Number 10

Save the Date - TWC Coordinator Webinar Feb. 5

Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Survey coordinators are invited to join NCDPI on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 1-1:30 p.m. for a webinar.

The webinar will demonstrate how to access the survey portal, request new codes, update your educator count and other questions that have been received about the Teacher Working Conditions survey. The recording and slide deck will be shared to the NC TWC website. 

Meeting information, as well as general survey updates, will be shared with TWC Coordinators on Friday, Jan. 30. 

Number 9

Call for Entries: 2026 NCACC Student Film Festival

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) 2nd Annual 100 Strong Productions Student Film Festival is seeking short film submissions that uplift North Carolina. Filmmakers are invited to share compelling, creative stories that focus on North Carolina counties and local government. Submissions with these themes will receive special consideration for festival selection and awards. Students are encouraged to submit their film on FilmFreeway through March 9, 2026.

The NCACC’s first student film festival featured entries from communities ranging from Rutherford to Halifax counties, along with three film blocks, a networking session and an awards ceremony. Organizers look forward to continuing to elevate student voices and to raise awareness about county government.

The 2026 film festival will take place on Saturday, April 25, at The Cary Theater in Cary.

Please reach out to 100strong@ncacc.org with any questions. For more information, visit 100strongproductions.com/student-film-festival.

Number 8

District Highlight: Public Schools of Robeson County - "Behind the Serving Lines"

Check out this Behind the Serving Lines feature from Public Schools of Robeson County, spotlighting school nutrition professionals who make a difference one tray, one meal, one student at a time.

This spotlight celebrates Felicia Hill, a cafeteria assistant at Tanglewood Elementary whose kindness, care and dedication help fuel students and create a welcoming school community every day! Watch the video celebrating Felicia here. 

Number 7

TWC Survey Educator Counts - TWC Coordinators Submit by Jan. 30

As a reminder, educator counts for the 2026 Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) Survey are to be entered by Jan. 30.

TWC Coordinators and principals received a communication with instructions for this process on Jan. 12 and reminder emails on Jan. 20 and Jan. 27.

Number 6

NCVPS Edvantage Tutoring Spring Updates

Did you know that Edvantage Tutoring offers virtual, live, standards-based support for middle and high school students in Math, Science and English Language Arts (ELA)?

Tutoring is available Monday-Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 P.M., weekly through May 20, 2026. Tutoring Fee: $35/hour flat fee. Tutoring sessions are 30 minutes each.

NCVPS Edvantage Tutoring Services Offered In:

• 6-8 Grade Math
• 8th Grade Math I
• 6-8 Grade Science
• High School Math I, II & III
• High School Biology
• Asynchronous assistance is also available in all of the listed curriculums

Enroll students for Spring 2026 here.

Check out the Spring 2026 NCVPS Edvantage Tutoring promotional flyer or the Edvantage Tutoring webpage to learn more.

Number 5

EdNC Q&A: Meet Ashley Logue, Who Oversees and Supports NC Charter Schools

"Ashley Logue is the executive director of the state’s Office of Charter Schools, a position she has held since 2022. In that role, she oversees and supports North Carolina’s system of public charter schools, providing technical assistance and guidance for currently operating charter schools as well as training for new charter schools. In addition, she serves as a key staff liaison to the North Carolina Charter Schools Review Board.

In her role, she has a critical vantage point for assessing and monitoring the success and sustainability of the state’s charter school movement.

Kristen Blair, the North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools’ communications director, recently spoke with Logue about changes in North Carolina’s charter sector, student enrollment challenges, recent mid-year charter school closures, and more. You can read the interview below."

Read the full article here. 

Number 4

Celebrate the Good Blog: "Find Your Fit, Build Your Future in NC Public Schools"

"Every parent wants the same thing: the best pathway for their child.

Not the best pathway in the abstract — the right one for their kid, with their needs, in their community. I know this from my wife and my sudden need to have to become experts in education as our kids entered kindergarten in Durham Public Schools.

Outside of my personal navigation, I saw this search happening with many other parents as I traveled across North Carolina this past year with State Superintendent Maurice 'Mo' Green. Parents weighing options. Students discovering interests they didn't know they had. Educators building programs tailored to their communities — from the mountains to the coast, in small towns and growing cities.

And what I saw, again and again, is that North Carolina public schools are already part of that choice conversation. From dual immersion classes in Concord to robotics courses in Winton to a zoo school in Asheboro to culinary arts in Durham and an aviation CTE program in Franklinton. This list is endless and I could go on (but have limited space here in the blog). Like the list of examples I could share, the main point of this is that North Carolina public schools offer more pathways than many families realize:

• More than 200 charter schools
• 125 early college high schools where students earn college credit tuition-free
• 160+ industry credentials through Career and Technical Education
• Gifted programs, magnet schools, virtual learning and more

These aren't alternatives to public schools. They are public schools — tuition-free, open to every family and woven into communities across all 100 counties."

Read the full blog post, written by NCDPI Chief Communications Officer and Durham Public Schools parent Mark Dessauer, here.

Number 3

Seven N.C. Students Selected as Military Child of the Year Semi-Finalists

Congratulations to seven North Carolina high school students who have been selected as semi-finalists for Operation Homefront's Military Child of the Year Award, a national honor celebrating leadership, service and academic excellence. Out of 68 semi-finalists nationwide and overseas, these students represent the best of North Carolina’s military-connected youth.

Our state's semi-finalists include:
🏅 Army - Natalie Perez, Fayetteville and Kinsey Robinson, West End
🏅 Coast Guard — Victoria Vanacore, Kill Devil Hills
🏅 Marine Corps — Virginia Burks, Havelock; Hannah Kirksey, Sneads Ferry and Daniel Prane, Swansboro
🏅 National Guard — Genesis Hall, Marion

The Military Child of the Year Award is a tribute to military-connected youth, honoring their resilience and positive impact on families, schools and communities. Finalists will be named in February, with seven award recipients—one from each service branch—announced in March and celebrated at a gala in Washington, D.C. in April.

Number 2

NCDPI Launches “Find Your Fit, Build Your Future” Initiative Celebrating Choice in North Carolina Public Schools

"With 229 magnet programs, 138 early college high schools, 211 charter schools and more than 500 career and technical education courses in 14 career pathways, North Carolina's public school system offers families an unprecedented range of educational choices.

Today, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) hosted a press conference to launch 'Find Your Fit, Build Your Future,' a six-week public awareness initiative designed to help families discover the options available in North Carolina's public schools Throughout the initiative, NCDPI will highlight programs the choice in North Carolina public schools through school visits, social media and the Celebrate the Good blog.

'When families think about school choice, they often don't realize just how much choice already exists in public education,' said State Superintendent Maurice 'Mo' Green. 'We have magnet programs, early college high schools, charter schools, career and technical education pathways, gifted programs, virtual learning and so much more at schools in their own communities. Over the next six weeks, we're going to tell that story with visits, numbers and with the voices of the educators, parents and students who live it every day.'”

Read the full press release here. 

Number 1

NC Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

"Nine North Carolina educators have been named regional Teachers of the Year in recognition of their outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching.

Since 2013, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has been proud to partner with the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to honor North Carolina teachers. The state has recognized outstanding teachers through its Teacher of the Year program since 1970.

'These nine individuals represent the very best of public education,' said State Superintendent Maurice 'Mo' Green. 'From differentiating instruction for every child to coaching sports teams to planning schoolwide initiatives, their impact goes far beyond the walls of their own classrooms. Their excellence is an inspiration.'”

The 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Teacher of the Year finalists are:

• Northwest: Gina Holste, Valle Crucis School (Watauga County Schools)
• North Central: Shannon Campbell, Wilson Early College Academy (Wilson County Schools)
• Northeast: Heather Dail, Hertford Grammar School (Perquimans County Schools)
• Piedmont Triad: Jonathan Lancho Villa, Pilot Mountain Elementary School (Surry County Schools)
• Southeast: Cason Justice, Swansboro High School (Onslow County Schools)
• Southwest: Melissa Hollar Culp, St. James Elementary School (Lincoln County Schools)
• Western: Nishelle Henson, Macon Middle School (Macon County Schools)
• Sandhills: Manzell Spencer, Jr., Douglas Byrd Middle School (Cumberland County Schools)
• Charter: Stephanie Lane, Lake Norman Charter School (Huntersville)

Congratulations to the exceptional 2026 Teacher of the Year finalists! Read the full press release here.