Science and math teachers, this one is for you.  The Career Awards for Science and Mathematics Teachers will provide $175,000 over a period of five years ($35,000 per year), as well as professional development opportunities, to recipients selected from eligible teachers in the North Carolina K-12 public school system.

The award will recognize teachers who demonstrate solid knowledge of science or mathematics content and have outstanding performance records in educating children. Recipients will receive professional development and opportunities to collaborate with other master science and mathematics teachers who will serve as mentors. In addition, schools and school districts will benefit by having their teachers become fully developed leaders in their field.

The State Board of Education will provide additional salary support to school districts that will allow award recipients to have a 12-month contract.
 
Applications are being accepted...

It’s Tuesday so it’s time to honor teachers.

Today we spotlight Paula Chandler, a first grade teacher at Stories Creek Elementary School in Roxboro. Chandler’s principal gives her high marks for always making her classroom exciting for students. Principal Veronica Clay says Chandler loves every one of her students and they respond by performing well for her.

Unfortunately we can’t do a story on every great teacher in our area but we do want to spotlight as many as we can.

Tell us about outstanding teachers you know. Use the comment section beneath this blog to give your favorite teacher or your child’s favorite teacher a shout out!

Should children who are taught a religious based curriculum at home be challenged in their beliefs?  That's what  district court Judge Ned Mangum of Wake County thinks.

Venessa and Thomas Mills of Raleigh had been waiting on a temporary custody order from the judge in their divorce case.  The order came today (Tuesday).  The schooling of the children was one of the most emotional parts of the case.  Judge Mangum ruled in the temporary custody order he signed today that the children must go from home school to public school.  Venessa Mills will continue to home school the children until the end of this school year.  They will start public school in the fall.

Many home school supporters and supporters of Venessa Mills have said the judge overstepped his bounds.   Some of them have also said he has a liberal and religious bias.  What do you think?

A big part of the debate has been over Venessa Mills church, Sound Doctrine...

The Orange County Board of Education voted Monday to set make-days for the snow day on March 2.

Students on traditional calendars will attend school on March 27. A teacher work day initially scheduled for that date will be moved to March 30.

Year-round students at Hillsborough Elementary students will make up the snow day on Wednesday. The teacher work day scheduled for Wednesday will take place Thursday.

Bob Catapano, athletic director at Sanderson High School, will be inducted into the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame on March 31.

Catapano coached school's varsity men’s soccer team for 20 years -- from 1977 to 1996. He has been the school athletic director since 1983.

Catapano's soccer team had an overall record of 363-44-21 with 195 shutouts. Sanderson won nine NCHSAA state championships and 17 conference championships. He was inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame in 1999.

Catapano began his 36-year career with Wake County schools as a math teacher at Martin Junior High. He transferred to Sanderson in 1977.