RALEIGH, N.C (WPTF) — A high school senior and a middle school counselor are being recognized by the WakeEd Partnership.
The partnership announced the recipients of its 2026 Emerging Star and Star Among Us awards, recognizing an outstanding Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) student and educator for their leadership, service and impact on their school communities.
Izabella Marek, a senior at Green Hope High School, has been named the 2026 Emerging Star Award recipient, while Teresa T. Brown, school counselor at Mt. Vernon Middle School, has been named the 2026 Star Among Us Award recipient. Both will be honored at WakeEd Partnership’s annual Stars of Education Gala on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center (now Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center).
Both awards include a $5,000 prize for each recipient “Every year, Stars of Education gives us the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary people who make our public schools and our community stronger,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership in a press release. “Izabella and Teresa represent that beautifully. They are accomplished leaders, but what really distinguishes both of them is how they use their talents to create opportunities for others. We’re excited to honor them and share their stories with our community.” 2026
Emerging Star Award — Izabella Marek
Isabella Marek
The Emerging Star Award, presented by Delta Dental of North Carolina, recognizes an outstanding WCPSS high school senior who demonstrates exceptional leadership, character and commitment to their school and community. Marek has maintained a 4.0 unweighted GPA while pursuing rigorous coursework at Green Hope and through the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Wake Tech and NC State.
An accomplished visual artist and dedicated community volunteer, she also serves as Co President of Green Hope DECA, helping lead an organization of more than 200 students. Her impact extends well beyond her own accomplishments. After seeing that cost prevented some students from participating in DECA competitions, Marek created a nonprofit booster organization that raised more than $2,000 in its first three months to expand access. She also co-founded Green Hope’s Inter-Club Council, bringing together more than 100 student organizations to encourage collaboration and increase their collective impact across the school.
2026 Star Among Us Award — Teresa T. Brown
Teresa Jones
The Star Among Us Award, presented by Coastal Credit Union, recognizes an exceptional WCPSS educator whose dedication and leadership have made a significant difference for students and the broader community. Brown has more than two decades of experience in education, including 21 years with Wake County Public Schools. At Mt. Vernon Middle School, the district’s alternative middle school, she works to support the whole child — connecting students and families with academic, social emotional, career and community resources.
Brown has built partnerships that bring arts, mentoring, confidence-building activities, service opportunities and other experiences directly to Mt. Vernon students. Her commitment is perhaps best illustrated by what happened when a bus driver shortage threatened students’ ability to get to school: Brown earned her commercial driver’s license and drove the bus herself. Her principal describes her as a champion for young people who approach her work with professionalism, empathy and integrity. Through her work,
Brown connects school, family and community and helps students recognize strengths and possibilities in themselves they may not have seen before. The Emerging Star and Star Among Us awards are presented annually as part of WakeEd Partnership’s Stars of Education Gala, along with the organization’s Friend of Education Award.
The awards recognize individuals whose leadership and commitment exemplify the very best of public education in Wake County. Now in its 13th year, Stars of Education has recognized outstanding educators, students, business leaders, and community advocates whose contributions have strengthened public education across Wake County while helping support WakeEd’s mission-driven programs.