RALEIGH, N.C. ⸺ North Carolina’s teacher pipeline depends on more than recruitment. It also depends on what happens after teachers enter the classroom. Juana Rhili, the 2024-25 Guilford County Schools Teacher of the Year and a National Board-Certified Teacher, has been awarded a 2026–27 Kenan Fellowship to help strengthen that pipeline.

Rhili teaches at Guilford Elementary School in Guilford County Schools. She is one of 36 teachers awarded a Kenan Fellowship this year. Her fellowship, supported by NC Teaching Fellows, will place her alongside a campus director at N.C. A&T State University, one of ten partner institutions in the statewide loan forgiveness program that prepares teachers in STEM, Special Education and Elementary Education.

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

Rhili brings to this fellowship a clear understanding of what teachers need to grow. Throughout her career working alongside teachers, Rhili has seen how access to meaningful professional development can shift instructional practice, increase teacher confidence and improve student engagement. As a Kenan Fellow, she will use that expertise to design professional development that supports the Teaching Fellows’ mission and can be used across their statewide network.

“Serving as a Kenan Fellow would allow me to contribute to future educators and boost the impact of the Teaching Fellows program across the state,” she said.

Partner Shoulder to Shoulder Across Communities

The Kenan Fellows Program’s partnership with NC Teaching Fellows reflects a shared commitment to building the teacher pipeline across North Carolina.

“The NC Teaching Fellows Program is excited to continue to build partnerships with state educational partners like the Kenan Fellows Program to enhance the teacher preparation pipeline across the state, and most notably, in areas of the state that have the highest teacher attrition rates and recruitment challenges. It is an important tenet of our program to enhance student experiences through collaborations like the Kenan Fellows partnership during licensure coursework so that Fellows are equipped to be teacher leaders when they return to North Carolina’s public schools. Working with our partner educator preparation institutions and educational leaders, such as Kenan Fellows, the NCTF Program continues to lead efforts across the state in recruitment, preparation, and support of future teachers in North Carolina,” stated Bennett Jones, Ed.D., director, North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program.

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

“When we invest in teachers, the return shows up in schools and communities across the state. Our partnership with NC Teaching Fellows is a direct investment in that future,” said Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.

About NC Teaching Fellows

NC Teaching Fellows is a statewide loan forgiveness program offering up to $5,000 per year in tuition, books and fees at ten partner institutions across North Carolina. Recipients commit to teaching STEM, Special Education or Elementary Education in North Carolina for one year for each year of funding received. Learn more at ncteachingfellows.org.

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.