Sophie Herring was selected as the Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System. (Courtesy photo)
ASHEBORO – Once Sophie Herring discovered the joys of teaching, she became hooked.
The elementary school teacher has been rewarded for her efforts in classrooms and among her peers by being named the Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System.
“I know I’m young in the career,” she said. “It’s a huge honor. I’ve been overwhelmed with the love I’ve gotten from this.”
She spent the past six school years teaching third grade at Trindale Elementary School.
Her selection as Teacher of the Year was revealed at last week’s banquet at Pinewood Country Club. Other finalists were Sharon Hughes of Trinity Middle School, Joni Moody of Hopewell Elementary School, Angela Mroczkowski of Randolph Early College, and Bryant Voncannon of Seagrove and Southmont elementary schools.
Within RCSS, Herring began her time as an intern from UNC Greensboro.
“And never left,” she said. “The people who were there with me, they saw me grow into a functioning teacher.”
After graduating from Williams High School in Burlington in 2012, she enrolled at UNCG considering becoming a history major. She took a role in college tutoring youngsters in intercity Greensboro. One day she encountered a boy who was so thrilled to be in the learning environment.
“He just lit up he was so excited about it,” Herring said. “I thought, ‘I could do this every single day for my job.’ ”
Other than in the classroom, she took other roles at Trindale. She said there were difficult transitions for students and staff after the height of the COVID-19 impact, but she wanted to help.
Herring became chair of a committee to boost student and teacher morale.
“I was finally able to be a leader at the school,” she said.
This school year, Herring began a new role as a teacher for Academically/Intelligently Gifted students for grades K-12, spending time at both Trindale Elementary School and Archdale Elementary School.
“They get an opportunity to push themselves,” she said. “It has been such a fun thing for me.”
Herring, who stands 5-foot-1, said some of the fifth-graders are taller than her. She said that makes for an interesting dynamic.
Now, she said she hopes her latest recognition brings positive attention to the teaching profession.
“I’m young in this gig,” Herring said. “I still got a lot more left. We all love what we do.”
