The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) hosted the 2023 Inclusion Summit in June. The Inclusion Summit was hosted by Western Carolina University. The Annual Inclusion Summit brings various disability inclusion stakeholders together to discuss current practices and future innovations. Invited participants included presenters from among educators, school administrators, and related service providers. This year’s theme, Transitioning Across the Lifespan, reflected on the understanding that every step of life development involves small and large transitions. Events helped equip participants to practice and advocate for better inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
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.
Literacy for Multilingual Learners program at NCCAT Ocracoke
Teachers from across North Carolina joined us for "K-5: Literacy for Multilingual Learners" recently at NCCAT Ocracoke. The five components of effective literacy instruction are of particular importance to our Multilingual Learners and include Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. Writing is also a key component and is one avenue for meaningful use of language. Multilingual Learners can often participate in writing activities, even when their speaking skills are limited. These Elementary ESL teachers explored these components while collaborating with colleagues and a former district ESL coach to learn how to help their students improve their literacy skills based on reading science.
Kenan Fellows Summer Institute at NCCAT Cullowhee
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) was proud to once again host the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at N.C. State University Summer Institute. This year there are 38 outstanding K-12 educators from North Carolina public and charter schools who make up the 2023-24 Kenan Fellows. These educators, hailing from 25 counties across the state, represent diverse grade levels and subject areas including math, science, Career Technical Education (CTE), special education, and English Language Arts. The Kenan Fellows Program provides teachers with invaluable experiences in industry and research settings and supports them in translating their internship experiences into a wealth of instructional resources that are shared with their schools, districts, and communities.
Teachers take part in hands-on Maker Movement program at NCCAT Ocracoke
Excited to have a great group of educations with us for The Maker Movement program at Ocracoke. The Maker Movement empowers colleagues to become inventors, engineers, and designers. A current trend in education uses the Maker mindset to encourage students of all ages to build, design, program, solve problems, collaborate, and innovate. These educators from across North Carolina learned to plan lessons that teach the Maker mindset and pull in content as diverse as engineering, reading, and math.
NCCAT Career Technical Education Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced
Twenty-four teachers from across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the 2023 North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award in honor of their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students to achieve. One of these talented educators will be named the NCCAT 2023 NC CTE Teacher of the Year. The award is scheduled to be presented on October 19, at the Western Carolina University campus. The finalists will be at the NCCAT campus in Cullowhee for professional development the week of October 16-20.
Clinton City Schools effort to grow own teachers visits NCCAT
NCCAT was pleased to host the Clinton City Schools Dark Horse Fellows to our Cullowhee campus. The school district effort seeks to encourage more students to become teachers. The Dark Horse Fellows is a teacher preparatory program designed to support Clinton High School students in Sampson County with a passion for education. The Dark Horse Fellows Program is available to successful Clinton High School rising juniors and seniors with a strong passion to become educators.
Bringing High Quality Project Based Learning to Your Classroom week successful at NCCAT Cullowhee
NCCAT appreciates these teachers for joining us for "Bringing High Quality Project Based Learning to Your Classroom" in Cullowhee. High Quality Project-Based Learning is a pedagogical strategy used by forward thinking educators around the world to inspire students to collaborate, think critically , and share their work. Though many educators have heard about PBL and are excited about it, they struggle to implement it with fidelity in their own classrooms. This program, designed for educators in grades 6-12 of all subjects, including Career and Technical Education, introduced educators to the HQPBL framework and help them create their own PBL units in a high energy, collaborative atmosphere.
Educators have meaningful week while attending STEM Schools of Distinction program at NCCAT Ocracoke
NCCAT was pleased to host North Carolina educators in Ocracoke for the "STEM Schools of Distinction" program. During this planning institute schools reviewed the overarching principles of the NC STEM Schools of Distinction Rubric, considered what each principle means in the context of their individual school, assess the school’s readiness, drafted a strategic plan and developed next steps for school improvement or to apply for the NC STEM Schools of Distinction. The institute included whole group discussion to learn from best practices across the state and individual school team planning. Those who were encouraged to attend were: School teams of three to five (including a required administrator). Schools which currently have a STEM focus or have previously applied for the STEM School of Distinction designation will benefit the most from this institute.
Shifting the Paradigm: Student-Centered Instructional Coaching program at NCCAT Cullowhee
Educators from across North Carolina joined us for "Shifting the Paradigm: Student-Centered Instructional Coaching" at NCCAT Cullowhee. The work of instructional coaching is a dynamic part of school communities. Supporting coaching cultures where students are at the center is an essential part of this work. Throughout the week, the participants learned coaching moves that create opportunities for professional growth, and suggestions for putting student learning at the forefront. Sessions included models for co-teaching moves, providing strength-based feedback, and high-impact instructional strategies. Time was spent collaborating with coaches from across NC, and learning new ways to connect with teachers and their classrooms.
NCCAT launches registration for new 2023 Summer programs
NCCAT Summer registration for programs in July, August, and September is now open. NCCAT, a recognized national leader in professional development, supports teachers and impacts students across North Carolina. NCCAT is also starting a new registration system. Find out more at https://learn.nccat.org/ NCCAT helps North Carolina teachers grow in knowledge, skills, compassion, and professionalism so that students become engaged, self-motivated, and successful. NCCAT's instructional programs reflect the broad range of unique professional development topics for public school teachers and other educators. Challenging formats shape the offerings. All programs incorporate state standards.
NCCAT pleased to announce new registration experience
With enhanced search capabilities, a convenient shopping cart and a mobile friendly interface, the new North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching registration platform has been designed for ease of use. Summer registration opens May 16th. Users may experience issues with registration during the changeover thank you for your patience. The layout has been simplified, and all the information prospective students need for registration will now be conveniently available in one location.
Beginning Teacher of the Year runner-up officially honored
NCCAT enjoyed the opportunity to officially recognize Kirby Forbes, a second-year math teacher at Lee County High School, and the NCCAT 2023 Empower NC Beginning Teacher of the Year runner-up at a recent Lee County Schools Board of Education meeting. NCCAT Executive Director Dr. M. Brock Womble and Deputy Executive Director Dr. Karen Sumner presented Ms. Forbes with the BTOY award that had her name engraved on it. Thank you to all who were present including students, her family and Lee County Schools Beginning Teacher of the Year Coordinator Patricia Coldren.
Beginning Teacher of the Year honored in Cabarrus County
NCCAT enjoyed the opportunity to recognize Natalia Mejia, a teacher at CC Griffin STEM Middle School in Cabarrus County Schools, and the NCCAT 2023 Empower NC Beginning Teacher of the Year at a recent Cabarrus County Schools Board of Education meeting. NCCAT Executive Director Dr. M. Brock Womble and Deputy Executive Director Dr. Karen Sumner presented Ms. Mejia with the BTOY award. Thank you to all who were present including the principal at Ms. Mejia's school Dr. Yolanda Blakeney.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from NCCAT! Thank you!
Thank you teachers for all you do. NCCAT is so proud to have the opportunity to work with amazing North Carolina teachers. This week and every week we truly appreciate all the hard work, dedication, and passion that goes into supporting students and families across our state. Please let us know if we can ever help with professional development and check out courses here at our website. Thank you teachers!
"STEM Schools of Distinction" program held at Ocracoke
NCCAT appreciates these educators from across North Carolina being with us in Ocracoke for the "STEM Schools of Distinction" program. During this planning institute schools reviewed the overarching principles of the NC STEM Schools of Distinction Rubric, considered what each principle means in the context of their individual school, assess the school’s readiness, drafted a strategic plan and developed next steps for school improvement or to apply for the NC STEM Schools of Distinction.