Raleigh, NC – Michael Villanueva, ESL Teacher at William G. Enloe Magnet High School, for being named a finalist for North Carolina Beginning Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). Michael is a 2015 graduate of the Woods Charter School in Chatham County, NC.
Michael as was named the WCPSS High School Diane Kent-Parker First Year Teacher Award winner for 2019-20. In recommending Michael for the district award, Enloe Magnet High Principal, Dr. William Chavis wrote: “Immediately, I learned that Mr. Villanueva has a special gift for people and passion for students, particularly, at-risk students.”
“Mr. Villanueva is currently serving as an English as a Second Language Teacher at the school. Mr. Villanueva exudes a strong passion for teaching and developing rapport with his students. He has worked to increase the level of critical thinking and analysis within his classroom structure, while providing a very safe and nurturing environment whereby all students are successful. He spends countless hours working with students before and after school, as well as communicating with families to ensure overall student success and achievement.”
“He is a true asset in developing positive momentum with the teaching team and the parents within our surround milieu. Mr. Villanueva, undoubtedly, is an educator with an honest and pure passion of teaching as a vehicle and desideratum in making a difference in the lives of all educational stakeholders.”
Michael now moves on to a round of interviews and discussions around best practices in teaching with other finalists from across the state. A winner will be announced by NCCAT in April.