Number 10

April is National Deaf History Month!

April is National Deaf History Month, an opportunity to highlight the importance of inclusivity and equal accessibility for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or experiencing hearing loss within our local communities. Please join us in recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of our students, colleagues, and friends who are deaf or hard of hearing in North Carolina!

Learn more about Deaf History Month here. Resources for teachers can be found here.

Number 9

Registration for RISE 2023 Now Open

This year’s RISE Conference will be held July 31-August 2 at the Gastonia Conference Center. Registration is free.

RISE training focuses on the resiliency, information, support and empowerment needed when supporting children and adolescents in schools and communities. The conference covers a range of issues such as bullying, suicide, opioid and substance use, critical incidents and other vital information about trauma and victimization among children and adolescents, and their impact on school climate and safety.

Learn more about the conference here. Register here. If you have any questions, please email cfss@dpi.nc.gov. 

Number 8

Future Teachers of NC: Eastern NC Symposium - Deadline to Apply April 24

Do you know a high schooler interested in becoming a teacher? Help them find their destination at the Future Teachers of NC Eastern Symposium! This event will offer information, experiences and resources about the teaching profession to help participants explore many of the wonderful aspects of being a teacher. 

During this on-campus experience, participants will learn about the field of education through creative, engaging, fun activities. Participants will interact with current students majoring in teacher education, faculty and staff from ECU, UNC-Pembroke and UNC-Wilmington. Participants will also learn about college life and make meaningful connections with peers.

Participants will have the option of a 1-night overnight stay in an ECU campus residence hall—there is no cost to stay overnight. Free meals and snacks will be provided to participants.

Rising high school juniors, seniors and current seniors who are interested in becoming a teacher are invited to apply by April 24. Learn more and apply here.

Number 7

Reminder: Quarterly PIO Call April 20

Public Information Officers and Charter School Communication Leaders are invited to join the Quarterly PIO Call next Thursday, April 20. The Zoom link and agenda were shared this week.

Please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov with any questions or if you did not receive the meeting information.

Number 6

Sign Up for New Parent Newsletter from Superintendent Truitt

Superintendent Truitt is starting a parent newsletter that will help parents and guardians stay in the know on education happenings in our state.

Sign up for the newsletter here by entering your email address and selecting "Superintendent Truitt's Parent Newsletter" under the "Internal Lists" section and keep an eye out for the first edition this spring!

Number 5

Ready, Set, App! Call for Judges

Ready, Set, App! is a mobile app building competition for NC High Schoolers hosted by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE). Students work together to build an app to solve a problem in their school or community. The competition has two rounds. In the first round, all participants submit their projects for public voting. Then those votes are tallied to determine the top teams who will compete in the second round, the final pitch competition. The final pitch competition is where teams present their apps to a panel of professionals for the chance to win major prizes courtesy of our sponsor, Lenovo.

If you're interested in being a judge for this first round of voting, please click here. Voting is open to the public so anyone can participate. 

Judging opens April 19th and closes April 26th. If you have any questions, please reach out to ciera.tucker@nc.gov.

Number 4

Summer Employment Opportunities at NC Governor's School

The NC Governor’s School is the oldest program of its kind in the nation and has inspired similar programs throughout the United States. Bright and talented high school students from across the state undergo a competitive application process to be selected to attend.
The summer session will be from June 12-July 15 for staff (June 18-July 15 for students) and will be at two campuses: Meredith College (East campus) and Winston-Salem State University (West campus). We currently have openings for Fellows and Instructors (see more information under the headings for Fellows and educators below).

Being on staff at NC Governor’s School will allow you to play a role in a life-changing summer for these amazing students. It’s an opportunity to work with high school students in a residential environment where creativity and curiosity are valued and learning takes place without the pressures of grades or tests.

NCDPI will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews through an on-going process until all positions are filled. Position availability, job descriptions, and application are available here. Please contact Rodney Allen with your questions at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 3

Growing Success for Multilingual Learners (MLs) Summer Conference Registration Open

This year's Growing Success for MLs Summer Conference will be held face-to-face in one central location June 20-22. Participants are invited to register for sessions that best help them to grow expertise in meeting the needs of Multilingual Learners. This professional development opportunity is free.

During registration, participants select one of the three-day training offerings to attend. Please note registration is first-come, first-serve. Once a course's registration is full, registrants will be put on a waiting list. 

Learn more about the Growing Success for MLs Summer Conference here. Register here.

Number 2

NCCAT Accepting Applications for Honored Educator Scholarship through April 30

Honored Educator Scholarships (HES) provide an opportunity for selected teachers to attend an NCCAT seminar of their choice. An HES covers all costs associated with participation in a five-day NCCAT seminar, including program materials, instruction, food, lodging, transportation, and substitute teacher. The honored educator also receives $250 for use in the classroom.

Applications for 2023 are currently being accepted until April 30. Learn more and apply here.

Number 1

2023 Burroughs Wellcome NC Teacher of the Year to be Announced Tomorrow, Friday, April 14

The 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year will be announced Friday, April 14, during a luncheon at The Umstead Hotel in Cary.

Again this year, with support from Equitable Advisors and PBS North Carolina, the ceremony will be livestreamed on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The ceremony will start at 12:30 p.m., with the livestream beginning at 11:30 a.m. with a video featuring sponsors and regional finalists.