"Maureen Stover is the 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year (NCTOY) and a 2021 National Teacher of the Year Finalist. Prior to her position as the NCTOY, she taught 9the and 10th grade biology, earth and environmental science, and advancement via individual determination (AVID) at Cumberland International Early College High School in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Stover has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels and worked as an educational consultant for the National Science Teaching Association. She earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the United States Air Force Academy, Class of 1997, a Master of Arts Education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum and instruction from Adams State University in Colorado, a Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary science from Western Governors University North Carolina, and a Leadership Certificate in STEM education from Teachers College Columbia University.

As an educator, Stover is dedicated to improving the educational opportunities for every student through equitable education initiatives and seeks to provide clear pathways for students to successfully enter the career or college program of their choice upon graduation from high school.

Prior to becoming a teacher, Stover served as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force. In this role, she served as a flight commander, watch officer, and executive officer. Her military experience includes directing indications and warnings for 1,000 flights over Iraq, including 25 combat strike missions with zero combat losses. She was lauded by her commander as critical to the USAF’s war on terror."