Michaelle Overman is the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NCCAT Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year and a Health Science educator at Perquimans County High School in northeastern North Carolina. With more than 30 years of combined education and healthcare industry experience, she brings a strong real-world perspective to teaching and learning.
Through partnerships with healthcare professionals, community organizations, and industry leaders, Michaelle creates authentic learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to the healthcare industry. She is passionate about exposing students to the broad range of healthcare careers available to them, particularly pathways they may not have previously considered. These experiences allow students to explore careers, develop relevant skills, and build meaningful connections with professionals in their region. Students also have opportunities to earn industry-recognized and nationally recognized credentials and certifications, positioning them for success as they enter the workforce, pursue advanced training, or continue their education at the college and university level.
In addition to her classroom role, Michaelle serves as a Lead Teacher for STEM East, supporting regional efforts to strengthen STEM education and expand industry-connected learning opportunities for educators and students. As an educator in a small, rural community, she is a strong advocate for equitable access to high-quality educational resources, technology, industry partnerships, and career-connected experiences. She believes a student’s geographic location should never determine the quality of their educational opportunities or limit their ability to pursue future careers. Her work centers on elevating learning through collaboration and ensuring rural students have access to the skills, credentials, connections, and experiences they need to compete and succeed beyond the classroom.