SANFORD, NC - Julie McNeill, a long-time teacher in the district at East Lee Middle and currently serving at Southern Lee High, was announced as the district’s first Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year on Thursday. McNeill has served in the district for almost 15 years and will represent Lee County Schools in the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) regional CTE Teacher of the Year competition, which leads into the State CTE Teacher of the Year Award.
For the last ten years, McNeill has served the students of Southern Lee High School as a Business and Marketing Teacher. She built and continues to run one of the top 20 DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) programs in the state, an association of marketing students that prepares emerging leaders for careers in finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges through academic conferences and competitions.
“The fact that these classes are not ones where you have to be quiet and sit still, they’re more hands-on and real-life experiences, is another reason I love what I do,” said McNeill, describing why she loves her job. “It is great to see students get really involved in things. Our program is a four-year program, so they start with us their freshman year, and ideally stay with us until they graduate. So, I get to see them progress, and become successful in different things. That is really a great feeling.”
Current Southern Lee Principal, Molly Poston, spoke highly of McNeill’s talents, explaining her influence on campus and in the community, “She actively participates in extracurricular activities, such as organizing and leading our very active DECA Club, mentoring students, and volunteering for school events. Her positive influence extends beyond the classroom, as she serves as a role model for students and a respected colleague among her peers.”
She was part of the team that brought the first NAF Academy to Lee County Schools, the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Southern Lee, and has served as the Academy’s director for the past 9 years. In her work as director, she has partnered with community leaders, engaging their resources for students, to build a program promoting valuable skills in communication, event planning, and public speaking.
“I was actually brought in the first year of this program’s roll out. I have seen it from the ground up,” said McNeill. She took on the Director role for the academy in her second and third year at the school. “Being able to develop and layout the program while seeing successes actually happen has been awesome. I have seen it grow from a program with 25 to now 158 kids. That is something I’m really proud of.”
Ms. Poston knows exactly why McNeill has had such great success as a teacher and director. “She strives to ensure that all students can access and engage with the curriculum effectively by planning relevant and engaging lessons that require critical thinking, collaboration, and a solid grasp on content standards,” noted Poston. “She is known for her exceptional dedication to the school and to our community.”
Gary Hart, the Director of Career and Technical Education for Lee County Schools, highlighted Ms. McNeill’s unique gifting of a passion for business education as a huge reason for her success. “Ms. McNeill is incredibly passionate about what she teaches, and I believe that is what helps her connect with students so well. Not only is she knowledgeable, her love for helping students grow in communication and connection to the business community helps push students to go the extra mile in her classes and clubs.”
Former Southern Lee Principal and current Interim Superintendent of the district, Dr. Chris Dossenbach, said that McNeill’s success stems from her love for students. “Every student that walks into Ms. McNeill’s classroom knows that she wants what is best for them by the end of the year. She pushes them to meet her expectations, and because they know she cares so much, they do everything in their power to meet them. It truly is special to watch her work and we are grateful she chooses to be a part of the Lee County School’s family.”
McNeill completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Business and Marketing at East Carolina University in 2008. She also completed her Master of Education in Business Teacher Education at East Carolina University in 2011.
Lee County is home to McNeill, graduating from Lee County High School in 2004. She always seems in her element here in Sanford, though she did admit to being a little surprised by the recognition yesterday. “We didn’t have any idea what the meeting yesterday was about since the day before they did the Teacher of the Year and the Yearbook, so we were all speculating about what it could be. I was surprised with the recognition. My parents popped out from behind the curtain, so it was really great that they could be there.”
This honor is not the first major award for McNeill. She was chosen as the Teacher of the Year at Southern Lee High in 2017. If McNeill lands in the top three for Regional CTE Teacher of the Year, she will advance to be considered by NCCAT as the State CTE Teacher of the Year.