Editor’s note: A version of this story first appeared in CityView’s education newsletter on June 2. Subscribe to receive it on Tuesdays along with our daily newsletter, which is sent mornings Sunday through Friday.
Tammy Cox’s journey to the classroom did not begin with a traditional path.
Before becoming a teacher at Cape Fear High School, Cox spent 13 years as a substitute teacher in Robeson County while raising her children.
After her youngest child graduated in 2015, she returned to school, eventually earning a degree from Appalachian State University in Career and Technical Education Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship Education.
Now, Cox has taught for seven years at Cape Fear High School and was named Cumberland County Schools’ Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year.
CityView recently asked Cox about her journey into education, what the recognition means to her, and how she prepares students for life beyond high school.
Tell us about your journey into education and what brought you to Cumberland County Schools?
I served 13 years in the public schools of Robeson County as a substitute teacher while I was raising my children. When my last child graduated in 2015, I knew an empty nest was going to be tough. My daughter recommended that I consider taking some college courses. So, my journey to earning a degree began.
I started out working towards an associate degree in accounting. I had previously worked in the banking industry in accounts payable and really enjoyed it. After my first year, I decided to change my degree to an associate degree in Arts College Transfer to work toward a degree in Career & Technical Education (CTE). As a substitute teacher, I mainly covered classes in the CTE department.
Because of my long history in accounting handling the accounting records of my father’s business and 12 years of banking, I chose to attend Appalachian State University for CTE Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship Education. I continued to work as a full-time substitute teacher while taking the online program at Appalachian State.
My weakness is making life decisions. I overanalyze important decisions so I prayed and sought guidance and asked, “Whichever gate I am supposed to walk through, please only allow that door to open.” That prayer was granted even though I did many interviews and handed out over 30 resumes.
I was also part of a program in Wake County that supposedly would guarantee me a position there but my door opened in Cumberland County Schools. I have been serving for seven years at Cape Fear High School in Cumberland County.
What does being named Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year mean to you, both personally and professionally?
Being named the Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year for Cumberland County Schools is both humbling and deeply meaningful to me. Personally, it is a reflection of the passion I have for working with students and helping them see the value in what they are learning.
I pour a lot into creating a safe classroom environment where students feel supported, challenged, and prepared for life beyond high school, so this recognition is incredibly rewarding.
Professionally, this honor represents much more than my individual work. It highlights the importance of career and technical education as a whole. CTE provides students with real-world skills, industry exposure and opportunities that can truly change their path.
I am proud to be part of that mission, and this recognition gives me an even greater responsibility to advocate for these programs and for my students.
It has also motivated me to continue growing as an educator and to serve as a leader within the district. I want to support and collaborate with other teachers, share effective practices and help elevate the impact of CTE across Cumberland County Schools. Ultimately, this honor reinforces why I do what I do, helping students build confidence, develop skills and see a clear path to their future.
How do you approach preparing students for real-world careers through your classroom instruction?
I approach preparing students for real-world careers through classroom instruction by using MajorClarity’s tools of personality and learning styles assessments. The students are matched to careers based on their answers.
They dig deeper by researching several of those careers to see which one sparks their interest. I strive to mirror my classroom expectations and experiences in what they would encounter on the job.
It starts with creating a learning environment that emphasizes accountability, professionalism, integrity, and problem-solving. I want to set an example in my classroom by never expecting my students to do something that I am not willing to do myself.
I teach them an objective and then we apply it in a real way so they can see the value in building that skill.
No matter which course I teach, I design my instruction around hands-on, project-based learning. My students enjoy having guest speakers that come from the industry of the courses I teach, such as Project Management and Hospitality & Tourism Management.
We have class discussions every day where we work through real-world scenarios and find solutions. I emphasize the importance of employability skills like communication, teamwork, time management and leadership because these skills are needed in every career pathway.
My desire is to connect students to opportunities beyond my classroom. CCS offers the ICON program and College Teamship (formerly District C) and I have had several students to take advantage of these programs.
Prior to being dissolved, I assisted in getting a student enrolled in the Blue Ridge Power internship program and he landed his first adult job with them after he completed their program.
What is one moment or student experience that has reaffirmed your work in CTE education?
I had a student her freshman year that had severe issues with anxiety. I built a relationship with her and actually listened to her concerns. We developed a system that worked for both of us when she felt she needed a brief break from the classroom setting.
This young lady ended up taking four classes with me. Her junior and senior year she served in a leadership role in DECA. She overcame her anxiety one step at a time.
I never pressed her but just encouraged her. She went from not wanting to conduct classroom presentations to leading our 65-member chapter meetings, talent show, community service events, and awards programs.
This is just one story of how I have witnessed a student grow from being totally introverted to taking leadership roles in the classroom and in the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)-DECA organization.
What advice would you give to other educators looking to make a lasting impact in career and technical education?
My advice to other educators on how to make a lasting impact in career and technical education at the high school level is to build relationships with your students and to serve them not only as a teacher but a mentor.
Learn what your students’ goals, strengths, and weaknesses are as early as possible. Students that feel “seen and heard” are more likely to meet their challenges head-on. Work with them to build confidence and make ethical choices in real-world scenarios they connect to.
When students see that connection between what they are learning and how it can benefit them in their future, you are making an impact in their lives now and in their future.
Focus on communication, time management, teamwork, and professionalism which is what I teach in every single course. I am a project-based educator who provides the opportunity to build these skills and relationships.
