April Summers, a Library and Technology Specialist at Gate City Charter Academy in Greensboro, NC, has been named a 2025-26 National Heritage Academies® (NHA®) Excellence in Teaching winner. The announcement was a masterfully kept secret by Principal Hilary Clancy. During a full-school assembly, two of April’s own students caught her completely off guard by rolling out a banner bearing her name.
"Two of my students that I've had all year, they rolled out the banner and I saw my name and I was like, 'Wait a minute'... this is for me!"
To make the unforgettable moment even sweeter, April turned around to find her fiancé, daughter, and future mother-in-law walking out to join the celebration. To top off the incredible honor, she was granted the rest of the day off to celebrate with her family.
Balancing Academic Rigor and Character Building
At Gate City Academy, education goes far beyond standard textbooks. April balances academic expectations with character building by keeping NHA's Moral Focus™ virtues at the forefront of her daily routine. Even as a Library and Tech. Specialist, she emphasizes starting every class with these core principles.
"We have Moral Focus™ built into our schedules. So, even as a fine arts teacher, we do make sure to lead our classes with Moral Focus™ and make sure we're upholding those virtues."
This intentional approach has created a powerful impact. For April, one of her absolute favorite breakthrough moments happened during a coding unit, where she witnessed her returning students easily recall and build upon their prior knowledge.
"It was this year I noticed that a lot of my returning students, when we started our coding unit, were able to repeat what they learned already. It was like a ‘gotcha, I got it’ moment. My kids, they're finally getting this."
Words of Wisdom for Fellow Educators
Reflecting on her journey from a paraprofessional to an Excellence in Teaching winner, April stresses the importance of self-care and staying grounded in your purpose. She advises new NHA teachers to prioritize their well-being and remember their "why."
"Take time for yourself, prioritize yourself, and just pace yourself, too. Prioritize yourself so you can be your best version of yourself, and it'll be worth it in the end. It is also good to remember your ‘why’."
Ultimately, April hopes her legacy is one of authenticity and unwavering positivity. She wants to be remembered as someone who was always true to herself, no matter the circumstance.
Please join us in congratulating April Summers on this incredibly well-deserved Excellence in Teaching Award!
About Gate City Charter Academy
Gate City Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Greensboro, North Carolina, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 68,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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