Xavier Adams

High School Teacher

Xavier Adams is the NCCAT 2022 Prudential NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. Known to his students as Mr. Xavier, Xavier teaches at Orange High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Currently, he teaches World History, Honors African American Studies, Honors Latin American Studies, and AP African American Studies. At Orange High School, Xavier leads the teacher-equity team, the student-equity team, and the Minority Achievers Program. Before becoming a teacher, Xavier worked with young people in both religious and non-profit settings in Texas and North Carolina. He ultimately decided to become a teacher because of the impact that he saw that teachers could have on a student’s life by daily showing up with care and high expectations. At the center of Xavier’s pedagogical approach to history is the question: how can we use our understanding of the victories and failures of the past to create a better world to live in today. Since being named the North Carolina Beginning Teacher of the Year, Xavier has co-presented with his students at the following places: the National Governors Association Governor’s Education Policy Advisors Institute, North Carolina’s Public School Forum weekly show Education Matters, North Carolina’s General Assembly, Duke University’s Master of Arts in Teaching graduate student’s orientation, and the Color of Education through North Carolina's Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity. At a local level, Xavier and his students have presented to their school board and school administration. Xavier holds two master's degrees from Duke University: a Master's in Theological Studies and a Master of Arts in Teaching. To continue his education, he has completed the Public School Forum’s Education Policy Fellowship, and he is currently a statewide fellow with LatinxEd’s Fellowship program.