News

North Carolina Center for Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Senior STEM Specialist Dr. Jennifer Redfearn is a recipient of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center Outstanding Instructional Leaders Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education. This esteemed award recognizes and honors her outstanding contributions as an instructional leader to systemically improve performance in STEM Education as a means of providing all children with the necessary knowledge and skills to have successful careers, be good citizens, and advance the economy. The award will be presented at the NC SMT Annual Celebration on April 26 in Cary, NC.

Join NCCAT this May for All Kids Can Write, a dynamic professional development program designed for K–5 teachers. Discover innovative ways to transform reading strategies into writing opportunities that deepen comprehension and extend student learning. This interactive, in-depth program highlights the power of teacher mentorship in guiding students through the writing process. Enhance your own writing life and bring new energy to your classroom! Apply Today!

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces that Candace Grimsley, an agriculture educator and Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor at Public Schools of Robeson County, has been selected as the recipient of the William Frye Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Award. This $1,000 award recognizes exceptional educators who demonstrate leadership in Career and Technical Education (CTE) through their work with CTSOs.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces the runner-up for the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award is Alisha Pierri, a Culinary Arts and Hospitality teacher at the Center of Applied Science and Technology in Brunswick County Schools. The award was presented at a special ceremony held at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University on Thursday, February 20th.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces Tyler D’Angelo, an agriculture teacher at CE Jordan High School in Durham Public Schools, as the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year. The award was presented at a special ceremony held at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University on Thursday, February 20th.

Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open. Honored Educator Scholarships (HES) provide an opportunity for selected teachers to attend an NCCAT seminar of their choice. An HES covers all costs associated with participation in a NCCAT seminar, including program materials, instruction, food, lodging, transportation, and substitute teacher. The honored educator also receives $250 for use in the classroom. NCCAT provides teachers with new knowledge, skills, teaching methods, best practices and information to take back to their classrooms through high-quality professional development. The ultimate result is improved performance and achievement by North Carolina’s students.

Join us this summer for transformative professional development at NCCAT. Our residential programs provide educators with the tools, strategies, and support to elevate their teaching. Each week, teachers engage in content-rich instruction, explore proven methodologies, and receive coaching to implement new insights effectively. These programs foster an environment for exchanging innovative ideas and practical strategies that benefit students statewide. The goal? To empower educators to create classrooms where students are more engaged, self-motivated, and successful. Apply now!

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) is proud to announce that Renee Bunn, a third-grade teacher at Rock Ridge Elementary in Wilson County Schools, has been awarded the Elsie Brame Hunt and Noma Henderson Leonard NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship. Ms. Bunn utilized this scholarship to attend NCCAT’s "All Kids Can Write" professional development program at Ocracoke, where she engaged in enriching learning experiences designed to enhance literacy instruction for her students. NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship applications are open now.

Teachers, take your professional development to the next level! Applications for the 2025–2026 NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarships (HES) are now open. These scholarships provide an exceptional opportunity for selected educators to attend an NCCAT seminar of their choice. An HES covers all costs associated with participation in a five-day NCCAT seminar, including program materials, instruction, food, lodging, transportation, and substitute teacher reimbursement. The honored educator also receives $250 for use in the classroom.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) is excited to announce that registration is now open for its Third Quarter 2025 Online Courses. These self-paced modules offer educators a flexible and convenient way to earn professional development hours, with many courses providing 10 or more contact hours. Courses on a variety of topics from technology tools, literacy and math. Join us to learn, grow, and make an impact in the classroom! NCCAT provides teachers with new knowledge, skills, teaching methods, best practices and information to take back to their classrooms through high-quality professional development.

Twenty-seven educators from across North Carolina have been named finalists for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. These exceptional teachers have been recognized for their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students to succeed. The award celebrates promising beginning teachers and supports their retention as outstanding educators and leaders in North Carolina public and charter schools. One finalist will be named the 2025 NCCAT Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year, following a selection process by a panel of judges.

As the demand for healthcare professionals' skyrockets, inspiring the next generation begins in the classroom. High school educators can play a pivotal role in shaping students' career aspirations and academic achievements by introducing them to the world of healthcare early. Join us at NCCAT Ocracoke in March for an empowering week dedicated to The Role of Nurse Educators in the High School Classroom. Participants will engage with NC DPI Health Science consultants and staff to dive deep into a variety of essential topics. Apply today!

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) is excited to announce that registration is open for April and May professional development programs. These programs offer educators dynamic opportunities to enhance their teaching practices and bring new strategies into the classroom. NCCAT’s professional development programs are designed to provide educators with innovative teaching methods, best practices, and resources that elevate classroom learning. Increasing teacher effectiveness is fundamental to improving public education. NCCAT provides teachers with knowledge, skills, teaching methods, best practices and information to take back to their classrooms.

Eastern Wayne Middle School teacher Amanda Holmes has been named the recipient of the prestigious Richard A. Schwartz NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship. Amanda, who teaches 6th-8th grade Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Life Skills in Wayne County Schools, is celebrated for her dedication to inspiring and shaping young minds. The Richard A. Schwartz NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship recognizes the significant contributions of Richard A. Schwartz, a nationally renowned attorney and passionate advocate for North Carolina public education. Amanda (center) is pictured attending the NCCAT program, "Teaching the Holocaust: Resources and Reflections," in Washington, D.C.

Meadowlark Elementary School’s Fran Richardson, a dedicated Kindergarten teacher in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, has been awarded the distinguished NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship A. Craig Phillips Scholarship—Fund I. This scholarship commemorates Dr. A. Craig Phillips, who served as North Carolina's State Superintendent from 1968 to 1988. Honored Educator Scholarships (HES) provide selected teachers the opportunity to attend an NCCAT professional development program of their choice, with all expenses covered, including transportation and substitute teacher costs. Additionally, recipients receive $250 for use in their classrooms.