Asheboro High School senior Isabelle “Izzy” Fleming has been awarded the prestigious North Carolina Teaching Fellows scholarship at Appalachian State University. She learned of her selection on December 18, marking the culmination of a rigorous application process and the beginning of an exciting journey toward her dream of becoming a special education teacher.
The NC Teaching Fellows program provides recipients with $5,000 per semester for four years to support their education in high-need teaching areas, including special education. To earn the scholarship, Izzy completed an extensive application featuring multiple questions, letters of recommendation, and a video interview showcasing her passion for education.
Izzy’s desire to teach has been lifelong, dating back to her first-grade year when she initially aspired to be a kindergarten teacher. However, over the years, her focus shifted to exceptional children (EC) education, deeply influenced by her sister, who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum. This personal connection has fueled Izzy’s dedication to working with students with disabilities.
Her commitment to special education has grown significantly through hands-on experiences, particularly at Lindley Park Elementary, where she has spent time learning from EC teachers Ms. Dillion and Ms. Jones. Their mentorship, along with the guidance of Asheboro City Schools educators and leaders, has further solidified her path.
Izzy expresses deep gratitude to those who have supported her along the way, including Ms. Skelly, the district’s EC Director; Dr. Wendy Rich, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction; Ms. Langdon, her Early Childhood Education teacher at AHS; Ms. Farrar, the AHS Graduation Coach; and, of course, her family, whose unwavering encouragement has been instrumental in her success.
With her NC Teaching Fellows award, Izzy is one step closer to making a meaningful impact in the lives of students with exceptional needs. Asheboro City Schools celebrates her achievement and looks forward to seeing her inspire the next generation of learners, hopefully back home in ACS.