QUICK FACTS

SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Teacher Preparation

One-third of North Carolina's teachers hold a master's degree or higher.

North Carolina accounts for one-fifth of the nation's National Board Certified teachers - 12,770. The next closest state is Florida with 10,875. National Board Certification is the highest credential in the teaching profession. A voluntary process, educators achieve certification through a rigorous performance-based assessment that takes between one and three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers and counselors should know and be able to do. Certification is currently available to teachers in 27 fields.

Employment Needs

North Carolina needs to hire around 10,000 new teachers each year for the next 10 years to meet vacancies. About one-third of new teachers currently come from other states, one-third through North Carolina colleges and universities and one-third through lateral entry.

Personnel Highlights

Dr. Shirley Prince, Superintendent of Scotland Schools, is the 2006-07 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year. She will represent North Carolina for National Superintendent of the Year honors.

Craig Hill, principal of Kinston High School (Lenoir County Schools), is the 2007 North Carolina Wachovia Principal of the Year.

James Bell, an eighth grade English teacher at Chowan Middle School (Edenton–Chowan Public Schools), is the 2007-08 North Carolina Teacher of the Year.