Alec Virgil Named Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year

DURHAM, NC– Alec Virgil, known as a visionary teacher who challenges his students at Middle College High School to think and advocate for themselves, has been named the 2024-2025 DPS Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at the district’s annual banquet honoring teaching excellence tonight at The Cotton Room venue in Durham.

An Honors Civic Literacy teacher, Virgil dedicates a great deal of his time to ensuring that students know the importance of not only how the justice system works, but also how their participation can make a difference.

Virgil developed an instructional unit that encouraged students to think about the issues that affect them personally and discuss them with each other. He also organized a Vision Board Celebration event for students to create a vision about what kind of world they would want for themselves and others.

Virgil is the lead advisor for the We Are Kings and Queens (WAKQ) program, which empowers students of color to advocate for more equitable practices in their schools.

“My beliefs about teaching? Students should be critical thinkers,” says Virgil, who has been a teacher for eight years. “They should be challenged to dig deeper, not just stop at the surface level. They need to be able to see and relate to all people as individuals, rather than just representatives of a group, and recognize stereotypes when they see or hear them.”

DPS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis expressed his pride for the commitment to teaching and learning that Virgi represents.

“Mr. Virgil represents teaching excellence that leaves a lasting and profound impact. His influence on the scholars at Middle College will be felt for generations because he demonstrates how much he cares about their well-being and their ability to thrive beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Lewis.