News and Events

Dare County Schools is proud to announce that Kaley Kiffner, a science teacher at First Flight Middle School, has been selected as the 2025 Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher for District 1 by the North Carolina Science Teachers Association (NCSTA).

 

Kiffner is known for her engaging instruction, leadership, and commitment to student success. In addition to her impact in the classroom, she leads the school’s National Junior Honor Society chapter and contributes to the development of science curriculum content for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Her dedication, creativity, and influence extend beyond her own students, positively shaping science education across the state.

 

“I am so proud of Ms. Kiffner for earning this award,” said First Flight Middle School Principal Diane Childress. “She is one of the most rigorous teachers I know. She collaborates with her science colleagues to create each unit with intentionality. Ms. Kiffner differentiates for students who need more scaffolding and encourages all of her students to use every tool they have to succeed. Ms. Kiffner is like the Energizer Bunny, going on and on to do what’s best for our students. I appreciate her expertise, dedication, and passion for teaching!”

 

Kiffner will be formally recognized Thursday, Nov. 6, during NCSTA’s Professional Development Institute in Winston-Salem. She will be honored at the annual awards reception and ceremony, which celebrates outstanding science educators from across North Carolina who are making a lasting difference in the lives of students and advancing science education statewide.

 

“Ms. Kiffner is an exceptional educator whose enthusiasm and joy for teaching are truly inspiring and contagious,” said Dare County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight. “In her science classroom, she brings learning to life in meaningful and engaging ways, ensuring that every student feels valued, respected, and an essential part of the learning process. Her influence extends far beyond academic success. She instills in her students the confidence to embrace challenges and the belief that they can succeed in any endeavor. We are so fortunate to have Ms. Kiffner in Dare County Schools and are deeply grateful for the lasting impact she makes, both in her classroom and in the lives of her students.”
 

The North Carolina Science Teachers Association is committed to advancing and supporting excellence in science education at all levels. Through professional deveopment, collaboration, and recognition, NCSTA empowers educators and promotes high-quality science instruction across the state.