Number 10

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day!

Today, May 21, is Global Accessibility Awareness Day, also known as GAAD. The purpose of GAAD is to get people talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities!

GAAD is a great opportunity to learn more about how small design choices can make a big difference. Examples include:

• using headings in documents instead of just bold or larger text
• adding alt text to images
• using clear, descriptive links instead of "click here"
• making sure videos have captions
• checking that color is not the only way information is communicated
• choosing accessible formats when sharing PDFs, slides, handouts and online resources

Learn more about GAAD and find accessibility resources, webinars and events here. 

Number 9

Sign Up for NCDPI Newsletters

Did you know NCDPI produces a variety of newsletters on various topics across North Carolina K-12 education? Whether you’re looking for news on school counseling, digital teaching & learning resources, middle school science or K-12 education legislative updates, there is something for everyone.

Click here and enter your email address to see all the subscription lists and newsletters available to receive.

Number 8

Office of Exceptional Children 2025-2026 Parent Survey - Special Education

NCDPI's Office of Exceptional Children invites families of students receiving special education services to complete the 2025–26 Indicator 8 Parent Survey. This two-minute anonymous survey — available in multiple languages — helps guide improvements for students and families.

Take the survey here. Responses will be accepted through June 30.

Number 7

NCDPI Office of Early Learning Summer Home Learning Activity Plans

Check out the NCDPI Office of Early Learning Summer Home Learning Activity Plans created to help families continue the academic growth of their young learners throughout the summer with fun, engaging activities that support:

✏️ Reading and Writing
🔢 Math and Science
🌎 Social Studies
🏃 Physical Development

These weekly lessons will help children practice and retain skills, and are perfect for sharing digitally or printing for easy summer learning at home!

Find the activity plans and learn more here.

Number 6

NCDPI World Languages New Parent/Caregiver Guide for K-12 World Languages - Available in English and Spanish

The NCDPI World Languages team has released the new Parent/Caregiver Guide for K-12 World Languages in English and the Guía para padres y cuidadores: World Languages/Idiomas del mundo para K-12 en español to support implementation of the 2024 North Carolina Standard Course of Study (SCoS) for World Languages.

The guide helps parents and caregivers understand:

• The benefits of language education
• How language learning happens in schools
• Resources and strategies to support language learning at home

Find the English guide here. 

Find the Spanish guide here. 

Number 5

PD Opportunity - "First in Freedom: Using Primary Sources & Paideia to Engage Students in NC History"

As North Carolina commemorates America’s 250th, the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) and the National Paideia Center invite middle and high school teachers to explore the themes of freedom, democracy and dissent through primary source documents.

Hosted on the grounds of DNCR’s Tryon Palace, the workshop will provide strategies for engaging students in compelling North Carolina documents (including petitions, letters and laws, and more) using the interactive Paideia method, a thoughtful, student‑driven discussion guided by open‑ended questions. Its goal is to cultivate critical thinking, active listening and collaborative dialogue. Participants will also explore DNCR’s State Archives’ America 250 NC “DocsBox”, primary source sets explore the State’s three constitutions and significant amendments and compelling Revolutionary NC stories, complete with accompanying lessons and activities.

Don’t miss this chance to learn strategies for engaging middle and high school students in collaborative, text‑based dialogue and critical thinking that surfaces multiple perspectives on liberty, authority and civic responsibility.

Participants will receive:

• $100 stipend (mailed 2 weeks post-workshop)
• .6 CEUs
• Lunch
• A private tour of Tryon Palace (optional, at 3:30 pm)
• Classroom strategies and resources for utilizing primary sources to teach about themes including freedom, democracy and dissent

Learn more and apply here. The deadline to apply is June 15. 

Number 4

Video - ABC11: "NC Principal of the Year, Dr. Mariah Walker, Gets Surprise Ceremony in Wake County: 'Speechless'"

"Students and staff at Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy surprised Principal Dr. Mariah Walker on Monday as the school celebrated her recent selection as North Carolina's 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year.

Walker was recognized Friday after being chosen from a field of eight other principals for the statewide honor. As part of the recognition, she will spend the next school year traveling across North Carolina as an ambassador for the profession.

Monday's celebration at the Raleigh school featured students, staff and family members honoring Walker's leadership and impact on the school community."

Read more and see the surprise celebration honoring Dr. Walker here.

Number 3

Registration Open for 2026 Growing Success for Multilingual Learners and Standards Academy Summer Conference

NCDPI's Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators, instructional leaders and administrators to the 2026 Growing Success for Multilingual Learners and Standards Academy Summer Conference. Two sessions for the conference are scheduled. Pick one that is most convenient for you!

• In-person conference: June 23–25 at Cleveland High (Johnston County Public Schools)
• Virtual conference: July 13–16

Participants will explore strategies for multilingual learner success, equitable instruction, leadership, literacy development, AI-supported teaching and more. 

Learn more and register here. 

Number 2

North Carolina Student Voice Alliance Ambassador Program Accepting Applications

The North Carolina Student Voice Alliance Ambassador Program is a leadership and civic engagement initiative designed to primarily strengthen communication between students and local school board members. Student Ambassadors serve as representatives of their schools and communities locally and statewide at school board meetings, gather student perspectives and help ensure that student voices meaningfully contribute to district-level decision making.

Ambassadors selected for this program will participate in training on education governance, public speaking and student advocacy. This program provides volunteer hours for all ambassadors.

Learn more about the North Carolina Student Voice Alliance Ambassador Program here. 

Students can apply for the program here. The deadline to apply is June 10. 

Number 1

Wake County Principal Named 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year

"Dr. Mariah Walker, principal of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy (WYWLA), is the 2026 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year. The announcement was made today at an awards luncheon honoring Walker and eight other regional finalists at the Umstead Hotel in Cary.

'Dr. Walker is the type of leader we need in North Carolina’s public schools,' North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice 'Mo' Green said. 'Dr. Walker leads her staff and students by creating a culture of respect and authenticity to foster growth in every person who enters Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy. I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Walker to uplift the good happening across North Carolina’s public schools.'

With experience at nearly every grade level throughout the past two decades, Walker began her principalship at Hillburn PreK-8 Academy before her current role at WYWLA, serving young women grades 6-13 within the Wake County Public School System. Under her leadership at WYWLA, students have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate each of the past four years and exceeded growth the past two years."

Read the full press release here. Congratulations, Dr. Walker!