Cumberland County Schools
Hear from Maureen Stover about life's purpose in teaching in Cumberland County Schools.
Meet Maureen Stover
Teacher Ambassador
Cumberland County Schools in Fayetteville, NC is a wonderful place to work. Our local district promotes a culture of success. Dr. Marvin Connelly, Superintendent of Schools, is an incredible leader who supports our classified and certified staff to reach our fullest potential. We are treated as premier professionals and provided with multiple opportunities to truly flourish from our administrators, cabinet, superintendent, and school board. Additionally, Cumberland County is home to Ft. Bragg, and this provides a unique mix of cultural diversity and richness to our community and schools.
Teaching
- 9-12th Grade Science and AVID Teacher
Awards
- 2019-2020 Cumberland County Schools Teacher of the Year
- 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Sandhills Region Teacher of the Year
- 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year
- 2000 436th Airlift Wing General George Patton Intelligence Officer of the Year
- 2000 436th Operations Group Company Grade Officer of the Year
- 2017 United States Air Force Academy Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
- Swim Coach (three conference championships, two individual and one relay state qualifier)
- Science Olympiad Coach (2018 and 2019 6th place Regional winner, 2018 two individual state qualifiers)
- Prom Committee Advisor
- Key Club Advisor
- School Improvement Team Chair
- Science Department Head
- Beginning Teacher Mentor
- Pre-service Teacher Cooperating Teacher
- Japanese International Club Advisor
Teacher Certification Program
Why I Teach
My students are my ikigai. In Japanese culture, ikigai means life’s purpose. My ikigai is to guide my students’ academic, social, and emotional development as they transition from adolescence into adulthood. I take a humanistic approach to teaching by delivering motivating, meaningful content. I cultivate a positive learning space where students engage in hands-on activities that make learning relevant. My "why" is my students. The kids who I teach are amazing and they are extraordinary, but sometimes they do not realize that yet. As a teacher, I get to help my students on their journey to self-actualization. I am honored and privileged to be part of my students' stories of success. Teaching is my calling and my students are my motivation, my inspiration, and the reason why I love to come to school every day.