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.
Find out why NCCAT is a national leader in the development of outstanding professional programs for public school educators. Research our archives and read the latest media information to keep up with the latest news from NCCAT.
Registration Open: NCCAT Fall Professional Development Programs
276 NCCAT Dr | Cullowhee, NC 28723
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.
Finalists Announced for NCCAT 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC CTE Teacher of the Year Award
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.
Music, Movement, and Connection at NCCAT Ocracoke in August
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.
Join us at NCCAT Ocracoke in September for The Math Pact
Are you looking to achieve instructional coherence within and across grades? Join us as in Ocracoke this September as we form a pact committed to equitable and high-quality mathematics instruction. This program will examine math whole school agreements, math language, and rules that expire. Lodging, meals and materials are covered with program.
Teacher Spotlight: Fatima Sail of New Hanover County Highlights NCCAT’s Impact for Students
New Hanover County teacher Fatima Sail is quick to share why the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) is a must for educators seeking meaningful professional development. Sail recently participated in the NCCAT program “Applying MTSS Best Practices in the Secondary Classroom” in Cullowhee.
“Teaching the Holocaust” Program Returns: NCCAT Offers Two Immersive Learning Opportunities this Fall
Teachers from across North Carolina have an opportunity to take part in “Teaching the Holocaust: Resources and Reflections” program at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., in October and November with the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT).
Bring Joy and Innovation to Your Teaching—Join Us in June at NCCAT!
Get ready to reimagine your classroom with Playful 6–12 Classroom: Creativity & Engagement, coming to NCCAT Cullowhee this June! Play isn’t just for younger students—playful learning can transform secondary classrooms by boosting engagement, deepening understanding, and making lessons more memorable.
Educator Spotlight: Asheville City Schools Educator Finds Inspiration Through NCCAT
276 NCCAT Dr | Cullowhee, NC 28723
For Malorie Morrill Lewis, an Instructional Coach at Lucy S. Herring Elementary School in Asheville City Schools, a return trip to the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) marked another important step forward in her journey to support students and educators.
Lewis, who works with Kindergarten through 5th grade teachers in math, reading, and science, first experienced NCCAT at a program in Ocracoke. This time, she participated in the “Student-Centered Instructional Coaching K–12” program at NCCAT’s Cullowhee campus.
Online Lessons that Click program in August at NCCAT Cullowhee
Online lessons can be a powerful teaching tool, whether for asynchronous instruction or to support face-to-face learning, but so many online lessons fall flat with students. In Online Lessons that Click in August in Cullowhee, you'll learn to craft engaging, interactive online elements, and best practices around online design. And better yet - you'll get the time and support needed to develop something to bring back to your classroom!
Student Discourse in the Science Classroom with NCCAT in July
This seminar in July at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching in Cullowhee will explore the power of student discourse in fostering deep science learning. We will delve into strategies for creating a classroom culture that values and supports meaningful conversations about scientific concepts. Food, lodging and materials are provided.
Register Now for NCCAT Residential Professional Development Programs September through December
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) is now accepting registrations for professional development programs taking place September through December. These sessions offer North Carolina educators meaningful opportunities to grow professionally, connect with peers, and bring fresh, research-based strategies into the classroom.
Even Techie Teacher Finds New Tools at NCCAT to Elevate His Classroom
As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher who launched an E-sports team at his school, Eli Mauck is no stranger to technology. But even with a strong tech background, he found plenty to learn during his time at “Prompt to Product: Creating Resources Using AI”, a professional development program at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) in Cullowhee.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching!
At NCCAT, we are deeply grateful for everything North Carolina teachers do daily to inspire, lead, and shape the future in classrooms across our state. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and hard work. We invite you to join us anytime for professional development opportunities—because we’re here for teachers and because of teachers.
Student Discourse in the Science Classroom program in July at NCCAT
This seminar July 28-31 at Cullowhee will explore the power of student discourse in fostering deep science learning. We will delve into strategies for creating a classroom culture that values and supports meaningful conversations about scientific concepts.