Our QDR Goldstar Teacher of the month for January 2026 is Erika Wade, 1st grade teacher at East Clayton Elementary School.
Mrs. Wade was nominated by Taryn Madden, who says, Mrs. Wade is a compassionate teacher that works 14-hour days to make sure her students have the very best! This is her twelfth year of teaching at East Clayton Elementary, and to say teaching is her passion, is an understatement. She has the most genuine heart and loves her students like her own daughter. She tells me that she loves the look her students make when they learn something and that makes it all worth it. She wants her students to have the absolute best year, both academically and emotionally. She continuously spends her own money buying things to make projects and assignments more exciting and unforgettable. She is one of a kind and her students and co-teachers would tell you the same!”
Mrs. Wade received a plaque from Creative Images in Cary, a $100 Visa gift card from April Stephens Team of eXp Realty, Make Your Move With Confidence, and $100 from Kanki Japanese House of Steak and Sushi, For Food, Fun and A Little Fire.”