Three N.C. Teachers to Receive Governor’s Educator Discovery Awards Governor Announces Grants to Help Teachers Pursue Professional Development

Today, Governor Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education announced the second round of teachers to receive the Governor’s Educator Discovery Award. Greg Eyman from Brentwood Magnet Elementary School of Engineering in Wake County, Tyreisha Jeffrey from Northern High School in Durham County and Melissa Justen from Avery’s Creek Elementary School in Buncombe County will each receive a $1,000 award to pay for professional development. 

“Teachers deserve our support to grow their professional skills. These funding awards recognize teachers who are striving to be the best in their field, and the best teacher they can be for North Carolina’s students of all ages,” Gov. Cooper said.

The Governor’s Educator Discovery Award was created to support North Carolina educators in their professional development at all phases of their careers. The award provides a stipend of up to $1,000 for preK-12 traditional public and public charter school teachers to pursue a professional development experience of their choosing. 

Teachers can use the grant award to attend a workshop or conference that deepens their subject area knowledge, such as a coding workshop for computer science teachers, or a session on how to create a project-based learning experience for students. 

Today’s recipients will use their Governor’s Educator Discovery Award in the following ways:

Greg Eyman, K-5 Stem educator in Raleigh, will attend The International Society for Technology in Education Conference (ISTE). ISTE works to engage and empower a community of global educators who believe in the power of technology to transform teaching and learning, accelerate innovation and solve problems in education. The conference is four full days brimming with interactive, inspirational and highly relevant professional learning opportunities. ISTE inspires the creation of solutions and connections that improve opportunities for all learners by delivering practical guidance, evidence-based professional learning, virtual networks, thought-provoking events, and the ISTE Standards

Tyreshia Jeffrey, Fashion Merchandising, Entrepreneurship, Multi-channel Merchandising educator in Durham, will attend The WindowsWear Spring 2019 professional development conference in New York City. This conference will feature three days of inspiring content and guest speakers, perfect for those teaching in fields like apparel, fashion merchandising, design, business, art, and more.

Melissa Justen, elementary educator in Arden, will be attending the Get Your Teach On: New England conference for K-6 educators. This two-day conference will provide teachers with tips, tricks, and strategies for creating dynamic lessons for their classrooms. Ms. Justin will use her time at this conference to develop real-world project-based learning activities for her students.

The North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) is a business-led, education non-profit (501-c3) that operates out of the Office of the Governor. Since 1983, NCBCE has provided a critical link between North Carolina business leaders and the state’s education decision makers, helping to create connections between the education curriculum and the overall work readiness of people across the state. 

“The NCBCE understands the value of high-quality professional development for our teachers. This award allows educators the opportunity to bring real-world applications to what their students are learning and increase work-based learning opportunities. This is so important as we as a state take steps to prepare our workforce for the opportunities of today and tomorrow," said NCBCE Board Chair, Albert Eckel.

To be eligible for the Governor’s Educator Discovery Awards, teachers submit a proposal that includes details about their teaching experience and the professional development activity they wish to pursue. Applicants also need to describe how their participation in the professional development experience will enhance their efforts to create a work-based learning activity for their students. 

Three awards were announced in February bringing the total number awarded to date to six. The next round of applications will be available through July 8, with selections announced in July. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of business leaders and educators. Awardees will be notified of their selection via email at the address provided in their application. 

To learn more about the Governor’s Educator Discovery Awards or submit an application, click here. 

The Governor’s Educator Discovery Awards are funded by NCBCE member companies. NCBCE hopes to raise additional funds to expand the program in future years.

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