Cumberland County Schools (CCS) proudly announces that John Owens, a dedicated Marketing Education teacher at Pine Forest High School, has been named a finalist for the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award. This distinguished recognition is presented by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT).
Owens will be honored during the North Carolina Career and Technical Education Summer Conference on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 1 p.m. in Winston-Salem, NC. As a finalist, he will advance to participate in NCCAT’s CTE Teacher of the Year Program, which will be held December 1–5, 2025, at the Truist Leadership Institute in Greensboro, NC. The overall award winner will be announced on December 4, during a special ceremony at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
Owens’ selection as a finalist highlights his unwavering commitment to preparing students for future success in business and marketing careers. In addition to this honor, he was recently named the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Advisor of the Year, further recognizing his exceptional leadership and impact on student achievement.
“We are incredibly proud of Mr. Owens and his accomplishments,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. “His dedication to career and technical education, combined with his passion for student success, truly exemplifies the excellence we strive for in Cumberland County Schools.”
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund CTE Teacher of the Year Award celebrates outstanding educators across North Carolina who demonstrate innovation and leadership in preparing students for college and careers.
For more information, visit the CCS Career and Technical Education website.
Back in March, Owens received the 2024–2025 CCS CTE Teacher of the Year Award. In the photo below, he proudly holds the award alongside (l–r) Chief Academic Officer Dr. Mellotta Hill, Pine Forest High School Principal Dr. Juelle McDonald and CTE Executive Director Chip Lucas.
