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Polk County High School’s Chauncey Barber has been named the West Region Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Agriculture Teachers Association, marking the second straight year a Polk County instructor has received the honor.

The award recognizes excellence in areas including classroom instruction, experiential learning, student leadership development, program partnerships, program marketing and professional growth.

Barber has led Polk County High’s agriculture education program since 2001, building on a teaching career that began in 1999. He holds a bachelor of science degree in agriculture education from Clemson University, with minors in environmental science and agronomy.

Ashley Gilbert, another Polk County High instructor, earned the same regional recognition in the previous academic year.

The achievement continues to highlight Polk County High School’s strong agriculture education program in North Carolina’s western region.