The award honors an individual whose leadership, dedication, and passion for education have made a lasting impact on students and the community. Goins was surprised with this award at the 64th Annual Meeting and Awards held on Thursday, January 30th at Cross Creek Country Club.
This award was sponsored by Cooke Rentals and presented by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Olivia Sikes who introduced the Goins by saying, “This year’s recipient has shown exceptional leadership and transformed the educational environment at Mount Airy Middle School. Under his guidance, the school has exceeded growth expectations for the past five years, turning from a low-performing school to one of the highest-achieving middle schools in our county and region. As a strong instructional leader, he is always actively involved in the classroom, either teaching or training staff to help elevate the learning experience for all students.” Goins was welcomed to the podium to a standing ovation from the crowd.
When asked about the award, he stated, "I am truly honored to receive the Educator of the Year award from the Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible staff, dedicated colleagues, and outstanding students I have the privilege to work with every day. My hope is that we continue to equip our students with the knowledge and tools they need to become successful adults who contribute meaningfully to our community. Thank you for this incredible honor!"
Goins is a 2006 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry. He earned his teaching certificate in 2009 through the UNC Educational Licensure Program after working as a research lab technician at the UNC Neuroscience Center. He earned his M. Ed in Educational Leadership from High Point University in 2018. He is married to Emily and they have two children, Maizey and Junah.
Sikes added, “What sets Mr. Goins apart is his hands-on leadership style, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. He connects with his students beyond the classroom and inspires staff to be their best. I am very proud of Mr. Goins and the great things happening through his leadership at Mount Airy Middle School.”
Superintendent Dr. Phillip Brown shared, “Mr. Goins is an exceptional educator and leader. He always thinks deeply about what students need to be successful and strives to make it happen. This honor is well deserved.”