RALEIGH, N.C. ⸺ When natural disasters strike North Carolina communities, teachers are among the first to show up for their students. To help teachers during these times, three North Carolina teachers are building the Teacher’s First Responder Toolkit. These practical resources will support schools in reopening, recovering and thriving after natural disasters.

Dorcas Gyekye, Jennifer Griffin and Julie Pittman are three of 36 teachers awarded 2026–27 Kenan Fellowships this year. Their fellowships are part of the Kenan Fellows Program and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s NC Resiliency initiative.

The three teachers represent three regions of North Carolina, bringing local perspectives to a statewide challenge. Gyekye teaches Social Studies at Charles E. Jordan High School in Durham Public Schools, representing the Piedmont. Griffin teaches Science at Swansboro High School in Onslow County Schools, representing the East. Pittman teaches Career and Technical Education and English Language Arts at R-S Central High School in Rutherford County, representing the West.

Step Into the Field. Return to the Classroom With New Vision.

Each teacher will work with a regional mentor partner, the State Resilience Office, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center, and South Mountain State Park, bringing local knowledge and classroom experience to a project designed to leave a lasting impact on schools and communities statewide.

Throughout the yearlong fellowship, the three teachers will collaborate with peers and partners to create lessons, tools and strategies that will be shared across North Carolina. The toolkit they build will be available to schools statewide, giving teachers everywhere a practical resource when their communities need it most.

Partner Shoulder to Shoulder Across Communities

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund has been a long-time supporter of the Kenan Fellows Program, with a sustained commitment to investing in North Carolina’s teachers and the communities they serve.

“Investing in educators who serve their communities is core to our role as a statewide partner.”

“Natural disasters continue to affect communities across North Carolina, and public schools are often central to recovery and support,” said Alfred Mays, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Program Officer at the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. “Investing in educators who serve their communities is core to our role as a statewide partner.”

As part of the fellowship, each teacher will receive 80 hours of professional development and a $5,000 stipend. They join a statewide network of 680 Kenan Fellows alumni who support one another, share resources and stay in education longer as a result.

“The Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s continued investment in this work reflects a shared belief that communities benefit when teachers are equipped to lead. When we commit to teachers’ growth, students, schools and communities benefit in measurable and lasting ways,” said Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.

About Burroughs Wellcome Fund

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is a private foundation dedicated to advancing biomedical sciences and supporting the next generation of scientific researchers and educators. With a strong commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in science, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund has made a significant investment in the realm of STEM education. In the past 25 years, BWF has invested more than $100 million to support initiatives and networks in STEM education. In addition to funding, BWF provides opportunities for interactions with colleagues and engagement with the broader community of educators and grant recipients across other BWF education programs. BWF’s focus on support of education highlights the belief in the pivotal role it plays in shaping the future of scientific discovery and addressing complex global challenges.

About the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership

The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership is a statewide force for teacher leadership and growth in North Carolina. Founded in 2000 and based at the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science at N.C. State University, the program invests in teachers through immersive industry experiences, professional development, and a strong, enduring community. Every investment returns to classrooms, schools and communities, advancing education and our communities’ future together. Learn more at kenanfellows.org.