Number 10

District Highlight: Burke County Schools - The Paper: "Turning Good Deeds into Good Reads at Forest Hill Elementary"

"Forget sodas or snacks — the newest vending machine at Forest Hill Elementary delivers something much more valuable to children: the gift of good books.

On April 10, students at Forest Hill were surprised to see a giant wrapped package in the school lobby. They soon pulled the paper off of the present to reveal a shiny new book vending machine filled with picture and chapter books waiting to be read.

And students won’t have to break into their piggy banks when they need a new read — the vending machine operates on tokens, which have been distributed to Forest Hill teachers. Students can earn tokens by doing good deeds, practicing model behaviors, and through contests as well."

Read the full story here.

Number 9

EdNC: "State Board Hears from Educators on Needs of Beginning Teachers, Importance of Support Personnel"

"Seven months after Hurricane Helene, State Board of Education members discussed their visions for North Carolina public schools at a three-day meeting in a former Haywood County elementary school library.

Educators told the members that schools need increased support and funding, both in the western region and across the state, during the Board’s first planning meeting since the election of Mo Green as superintendent of public instruction. Green said he will use the discussions to form the draft of his strategic plan, which he will present at the Board’s June meeting."

Read the full story here. 

Number 8

District Highlight: Sampson County Schools and Clinton City Schools - "Historic Joint Budget Resolution Signed by Sampson County Schools, Clinton City Schools and Sampson County Board of Commissioners"

"In a landmark move for public education, the Sampson County Schools Board of Education and the Clinton City Schools Board of Education have joined with the Sampson County Board of Commissioners to sign a historic joint budget resolution. This is the first time all three entities have entered into an annual current expense funding agreement, marking a new era of collaboration and stability for local school funding.

The resolution guarantees that both Sampson County Schools and Clinton City Schools will receive a set amount of local funding each year. Under the agreement, the school systems will receive 25% of the sum of all property tax revenues and all sales tax revenues not otherwise designated by state statute for education received by Sampson County Government. ​Read the full resolution here."

Read the full press release here.

Number 7

Quarterly PIO Call Follow-Up

The Quarterly PIO Call was Wednesday, May 7. If you did not receive the meeting follow-up materials, including the slide deck and recording, please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 6

EdNC: "Meet the 2025-26 Cohort of Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership"

"Thirty teachers from 24 counties will participate in the 2025-26 Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at NC State University, a year-long professional development program that links educators with experiences across industries.

'We are proud to welcome the 2025–26 Kenan Fellows,' Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, said in a press release.

The program announced its new participants on National Teacher Day, May 6.

'These accomplished educators have shown strong leadership within their schools and a desire to enhance their practice,' Kite said. 'The Kenan Fellows Program is dedicated to investing in educators and elevating the teaching profession. We look forward to supporting these teachers as they build skills and confidence that will benefit their communities.'”

Read the full story and see the full list of the cohort’s teachers, industry partners and mentors here.

Number 5

Registration Open for Fall Professional Development Opportunities at NCCAT

Join the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) for professional development this September through December. NCCAT works with educators through hands-on learning experiences that directly support classroom success. Our residential programs provide educators with the tools, strategies, and support. Each week, teachers engage in content-rich instruction, collaborate with colleagues around the state, explore proven methodologies and receive coaching to implement new insights effectively.

Learn more about program offerings and apply here.

Number 4

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base: "SJAFB Honors Local Educator with Thunderbirds Hometown Hero Flight"

"Heather Smith, a middle school math teacher at Waynesville Middle School, earned the 2024 North Carolina Teacher of the Year award. She was recently honored with a Thunderbirds Hometown Hero flight during the Wings Over Wayne open house event held at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 2, 2025.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Hometown Hero flying program aims to celebrate local individuals who have made a significant impact on their community. Selected nominees get the rare opportunity to fly in one of the backseats of the Thunderbird’s famed Fighting Falcons.

'Our Hometown Hero flyer program is just one way to honor and thank those individuals who are making a difference across their communities,' said Lt. Col. Taylor Wight, Thunderbird 7, Director of Operations. 'Not only is the flight a way to thank them for the work they do every day but also allows our team to share with them the pride and precision of our team.'”

Read the full story and see photos here. 

Number 3

Applications Open for North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) AI Fellows Program

Attention NC middle and high school educators! The North Carolina Business Committee for Education, in partnership with Google.org, is launching its AI Fellows initiative. The program will equip 20 exceptional teachers with the tools and resources to be AI leaders and mentors in their school community.

Learn more and apply here. Applications are open now until May 16.

Number 2

NCDPI "Celebrate the Good" Blog Post: NC’s Teacher of the Year is an AVID Educator, Advocate for Rural Schools and a Swiftie

Rachel Candaso of Pitt County Schools was named the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Teacher of the Year in early April. Watch her acceptance speech on the NCDPI YouTube page.

Check out the Q&A with Wellcome Middle School’s Rachel Candaso here.

Number 1

Video: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from State Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green

"Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Words cannot adequately express my level of gratitude to each and every one of you for the dedication and sacrifices that you make every day for your NC Public Schools students."

Watch Superintendent Green's Teacher Appreciation Week video message here.