In December, North Carolina educators have several opportunities to attend the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), a recognized national leader in professional development programming for teachers. Registration for these programs is open now. Applicants are encouraged to register as soon as possible to ensure a spot. Programs are available to North Carolina educators at the Cullowhee and Ocracoke campuses, online, and with NCCAT faculty visiting school districts. From our literacy-focused programs to digital learning to STEM, math, and science, we have plenty of offerings designed to help teachers positively impact student learning across our state.

Join us November 6-9 in Cullowhee for the program - "Integrating the NC Computer Science Standards into the K-5Classroom." Participants will engage in interactive and hands-on sessions diving into world of elementary Computer Science. Sessions will focus on developing digital fluency and problem-solving skills. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge, strategies, and resources to effectively integrate the NC Computer Science Standards and concepts into their elementary classrooms. Sessions are grounded in current research, theory, and best practices, utilizing 21st century methods and pedagogy to ensure meaningful learning experiences for students.

In November, North Carolina educators have several opportunities to attend the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT), a recognized national leader in professional development programming for teachers. Registration for these programs is open now. Applicants are encouraged to register as soon as possible to ensure a spot. Programs are available to North Carolina educators at the Cullowhee and Ocracoke campuses, online, and with NCCAT faculty visiting school districts. From our literacy-focused programs to digital learning, to STEM, math, and science, we have plenty of offerings designed to help teachers to positively impact student learning across our state.

The runner-up is Barnanne Creech, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Zebulon Gifted & Talented Magnet Middle School teacher in the Wake County Public School System. Creech serves in multiple leadership roles, from teacher mentor and department chair to school improvement chair. She shares and leads monthly district PLC meetings. The award was presented for the second time, with finalists from across the state in attendance.

Kurt Garner, a business teacher at J.H. Rose High School in Pitt County Schools, was named the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2023 Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year in a special ceremony at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on the campus of Western Carolina University Thursday, October 19, 2023. The runner-up is Barnanne Creech, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Zebulon Gifted & Talented Magnet Middle School teacher in the Wake County Public School System.

Dr. Paula Pinkerton, formerly Director of Elementary and Intermediate Instruction in Buncombe County Schools and a veteran educator, has been named Chief Academic Officer at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). In her new role, Pinkerton will be the administrative lead for the programming team for NCCAT, a nationally recognized leader in professional development. She will oversee NCCAT's programming faculty in designing and implementing offerings to provide the highest quality professional development for North Carolina public school educators in collaboration with faculty and staff.