Reaching 642 school districts in five states, Foundation honors exceptional educators and advances literacy initiatives

As students sharpen pencils and step back into classrooms this fall, the Bojangles Foundation is wrapping up a milestone year of honoring exceptional educators across the Southeast through its 2025 Teacher of the Year program.

Now in its fifth year of support in North Carolina, 17th in South Carolina, third in Georgia, second in Tennessee and first year in Virginia, the Bojangles Foundation’s support of the Teacher of the Year programs honors educators who go above and beyond for their students. Through partnerships with state departments of education, each Teacher of the Year finalist received donated books from the Bojangles Foundation and a Bojangles gift card, while state winners received an additional $500 in Bojangles gift cards and $2,500 cash as a thank-you for their leadership and impact. This year, the Foundation reached 642 school districts and donated 12,840 books across five states: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Details of 2025 winners from each state included:

  • Georgia: Rachel Kinsaul, an agriculture teacher at Morgan County High School, was named Georgia’s Teacher of the Year. The Foundation supported 152 districts and donated 3,040 books.
  • North Carolina: Rachel Candaso of Welcome Middle School was recognized as North Carolina’s Teacher of the Year in Pitt County. The Foundation catered a celebratory breakfast for her school and donated 2,460 books across 123 districts.
  • South Carolina: Corey Bedenbaugh, a social studies teacher at Batesville-Leesville Middle School, was honored as South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year. Karine Dobson of Lee Central High School received the Charles T. Dickerson Award. The Foundation supported 83 districts and donated 1,660 books.
  • Tennessee: Dr. Brandi De La Cruz, a math teacher at Collierville High School, was named Tennessee’s Teacher of the Year. All nine district finalists received a Big Bo Box of Books and a $100 Bojangles gift card. The Foundation supported 199 districts and donated 3,940 books.
  • Virginia: Matthew Neal, an English and journalism instructor at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke County, was honored as Virginia’s Teacher of the Year. The Foundation supported 87 districts and donated 1,740 books, along with a surprise breakfast celebration at his school.

“Teachers play one of the most vital roles in our communities, and the Bojangles Foundation is proud to stand behind them,” said Ken Reynolds, executive director of the Bojangles Foundation. “Our goal is simple: We want every teacher to feel seen, supported and celebrated, especially at the start of a new school year – with books that inspire and Bojangles meals that bring a little joy to their day.”

Established in 2022, the Bojangles Foundation champions three pillars of impact: literacy, military and first responders appreciation and strengthening community. Its Teacher of the Year efforts directly support literacy through meaningful engagement with schools and educators. As students and staff return to classrooms this fall, the Foundation is proud to help create warm welcomes and stronger starts. To learn more or support the Bojangles Foundation’s work, visit www.bojangles.com/foundation.