At the Thursday May 8th meeting of the Hickory Rotary Club, the 2014 Teacher of the Year for the Hickory City Schools was announced. This award is given in memory of Wilmer M. Jenkins, who served as superintendent of Hickory Public Schools and was a member of Hickory Rotary Club. Teachers nominated for this year’s award are:
![]() |
Verna Breland | Hickory High |
![]() |
Laura Hedgepath | Hickory Career & Arts Magnet |
![]() |
Patricia Hines | Northview Middle |
![]() |
Patricia Middleton | Jenkins Elementary |
![]() |
Rebecca Morford | Viewmont Elementary |
![]() |
Caitlan Reese | Oakwood Elementary |
![]() |
Cammie Rowe | Grandview Middle |
![]() |
Tara Triplett | Longview Elementary |
![]() |
Sheng Yang | Southwest Elementary |
Each nominee receives a check for $500 and the Teacher of the Year receives $1000. All of the nominees are outstanding educators and are well respected by their students, peers and co-workers.

L-R: Patricia Hines, Rebecca Morford, Verna Breland, Laura Hedgepath, Caitlan Reese, Cammie Rowe, Tara Triplett, Patricia Middleton. Not pictured: Sheng Yang.
This year the selection committee chose Verna Breland of Hickory High as Teacher of the Year 2014. Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you for your service to Hickory Public Schools.