Your Power

A teacher learns about cooperatives

As part of her immersion into the electric cooperative business, Leigh Ann Hudson (left), Riverside High School teacher in Martin County, helped a crew from Edgecombe-Martin County EMC run service to a new residence.  She’s learning from (back to front) Alan Johnson (lineman coordinator), Sammy Clark (lead lineman) and Nick Cannon (first-class lineman).

A visit to substation, a walk through a solar farm, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a landfill gas-to-energy site: Leigh Ann Hudson’s first week with Edgecombe-Martin County EMC was far from an ordinary day at the office.

Hudson spends the school year as a teacher, but this summer as a Kenan Fellow she devoted five weeks to the business of the cooperative.

The Kenan Fellows Program pairs exceptional K–12 North Carolina educators and local businesses. Kenan Fellows can translate their experience into lesson plans designed to foster understanding of the host business, as well as to reveal how STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering and math) apply in real life.

Leigh Ann Hudson worked side-by-side with linemen, managers, customer service representatives and other co-op staff to learn about the cooperative way of business and trace the path of electricity from generation to a member’s home.

Share Your Thoughts

Have a question about this story or just want to share what you thought? We’d love to hear from you!

Related Stories

View All
Your Power

Materials Supply Co-op Marks 50 Years of Service

TEMA has helped co-ops manage costs since 1976

Your Power

NC Youth Tour ’26 Scrapbook

Take a look back at the unforgettable moments of the 2026 NC Youth Tour

Your Power

Electric Co-ops Awarded Grant Funding to Strengthen Grid

Grant funding will help electric co-ops build a stronger, more reliable grid for rural communities

Your Power

NC Electric Co-ops Partner with Veteran Career Program

NC co-ops are connecting military veterans with meaningful careers through The Honor Foundation