Sarah Walls, an exceptional ELA and Social Studies teacher at Lakewood Montessori Middle School, has been named one of 18 educators across the state to join the inaugural cohort of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) “Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassadors.”

This prestigious program celebrates K-12 educators who exemplify creativity, collaboration, and dedication to fostering a love of learning. Through their ambassadorship, these teachers will work with DNCR to promote innovative, experiential, and place-based learning that connects North Carolina’s classrooms with the state’s rich cultural, historical, and natural resources.

Walls shared her excitement about the program: “North Carolina has incredible historic sites, museums, and parks that have long benefited my teaching. I’m thrilled to deepen my knowledge of our state through this program.”

As part of the program, Walls will explore DNCR sites across the state and develop standards-aligned resources to inspire educators and enhance learning opportunities for students. The ambassadors will act as liaisons, bridging the gap between DNCR’s vast resources and educators in their regions.

DNCR Secretary Pamela Cashwell praised the program and its participants: “These ambassadors represent the extraordinary talent of North Carolina’s public-school educators. Their collaboration with DNCR will bring our state’s unique treasures—historic sites, museums, parks, the zoo, and more—into classrooms, showing that learning truly happens everywhere.”

The DNCR Learning Happens Here Teacher Ambassador program highlights the department’s commitment to public education and its mission to make North Carolina’s cultural and natural treasures accessible for innovative teaching and learning.

For more information about the Learning Happens Here initiative, visit dncr.nc.gov.