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Number 9
Register for 2026 Character Education Summit
At this inaugural event, Leading With Character Summit attendees will:
- Gain insight into the 11 Principles of Character Education and practical ways to apply them in your school.
- Be inspired by success stories from State and National Schools of Character and learn how they revitalized their school communities.
- Connect with experts and fellow school leaders to deepen their understanding of Character Education.
The 2026 Leading with Character Summit will take place on Dec. 9 at the Friday Institute in Raleigh. Learn more and register here.
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Number 8
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 2027-28 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, support offered by NCDPI and the application process.
The webinar is Thursday, Nov. 19 from 10-11 a.m. Register for the Restart Eligibility Information Webinar here.
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Number 7
Register for Institute on Global Perspectives: Understanding the World, Engaging with Purpose
Celebrate International Education Week 2026 with NCDPI’s Global Education Steering Committee at the 2026 Institute on Global Perspectives: Understanding the World, Engaging with Purpose!
This in-person professional learning event brings K-12 educators from across North Carolina together to explore global perspectives, discover practical classroom resources and collaborate on ways to help students connect with the wider world.
The Institute will be held Thursday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at NCDPI in Raleigh.
All grade levels and content areas are welcome. Participants with a current North Carolina educator's license can earn professional development hours or continuing education units (CEUs).
Learn more and register here.
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Number 6
2027-28 Kenan Fellows Program Accepting Applications
Applications are open for the 2027-28 Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, a yearlong fellowship offering immersive professional development, hands-on industry experience and a lasting statewide network.
The fellowship is open to K-12 public and charter school teachers across North Carolina. Fellows are matched with local organizations for projects in fields such as agriculture, biotechnology and energy, gaining firsthand knowledge of regional careers and bringing those insights back to their classrooms.
Selected fellows receive:
- A $5,000 stipend and 80 hours of alumni-led professional development.
- Connections with educators, employers, nonprofits, community colleges and universities.
Learn more and apply for the 2027-28 Kenan Fellows Program here. Applications close on Monday, Jan. 11, 2027.
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Number 5
Registration Open for Better Together: School Mental Health Summit
School counselors, school psychologists, school social workers and school-based mental health clinicians are invited to register for the inaugural NCDPI Better Together: School Mental Health Summit — Three Professions, One Mission, taking place Dec. 8-9 in Concord, N.C.
This groundbreaking statewide gathering will provide:
- Inspiring keynote presentations, including April Simpkins.
- Engaging breakout sessions focused on school mental health.
- Cross-disciplinary learning and practical strategies.
- Opportunities to connect with colleagues and exhibitors from across North Carolina.
Learn more about the summit and register here.
Interested sponsors or exhibitors can learn more here.
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Number 4
NC State Board of Education Celebrates NC Crunch and Farm to School Month
State Board members took a bite out of fresh, locally grown North Carolina apples to celebrate NC Crunch and Farm to School Month!
This annual statewide celebration brings students, educators, families and communities together to promote healthy eating and support local agriculture. NC Crunch Day was held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, but everyone can participate anytime during October!
This month, grab a locally grown fruit or vegetable, take a bite and share the celebration — because every crunch supports local farmers, healthy students and stronger communities!
A special thank you to North Carolina farmers, school nutrition professionals and everyone who helps bring fresh, healthy food to our schools!
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Number 3
EdNC: "A New Initiative Is Training 500 NC School District Employees to Be Teachers — Without Missing a Paycheck"
"The newly announced North Carolina Teacher Apprenticeship and Workforce Advancement Initiative will allow teacher assistants, substitutes and other school employees in North Carolina school districts to “become licensed teachers while keeping their jobs and paychecks” through a five-year, $5.5 million federal grant according to a recent press release. The initiative is designed to meet teacher shortages across the state.
The grant was awarded to Western Governors University (WGU) — an accredited, nonprofit online university — and its apprenticeship organization Craft Education, in partnership with The Innovation Project (TIP). Nearly half of the project is funded through the federal grant, the release says, while the other half “will be provided through nonfederal sources, including WGU, The Innovation Project and participating school districts.”
Across the 16 districts, TIP will lead its operation, running the program as a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship sponsor through ApprenticeshipNC. Participating districts range from rural Hertford, Warren and Edgecombe counties to Wake, Guilford and Charlotte-Mecklenburg, according to Kathryn Peterson, WGU corporate communications and PR manager.
Peterson told EdNC that running the initiative through ApprenticeshipNC means 'no district has to set up its own program.' Beginning in Fall 2027, the initiative 'will prepare 500 teacher apprentices and train 250 mentor teachers,' according to the release."
Read the full article here.
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Number 2
District Highlight: Henderson County Public Schools - "Healthcare Fellows Program Expands as 11 HCPS Graduates Commit to Local Healthcare Careers"
"Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) in partnership with Blue Ridge Community College, AdventHealth Hendersonville, UNC Health Pardee and the Henderson County Education Foundation, celebrated the Class of 2026 Healthcare Fellows on Monday during the program’s second annual signing day event at Blue Ridge Community College.
Building on the success of its inaugural year, the Healthcare Fellows Program is expanding its impact, with 11 recent HCPS graduates selected to participate this year—up from nine fellows in the program’s first class.
Each healthcare fellow will receive full financial support for their studies at Blue Ridge Community College including tuition, books and required gear, sponsored by AdventHealth Hendersonville or UNC Health Pardee. Upon successful completion of their program, each fellow is guaranteed employment with their sponsoring healthcare organization.
'Seeing this program grow in just its second year speaks to what is possible when our schools and community partners share a commitment to the future of our students,' said Mark R. Garrett, Superintendent of Henderson County Public Schools. 'These 11 graduates are beginning a pathway that gives them the education, support and experience they need to build meaningful careers right here in Henderson County. We are incredibly proud of them, and grateful to our partners for investing not only in these students, but in the future of healthcare in our community.'
Signing Day recognized 11 fellows as they took the next step toward rewarding, high-demand healthcare careers and highlighted the continued collaboration among local education, healthcare and community partners to create supported career pathways for Henderson County students."
Read the full press release from Henderson County Public Schools here.
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Number 1
North Carolina Virtual Public School Director of Curriculum Jennifer Nobles receives Quality Matters Directors' Award for Exceptional Service
As a Quality Matters (QM) Certified Master reviewer, presenter, volunteer and recent member of the QM K-12 Rubric Committee, Jennifer Nobles has been an active champion of QM for more than a decade through her work with North Carolina Virtual Public School, and has consistently shared her practitioner expertise wherever it can strengthen K-12 digital learning.
Nobles continues that service on the QM Connect Program Committee where her contributions exemplify the collaborative foundation of the QM community: experienced educators sharing their judgement, lessons learned and time, so that quality practices continue to evolve and benefit colleagues and learners across institutions.
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