MADISON
Madison County teacher named finalist for statewide award
Johnny CaseyAsheville Citizen Times
Aug. 27, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET
- A Madison County Schools teacher was named a finalist for a statewide Career and Technical Education award.
- Caitlin Goforth, a student nutrition teacher at Madison High, is a finalist for the 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund CTE Teacher of the Year.
- The winner will be announced in October and will receive a $5,000 cash prize and other benefits.
MARSHALL – A Madison County Schools teacher was named a finalist for a statewide award, the school board announced Aug. 24
Caitlin Goforth, a Madison High student nutrition teacher, was named a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching’s 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year. The award is issued in partnership with the state Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education
Karen Sumner, deputy executive director at North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and DPI’s Kim Sexton appeared before the Madison County Board of Education in its Aug. 24 meeting to recognize Goforth
“This recognizes Ms. Goforth’s exceptional contributions to CTE and her impact on the students and community here in Madison County,” said Sumner, who also acknowledged Madison High Principal Kristina Lowe and Madison County Schools CTE Director Hailey Vaught for nominating Goforth
According to Sumner, the CTE Teacher of the Year Award was established to celebrate and honor the innovation, leadership and dedication of CTE educators across the state, recognizing teachers who exemplify the highest standards of excellence in preparing students for college and career pathways and supporting workforce development
Goforth and the other finalists will attend a professional development week in Concord in October. The winner will be announced Oct. 29 in Concord, and will receive a $5,000 cash prize, instructional supply funds for their school, and a trip to the national Association for Career and Technical Education conference
“One of the things I’ve learned in the years we’ve been doing the CTE Teacher of the Year Award is the incredible impact that our CTE programs have on not only our students, but our entire communities, and the future of our communities,” Sumner said
In an Aug. 24 Facebook post, Madison County Schools said the nomination is an incredible honor and a testament to Goforth’s dedication to students and community
“Thank you, Mrs. Goforth, for your passion, hard work, and commitment to excellence in CTE education,” Madison County Schools said in the post
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com
