North Carolina teachers named 2026 CERTIFIED Educators of the Year
Rhea-AI Summary
Pearson (NYSE:PSO) announced that North Carolina teachers Frances Clark of West Johnson High School and Ashley Faulkner of Triton High School were named 2026 Certiport CERTIFIED Educators of the Year at the CERTIFIED Educator Conference.
The award honors instructors who promote industry-recognized technology certifications and real-world skills.
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News Market Reaction – PSO
In the Jun 17 session, PSO declined 0.72%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28 | AI skills modules launch | Positive | -0.7% | Launched AI modules to build practical workforce AI skills for students. |
| May 05 | AI practice outcomes data | Positive | +1.8% | Data showed higher proficiency gains with AI-powered adaptive practice. |
| May 01 | Q1 2026 trading update | Positive | +2.7% | Reported underlying sales growth and reaffirmed 2026 profit and FCF guidance. |
| Apr 22 | IT certification study | Positive | +0.6% | Study found strong employer support and ROI for IT certification programs. |
| Apr 13 | AI readiness research | Positive | +2.8% | Global research with AWS highlighted gaps in AI-ready graduates and solutions. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent news has generally been positive and the stock has more often risen than fallen on such updates, with one notable divergence.
Over the last few months, Pearson has highlighted AI-driven learning and steady financial performance. A Q1 2026 trading update reported underlying group sales growth and reaffirmed guidance, while multiple AI-related announcements emphasized bridging skills gaps and improving learner outcomes. Employer-focused IT certification research also underscored demand for credentials. Today’s educator recognition news fits this skills-and-certification narrative, reinforcing Pearson’s focus on workforce readiness rather than introducing new financial or strategic disclosures.
Key Terms
cte technical
ai-ready graduates technical
technology certification technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
The Certiport CERTIFIED Educator of the Year award recognizes exceptional middle school, high school, or post-secondary instructors who champion industry-recognized technology certifications in the classroom. The award celebrates educators who go above and beyond to help students earn resume-building credentials, highlighting teachers who prepare students for the modern workforce by teaching real-world skills.
The winners:
- Frances Clark, West Johnson High School, N.C.
- Ashley Faulkner, Triton High School, N.C.
Why it matters: "Teachers provide a vital role in preparing students for further studies and career paths they may follow," said Laura Peterson, Managing Director of Professional Assessments at Pearson. "Their approaches to educating, nurturing, and motivating learners have a direct impact on the future success of their students, and through the Educators of the Year initiative, we celebrate those teachers who inspire young people to keep learning and growing."
What colleagues are saying:
Frances Clark
- "Fran is an amazing teacher. She cares deeply about her students and puts in so much effort to give her students additional opportunities to meet their needs," said Reno Palombit, Director of Career and Technical Education of
Johnston County Public Schools.
Ashley Faulkner
- "Ashley is remarkable for
Harnett County Schools. She has served in multiple schools, teaching multiple CTE courses, and she's become an expert in each area. She is one of the greatest CTE teachers that we have. You will not find an educator more dedicated to their craft than Ashley Faulkner," said Lindsey Hardy, CTE Program Coordinator ofHarnett County Schools.
Together, they're known for their collaborative approach
- "Working with Ashley and Fran is just a pleasure. They are definitely a dynamic duo. They are always willing to explore new opportunities for the classes that they teach. I can't say enough about those ladies and how wonderful they are to work with. They always go above and beyond," said Beth
Matthews, North Carolina Business, Finance, and Marketing Education Consultant of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
The Certiport CERTIFIED Educator of the Year winner is named at the annual CERTIFIED Educator Conference, the premier education event explicitly dedicated to exploring the educational impact of technology certification. To learn more about Frances and Ashley, and their approaches to teaching in the classroom, watch the video highlighting the 2026 CERTIFIED Educators of the Year here.
Related Pearson News
- The Certification Imperative: Empowering Young People to Bridge the Skills Gap
- Pearson Empowers Teachers with "Foundations of AI for PK-12 Educators" Course
- New Pearson and AWS Global research:
53% of Employers Struggle to Find AI-Ready Graduates
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at plc.pearson.com.
Media Contact
Greg.Forbes@pearson.com
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SOURCE Pearson