Chapel Hill fourth grade teacher is NC's Teacher of the Year

Floyd was selected from a field of nine finalists representing the state’s eight education districts and charter schools.

Floyd, a product of the school district where she now teaches, began her educator career as a teacher assistant before earning her teaching license eight years ago, and a master’s degree last year in gifted education.

Floyd says that her approach as a teacher has been shaped by her own experience as an African American student, often faced with what she saw as low expectations from her teachers.

“As a teacher, I strive to make sure my behavior and academic expectations are high for my students,” Floyd said in her Teacher of the Year submission. “I am a true believer that students will do what you expect them to do.”

She sees equity as a major goal that schools and educators must strive to achieve, and that teachers and other educators must first take steps to understand their own individual biases.

“Often in this work we forget to look in the one place that has the most impact,” Floyd said. “Ourselves. … A teacher can read books and go to as many equity trainings as possible, but nothing will change in their interactions with children if they never acknowledge their own racial bias.”

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said that Floyd’s passion for teaching and belief in all of her students’ ability to learn exemplifies the strengths of North Carolina’s teachers across the state.

“It’s clear that Eugenia starts each day of instruction with an unwavering focus on her students and making sure that nothing gets in the way of their learning,” Truitt said. “She makes every second count.”

Crystal Epps, principal of Mary Scroggs Elementary, said in her letter recommending Floyd as Teacher of the Year that she is “an advocate for all her students, and she works tirelessly to make strides to close the achievement gap and dismantle systems and structures that operate with a fixed mindset.”

Epps also cited her experience as a teacher’s assistant, which she said Floyd attributes to her strength as a teacher. “During her time as a TA,” Epps said, “she was able to observe and embrace exemplar teaching pedagogy, which is evident in her practices today.”

Floyd has consistently exceeded high growth in both reading and math on EVAAS measures of student performance, Epps said.

As Teacher of the Year, Floyd will spend the next school year traveling the state as an ambassador for the teaching profession as supported by Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

During her period of service, Floyd will receive the use a new vehicle, leased from Flow Automotive, LLC, the opportunity to attend a seminar at the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), a mobile device from Lenovo valued at approximately $1,600, an engraved vase, a one-time cash award of $7,500, a trip to the National Teacher of the Year Conference and International Space Camp, a prize pack and opportunity to be honored during a football game from NC State Athletics, support from No Kid Hungry NC, a one-time cash award of $2,000 from Bojangles and the opportunity to travel abroad through an endowment sponsored by Go Global NC.

Floyd also will serve as an advisor to the State Board of Education for two years and as a board member for the NC Public School Forum for one year.

● Charter schools: Jeremy White, West Lake Preparatory Academy