News

Discover how to create engaging educational resources with AI in 'Prompt to Product.' Explore AI's capabilities for literacy, art, and music, and build personalized tools for your classroom at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) in Cullowhee April 28-May 1st. This hands-on workshop provides practical AI strategies and ready-to-use resources for K-12 educators. Lodging, meals and program materials are provided free of charge.

How can charter school teachers and leaders build networks of support for school, staff, and students? With each charter school operating as an independent LEA, how do we form communities with other charter school educators to share best practices and increase community support? Find out with us at Charter School Connections in April in Cullowhee.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Cullowhee Campus Building Project Committee will convene a meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the NCCAT Cullowhee Campus, located at 276 NCCAT Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723, and virtually at nccat.org. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the NCCAT Cullowhee Campus Capital Project.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces Pieter Westerbeek, a special education teacher at Knightdale High School in the Wake County Public School System, is the runner-up for the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. In its sixth year, this prestigious award aims to honor promising new leaders in North Carolina’s public and charter schools. Before the recognition event, finalists attended a week of professional development at the Truist Leadership Institute. This initiative recognizes the potential of beginning teachers, providing them with essential support and resources.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) proudly announces Summer Espinosa a kindergarten teacher at W.R. Odell Primary Schools in Cabarrus County Schools, as the NCCAT 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year. The award was presented at a special ceremony held at the Elliott University Center Auditorium on the campus of UNC Greensboro. Prior to the recognition event finalists attended a week of professional development at the Truist Leadership Institute. In its sixth year, this prestigious award aims to honor promising new leaders in North Carolina’s public and charter schools. This initiative recognizes the potential of beginning teachers, providing them with essential support and resources.

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.