News

Ed Foundation honors Hall of Fame inductees

A crowd of 270 people turned out to honor five 2017 Education Hall of Fame inductees.

By Bill Moss, Published: May 12, 2017

The Henderson County Education Foundation celebrated teachers who have devoted their lives to teaching and guiding children, demonstrating a dawn to dusk work ethic, fueling students' enthusiasm and keeping their colleagues inspired with their energy and dedication.

About 270 people, one of the largest crowds ever, turned out for the 15th annual event at theBoone Building at the WNC Ag Center. Presented by Pardee UNC Health Care, the dinner also honored county schools principal of the year Bobby Wilkins of Hendersonville and teachers of the year from all 23 county schools. This year's program was trimmed down substantially from the three-hour ceremonies of the past. After a 6 p.m. dinner, the program got under way at 6:45 p.m. and concluded about 8:20 p.m.

Since 2003, 119 individuals have been honored with induction into HCEF Hall of Fame.

This year’s inductees include:

• June Barnwell, Henderson County native, worked for 34 years as a Chemistry teacher and Math teacher with the Henderson County Public Schools. Mrs. Barnwell’s service included a stint at Flat Rock High School (1958 – 1962) and then she began at East Henderson High School where she taught until her retirement in 1986. Mrs. Barnwell was a sponsor of many school activities and received several awards during her career, including Henderson County Teacher of the Year in 1986.
• Lynn Carter began her teaching career in Henderson County in 1979 after several years in the Wake & Swain County School Systems. She taught English and Social Studies at Rugby Middle School (formerly Rugby Junior High) from 1979 until her retirement in 2005. In 1990 Mrs. Carter received Teacher of the Year at Rugby Middle and in 1995 she received her National Board Certification - Early Adolescence/Language and was the first teacher in Henderson County to receive this very prestigious honor.
• Robert Joubert had an exemplary 35 year career with the Henderson County Public Schools. He started in June 1970 as a Special Education teacher at Edneyville High school where he worked until the school closed in 1992. Mr. Joubert worked briefly at North Henderson High School until he became Assistant Principal at Flat Rock Middle in 1993 where he worked until his retirement in 2005. Mr. Joubert was known for his leadership and his heart for all students. Accepting for Joubert, who died in August 2015 at age 66, was his wife Rosemary.
• Michael Pressley began his career in Henderson County Public Schools in 1973 as a Mathematics teacher at Rugby Junior High School. Mr. Pressley became Assistant Principal at Rugby from 1985 to 1988 before becoming Principal at Fletcher Elementary School (1988 – 1991), Balfour Elementary School (1991 – 2002) and Clear Creek Elementary from 2002 until his retirement in 2009 after 35 years of service. Mr. Pressley was recognized as a leader among his peers and received Henderson Couny Principal of the Year two times in his tenure, 1992 and 1995.
• Beverly Wood, a native of Western North Carolina, was a physical education teacher for 41 years, 19 of those years in Henderson County Public Schools. She began at Edneyville Elementary in 1988 before becoming the first physical educator for the new Glen C. Marlow Elementary School in 1999 until her retirement in 2007. During her career she received number awards including 1995-1996 Edneyville Elementary Teacher of the Year and 2002 recipient of the Kiwanis Club Lou Ann Morgan Leadership Award.