Educators from across Western North Carolina came together on June 13th at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) in Cullowhee for a powerful day of professional development, collaboration, and innovation in elementary STEM and science education. A dynamic event focused on exploring what excellent collaboration in elementary science and STEM can look like.

Opportunities Available September–December. The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) invites North Carolina educators to register now for a new season of transformative professional development programs happening from September through December. Whether your focus is on literacy, digital learning, beginning teacher support, or educational leadership, NCCAT offers tailored programs to meet your professional goals.

Twenty-four outstanding educators from across North Carolina have been named finalists for the NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Teacher of the Year Award. These educators exemplify outstanding commitment, excellence, and ability to inspire and empower their students.

Gather together and receive content support unique to the needs of elementary music teachers. This program's topics include building advisory councils, folk dancing, incorporating children’s literature, movement using props, purposeful inclusion of puppets, designing meaningful transitions, collaboration, reflection, and more.