Number 10

North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program Accepting Applications for 2027-28 - Early Action Deadline Sunday, Nov. 1

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Early Action application is officially open!

Students interested in becoming educators can apply through Nov.1 and receive their Early Action decision in December. The regular decision application window will open Jan. 4.

North Carolina Teaching Fellows receive up to $5,000 per semester in forgivable loans while preparing to teach in North Carolina. Fellows also gain classroom experience, enrichment opportunities and a community of future educators and mentors.

Learn more and apply here.

Number 9

New 2026 K-12 Mathematics Standard Course of Study (SCOS) Resources

New resources are available to help North Carolina educators prepare for the 2026 K-12 Mathematics SCOS, adopted by the State Board of Education on Oct. 1.

Teachers can access the updated standards and crosswalks, comparing current and new standards. NCDPI will also provide professional learning opportunities and additional resources throughout the transition.

The new standards will take effect in the 2028-29 school year. Explore the Math Hub here.

Number 8

Operation Homefront 2027 Military Child of the Year Award Accepting Nominations

Nominations are now open for Operation Homefront’s 2027 Military Child of the Year® Awards. Military children ages 13-18 are eligible. Winners will receive $10,000; a laptop and a trip to Washington, D.C. with a parent or guardian.

Anyone can nominate an eligible military child through Dec. 1. Learn more and submit a nomination here.

Number 7

Statewide Professional Development Opportunities for 2026-27 Available

Statewide professional development from NCDPI’s Office of Teaching and Learning for 2026-27 is now available online. The catalog includes information about upcoming webinars, in-person events and resources for each content area. Be sure to check back regularly for updates.

Find learning opportunities, registration information and more here.

Number 6

Project Kitty Hawk Offers No-Cost Support for District Projects

Oftentimes districts have important projects that are delayed due to limited staff capacity or time. Project Kitty Hawk, a nonprofit affiliate of the UNC System, can help move that work forward.

Working on behalf of multiple UNC System universities, Project Kitty Hawk connects districts with university-trained students for short-term projects, typically lasting three to eight weeks. Districts define the need and scope, and participating universities identify students whose coursework aligns with the project. Support is available year-round at no cost to districts and requires no long-term commitment.

Potential projects may include analyzing data, improving operations, strengthening cybersecurity practices or researching new opportunities.

To discuss a district’s needs, contact Lynne Barbour, vice president of workforce, at lgbarbour@projectkittyhawk.com or visit the Project Kitty Hawk Workforce Solutions webpage.

Number 5

District Highlight: Wilson County Schools - The Wilson Times: "‘Scrubs’ Event Shares Healthcare Jobs with Students"

"Whether practicing lifesaving procedures on a mannequin, exploring the many varied surgical devices or learning the procedure for DNA testing, 60 eighth graders from Wilson County Schools got hands-on experience in the healthcare field at the Scrubs & Science Day organized by the Wilson Education Partnership.

The first event was held at the Surge Center in Wilson on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

'Scrubs and Science is an initiative that WEP is doing with Wilson County Schools and our partners to introduce students to a lot of different health careers,' said Robin Williams, executive director at WEP. 'These students have filled out interest forms, and they are interested in a health career. We’re going to do eighth graders in the fall, and we are going to do 10th graders in the spring, and then we have a year-long program for fifth graders.'

Williams said the effort is to get students to start thinking about what they want to do so they can start signing up for classes."

Read the full article here. 

Number 4

EdNC: "Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee Discusses Legislative Priorities and School Nutrition"

"The Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee met Tuesday to discuss legislative priorities for the General Assembly’s upcoming long session, which starts in January 2027. Committee members also heard a presentation from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Carolina Hunger Initiative regarding school nutrition.

Commissioned in May 2025 by Gov. Josh Stein, the committee brings together active and former teachers to serve for two-year terms. Their purpose is to advise the governor regarding educational policy and to serve as educational ambassadors throughout the state.

'A big thank you for everybody who’s here today, especially all the teachers,' said committee co-chair Cason Justice in his opening remarks. 'I know what y’all’s schedule is like and the things that you have to do to get coverage. … I’m very grateful for you guys.'"

Read the full article here. 

Number 3

Feminine Hygiene Products Program (FY27) Interest Form Now Available

The interest form for the Feminine Hygiene Products Program for the 2026-2027 school year is now available. The Feminine Hygiene Products Program provides period supplies free of charge to PSUs through the Diaper Bank of North Carolina.

Period products will be provided to PSUs on a pro rata basis based on the number of female students in grades 6-12. Please only submit one interest form per PSU. Submitting more than one interest form will result in delays in supply distribution.

To elect to participate in the program, please complete the interest form no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 16.

If you have questions about the application or grant award process, please reach out to Kristi Day, Director, Office of Teaching and Learning at Kristi.Day@dpi.nc.gov.

Number 2

NCDPI Leaders Receive National School Health Honor

Two members of NCDPI’s NC Healthy Schools team have received the nation’s highest honor from the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education.

Dr. Ellen Essick and Susanne Schmal were presented with the Simon A. McNeely Award during the Society’s annual Fall Meeting in Indianapolis in October. The award recognizes members who demonstrate creative leadership in health or physical education or provide meritorious service to the profession through allied fields. Typically presented to one individual each year, the recognition of two leaders from North Carolina is especially noteworthy.

The honor was presented as the Society celebrates its centennial in 2026. The national organization represents professionals in state and territorial education agencies who lead programs related to school health, health education, physical education and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child framework.

The NC Healthy Schools team works with state and national partners to strengthen district supports for mental health, school health services, health education, physical activity, physical education, employee well-being and more.

Congratulations to Essick and Schmal on this outstanding achievement!

Number 1

Three NC Public School Students Named 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars

Congratulations to the North Carolina high school seniors named 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars! They are among 161 honorees nationwide recognized for outstanding accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education.

NCDPI celebrates all eight scholars and proudly recognizes the three honorees from the state's public schools:

• Aarush Jugdar, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
• Swayam Shah, William G. Enloe Gifted and Talented Magnet High (Wake County Public School System)
• Audrey Song, University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 7,600 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Learn more about the program and see the complete list of this year’s Presidential Scholars here.