Number 10

Register to Attend State Superintendent Green's Strategic Plan Regional Tour

Superintendent Mo Green is hitting the road! Join us as he kicks off the statewide tour to share NCDPI’s bold strategic plan, "Achieving Educational Excellence."

📍 Southwest Region Launch
📅 Oct. 20 | 6 p.m.
📌 West Charlotte High School (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)

📍 Northwest Region Launch
📅 Oct. 22 | 5:30 p.m.
📌 Robert L. Patton High School (Burke County Schools)

📍 Western Region Launch
📅 Oct. 23 | 6 p.m.
📌 Swain Arts Center (Swain County Schools)

Parents, students, educators, community members and leaders - this is your chance to hear firsthand how we’re working to make NC’s schools the best in the nation.

🔗 Learn more and save your spot: go.ncdpi.gov/bestinnation

Number 9

Next Week is College Application Week!

This is the 20th year that North Carolina colleges and universities will be waiving application fees during College Application Week, October 20-26.

Review the list of colleges waiving fees here. Students can use the CFNC Application Hub to submit their applications.

Number 8

NCVPS Free October Professional Development Sessions

Join the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) this month for two free professional learning webinars focused on enhancing online teaching and engagement. Each session earns .1 CEU (General Credit).

📅 Oct. 23, 2025 | 6-7 p.m.
Topic: Enhancing Engagement: Providing Feedback to Online Learners
Presenter: Amanda Bartlett, NBCT – NCVPS Instructor, Economics & Personal Finance

📅 Oct. 30, 2025 | 6-7 p.m.
Topic: Digital Classroom Success: Practical Engagement Techniques for New Educators
Presenter: Michelle Bardsley – NCVPS Instructor & CTE Marketing Course Lead

Learn more and find registration information here. 

Number 7

Restart Eligibility Information Webinar

NCDPI’s Office of District & School Support Services is offering a webinar on the Restart Reform Model for districts interested in pursuing authorization to implement the Restart Reform Model in the 2026-2027 school year for one or more of their schools designated as Continually Low Performing. This webinar will give a general overview of the Restart Reform Model and available flexibilities, reporting and monitoring requirements, supports offered by NCDPI and the application process.

The webinar is Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 10-11 a.m. Learn more and register here. 

Number 6

2025-26 Office of Teaching and Learning Statewide Supports

Check out NCDPI's Office of Teaching and Learning Statewide Supports for 2025–26. This resource provides educators information on upcoming webinars, leader meetings, resource release dates and more.

Check back often for updates and links to new material and webinar recordings. 

Find the 2025-26 Office of Teaching and Learning Statewide Supports resource here. 

Number 5

Virtual Listening Session for K-12 Educators

North Carolina Asian Americans Together (NCAAT) is hosting a virtual listening session for K-12 educators across the state. As classrooms grow increasingly diverse, educators play a critical role in ensuring that students see their histories, identities and communities reflected in what they learn. This listening session is an opportunity to share experiences, concerns and hopes for what a truly inclusive curriculum could look like in North Carolina schools.

The virtual listening session is Wednesday, Oct. 22, 4-5 p.m. Learn more and register here.

Number 4

Alamance Burlington School System Educator Named Finalist For 2026 National School Counselor Of The Year

"Annie Goldberg, ACSC, school counselor at Broadview Middle School, has been named one of five finalists for the prestigious 2026 School Counselor of the Year award by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The announcement recognizes Goldberg's exceptional work in transforming student outcomes.

'I impact what students know and are able to do in all areas: academic, behavioral, and social emotional to put them on track for postsecondary and career success,' Goldberg explained in her submission video. Through data driven programming, Goldberg has created innovative initiatives that address the diverse needs of Broadview students.

Her programs include a Newcomer Program supporting English language learners, a Beyond 12 Program that makes college accessible for first generation students, and initiatives that help students create books telling their own stories. Goldberg also collaborated with teacher Chanel Jones, the 2025 Piedmont Triad Teacher of the Year, on two impactful programs Jones brought to her: a laundry initiative that addresses basic needs so students can focus on learning and restorative justice circles that help students resolve conflicts peacefully. Her comprehensive approach has led to significant improvements in academic achievement, attendance, and school climate at Broadview Middle School."

Read the full press release here. 

Number 3

NCDPI AI Specialist Vera Cubero Featured on Spectrum News One: "AI Emerging as New Study Partner for Students"

"'This technology is just moving faster than anything we’ve ever seen before, and we have students graduating into the world not having learned how to use it,' said Vera Cubero, an education consultant with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Cubero led the committee that developed the NCDPI’s guidebook for using AI in schools. While K-5 may be too young, she encourages students in upper middle school and high school to start experimenting.

'There are safer tools, like Canva has some AI functions in it, and Adobe Express also has some AI image generation tools that are free that students can kind of start exploring and kind of get their feet wet,' she said.

Cubero also points to Google’s Gemini tools, which have recently opened access for all ages in educational domains. For students just trying a chatbot for the first time, Cubero recommends starting with something they already know well so they can judge what the AI generates."

Read the full story here. 

Number 2

NCDPI Celebrate the Good Blog: "Celebrating CTE and Spotlighting Innovation in the Southeast"

2025 NC Southeast Region Teacher and Principal of the Year, Hannah Moon and Christy Propst, recently toured schools and community organizations in the Southeast Region as part of the Achieving Educational Excellence - Strategic Plan statewide tour.

Reflecting on their visits - from innovative CTE programs to impactful Farm-to-School partnerships - they affirmed that great things are happening in NC public schools, with even more ahead.

Read the blog post here. 

Number 1

"Person County Superintendent Wins 2026 NC Superintendent of the Year Award"

"Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent of Person County Schools, was named the Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2026 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year at an awards presentation and banquet held Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Grandover Resort.

This prestigious annual honor is presented jointly by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) and the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), and includes a $5,000 award to the winner. The state award ceremony and selections process is sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF)."

Read the full press release from NCASA here. Congratulations, Dr. Peterson!