Pitt County Schools Names Cortisha Skinner 2026 Beginning Teacher of the Year

Pitt County Schools has named Cortisha Skinner, Career Explorations and STEM teacher at Stokes School, its 2026 Beginning Teacher of the Year.

While Skinner is early in her career as a classroom teacher, her connection to Pitt County Schools students spans several years and multiple roles. Before becoming a full-time teacher, Skinner served the district as a substitute teacher and teacher assistant, giving her the opportunity to work with students across elementary, middle and high school settings. That experience helped shape her approach to education and gave her a broad perspective on the needs, interests and potential of PCS students.

Skinner transitioned into a full-time teaching role at Stokes School last year, bringing that experience into her Career Explorations and STEM classroom. In her role, she helps students explore their interests, develop new skills and begin thinking about the academic and career opportunities available to them beyond the classroom.

For Skinner, teaching is about more than delivering content. It is about building relationships with students, creating opportunities for them to discover what they are capable of and helping them see possibilities for their futures.

Her colleagues describe an educator who has quickly made an impact at Stokes School while continuing to grow in her own practice as a teacher. Her selection as Beginning Teacher of the Year recognizes both that impact and the years she has spent serving students throughout Pitt County Schools.

“I remember how my daycare teacher made me feel, even as a toddler, and I thought: "I want to make another little girl feel as good as my teacher made me feel."

In the classroom, Skinner works to create an environment where students feel supported as they explore new ideas and consider the possibilities ahead of them.

“She always so nice and sweet. She knows that I want to be a scientist one day, and she helps me to learn more about it."

Another student shared, “I feel good when I'm in her classroom. It's just the vibe she gives to us, the way she makes us feel like we are her own children; means a lot to me."  

Those relationships are an important part of what Skinner brings to her classroom. Her experience working with students in different roles has allowed her to see education from multiple perspectives, while her transition into the classroom has given her an opportunity to put that experience into action each day.

“I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is to have the mental capacity to keep moving forward. You're going to have some wins and some losses, but keep coming back. Why? You're changing the life of a child. 

As Pitt County Schools’ 2026 Beginning Teacher of the Year, Skinner represents the many educators beginning their teaching careers across the district and the impact they are already making in the lives of students.

Pitt County Schools congratulates Cortisha Skinner on this districtwide recognition and looks forward to celebrating her continued impact on students at Stokes School and throughout the district.