Juana Rhili, a first-grade teacher at Guilford Elementary, was named Guilford County Schools Teacher of the Year in a downpour of confetti and balloons Wednesday at the Tanger Center.
Eastern High’s Darrell Harris was named Principal of the Year.
During the 2025 Celebration of Excellence for teachers and staff, schools Superintendent Whitney Oakley also announced gifts totaling $2.5 million to start an advanced manufacturing and engineering signature career academy to be housed at Southeast High School. The funding includes $850,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, $500,000, from the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, $500,000 from GMA First Point Foundation, $415,000 from Driving Possibilities, a Toyota initiative, and $250,000 from the Golden Leaf Foundation.
“Through this program students will be able to directly fill jobs at the Toyota Battery plant, and at many other industries across our county and our state that we can see coming,” Oakley said.
The move is part of the district’s recently announced Guilford Guarantee, which says that every student will leave with more than a diploma. That means college credits, industry-recognized credentials for high-demand jobs, an associates degree or a meaningful workplace experience.
“We know that reading, writing and math are not enough in today’s job market,” Oakley said. “Our graduates need transferrable skills and advanced knowledge that will set them apart as they take their first steps into adulthood.”
Wednesday’s event kicked off with a high-energy spirit parade featuring various GCS schools dancing around in costumes, playfully rapping about education and grooving with the Northeast Guilford drum line and cheerleaders. And the emcees picked up on all the nominations coming out of Eastern High School, including principal of the year, and two of its assistant principals out of six districtwide in the running for assistant principal of the year. Eastern swept both categories with Assistant Principal Emily Stephenson receiving the award for her category.
“I’m wondering if something is in the water,” joked Rashad Slade, also the district’s chief of technology.
Both Rhili and Harris received $2,500 and will go on to represent the district at the regional level competition and possibly even the state or national levels.
Rhili thanked the students and families who she said made her work not only meaningful, but joyful. Teaching is also a team effort, she said.
“And any success I’ve experienced is truly a reflection of the people around me,” said Rhili, who was also nominated three years ago.
She went on to say that teachers are also part coaches and magicians.
“When I became a teacher, I didn’t do it for the awards, I did it because I believe in the power of education to change lives,” Rhili said. “And because I remember the teachers who changed mine.
“I think about the moments that define this job,” Rhili said. “Not the test scores or the report cards, but the quiet victories. The student who finally finds their voice in the classroom. The one who doesn’t want to go home at the end of the day because they want to learn more. The kid who writes a note months or years later saying you made a difference. Those are the moments that keep us going.”
Nancy.McLaughlin@greensboro.com
336-373-7049
@nmclaughlinNR
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Nancy McLaughlin
Faith and Values Reporter
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