CULLOWHEE—More than 100 participants joined the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, a recognized national leader in professional development programming for North Carolina teachers, for the first NCCAT Curriculum Leaders Conference Sept. 7–9.
“When I started in January, it was apparent to me that, for NCCAT to be able to accomplish its mission, we must seek the input of superintendents and curriculum leaders across the state” NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble said. “It was equally important that NCCAT continues to build relationships with leaders in school districts across the state.”
The agenda for the NCCAT conference was based on conversations with curriculum leaders where they had the chance to say what type professional development they needed. The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction both provided presenters. Conference attendees were able to identify needs in their districts and give feedback on future NCCAT programming decisions.
Topics included: Recommendations for Implementing High School Math Standards; North Carolina Digital Learning Plan; NCDPI’s K–3 Formative Assessment Process; Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): An “Every” Education Initiative and; Teacher Evaluations, EVAS, and the Analysis of Student Work (ASW) Process.
The conference focused on four key areas: Providing participants an opportunity to network with other leaders across the state; Fostering an environment where participants can collaborate with peers; Delivering professional development that met participants’ professional needs; Making available an environment where curriculum leaders can build relationships with each other and NCCAT staff.
Speakers for the conference included: State Superintendent June Atkinson, Director of Evaluation Program at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Jeni Corn, Schwartz & Shaw P.L.L.C. Attorney Mr. Richard Schwartz and Western Carolina University Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Alison Morrison-Shetlar.
Curriculum leaders said they found the time valuable.
“The presentations were excellent and really timely for things we are looking at,” said Ike Smith, the director of instructional support services for Watauga Schools. “I hope to see it take place again next year.”
Angela Dills, director of Middle, Secondary, and Career and Technical Education at Jackson County Public Schools, found the conference informative.
“The NCCAT Curriculum Leaders Conference was an extremely beneficial professional development experience for me as a curriculum leader,” Dills said. “The conference provided timely and relevant information on legal updates, personalized learning, measuring teacher effectiveness and K–12 curriculum. The opportunity to network with other curriculum leaders across the state was a wonderful opportunity as well. We, as educators, are so very fortunate to have NCCAT as an available resource for professional development. NCCAT and its amazing faculty are an invaluable resource to the educators of North Carolina.”
Christy Stanley, K–12 social studies and 6–12 ELA curriculum coordinator at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, found great value in the speakers from NCDPI, Friday Institute and NCCAT being at one conference.
“It was fantastic to have that information all available at one conference and have the opportunity to meet face to face and talk over ideas,” Stanley said.
Plans are already underway to hold the conference again next year.
“NCCAT’s goal is to be a partner with you in delivering professional development to North Carolina teachers,” Womble told the curriculum leaders in his closing remarks.