North Carolina awards merit bonuses to specific teachers based on student growth on end-of-grade tests, high AP exam scores, or students receiving certificates or credentials.
The bonuses are awarded to third- through fifth-grade reading teachers, fourth- through eighth-grade math teachers, high school advanced placement teachers and high school career and technical education teachers.
All total, 114 Burke County Public Schools teachers were eligible for the bonuses from the 2017-18 academic year. The reading and math teachers were eligible for having test scores in the top 25% in the district and/or in the top 25% in the state. The Advanced Placement teachers were awarded bonuses for each student who received a score of 3 or higher on their AP exam. And CTE teachers were awarded bonuses for each student in their class who earned an industry certificate or credential.
Below are photos and a brief bio on many of the teachers awarded bonuses.