José Hidalgo Named Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year

José Hidalgo, a seventh-grade science teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School in Hillsborough, was named the Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year Friday afternoon. Hidalgo was chosen from among 13 teachers who were named Teachers of the Year at their respective schools.

“Hidalgo’s selflessness, dedication to his work, and ability to form strong relationships have made a profound impact on A.L. Stanback students and staff,” read a release from Orange County Schools.

Hidalgo has been with Orange County Schools since 2021 and received his North Carolina Educator License in December 2024. In addition to teaching science at A.L. Stanback, he also coaches wrestling and boys’ soccer at the school. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Hidalgo frequently uses both languages during his lessons.

“Being a native Spanish speaker has helped me tremendously in welcoming my newcomer students and including them as part of our classroom,” Hidalgo said.

In the past, he has served as a research consultant in both the United States and Latin America and a geographical information systems specialist. Hidalgo is also an instructor for scuba divers as well as for CPR skills.

As Teacher of the Year, Hidalgo will help organize the district’s cohort of other teachers of the year during the next school year. Hidalgo will also represent OCS alongside other teachers across the state.

“I congratulate Mr. Hidalgo on this well-deserved recognition of his passion for supporting his students and his colleagues,” said Orange County Schools superintendent Danielle Jones. “I am excited for him to represent our district this year. I look forward to working with him and his fellow teacher leaders to enrich and enhance teaching and learning in all our schools.”

Featured image via Orange County Schools

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

‹

Hurricane Michael Prompts School Closures

Alert Carolina message on Thursday afternoon that the university would be operating under Condition 1 from 2 p.m. Thursday until 12 a.m. Friday. Classes will operate on a normal schedule but individual faculty members have the option to adjust class schedules.**** Some local schools are closing ahead of a massive storm […]

Schools, Government Offices Closing Early Due to Inclement Weather

Much of central North Carolina is under a Winter Weather Advisory until 10 p.m. Monday, March 12, and that has caused some local school districts to alter schedules. Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools will close two hours early with elementary schools dismissing at 12:30 p.m., middle schools at 1:10 p.m. and high schools at […]

Schools Preparing for Possibility of Inclement Weather

Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools have canceled all after-school activities after 5 p.m. on Wednesday ahead of the possibility of inclement weather. Chatham County Schools have joined CHCCS and OCS in canceling all after-school activities for Wednesday. Durham Public Schools are closing one hour early on Wednesday and canceling after-school […]

Local Organization Studies Gap in NC Public School Funding

On average, Orange County spends almost $5,000 on each student in its school systems. This is over $3,000 more than the average county spends on each student, and over $4,000 more than the poorest, Swain County spends on each student. That’s what the Public School Forum of North Carolina found out in its latest study. “That plays out […]

Durham Tech Announces Contract Extension for President J.B. Buxton Through 2029

Durham Technical Community College President J.B. Buxton received a contract extension ahead of the new academic year, with his tenure now set to run to at least 2029.

Days After Historic Rain, Chapel Hill and Durham Under Another Flash Flood Warning

Many areas of Orange County, Chatham County and the rest of central North Carolina are again under a flash flood warning on Wednesday.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests Second Man in Connection to Break-In, Theft

The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced charges against two Rougemont men on Monday following an investigation into a residential break-in.

Orange, Durham And Chatham Counties Labeled 'Sanctuary Jurisdictions' By Homeland Security

UPDATE: On Friday afternoon, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) responded to the Department of Homeland Security’s list of “sanctuary jurisdictions,” which includes Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties, each of which fall under her district. “This outrageous list is nothing more than a politically motivated stunt designed to intimidate and punish local governments that refuse to be […]

Here Are Top Takeaways From The Chamber's 2025 State of the Community Report

The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro held its 18th State of the Community presentation for local leaders on May 7

José Hidalgo Named Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year

José Hidalgo, a seventh-grade science teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School in Hillsborough, was named the Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year Friday afternoon. Hidalgo was chosen from among 13 teachers who were named Teachers of the Year at their respective schools. “Hidalgo’s selflessness, dedication to his work, and ability to form strong relationships […]

›