Erika Kennedy, a 5th-grade teacher at Altamahaw-Ossippee Elementary School, has been honored with the title of North Carolina D.A.R.E. Educator of the Year. The award was presented to Ms. Kennedy during the annual North Carolina D.A.R.E. Officers Association Training Conference in Atlantic Beach, N.C. on June 15, 2023. The nomination for this prestigious recognition was made by Sgt. Chad Laws, a D.A.R.E. Officer from the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, who also had the privilege of presenting the award to Ms. Kennedy.
Ms. Kennedy began her teaching career at A-O Elementary 19 years ago, having relocated from New York. D.A.R.E. is an acronym for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, which focuses on equipping students with essential skills necessary for making responsible and safe choices. The lessons cover a range of topics such as the detrimental effects of alcohol and tobacco, understanding risks and consequences, handling peer pressure, dealing with stressful situations, effective communication and listening skills, reporting bullying safely, fostering good citizenship, and helping students create personal support networks.
