Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Kernersville Elementary

Debra Lackey has been teaching fifth grade in WS/FCS since 1999. She prides herself on creating a safe and positive learning environment with lesson plans that address every student’s differentiated needs. She believes her classroom can be a place where students can embrace their curiosity and develop a deeper appreciation of the world they live in.

“I want Room 203 to be a safe milepost for my students to explore personal strengths and ambitions, find empathy for others and appreciate the varied ways we understand the world, have the joy of finding a new favorite genre or book, and feel the satisfaction of mastering a new skill through curiosity and perseverance,” Lackey said.

Lewisville Middle

In her 29 years as a WS/FCS teacher, Laura LeMay has focused on using innovative teaching methods to stimulate students’ curiosity. She earned her National Board Certification in 2024, has earned multiple grants for her schools, and sponsored “Give a Kid a Coat” campaigns on multiple campuses. She has a love for the district and its students that has grown stronger with each passing year.

“My passion for working within the WS/FCS district is deeply rooted,” LeMay said. “I am truly grateful to this district. I am proud of my journey – from student to parent to educator to leader – and the continued motivation to be a part of the WS/FCS family.”

Meadowlark Elementary

Frances Richardson has spent the last 29 years honing her skills in everything from providing customized coaching to delivering engaging conference presentations to conducting effective professional development for educators. Last year, she was named an A. Craig Phillips Honored Educator Scholar for North Carolina. She sees reading as an essential life skill that every child deserves to thrive in with the help of devoted teachers.

“I have dedicated the last decade of my career to improving my reading instruction,” Richardson said. “It is my commitment to the children of Forsyth County to continue learning alongside them and to develop our next generation of readers.”

Speas Elementary

Kristina Stevenson joined WS/FCS as a visual arts teacher in 2018 after previously working in the field of collegiate performing arts. She’s contributed to countless student art programs throughout the district and is the incoming Chair of Elementary for the North Carolina Art Educators Association. She’s motivated by the pride her students feel when their effort and creativity are recognized.

“There is a level of pride a child experiences when their hard work is displayed in gallery style,” Stevenson said. “Students are at the heart of what we do, so why not empower them to learn with great confidence and sense of self?”

R. J. Reynolds High

Cristofer Wiley is the chair of the Reynolds High School History Department and an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University. He started at Reynolds in 2005 as a teaching assistant and has been involved in activities ranging from athletics to congressional internships to international research delegations. He sees WS/FCS as a force for promoting public good by enriching students, and he’s proud to be a part of the district’s mission.

“I take a measure of pride in knowing that my district believes that our students are, without doubt, worth our best efforts,” Wiley said. “To know and appreciate so many corners of our community makes me confident in trusting our district with my own children.”