Liddle goes a long way in making sure her students are successful

Harold E. Winkler's Madison Liddle, the 2025-26 Cabarrus County Schools Teacher of the Year, talked to The Cabarrus Compass about what teaching means to her.

Madison Liddle, an exceptional children’s teacher at Harold E. Winkler Middle School, was recently named the 2025-26 Cabarrus County Schools Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Chris Miller

In many ways, it makes perfect sense that Madison Liddle went into the teaching profession. After all, her parents are both Cabarrus County Schools educators, as are many of her other family members.

“It definitely runs in my blood,” she said.

But it is one thing to be an educator, one of the more noble jobs around; it is another to help transform students’ lives and make them feel special and loved.

Liddle, a sixth grade exceptional children’s teacher at Harold E. Winkler Middle School, is an educator who certainly goes above and beyond for her students, many of whom are adjusting to the rigors and challenges of middle school life.

Madison Liddle with some of her students. Photo credit: Madison Liddle.

“Everything that I do is because I love children and I’m going to do what I need to do in order to be their biggest advocate,” Liddle, 26, told The Cabarrus Compass a few days after being named the 2025-26 Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) Teacher of the Year. She had previously been named Winker’s Teacher of the Year, which put her in contention for the districtwide honor.

“It’s been a crazy experience and a really great one at that, and I have found so much love and support since that happened,” Liddle said.