News

Meadowlark Elementary School’s Fran Richardson, a dedicated Kindergarten teacher in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, has been awarded the distinguished NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship A. Craig Phillips Scholarship—Fund I. This scholarship commemorates Dr. A. Craig Phillips, who served as North Carolina's State Superintendent from 1968 to 1988. Honored Educator Scholarships (HES) provide selected teachers the opportunity to attend an NCCAT professional development program of their choice, with all expenses covered, including transportation and substitute teacher costs. Additionally, recipients receive $250 for use in their classrooms.

Educators seeking to enhance their skills and connect with peers have an array of engaging seminars to choose from at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) this February. These programs are designed to empower teachers with innovative strategies and tools to succeed in the classroom. At NCCAT, we support and celebrate teachers—the foundation of student success. Join us this February and take your teaching to the next level! Apply today and join us.

NCCAT welcomed 81 participants from across North Carolina to its 2024 Literacy Leaders Conference, held November 14–15 at the Cullowhee campus. The event focused on empowering educators with evidence-based reading research to provide a clear foundation for student success. Attendees engaged in dynamic sessions, explored classroom-transforming practices, and collaborated with literacy leaders from across the state. NCCAT extends gratitude to the sponsors who made this impactful event possible: Scholastic, 95 Percent Group, Lexia Learning, and Great Minds.

This GivingTuesday (Dec. 3), your support helps us continue to empower North Carolina’s educators! Giving Tuesday is a day to encourage people to give back to their communities, whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing information. Donate to NCCAT and foster innovative teaching practices that impact students each day and help expand our programs and reach even more educators. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 3rd and join us in advancing teaching as an art and a profession.

Project Committee will convene a meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the NCCAT Cullowhee campus, located at 276 NCCAT Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723, and virtually https://www.nccat.org. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the NCCAT Cullowhee Campus Capital Project.

Step into the future of education with our immersive four-day workshop, AI for Literacy: Empowering Secondary Students with Innovative Tools and Techniques, from January 21-24, 2025, at NCCAT’s Cullowhee campus. This program is tailored for grades 6-12 educators eager to harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance literacy instruction. Through hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and insights into the latest AI advancements, you'll learn how to use AI to elevate reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in your classroom.

NCCAT Cullowhee is hosting a four-day residential program, Flourishing in Math, on January 13-16, 2025. This program brings administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders together to foster a district-wide vision for high-quality elementary math instruction. Districts are encouraged to send a team of four, including a classroom teacher, a school-based teacher leader or instructional coach, a principal, and a district leader.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Ernest H. Johnson, a former faculty member who dedicated 18 years to serving public school educators across the state. During his tenure, Dr. Johnson worked with educators from all 100 counties, including all 115 school systems and two federal schools, leaving a lasting impact on North Carolina’s educational community. Throughout his career, Dr. Johnson led numerous programs at NCCAT’s campuses in Cullowhee and Ocracoke, where his work inspired countless educators.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) has rescheduled the 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award. The event will now take place from February 17-20, 2025, with the recognition ceremony set for February 20. This prestigious award recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to inspiring students to reach their full potential.

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Board of Trustees will convene their next regularly scheduled meeting at 9:00 am on Friday, November 8, 2024, at the NCCAT Cullowhee campus, located at 276 NCCAT Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723. 

Join NCCAT this spring to deepen your knowledge and enhance classroom practices with our diverse programs, each designed to support student learning across North Carolina. We proudly serve every school district in the state. Apply today and join us at either campus Cullowhee or Ocracoke. Increasing teacher effectiveness is fundamental to improving public education. NCCAT provides teachers with knowledge, skills, teaching methods, best practices and information to take back to their classrooms.

Discover exciting upcoming programs like Comprehension at the Core, Applying MTSS Practices to the Secondary Classroom, The Power of Picture Books, Experiential Math Mindsets, and more! Don’t miss this opportunity to grow professionally—apply now. At NCCAT, we provide teachers with cutting-edge knowledge, innovative strategies, and best practices to make a lasting impact in their classrooms. Our high-quality professional development helps educators enhance student performance and achievement throughout North Carolina.

Don’t miss out on NCCAT’s dynamic learning sessions designed to elevate your teaching skills. Whether you’re a beginning teacher seeking success from the start, looking to enhance lessons with Canva for Literacy Projects, or ready to explore Introduction to Modeling in Science & Engineering, we have something for everyone—and more! Apply today to take your teaching to the next level and join us in shaping the future of education. Teachers are why we are here - join us and elevate your classroom!

NCCAT extends its heartfelt support to the Western North Carolina community, including our employees, neighbors, friends, and families affected by Hurricane Helene. We are moved by the tremendous outpouring of help and deeply appreciate everyone’s efforts during this challenging time. NCCAT offices in Cullowhee are open. Stay safe, and for more updates and resources, follow us on social media and visit our website. Please reach out with any program questions at (828) 293-5202 or [email protected].

It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Phil Haire, a dedicated community leader and advocate for education. Haire passed away peacefully following a stay in hospice. His wife, Connie, shared the news with NCCAT. Throughout his distinguished career, Phil Haire made an indelible mark on the fields of law, public service, and education. In his honor, his family and friends established an NCCAT Honored Educator Scholarship, reflecting his lifelong commitment to supporting educators and the advancement of learning.