Number 10

AIM 2024 Conference Proposal Deadline Extended to June 30

The 2024 AIM Conference will be held on Oct. 7-9 at the Raleigh Convention Center. This agency-wide event is an excellent opportunity to share expertise with the field. The proposal window for the conference has been extended and will close on June 30. 

Submit proposals through the 2024 AIM Call for Proposals form. In an effort to assist you with the completion of the Call for Proposal, you may want to complete a 2024 AIM Conference Call for Proposals Worksheet.

The proposal window will be open through June 30. Individuals selected for presentation will be notified of acceptance status by July 12.

Number 9

Governor’s Educator Discovery Awards Applications Now Open

The Governor’s Educator Discovery Awards recognize the value of quality professional development for teachers at all phases of their careers. The program will provide a stipend of up to $1,000 for preK-12 public school teachers to pursue a professional development experience of their choosing. Teachers can use the grant award to attend a workshop or conference that deepens their subject area knowledge.

To be eligible for the Governor’s Educator Discovery Awards, educators must submit a proposal that includes details about their teaching experience and the professional development activity they wish to pursue. Applicants also need to describe how their participation in the professional development experience will enhance their efforts to create a work-based learning activity for their students.

Applications for the current cycle are open now. The deadline for submissions is September 2. Learn more and apply here. 

Number 8

Next NC Scholarship Offers Students Money for College that Doesn't Have to be Paid Back

Seniors are finalizing their plans for life after high school. For those planning on college, most NC students from households making $80,000 or less will qualify for the Next NC Scholarship, a financial aid program that combines the Federal Pell grant and state aid into one, easy to understand scholarship.

Eligible students attending a community college will receive at least $3,000 per year, which means qualifying North Carolinians can choose from any of the 58 community colleges across the state and have all of their tuition and fees 100% covered. Those attending a public university in North Carolina will get a minimum of $5,000 per year. That pays for more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees at any of the 16 public universities in the state. Students with the greatest need for financial aid could qualify for even more to help make paying for college more manageable.

Students apply for this scholarship by completing the FAFSA. Encourage students to go to nextncscholarship.org for more information. School leaders can find Next NC materials to share with students here.

Number 7

NC Portrait of a Graduate Performance Tasks Available June 10

North Carolina Portrait of a Graduate Performance Tasks will come out on June 10! Educators from across the state with expertise in various subject areas created performance tasks to help bring the Portrait of a Graduate to classrooms starting this fall.

Designed and tested by classroom teachers, these activities incorporate the Portrait's durable skills with academics aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study.

A webinar for educators will be held on June 17. Register and learn more here. 

Number 6

How North Carolina is Working to Get Early Learners Interested in Engineering

"When picturing an engineering student, most wouldn’t imagine a kindergartner, but Dr. Charles Aiken said to cultivate the next generation of creative and collaborative problem-solvers, inspiration can and should begin early on.

'I think people naturally assume that’s something that high school kids do, but that interest doesn’t start in high school, it starts much younger,' said Aiken, the section chief for math, science, and STEM for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

At the annual Building Engineers in K-5 Classrooms Conference, elementary educators and colleagues came together to learn more about teaching and encouraging an interest in the STEM fields for some of North Carolina’s youngest students. The conference is part of a partnership between DPI and UNC Greensboro’s SERVE Center.

With many STEM-focused industries in North Carolina looking to recruit high-quality professionals, Aiken said the conference centers on helping educators spark an early interest among students through lessons in the classroom and extracurricular activities like robotics teams and clubs."

Read the full article here. 

Number 5

Submit a Proposal to 2024 AIM Conference NC K-12 Research Roundtable Session

Join NCDPI for a “Research Roundtable & Reception” at the Raleigh Convention Center on the evening of Monday October 7, 2024 at the 2024 AIM Conference.

NCDPI is interested in highlighting research and evaluation studies conducted in NC public school settings since 2020. This convening will provide an opportunity for researchers from around the state to engage directly with state education leaders, policymakers and district and school practitioners about their K-12 research and findings.

If interested, please complete this AIM Proposal for Research
Roundtables form by June 30, 2024.

Number 4

Registration Open for 2024 CTE Summer Conference - Early Bird Pricing Ends Tomorrow, May 31

NCDPI in partnership with the NC Association for Career and Technical Education are excited to bring you this year's 2024 Summer Conference July 15-19 in Winston-Salem! Attendees can expect: collective sessions for collaboration across curricula, a keynote speaker, hands-on experiences, three full days of content for all program areas, additional options for walking tours and networking events in the city and a CTE Curriculum Resource showcase.

Learn more and register for the conference here. The deadline to register is July 5.

Number 3

NCCAT Fall Professional Development Registration Now Open

North Carolina educators are invited to take advantage of professional development opportunities offered by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) from September through December. NCCAT, a distinguished national leader in teacher professional development, provides educators with a platform for collaboration and growth. One of the key advantages of NCCAT programs is the opportunity for educators to collaborate with peers from across North Carolina. Lodging, meals, and materials are provided free of charge, making these programs accessible to educators across the state. Registration for the upcoming fall programs is now open, and educators are encouraged to register early to secure their spots.

Click here to learn more about available programs and apply here. 

Number 2

A Love Letter to Public Education: Meet the 2024 NC Principal of the Year

"The 2024 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year is Beckie Spears, the principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School, where she was 'a student, and a teacher, and a mama.'

'I believe that being a principal is a tremendous privilege even in the hard days,' said Spears. 'Our school is a love letter to public education.'

Superintendent Catherine Truitt, who made personal remarks about each finalist, said, 'You believe that the answers to the questions ‘who are we’ and ‘who do we serve’ are found right there within the community. You know that the strengths and passions of the people within a school help fulfill your mission and that your community of learners includes students, teachers, and parents alike.'"

Read the full article, and learn more about the other 2024 NC Wells Fargo Principal of the Year finalists, here.

Number 1

Beckie Spears Named 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year

"Beckie Spears, principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School, was named the 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year today [Friday] at a ceremony at the Umstead Hotel honoring nine finalists from across the state.

Over the past five years, Spears has made a tangible impact on the performance and culture at Wilkesboro Elementary School, and as a result, the school exceeded expected growth for the 2022-2023 school year.

Under Spears’ leadership, teachers and staff use data to drive instruction, and they work collaboratively to serve all learners. Spears works with families to meet students’ most basic needs."

Congratulations, Beckie! Read the full press release here.