STEM Early College’s Pait Named High School Teacher of the Year for District

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Dec. 4, 2023) – U.S. News & World Report has ranked STEM Early College at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University among North Carolina’s top high schools for 2023-24, second only to Early College at Guilford.

Guilford County Schools (GCS) has recognized Gregg Pait, a project management teacher at STEM Early College at N.C. A&T, as an important factor in the school’s success by naming him their High School Teacher of the Year for 2023-24.

Pait teaches project management honors levels 1 and 2, technical courses that allow students to start their careers with a professional certification in project management. He also maximizes the experience attending high school on a college campus by connecting students with opportunities that include a robotics lab, drone lab and makerspaces, along with on-campus field trips involving university and community business leaders.

Earlier in his career with Guilford County, Pait taught social studies for 19 years before teaching STEM in 2022.

“Project management became more closely aligned with my passion. As the world is changing, STEM fields are growing, and I would play a role in our students’ future,” Pait said.

The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T nominated Pait as Early College Teacher of the Year for 2022-23.

GCS, which also oversees Early College at Guilford, then asked Pait to create a portfolio, which it used to name him as one of the 10 High School Teacher of the Year candidates.

After the list was narrowed to five finalists, Pait was announced as Guilford County Schools High School Teacher of the Year during the district’s awards ceremony.

“It’s an honor to be surrounded by the most creative, rigorous, and inventive teachers at STEM Early College at N.C. A&T,” said Pait. “I was proud to know that I represented such a diverse campus with many great programs.”

Cheri Keels, principal of The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T, considers Pait a great asset to the program and school.

“Mr. Pait being named the High School Teacher of the Year demonstrates his commitment to providing our students with an excellent educational experience. When one wins, we all win because we’re a team,” said Keels. “Our school is full of teacher leaders like Mr. Pait, who are dedicated and hardworking educators, so it is always great when one of us is recognized for our work.”