Wishing to recognize the significant impact that so many educators have made in the lives of students, the UNC Greensboro School of Education (SOE) is thrilled to announce its latest class of Inspirational Educators.
The SOE initiated the Inspirational Educators program in 2019 with an inaugural class of 48 recipients, before inducting 26 recipients into the Inspirational Educators Class of 2020 and 11 new recipients in the Class of 2024. The new class consists of 13 members.
Said Interim School of Education Dean Morgan Chitiyo, “It is heartwarming and exciting that we can honor so many educators who have had an impact on numerous students and colleagues in their careers.”
The School of Education is honored to celebrate the many contributions this group of educators has made through their distinguished service, leadership, and care of others. This group has nurtured generations of leaders and innovators, of artists and entrepreneurs. What they all have in common is that they consistently put the needs of students front and center, and for that they deserve the utmost acclaim.
Nominations are secured with a $1,000 gift to the School of Education, which funds Student Excellence Awards for UNC Greensboro School of Education students. When you nominate an Inspirational Educator, your gift not only honors a legacy, but inspires students and helps UNC Greensboro provide them with the best preparation possible.
INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATORS, CLASS OF 2025:
Ashton Clemmons has always had a passion for serving the people of the state she proudly calls home. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a NC Teaching Fellow, she taught school in Durham and Guilford counties. She went on to earn her Master’s in School Leadership from Harvard University and her Doctorate in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her commitment to education led her to serve as principal of schools in Rockingham and Guilford counties, where she led the turn-around of one of the state’s lowest performing schools. Clemmons was elected to serve in North Carolina’s 57th House District in 2018. During her time in Raleigh, Representative Clemmons led Early Childhood, K-12 and Higher Education committees and legislation. She served until August 2024 when she began her current role as Associate Vice President of P-12 Strategy and Policy for the UNC System Office. The mother of three school-aged children, Clemmons is an energetic and passionate advocate for our education system. She lives in Greensboro with her husband Bryan, daughter, twin boys, and two dogs.
The late Helen Mounce Cook, spent nearly 40 years teaching in North Carolina public schools. Cook spent close to a decade of her career as a faculty member at UNC Greensboro, where she served as a mentor to numerous students. Former students have gone on to also serve their communities as judges, doctors, scientists, engineers, and community leaders. Cook believed that education was transformational. She earned her Ph.D. from UNCG and her dissertation explored bridging the divide between the classroom and the world outside the class. A long-time science educator, Cook embodied the traits of an inspirational teacher. She once shared that her secret was teaching for herself – she wanted to know, and the children were along for the ride. She led as many as 53 field trips a year, often with overnight experiences for students starting in second grade. Cook was passionate about the Science Fair, hosting numerous meetings for students and families outside of school hours. She was also active in the North Carolina Science Teachers Association.
Faith Freeman is currently the Director of the Spartan Education Scholars Program and the alternative licensure pathways liaison for the UNC Greensboro School of Education. She previously served as the Co-Director of the Institute for Partners in Education. Prior to that, Freeman was the Director of STEM and led the Guilford County Schoos’ Tutoring Program. She has worked as an academic coach, professional development director, and high school science teacher. Freeman holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in biology, a master’s degree in science education, and Ph.D. in STEM Education from UNCG. She is passionate about equity in STEM education and ensuring that all that all students have access to instructional resources.
Cheryl Greenberg was widely recognized as a leader in the UNC Greensboro School of Education and across campus in teacher education. Throughout her long and distinguished tenure, she was an early adopter of innovative practices. A passionate advocate for online teaching, Greenberg was a pioneer in integrating distance learning technologies into university instruction. Committed to staying at the forefront of teacher education and assessment, she consistently read widely and was always eager to embrace new approaches. As the director of assessment for the SOE, she coordinated accreditation activities for both SACS and NCATE, ensuring the continued excellence of the school’s programs. Beyond her professional achievements, Greenberg was a kind, supportive colleague with a remarkable sense of humor and a gift for listening. She inspired those around her with her positive attitude, commitment to excellence, and unwavering passion for teaching and learning.
Judy Hyman, a counselor for 25 years in Greensboro and Sedalia public schools, made a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children, especially the most vulnerable, retiring at the age of 76. In 2011, she was honored with the Debby Reynolds Award for her dedication to advocating for children in need. During her nine years at Sedalia Elementary, Hyman partnered with community organizations to address the basic needs of her students, including arranging eyeglasses, providing fresh food, and sending canned goods home for the weekend. She worked tirelessly to support families facing challenges such as job loss, homelessness, and addiction. She believed in the importance of spirituality and often asked families about their church involvement, forging relationships with local churches to help her students. At Aycock Junior High, Hyman created programs to help students connect with others, including organizing a group to learn sign language and perform at the School for the Deaf. At General Greene Elementary, she started a Mile Run Club to encourage exercise. Hyman’s legacy is one of compassion, advocacy, and a profound commitment to improving the lives of children.
Cheryl Love is a champion for all students. Whether energizing her classroom, meeting with students before school, during lunch, or after school, attending extracurricular activities, or simply spending time with them, she made every student feel seen, supported, and capable. Her commitment to every student was evident in all her interactions with them and their families. Love’s ability to communicate student performance and growth was professional, compassionate, and consistently went beyond what was required. One of her responsibilities was placing students in Upper School math classes and, using classroom assessments, standardized testing, and her deep understanding of each student, Love developed accurate and thoughtful placements. As a math teacher, she understood the anxiety math can bring and helped students believe in their ability to succeed.
Charles Monroe is a dedicated educational leader, veteran, and servant to his community. He has devoted over four decades to public education and leadership. Monroe earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations from UNC Greensboro, where his dissertation explored “The Metaphorical Analysis of the Principalship in the New Millennium.” His extensive career includes service as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and interim superintendent within North Carolina’s public schools. He retired in 2018 from the Alamance-Burlington School System but continues to serve the district in various interim leadership roles. In 2024, he joined the faculty at North Carolina A&T State University as an adjunct professor in the School of Education. A Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Monroe’s early military service in elite programs such as Ranger and Jungle Schools prepared him for the discipline and resilience required in educational leadership. His schools – Vandalia Elementary and Ben L. Smith High – achieved exemplary gains under his leadership. Monroe is also active in his faith community as a deacon, elder, and Director of Christian Education at World Vision International Christian Center. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he has received numerous accolades, including Mathematics and Science Principal of the Year and the 2025 Grown Man Business Award. He is a proud husband to Edwina Williams Monroe and father to Jarrod, Keisha, and Charles, Jr.
Whitney Oakley is the fifth superintendent of Guilford County Schools (GCS), serving over 66,000 students and 10,000 employees across 120 schools. A lifelong resident of Greensboro, Oakley began her career as a teacher in GCS before advancing through various leadership roles, including assistant superintendent, chief academic officer, and deputy superintendent. She became superintendent in 2022 and launched the district’s strategic initiative, Better Together, shaped by input from over 8,000 stakeholders. Oakley has led efforts to improve student learning, including expanding high-dosage tutoring and learning hubs. Under her leadership, GCS has seen significant academic growth, with 92 schools meeting or exceeding expected growth. The district has achieved record-breaking graduation rates, including a 92.2% overall cohort graduation rate and the highest rates for African American and Hispanic students. The district also advanced career and technical education, receiving $1.5 million from Toyota to support workforce initiatives. Oakley has earned numerous accolades, including the 2023 Triad Business Journal Women in Business Award and the 2024 Informing Progress in Urban Education Research Award. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from UNC Greensboro and lives in Guilford County with her family.
Christina O’Connor has spent the past 30 years working to improve educational opportunities for students in North Carolina’s public schools. She is passionate about preparing and supporting educators to ensure that every child is taught by a qualified individual. O’Connor has spent time as a teacher, coach, and principal in Guilford County Schools, and as a professional developer, teacher educator, lab school director, director of professional education and Assistant Dean at UNC Greensboro. She serves as Treasurer of the North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and is a member of the Advocacy and Policy Committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, an M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an M.S.A. and Ph.D. from UNC Greensboro. O’Connor has been happily married to Michael for almost 30 years and is the proud mom of two adult children, Siobhan and Clare.
Charles Perkins currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction with Rockingham County Schools. He has held several leadership roles during his 27+ years in education, including the following positions in Rockingham County: central office director, principal, assistant principal, and teacher. Perkins has been recognized as RCS Principal of the Year and an RCS school-based Teacher of the Year. He also received National Board Certification in Early Adolescence/Social Studies. Perkins holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina State University, and Appalachian State University. He enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and watching the latest Netflix or Max series.
Tiffany Perkins is in her 30th year as a public educator in North Carolina with experience as a middle school math teacher, assistant principal, principal, and state and district-level leader. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Strategic Planning for Guilford County Schools. Perkins was named the 2006 district Principal of the Year while working in Rockingham County Schools. Under her collaborative and instructional leadership, South End Elementary School received the 2010 recognition as a National Title I School for Closing the Achievement Gap. Perkins has also served as the Director for K12 Standards, Curriculum, and Instruction at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. She graduated from North Carolina State University as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow in 1995. Perkins completed her National Board Certification in Early Adolescence Mathematics, earned an MSA, Ed.S. and Ed.D. from UNC Greensboro. She and her husband, Charles, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of Jacob, who will soon graduate from Reidsville High School and pursue industrial engineering.
Wendy Rich has been an educator for 35 years and currently serves as Assistant Superintendent of Asheboro City Schools. Under her leadership, Asheboro City Schools opened a Global Innovation Center and a Welcome Center. Rich is a proud UNCG Spartan who completed her degrees from UNCG. She has kept the Spartan pride by forging a strong working relationship with the Institute for Partnerships in Education at UNCG. This partnership has created a dual enrollment program for high school students that provides a pathway to grow educators that mirrors the ACS student population. The district has also been able to offer professional learning for educators through micro courses taught by UNCG professors. Rich has served as president of the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics and has received the W. W. Rankin Award, the highest honor in mathematics education across the state. She is proud that she has been able to be a part of the learning trajectory of the hundreds of students that she has had the pleasure to teach and the thousands of educators that she has worked alongside during her career.
Max Tankersley, a native of Tulsa, Okla., has lived a life that reflects resilience, service, and a steadfast belief in the power of education. The fifth of six children raised in poverty, he lost his father at age 11 and left school at 16 to support his family. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a medic in Berlin, Germany, where he met his wife, Jutta. Upon his return to Tulsa, Tankersley worked nights as a machinist, earned his GED, and became a licensed real estate agent. He eventually opened his own real estate business, focusing on underserved communities. Through it all, he prioritized education; not for prestige, but as a means to break the cycle of poverty. He and Jutta ensured both of their daughters graduated college, one earning a doctorate and becoming a tenured professor. Tankersley earned an associate’s degree in mid-management while running his company. His career path included roles from janitor to bank board chairman, and he continuously mentored first-time homebuyers, supported struggling families, and advocated for public education. He also co-founded American Legion Post 1800 to serve fellow veterans. Celebrating over 60 years of marriage, he continues to inspire those around him with his humility and drive. Tankersley often says, “We were one bad decision away from going back to poverty.” That awareness shaped his purpose and legacy. His life stands as a testament to perseverance, sacrifice, and the transformative promise of education.
