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A couple teachers from Stanly County Schools recently received word of honors bestowed upon them.
“After winning Beginning Teacher of the Year for the county, I applied for beginning teacher of the state. A couple weeks ago, I was notified that I am a finalist for the award,” said Bella Dobbins, a Stanfield Elementary kindergarten teacher.

Dobbins is up for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year award.
“In March, I will go to Greensboro for a week of professional development and interviews. At the end of the week, they will announce the winner of the award,” Dobbins said.
The winner receives $5,000, participation in a GoGlobal NC trip and instructional supply funds for the school, Dobbins said.
“I am a fourth generation teacher on both my paternal and maternal sides of the family. From a young age, I knew I was meant to be a teacher, but I didn’t solidify my decision until high school,” she said. “I had an amazing Spanish teacher in high school, who inspired me to be an amazing teacher, just like her.”
Why a kindergarten teacher?
“As a kindergarten teacher, I have the honor and privilege of introducing students to the world of education,” she said. “Of course the littles are cute and hilarious, but I love sparking their interest in education and fostering a healthy relationship with learning.”

Emily Emery, a Richfield Elementary teacher, was also honored recently by Curriculum Associates, the company that owns iReady, the math curriculum SCS uses.
“After a nomination from another staff member in my building, I went through an intense interview process. I then received the news that I was selected as one of Curriculum Associates’ 2025 Extraordinary Educators,” Emery said. “There were only 29 teachers across the United States selected, so I feel very honored.”
Emery received a tote bag filled with iReady items to use in the classroom.
“As an educator, this title connects me with a network of peers across the country to collaborate with and learn from,” Emery said. “We have already had one Zoom meeting and were granted access to some online perks that only those in the selected class get access to. There will be more virtual and in-person events I get to attend over the course of the year. So far my Dad has been my biggest cheerleader for this and thinks I’m a celebrity.”
Emery said her mother was a teacher with Stanly County Schools for 30 years.
“I saw the impact she made on many students and their families,” Emery said. “Teaching allows me to teach the academics and get students prepared to be a contributing citizen to society, but it’s so much more than that. Teachers wear many hats in a day. They get to be a mom, a counselor, a nurse, a friend. Your students become your family and I find so much pride and joy in being able to pour into them each day.”
Emery teaches fourth grade math and science at Richfield, the same school she attended.
“I went to Richfield Elementary when it was a K-8 school. Both of my boys have now had the privilege to attend (they are now in 6th and 2nd grade) and I get to teach a lot of familiar faces since I teach in the same community I grew up in,” she said.

B.J. Drye is general manager/editor of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123.