Middle College’s Alec Virgil Named 2024–25 DPS Teacher of the Year

Alec Virgil, a visionary educator at Middle College High School at Durham Tech, has been named the 2024–2025 Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year. The honor was announced during the district’s annual Excellence in Teaching banquet, held Thursday night at The Cotton Room in downtown Durham.

Virgil, who teaches honors civic literacy, is known among students and colleagues for his unwavering commitment to helping young people see themselves as agents of change. In his classroom, students not only learn how systems of justice operate, but also critically examine those systems and consider how their voices can shape a better future.

“Students should be critical thinkers,” Virgil said. “They should be challenged to dig deeper, not just stop at the surface level. They need to be able to see and relate to all people as individuals, rather than just representatives of a group, and recognize stereotypes when they see or hear them.”

Now in his eighth year of teaching, Virgil has developed innovative curriculum units that ask students to grapple with real-world issues and personal narratives. One standout project prompted students to explore the social topics that affect them most and engage in peer-led dialogue to share perspectives.

He also led the creation of a Vision Board Celebration – a schoolwide event where students mapped out their aspirations for themselves and the world around them.

Beyond the classroom, Virgil serves as lead advisor for We Are Kings and Queens (WAKQ), a leadership program that empowers students of color to advocate for equity in their schools and communities. The program, which has gained regional attention, encourages students to identify inequities and use their lived experiences to inspire positive change.

Durham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis praised Virgil for his transformative approach to teaching and mentoring.

“Mr. Virgil represents teaching excellence that leaves a lasting and profound impact,” said Lewis. “His influence on the scholars at Middle College will be felt for generations because he demonstrates how much he cares about their well-being and their ability to thrive beyond the classroom.”

As the district’s Teacher of the Year, Virgil will now represent Durham Public Schools in the upcoming North Carolina Teacher of the Year selection process.

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