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NCCAT faculty member participates in student entrepreneur event

CULLOWHEE - NCCAT Senior STEM Innovator Darcy Grimes participated in an event to encourage student entrepreneurs recently at Cherokee Central School.

The event is called "Smart Tank" after the popular ABC television show "Shark Tank." Students from eight western North Carolina counities pitched business ideas. Grimes was one of the judges for the event.

Organizer Carol Douglas told WLOS television in Asheville the purpose is to inspire. “That's what this is all about...entrepreneurship,” she says.

Click here for more on the event.

Grimes came to NCCAT after a highly successful teaching career which includes serving as North Carolina Teacher of the Year in 2012–13.  Grimes has taught in Asheville City Schools, Watauga and Wilkes County Schools. She is the NCTIES Outstanding Young Educator Award Recipient 2018, Northwest Regional NC Teacher of the Year 2012, Watauga County Teacher of the Year 2012, and Bethel Elementary School Teacher of the Year 2012. Grimes most recently served as the Digital Lead Teacher at Hall Fletcher Elementary in Asheville City Schools. She holds a Master's degree in Educational Media/ Instructional Technology from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. She has attended and presented at NCCAT for several years, most recently leading the programs “Teaching Generation Z: Active and Digital Learning” and “Integrating Coding Skills into your Classroom.”