Samara McKnight, Art Teacher at Dana Elementary School, has been named Henderson County Public Schools’ (HCPS) Beginning Teacher of the Year for 2026-2027. In just her second year in the classroom, Ms. McKnight has transformed her art room into a place where students are eager to learn, create, take risks, and know they belong.
Ms. McKnight joined the Dana Wildcat family fresh out of college last school year and quickly established herself as an educator with high expectations, a genuine love for students, and a commitment to helping every child succeed. From carefully established classroom routines to the way students manage materials, collaborate at their tables, and care for their shared space, she has created an environment where young artists can confidently explore their creativity.
“Ms. McKnight speaks with kindness and makes all students feel heard, valued, and that they belong in her room and at our school,” said Dana Elementary Principal Amy Cleveland. “Watching her in action, interacting with our students and seeing the level of engagement, this is where she shines. Our students LOVE to go to Art!”
That commitment to students extends well beyond the traditional expectations of an art classroom. In addition to completing professional development and training required of beginning teachers, Ms. McKnight chose to participate in Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD) training to strengthen oral literacy in her art classes and reinforce the work taking place in grade-level classrooms.
She incorporates learning targets designed to reach students across grade levels and abilities, uses visual examples and language-development strategies to deepen understanding, and approaches behavior management with consistency, respect, and a restorative mindset. The result is an art classroom where students are not simply creating—they are communicating, collaborating, building confidence, and making connections across their learning.
Ms. McKnight’s influence can also be seen throughout Dana Elementary. She regularly creates and refreshes art exhibits across the school to showcase work from every grade level, uses student artwork to support school fundraising efforts, and contributes to action teams and other initiatives focused on moving the school forward.
“Ms. McKnight represents so much of what makes our beginning educators special,” said HCPS Superintendent Mark R. Garrett. “She has embraced her school community, continually seeks opportunities to grow as an educator, and creates meaningful learning experiences where students feel both challenged and supported. Her classroom demonstrates the powerful role the arts play in helping students build confidence.”
The North Carolina Prudential Beginning Teacher of the Year award was developed in 2019 by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) to honor beginning teachers and retain promising educators in North Carolina public schools. Principals from Henderson County’s 23 schools nominate beginning teachers, and the district’s Curriculum and Instruction staff, along with input from other stakeholders familiar with the nominees’ work, select the overall district winner.
As Henderson County Public Schools’ Beginning Teacher of the Year, Ms. McKnight will now advance for consideration in the statewide NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year program.
For Principal Amy Cleveland, however, no award can fully capture the impact Ms. McKnight has already made on the Dana Elementary community.
“Writing about Ms. McKnight cannot fully represent what an amazing teacher she is,” Ms. Cleveland said. “Watching her with our students and seeing their level of engagement tells the story. She makes Dana Elementary better. Go Wildcats!”
