Help Us Welcome Dr. Ashley Cooper
Director of
Information Systems and Accountability
Dr. Cooper is a public school veteran of 19 years who has worked in Wake, Person, and Franklin Counties. He has filled the role of teacher, assistant principal, and a director at the central office level.
For the past eight years, Dr. Cooper has worked extensively in the area of testing, accountability, and student information for both Person and Franklin County Schools. During this time, he worked diligently to help improve and support schools and the districts. His focus has been on supporting school leaders by working with them to understand how teacher evaluations and teacher growth should align to improve student performance and growth which will help create, strengthen, and meet school improvement goals.
Dr. Cooper has an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Appalachian State University, a masters in school administration from East Carolina University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University.
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Craven County Schools Teacher is a Finalist for NCCAT
Beginning Teacher of the Year Award
Rebecca Dearin, 6th-grade teacher at West Craven Middle School, has been selected as a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. Mrs. Dearin, a second-year teacher, is among 27 talented educators being recognized for their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to achieve.
“Mrs. Dearin is a wonderful asset to the West Craven Middle School team and we are so grateful to have her at our school. Her ability to build relationships while teaching her students is admirable and she is very deserving of this special recognition,” stated West Craven Middle Principal, Mrs. Jessica Fortescue. Craven County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Meghan Doyle, added, “We are fortunate to have Mrs. Dearin and, even more, her students are the beneficiaries of an educator who has made it her mission to make learning the most important priority in her classroom. She was recognized by experienced educators in our system last year to be a member of our Rookie Team of the Year. It is fitting that she be selected as one of the finalists highlighting successful beginning teachers across North Carolina. We wish her all the best as the selection process continues.”
The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year, who will be recognized in a ceremony on December 5, 2019, wins a $5,000 cash prize; participation in a GoGlobal NC trip to Australia in 2020 and instructional supply funds for the teacher's school. The runner-up receives a $2,000 cash prize. Regional winners will receive travel expenses to participate in NCCAT professional development and leadership development.
“We appreciate the enthusiastic response from all over the state for the Beginning Teacher of the Year Award,” said NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble. “These finalists provide a snapshot of the lasting impact great teachers have on our students from the first to the last day they step into a North Carolina public school. We are excited about this opportunity to honor teachers for the important work they do in our state.”
The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year process was developed to honor beginning teachers who are the future of education in North Carolina. Information about the program is online at
www.nccatbtoy.com
.
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New Bern High Board Spotlight
On October 30, 2019, the Craven County Board of Education and New Bern High School recognized its Math Department for the 2019-20 Board Spotlight recognition.
Their math department has absorbed several setbacks in recent years. They are currently functioning with only 10 teachers in the department when they are allotted 13 positions. This shortfall developed due to several departures in the late spring and over the summer. The members of the math department assisted with recruiting additions to the team and the school is very excited about what they will do for the students at New Bern High. However, their standards for prospective teammates are very high. And they chose to leave these spots as vacancies for now until the school is able to find the “right” candidates to fit with the New Bern High vision. The Math Team fully understood that this decision would mean larger class sizes and more demands on their current team. The math department was more than willing to do what is necessary to make this unit stronger.
Their sacrifices didn’t stop at operating with reduced staffing. Members of the math department (mainly Math I teachers) participated in Mathematics Vision Project (MVP) training over the summer. Their willingness to attend this training during the summer was highly commendable. But their engagement once there was incredible. They are excited to lead with this initiative, believing that this approach will help NBH students become stronger learners. That enthusiasm for MVP has now led to them volunteering to host the upcoming MVP training later this semester.
New Bern High School is excited to honor this team of professional educators who are putting students first and standards high.
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West Craven High Board Spotlight
On November 6, 2019, the Craven County Board of Education and West Craven High School recognized a team that is all about data. At each PLC meeting, they meticulously documented attendance, discipline, and academic progress. This team also spent time planning together and unpacking the curriculum to ensure that essential standards were being taught in a way that students understood. Students participated in digital learning opportunities, experiments, and hands-on learning.
They utilized a shared Google Drive folder that housed their meeting minutes, lesson plans, and at risk student data. They have shared best practices and areas of improvement/need at every meeting. Through collaboration, they have exemplified what it means to be a lifelong learner as educators. This PLC tracked the mastery of standards for each class period, providing real time feedback to students. They encouraged and taught students how to be accountable for their learning. Each student individually tracked his or her mastery of standards through the use of a data notebook.
In classes, they utilized iPad learning applications and Actively Learn. While the demographic breakdown reflected 3 honors and 3 standard cores, it was the teachers in this PLC that challenged each and every student to do their best. The hard work of the team combined with rigor in the classroom resulted in 61% proficiency in Biology during the 2018-2019 school-year. Congratulations to
Brienna Swinson and Lauretta Shalko!
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Havelock High Board Spotlight
The Board of Education had a wonderful afternoon on November 13th spotlighting some very deserving staff members at Havelock High School. Join us in the celebration!
High Performing PLC/Team - Biology
Erin Lembke, Ronald Thomas, and Tina Martin
A crucial component of a high performing PLC is that the members are never satisfied with their current level of success. The members of the Biology PLC are continuously working towards improvement. In order to continue to grow student achievement, they are willing to embrace their roles as learners. Their desire to learn and continually improve can be seen through their common planning and assessments as well as their willingness to look outside their own circle of influence for answers and insight. By being active listeners and learners themselves, they are setting the stage for success for their students.
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Educators Leading in Professional Learning- Matthew Spencer
Mr. Matthew Spencer is an active member of the Ram team who is willing to take on the challenge of leading his colleagues in professional learning. As a Canvas guru, he has offered training sessions and provided individual support to his peers. Mr. Spencer is also the go-to guy for assistance with anything Apple related. As a leader in both technology and professional learning, he seeks out opportunities to learn about new resources and platforms such as Microsoft and Flex Time Manager. He is currently leading the way in digital scheduling for REACH.
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As each and every one of us are gearing up for the holiday season, varied and sometimes conflicting feelings arise. Attached are two flyers that can help us prepare. Please review and take advantage of these services provided for all staff members of Craven County Schools.
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CTE
The Governor’s Office, North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and Fidelity Investments have created the Navigator. The Navigator will allow educators to connect with the community for work-based learning opportunities (school tours of businesses, internships, business classroom speakers, etc.).
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! We hope our community businesses will sign-up for the Navigator so our educators can connect with them for work-based learning opportunities.
The Navigator is an online marketplace that makes it easier for NC educators and workforce development professionals to integrate work-based learning resources into their classrooms. The platform operates like an online shopping experience, only everything on the Navigator is free. The database is made up of employer-offered work-based learning activities ranging from guest speakers to apprenticeships. Employers post opportunities, which we call resources. Educators and workforce teams can search by keyword, county, or by using any number of filters including career clusters and age of audience. Students gain increased access to work-based learning opportunities. Remember everything on the Navigator is free!
Contact Holly Tolston, Director of Career and Technical Education, for more information.
Phone: 252-514-6322
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ELEMENTARY INFORMATION
The Read to Achieve Repository is now available at
This NEW resource includes:
• RtA Guidebook
• RtA FAQs
• Third Grade Portfolio Summary Sheet
• Alternative Assessments List
• Other RtA Resources
Please contact Jason Griffin, Director of Elementary Education if you have any questions.
5th Grade Water Conservation Poster Contest
The 5th Grade Water Conservation Poster Contest is under way. All posters are due by November 22. Please contact Mrs. Pamela Hawkins at
phawkins@cravencountync.gov
if you have any questions
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