 2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Contact:
Lindsay Whitley
Associate Superintendent, Communications and Community Engagement
Phone: 910-678-2303
Email: lindsaywhitley@ccs.k12.nc.us
For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2025
Innovative Educator Earns
2024-25 CCS CTE Teacher of the Year Honor
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland County Schools (CCS) is proud to announce that John Owens, the sports marketing teacher at Pine Forest High School, has been named the district’s 2024-25 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year.
This achievement was announced today during the CCS CTE Advisory Board meeting. Owens was recognized for his exceptional leadership, dedication and innovative approach to engaging students in sports marketing.
Under his leadership, Pine Forest High School’s sports marketing program has become one of the best in the state and the only one in North Carolina that offers Meta certification. His curriculum incorporates industry tools like Canva, and his students gain hands-on experience managing school sports marketing, promotional content and social media.
With 90% of his students completing his courses as CTE concentrators, Owens continuously seeks ways to engage them through certifications, interactive projects and real-world experiences.
According to CCS' Executive Director of Career and Technical Education Chip Lucas, colleagues of Owens expressed that he is an incredible educator who embodies passion, creativity and leadership. His dedication to his students and commitment to making Pine Forest High School the best it can be make him truly exceptional.
The North Carolina Center for Advancement for Teaching (NCCAT) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year process is in its fourth year and was developed to honor and retain excellent CTE teachers and education leaders in North Carolina public schools and public charter schools. Candidates are nominated at the school level, with finalists and the winner selected by independent panels of local stakeholders.
Owens will represent CCS in the Sandhills Regional CTE Teacher of the Year process this summer.
Pictured above are (l-r) Chief Academic Officer Dr. Mellotta Hill, 2024-25 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year John Owens, Pine Forest High School Principal Dr. Juelle McDonald and CTE Executive Director Chip Lucas.
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