CCS Staff In the Know

Craven County School Celebrates the NEW 2023 Teacher of the Year

For more than 50 years our nation has honored teachers with the National Teacher of the Year Program. In 2014, the NC Department of Public Instruction announced its partnership with Burroughs Wellcome Fund as the new major sponsor of the North Carolina Teacher of the Year Program. Since 1970, North Carolina has participated in this program recognizing outstanding teachers. Craven County Schools has participated in the Teacher of the Year Program for many years and is proud to recognize one of the many outstanding educators in the district as our 2023-2024 Teacher Ambassador/ Teacher of the Year.

Nardi Routten, a 4^th Grade Math Teacher at Creekside Elementary has been selected as the 2023-2024 Teacher Ambassador for Craven County Schools. As an elementary teacher, Ms. Routten communicates the importance of education through her actions in the classroom. She cultivates relationships with students by allowing them to see her desire to be a life-long learner. Ms. Routten is passionate about taking risks to benefit her students and being a reflective educator. As the Craven County Schools Teacher Ambassador, Ms. Routten will serve as the local advisor to the Board of Education and will represent Craven County Schools at various community and civic events. Ms. Routten now moves on to compete against other local award recipients for the Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year title. Nardi Routten was chosen following an application, a presentation, and an interview process with the local selection committee, comprising of the current Teacher of the Year (SE Regional Teacher of the Year), the current Principal of the Year (SE Regional of the Year), central office staff, and a community leader.

Nardi Routten has been teaching for 25 years, with many of those years in the state of Florida. She came to Craven County Schools in the fall of 2019. Ms. Routten is committed to the success of all learners and creates learning experiences based on continuous improvement and rigorous content. In her application, Ms. Routten stated, “My goal is to guide and facilitate student learning to where students own their learning and progress. My students and I created a learning board where we analyze specific data to make improvements based on that data”.

When asked about the rewards she has found in teaching Ms. Routten stated, “My students influence me to be the best I can be. If I am the best I can be, I can help my students be the best they can be”. Ms. Routten discussed how impressed she was with Craven County coming to the district from Florida and how she feels very supported here. These are messages she would share in her role as Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Nardi Routten, the 2023-2024 Craven County Schools’ Teacher Ambassador/ Teacher of the Year.

Being selected as the Teacher Ambassador/ Teacher of the Year is one of the highest honors the district bestows on an educator. Our teachers have stepped up to demonstrate their love and commitment in new ways. It is more important than ever to recognize our teachers for their hard work. This year’s finalists included a talented and dedicated group of educators from across Craven County. The passion for teaching and learning was evident in their portfolios, presentations, and interviews. This year’s finalists are:

Catherine Baylis – 3rd-grade Teacher at Roger Bell New Tech Academy

Marianna Dunn – English Teacher at New Bern High School

Marland “Matt” Reid – Physical Education Teacher H J MacDonald Middle School

John Scrafpin – STEM Teacher at Havelock High School

Congratulations to all our finalists for what they do each day for the students and families in Craven County. The work of these teachers is transforming today’s learners into tomorrow’s leaders.

Board of Education-Special Called Meeting Update

At the Board of Education Special Called Meeting held on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023, regarding the repurposing of JT Barber Elementary School, the Board of Education voted unanimously to keep JT Barber Elementary School as a K-5 elementary school with its existing pre-school classrooms. The school will continue planning for its implementation of the restart model. 32 stakeholders signed up to speak and the Board of Education extended their appreciation to all who attended the meeting and took the time to express their opinion. To view the meeting in its entirety CLICK HERE.

SEND A THANK YOU E-Card TO AN EDUCATOR

The District Community Engagement Goal Team is offering Teacher Appreciation Week

E-Cards. If you are interested in sending a special message to any of our educators simply CLICK HERE and choose the card of your choice and your message will be delivered. Let's shower our educators with the love they deserve. The deadline for submitting a card is FRIDAY, MAY 12th 8:00 am.

LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET GALA

Craven County Battle of the Books Competition

Middle School Battle of the Books - May 11, 2023, WCHS PAC - 10AM

Elementary Battle of the Books - May 17, 2023, CCC - ceremony at 1PM

Good luck to all our schools competing!

Digital Learning Opportunity

NCBOLD 2023 Registration

North Carolina Beacons of Leader Development

Learn how to positively impact student learning through implementing the Digital Learning Competencies and Digital Learning Standards for Students in your classrooms and schools. Join one of our mini-conferences for fresh ideas to immediately incorporate into your classroom practices!

All sessions will be created and delivered by educators from across North Carolina! Concurrent sessions will support classroom teachers, support personnel, and school-level administrators in developing the capacity to improve instruction and provide digital leadership in classrooms and schools.

Lunch will be provided.

Monday, July 31 - Croatan High School: Newport, NC

#NCBOLD 23 Session Preview

Testing Reimbursement

DEADLINE is May 30, 2023

The office of Human Resources is NOW offering Testing Reimbursement for a LIMITED TIME for PRAXIS II or Pearson Exams. If you are a (n):

High school teacher who took a required licensure exam test to become highly qualified for grades 9-12
Middle grades teacher who took a required licensure exam to become highly qualified for grades 6-9
Elementary teacher who took required licensure exam to become highly qualified for grades K-6
EC teacher who took a required exam to become highly qualified for Exceptional Children in grades K-12
CTE teacher who took a required exam to become highly qualified for Career and Technical Education
Fully licensed teacher who has added an area of high need, including Math, Science and EC (is currently teaching in one of these areas). Proof of a submitted application to add the tested area to current teaching license to NCDPI (screenshot or email) or Updated NC License

Required documentation:

1) Verification of payment (paid receipt) for required exam fee is attached.

2) The passing score report.

ONE TIME FOR ONE EXAM ONLY. Funds are LIMITED (First come, first serve).

Reimbursement form link: https://www.cravenk12.org/Page/20987

*Test must have already been completed. Not valid until a score report has been received. Testing should have occurred from 7/1/22 to present day.

School Field Trips Reminder

Please ensure you are aware of all requirements when planning a field trip. Check with the administrator of your school who is responsible for approving field trips if you have initial questions before submitting any documents to the Curriculum and Instruction Division. This will help prevent forms from being returned and the review process being delayed. Use the checklist to help ensure you fully complete the process.

All needed instructions and forms are on the Craven County Schools website, which you can locate using the following steps:

Please ensure you meet the deadlines as stated and that all required documents are accurately completed and included when you submit the field trip packet. Please do not submit separate documents. Requests that miss the deadline will not be considered unless it is due to late notification from the host site or the trip is based on progression through rounds of competition.

If you have any questions, please contact the designated staff member:

Career & Technical Education: Wendy Wells
Elementary & Secondary: Melody Howell

SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT NC GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL

We need science and math teachers! We need you!

Are you interested in working with exceptionally talented, intellectually engaged high school students in a thriving learning community this summer? If so, come join us at the NC Governor’s School.

The summer session will be from June 12-July 15 for staff (June 18-July 15 for students) and will be at two campuses: Meredith College (East campus) and Winston-Salem State University (West campus).

NCDPI has openings for Science at both Campuses.

Being on staff at NC Governor’s School will allow you to play a role in a life-changing summer for these amazing students. It’s an opportunity to work with students in a residential environment where creativity and curiosity are valued and learning takes place without the pressures of grades or tests.

NCDPI will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews. Position availability, job descriptions, and application are available Governor’s School Employment Information. Salaries start at $3350 for Bachelors, $3600 for Masters. For General Information on NC Governor’s School, please visit the NC Governor's School website.

If you have questions, please contact Rodney Allen at ncgovschool@dpi.nc.gov.