so, I feel I have done what I have been called to do: teach.”
The announcement ofRivers as this year’s Teacher of the Year winner was made September 14, 2020during the district’s first-ever virtual Celebration of Excellence in Teachingevent.
Rivers is a 15-yearveteran educator. Throughout her tenure, has held many leadershippositions, including English Department chair, co-founder and advisor of PoeticPathos and Gray’s Creek Slam, and head advisor of G.E.M.S. (Girls ExpectingMore Success).
As the 2021 Teacher ofthe Year, Rivers received:
- A trophy and flowers from Cumberland CountySchools;
- $300 from the Cumberland County Board ofEducation (CCBOE);
- $500 from Olde Fayetteville Insurance andFinancial Services;
- $3,000 from Lafayette Ford Lincoln ($2,000 foruse at her school and $1,000 for her personal use);
- A commemorative custom-designed CCS’ Teacher ofthe Year ring from Jostens;
- A personally engraved desk clock from HerffJones; and
- A gift basket of edible goodies from ZazzyTreats, LLC.
About Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University is a constituent institutionof The University of North Carolina System and the second-oldest institution ofhigher education in the state, having been founded in 1867. FSU is ahistorically black university offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s,and doctoral levels. With more than 6,700 students, Fayetteville StateUniversity is among the most diverse institutions in the nation. To learn moreabout Fayetteville State University, visit www.uncfsu.edu.
