As teachers we all know that getting students motivated and engaged in their own learning is an important first step in any learning cycle. One successful method of engaging students is to reframe the learning into a more enjoyable context.

It was NCCAT's pleasure to receive a book donation from alumna Jan Carmichael this week. Jan was with us for "Promoting Early Grades Literacy Through the Arts" in Cullowhee, where teachers learned ways to integrate arts education across the curriculum. Jan has been doing that in creative ways at Doris Henderson Newcomers School in Guilford County.

Congratulations to five public schools in North Carolina on receiving National Blue Ribbons.

From North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

We are always excited to hear how NCCAT alumni continue to make a difference in classrooms across the state. It was good to read recently about Allison Stewart, a teacher at FPG Bilingüe Elementary School in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, who used her summer internship with the NC Science Festival to help students. Here is what she wrote for the Kenan Fellows ...

From WCU Media Relations ...

Dave Burgess, an award-winning educator and author from San Diego, California, will give a presentation about his innovative teaching techniques at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University. Burgess is a high school history teacher who uses energetic and entertaining classroom methods and specializes in reaching students who are difficult to motivate.

Apply now to join us October 7-10 in Ocracoke!

The Smoky Mountain News recently featured NCCAT: "Dr. Richard Thompson is breathing a bit easier this semester. He’s not worrying about funding. Not wondering if the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching will slip into the abyss. It was a breath-holding summer for Thompson and his staff in Cullowhee. But since the General Assembly decided during its short session to include money in the state budget to continue funding the teaching center, its executive director is all smiles. “We’re really excited about that,” Thompson said.

Greetings from NCCAT! I wanted to let you know about some current NCCAT efforts and what is ahead.

First, we are extremely thankful for your support and the General Assembly action to return NCCAT to recurring status in the state budget. It is a vital step in NCCAT moving forward and continuing to provide high-quality professional development for the teachers of North Carolina.

NCCAT is proud to announce another option for teachers who are seeking new skills and understanding. As an extension of our face-to-face programming and our current focus on Digital Learning and Early Grades Literacy, NCCAT will be rolling out a series of self-contained mini-courses that are designed to be immediately helpful for teachers who are seeking new knowledge. These courses will be hosted on the NCCAT Online Learning Portal and are open to any North Carolina public or public charter school teachers at no cost to you or your school.