North Carolina's commitment to fostering excellence in education took a pragmatic step forward as Governor Josh Stein, in conjunction with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), named ten teachers as the latest beneficiaries of the Governor's Educator Discovery Award. This educational stipend, which can peak at $1,000, is designed to bolster the professional development of PreK-12 educators within the state's public and charter schools. Recipients, who articulate their experience and development plans in detailed proposals, are chosen after a meticulous review.
The diverse ways these funds are being utilized reflect an appreciation for a broad range of educational experiences. For example, Daniel Fussell of Innovation Early College High School is honing his tech-savvy by diving into innovative educational technologies at the NC Technology in Education Society conference—a move that could potentially revolutionize his social studies classroom. According to the press release on the Office of the Governor website, this is a repeat visit for Fussell who has previously brought TinkerCad and 3D printers into his teaching space.
Cori Greer-Banks, meanwhile, is expanding the narrative of American history for her students at The Exploris School by participating in immersive and enlightening programs such as the Monticello Teacher Institute and fellowships through the National Endowment for the Humanities. Governor Stein lauded the grants, expressing excitement at "how they leverage this additional education in the classroom."
The awards also demonstrate an investment in language and cultural awareness, with Rong Zhang of East Cary Magnet Middle School applying her award toward the MSU STARTALK for Chinese Language Teachers Program, in an effort to meet the rising demand for Chinese language proficiency in the United States. Another recipient, Franchone Bey from West Charlotte High School, gained insights on integrating real-world writing experiences into English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, having attended the National Council for Teachers of English Convention.
With a grand total of 51 grants handed out since the program's 2019 inception, it's clear that the initiative is catching the attention of educators across North Carolina. One can anticipate further growth, as NCBCE seeks to secure additional funding to broaden the program's reach—a prospect of particular interest to educators and donor parties alike. Details regarding funding proposals and applications for the next cycle of the award can be found through contacting Caroline Sullivan, Executive Director of NCBCE, at [email protected].
