MORGANTON, N.C. (WHKY) — A Mountain View Elementary teacher has been named Burke County Public Schools’ 2026 Beginning Teacher of the Year.  Carson Tilby, a Morganton native and Patton High School graduate, will represent the district in the statewide beginning teacher recognition program.

Tilby began working for the district in 2023 as a kindergarten teaching assistant at Mountain View.  She completed her student teaching in kindergarten at the same school before beginning her first year as a third-grade classroom teacher.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University.

Tilby said watching students learn new skills, gain confidence and grow both academically and personally is among the most rewarding parts of her job.

“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape me,” she said in the district’s announcement.

She credited her principal, colleagues, family and mentors for supporting her development as an educator.  Those include student-teaching mentor Jen Brittain and her third-grade teammates.  Tilby also identified her mother as her biggest supporter and the person who inspired her to become a teacher.

Superintendent Mike Swan praised Tilby’s commitment to children, willingness to learn and ability to build relationships.  He said she represents the kind of educator the district hopes to develop and retain.

Tilby hopes to pursue National Board Certification, possibly continue her education and eventually seek a leadership position.  Her advice to other new teachers is to build strong relationships, learn from mistakes and remember the difference they can make in students’ lives.