Cabarrus County Schools honors outstanding educators and students at Impact Awards ceremony

The Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education convened on April 14, 2025, for a business meeting focused on the adoption of the proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year. The meeting commenced with a ceremonial presentation of colors by the Northwest Cabarrus High School Air Force JROTC, followed by the national anthem sung by the Pitt School Road Elementary School Chorus.

Following the opening ceremonies, Board Chair Rob Walters introduced the board members and proceeded to set the agenda for the meeting. A motion was made to amend the agenda by removing a time-sensitive item, but the motion did not pass. Consequently, the board adopted the original agenda as presented.

The meeting featured several recognitions, beginning with the Impact Through Education Awards, which honored students and staff from Cox Mill Elementary School and the Performance Learning Center. Eli Banks and Hannah Sheets from Cox Mill were recognized for their outstanding character and contributions to the school community. Additionally, staff members Vida Love and Janita Rankin were acknowledged for their dedication and positive impact on students.

From the Performance Learning Center, Gwendolyn Padilla and Samuel Banks Fish received awards for their academic excellence and leadership. Cheryl Brooks, a school social worker, and Cindy Moore, an exceptional children's teacher, were also honored for their significant contributions to student well-being and education.

The meeting continued with the recognition of Dimisha Young as the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for April, celebrated for her commitment to her students and community engagement. The Everyday Hero Award was presented to Dr. Benny Sloan, a van driver for the McKinney-Vento program, who has dedicated 27 years to supporting students experiencing homelessness.

Lastly, Britney Brooks was named the Multilingual Teacher of the Year for her exceptional work with multilingual learners at Coltrane Webb Elementary, highlighting her innovative teaching strategies and commitment to student success.

The meeting concluded with a sense of pride in the achievements of the honorees and a commitment to continuing support for the educational community in Cabarrus County.