Three Cumberland County educators named regional finalists for state awards

Three educators from Cumberland County Schools were spotlighted this week as regional finalists for state-level educator awards, highlighting long-standing dedication to students and school communities.

Dr. Latricia Allen, introduced as the 2026 Wells Fargo Sandhills Regional Principal of the Year finalist, Amber Autry, the 2026 Cumberland County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year finalist, and Manzel Spencer, the 2026 Burroughs Welcome Fund Sandhills Regional Teacher of the Year finalist, spoke with a district moderator about what drew them to education, what sustains them and what the recognition means.

The recognition is rare: Allen said she recently interviewed as one of nine state finalists out of 2,700 principals in North Carolina, calling the honor “humbling” and crediting students, staff and community for her nomination. “Every child, every chance, every day,” Allen said of her educational philosophy, adding that the phrase summarizes a commitment to personalizing learning so every student receives what they need regardless of background.

Autry described the concrete payoff of teaching during her first year when former students returned to tell her they missed her class. She said experiences at a recent week of professional development she attended with NCAT and the Burroughs Welcome Fund reinforced the value of recognizing teachers’ work. “If every teacher just got to come to this for one week out of the year, then nobody would ever leave teaching,” Autry said.

Spencer, who also coaches, told a story of a shy student he encouraged to manage a football team; years later she pursued a career as a paramedic and sent him updates, an example he used of the long-term impact educators can have. He said respect and consistent recognition for educators, and better funding for schools, are central changes he would like to see. “I would love to see education properly funded,” he said.

All three emphasized family engagement and relationships as essential to student success. Allen described a school-year theme of “1 Crew, 1 Compass” at John Griffin Middle School and said staff invite families into buildings to volunteer and connect with teachers. Autry said sharing classroom moments through photos and community events helps keep parents informed, while Spencer noted small gestures such as positive phone calls or postcards can reinforce student progress.

The finalists also reflected on legacy and student outcomes. Allen said she wants to be remembered for standing for students and excellence; Autry said she hopes students remember that she loved them; Spencer said he aspires to be the teacher who inspired students to pursue their paths. Each shared a success vignette — a graduating cohort, college acceptances and a former pupil who later asked for a recommendation — as tangible evidence of their work.

The district did not specify the date of the state award decisions in the interview. The segment concluded with the educators offering thanks to family, colleagues and community supporters for the roles they said helped them reach the finalist stage.