Cumberland County Schools’ 2023 Teacher of the Year (TOY) Talicia L. Smith has been selected as one of 18 outstanding K-12 educators across the state for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) inaugural Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors cohort. This prestigious program recognizes exceptional educators who will work alongside DNCR to promote innovative, experiential and place-based learning that connects classrooms with the state’s rich cultural, historical and natural resources.
Smith, who teaches at Douglas Byrd Middle School, is eager to bring this opportunity to her students and fellow educators. “I’m especially excited to share the beauty of our state’s history and culture with students and colleagues and to connect educators with these amazing resources—bringing collaboration, culture and content together,” she said.
The Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors represent a diverse range of grade levels, subject areas and backgrounds. These educators are recognized for their creativity, collaboration and dedication to inspiring a love of learning. Through their partnership with DNCR, they will play a pivotal role in helping students across the state foster a deeper connection to and appreciation of North Carolina’s cultural and natural heritage.
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela Cashwell expressed her excitement about the program. “These ambassadors represent the extraordinary talent of North Carolina’s public-school educators," said Cashwell. "Their collaboration with DNCR will bring our state’s unique treasures—historic sites, museums, parks, the zoo and more—into classrooms, showing that learning truly happens everywhere.”
Through the program, the Teacher Ambassadors will:
Explore DNCR sites statewide to develop innovative, standards-aligned resources for classroom use.
Act as liaisons between DNCR and educators in their regions, showcasing and enhancing teaching and learning opportunities that will positively impact students across the state.
Inspire teachers to use North Carolina’s history, natural resources and culture as powerful educational tools.
The Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors program exemplifies DNCR’s commitment to public education and the value of North Carolina’s state parks, museums, historic sites and cultural resources as living classrooms.
For more information about the Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassador program and the teachers selected, visit http://dncr.nc.gov/learning-happens-here-teacher-ambassadors.