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Number 10
EdNC: "NC Educators and Students Travel to DC to Advocate for Music Education, Meet with Congress"
"A group of nine North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) advocates, educators, and collegiate members recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to highlight the importance of music education with more than 300 advocates, according to a June 30 press release. The gathering was part of the annual Hill Day for Music Education, hosted by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
During the trip, the North Carolina coalition met with the following U.S. lawmakers who represent North Carolina: Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-District 11; Rep. Deborah Ross, D-District 2; Rep. Valerie Foushee, D-District 4; Rep. Alma Adams, D-District 12; Rep. Gregory Murphy, R-District 3; and Republican Sen. Ted Budd.
During the meetings, 'advocates shared personal stories illustrating the profound impact music education has had on their own lives and on the students and communities they serve,' the press release says.
'Music keeps students in school, improves school climate, supports academic development, and teaches skills that will help students succeed no matter which path they choose,' said NCMEA Executive Director Susan Heiserman. 'Every student should have the opportunity to experience music in school, and federal programs and legislation help make that possible. It was a privilege to join our outstanding group of current and future music educators in advocating on behalf of North Carolina’s students and music teachers.'"
Read the full story here.
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Number 9
Professional Development for Educators Teaching Economics and Personal Finance (EPF)
North Carolina educators who teach or plan to teach Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) can complete the state-required 40-hour professional development this summer through the North Carolina Council on Economic Education.
Led by experienced classroom educators, the EPF Institutes provide practical, standards-aligned instruction, a certificate of completion, a $500 stipend, an opportunity to earn the W!SE Financial Literacy Certification, classroom resources and more for eligible participants.
Click here for information on dates, locations and registration.
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Number 8
NCVPS Digital Transition Webinars and On-Demand Courses for Educators
Join NCVPS' Digital Transition Webinar Series that share best practices for supporting students and teachers in online/blended learning environments. All participants leave with a toolkit of valuable resources, tips and strategies! Anyone in the field of education is welcome to attend.
NCVPS is also adding an additional way to earn CEUs through Digital Transition on Demand (DTOD). DOTD is an initiative created as an expansion to the live Digital Transition Webinars for Educators series. Asynchronous (self-paced) micro-credential courses were developed via NCEd Cloud (NCEES). Interested individuals must be a current NC educator with access to NCEES to participate.
For more information and to view current webinar or course offerings, visit the NCVPS Digital Transition page.
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Number 6
WUNC: NC State and WCPSS Partner to Help Instructional Assistants Become Teachers
"Janaki Palianappan has been an instructional assistant in a special education classroom at Smith Magnet Elementary for the last four years, and dreams of becoming a classroom teacher.
The licensure requirements to become a teacher felt like a major obstacle, so she was thrilled when she received an email advertising a new program at North Carolina State University designed for instructional assistants like her. Palaniappan said she was jumping up and down when she learned about the opportunity.
'Oh my God, that's my passion to become a teacher. And then I thought, "Okay, why don't I try this?"' Palaniappan said.
N.C. State's College of Education is partnering with Wake County Public Schools on the Wolfpack Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Career (Wolf TRAC) program to help instructional assistants become licensed teachers.
The Wolf TRAC program opened this summer as a registered apprenticeship program that allows instructional assistants to continue working in Wake County classrooms while pursuing a master's of arts in teaching degree. Apprentices can complete their degree in less than two years while they continue to work full time."
Read the full article here.
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Number 4
Video: New Education Matters Episode Featuring the 2026 Wells Fargo NC Regional Principals of the Year
Check out the latest episode of Education Matters featuring some of our 2026 Wells Fargo NC Regional Principals of the Year as they share their leadership experiences and vision for North Carolina's public schools!
Episode description: "School leadership plays a critical role for students, educators and families. This is not an easy task, but thankfully, there are several principals across our state who excel at the job. This week we’re joined by some outstanding educators, the 2026-27 North Carolina Wells Fargo Regional Principals of the Year. They’ve been recognized for their strong leadership and commitment to student success, and they’re here today to share some insight on how they’re striving to lead the best positive learning environments for students, and positive work environments for educators."
Watch the episode here.
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Number 3
EdNC Perspective Piece: "Across the State, we Come Together for Students"
"As an associate director for TRIO at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Terry Baxter is already embedded in the state’s college access and outreach world. But even he was surprised to see how many other people in North Carolina are doing similar work.
“It’s hard when you get in your own little space to know where everything is at,” he said. “It’s been very eye opening to see all the different programs that are just available for students out there.”
Baxter was one of the attendees for an asset mapping event held in June at the SAS Institute’s campus in Cary. The event was put on as a collaboration of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEEA) — the primary sponsor of College for North Carolina (CFNC) — the John M. Belk Endowment (JMBE), myFutureNC, and Advise NC. It brought together college access professionals from across the state including district leaders, state agency staff, nonprofit employees, educators, advisors, and others.
The attendees were grouped by region and spent the day identifying organizations and individuals that do college access or similar work in their areas. By mapping these resources, they hope to increase partnerships so they can coordinate and amplify their impact rather than duplicating efforts.
Baxter said the event will have some immediate impacts for him."
Read the full perspective piece from Alex Granados, associate director of communications at the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), here.
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Number 2
"Eligibility for Free or Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program"
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2026-2027 federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina’s schools. The federally-assisted School Nutrition Programs help ensure all students have access to wholesome, nutritious, appealing meals at school.
'Educational excellence isn’t achieved through engaging and rigorous classrooms alone. Healthy and nutritious meals are essential to ensuring students are focused and ready to learn,' North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice 'Mo' Green said. 'When students eat school meals, they have improved focus and academic success.'
The federal income eligibility guidelines for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, are available at fns.usda.gov/schoolmeals."
Read the full press release here.
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Number 1
Three Educators Recognized as NC Symphony 2026 Music Educator Awards Winners
Congratulations to the following North Carolina music educators who have received the 2026 annual North Carolina Symphony Music Educator Awards:
🎼Maxine Swalin Award for Outstanding Music Educator: Emma Rainoff, Lumberton Junior High and Lumberton High (Public Schools of Robeson County)
🎼Jackson Parkhurst Award for Special Achievement: Dr. Amanda Hoke, Codington Elementary (New Hanover County Schools)
🎼North Carolina Symphony Musicians Award: Nicki Nall Garner, North Moore High (Moore County Schools)
Learn more about these outstanding teachers and the Symphony’s Music Educator Awards program here.
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