NCDPI Office of Digital Teaching and Learning

10/19/2026

Congratulations to all of our incredible student teams!

What an impressive display of creativity, innovation, teamwork, and determination! In such a short amount of time, these talented students came together to turn their ideas into engaging, practical, and meaningful apps. Their hard work, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate were truly inspiring!

A special thank you to our dedicated coaches for the time, guidance, encouragement, and support you provided to prepare your students for this experience. Your commitment helped equip them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take on the challenge and create something amazing!

The creativity and accomplishments of these teams left a lasting impression on our judges, facilitators, observers, and conference attendees.

We are so proud of every team that participated! You demonstrated what is possible when students are empowered to think creatively, work together, and bring innovative ideas to life.

Congratulations on a job well done!

10/14/2026

NCED Connect Symposium 2026 | Day 1 Kickoff!

What a fantastic way to launch the 2026 NCED Connect Symposium at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro!

From the moment attendees arrived, the excitement and enthusiasm were evident as educators, district leaders, technology professionals, and partners from across North Carolina gathered for three days dedicated to learning, innovation, collaboration, and connection!

We officially kicked off the symposium with welcoming remarks from Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, State Chief Information Officer, and Matthew Mayo, Director of Digital Teaching & School Connectivity, who helped set the stage for meaningful conversations, fresh perspectives, and opportunities to strengthen digital teaching and learning across our state.

With a great turnout, enthusiastic participants, engaging sessions, and our valued vendors and sponsors joining us, Day 1 was filled with opportunities to exchange ideas, explore innovative solutions, and build connections with colleagues doing this important work across North Carolina.

The energy, engagement, and collaboration throughout the day were a wonderful reminder of what makes NCED Connect so special—bringing people together to learn from one another and move education forward.

And this was only the beginning! We had two more days of learning, sharing, and connecting ahead of us!

10/14/2026

📣 Calling All Digital Leaders!

𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡!

We're excited to bring educators and district leaders from across North Carolina together for our November 2026 Digital Leaders Exchange (DLE)!

This round of DLEs will focus on 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗺 & 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, aligned with North Carolina's Digital Learning Plan, and provide opportunities to collaborate, share strategies, explore resources, and connect with colleagues doing similar work across the state.

To provide more targeted and meaningful learning opportunities, this DLE will feature two distinct paths, both centered on Curriculum & Instruction:

𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝟭: SIS Coordinators — Dedicated learning and collaboration opportunities designed specifically for those supporting student information systems.

𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝟮: Digital Leaders & Other Participants—Designed for HR Directors, Technology Directors, School Library Media Directors, and other district and school leaders supporting digital learning and instructional initiatives.

Whether you're supporting systems, leading instructional initiatives, or helping shape digital learning in your PSU, there's a place for you at DLE!

📍 Choose the Date & Location That Works Best for You!

📅 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟰 | 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼
UNCG School of Education
⏰ 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

📅 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱 | 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼
Wilkes County Schools
⏰ 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

📅 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴 | 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼
Wayne County Schools – Carver Heights Elementary School
⏰ 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

📅 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵 | 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
Beaufort County Schools – Southside High School
⏰ 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Lunch will be catered at each location.

Come ready to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and explore strategies that support meaningful digital learning and instruction across North Carolina.

Choose the date and location that best fit your schedule, and make plans to join us!

🔗 Register today: go.ncdpi.gov/DLENovember2026

10/13/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀!

Ahead of the 2026 NCED Connect Symposium, school library leaders from across North Carolina came together for a special 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro!

Led by 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗡𝗖𝗗𝗣𝗜 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁, this in-person gathering provided an opportunity for district and school library leaders to connect with colleagues, share ideas, reflect on their work, and collaborate on priorities for the year ahead.

💡 A key focus of the gathering was exploring the newly 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 and discussing strategies for implementation, while creating space for meaningful conversations around strengthening school library programs across North Carolina.

🤝 From building connections and exchanging ideas to identifying opportunities for growth and collaboration, the gathering reinforced the important role school library leaders play in supporting student learning, equity, and access.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀! Your dedication, perspectives, and commitment to moving school library programs forward continue to make a difference for students and educators across our state.

10/12/2026

🍂📚 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄…

The 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗖 𝗡𝗘𝗪(𝘀) 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝟭𝟬𝟭 has been out for a few weeks, and this one is packed with ideas worth getting curious about. 👀
🐇 Take students down better 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮
📖 Build your own 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 with our statewide book study starting later this month
🎨 Explore 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 & 𝗗í𝗮 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝘀 with resources and virtual field trips from NC cultural institutions
💰 Get real-world ideas for 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮
👀 See how one NC SLMC is reaching new readers with a 𝗚𝘂𝘆𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝘁
💜 Catch up on 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 and find your next professional learning opportunity
📚 Plus grants, conference proposals, upcoming regional conferences & more!
And in this month’s 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, we’re celebrating NC’s Library Card Sign-Up Month proclamation and the role libraries play in helping learners follow a question, discover a story, and see where their curiosity takes them. ✨
If something sends you down a rabbit hole, we’ve done our job. 🐇📚
🔗 go.ncdpi.gov/ncnews926

10/12/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘: 𝗔𝗻 𝗡𝗖 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲

Join North Carolina Teachers of the Year for a conversation about the ideas, trends, and instructional practices that stood out to them at ISTE 2026. Panelists will share what challenged their thinking, what they see as promising for classroom practice, and what educators should consider as they make intentional decisions about technology and AI.

📅 October 14, 2026
⏰ 3:30–4:30 p.m. ET
🔗 Register: go.ncdpi.gov/AIwebinar

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

We’re continuing the Revised IMPACT Guidelines conversation throughout October with 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 → 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 → 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 and think together about how the Guidelines can strengthen school library programs across NC.

🛠️ 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱 | 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧
What does an effective school library program actually look like in practice? We’ll explore examples and ideas around collaboration, literacy leadership, inquiry, flexible access, collection development, advocacy, and more—with plenty of room to consider what implementation can look like in your local context.

📣 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟵 | 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧
Then, we’ll turn our attention to telling the story of that work. How can the Guidelines help us communicate value, connect library goals to school and district priorities, demonstrate student impact, build stakeholder support, and advocate for continued program growth?

Together, these sessions are about more than knowing the revised IMPACT Guidelines. They’re about 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
💜 Let’s keep turning IMPACT into action.

💻 Join us live at 3 PM or catch either session on demand afterward.
🔗 Register: go.ncdpi.gov/t3webinar
📺 On demand: go.ncdpi.gov/ncslmcplaylist

10/07/2026

𝗘-𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿!

Whether you’re new to 𝗘-𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿, join the NCDPI E-Rate team for two full days of learning at our 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗘-𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽. With multiple session opportunities planned, there will be something for 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹—𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁.

And if you joined us at 𝗡𝗖𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗗, we’d love to see you again! Come continue the conversation, build on what you learned, ask questions, and connect with others doing this work across North Carolina.

📅 November 9–10, 2026
⏰ 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET
📍 Drury Inn & Suites Burlington
1767 Glidewell Drive, Burlington, NC 27215

Register today! go.ncdpi.gov/ERateBootCampNovember2026

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁? We’ve made it easy—the hotel and training are in the 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! A special rate of $𝟭𝟭𝟬/𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 + 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 is available for Sunday and Monday nights.
Hotel guests also receive complimentary hot breakfast, evening drinks and snacks, and Wi-Fi.

🔗 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺:
https://www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=10187732

Booking tip: Select November 8–10 using the calendar icon before clicking Search. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-325-0720 and referencing Group #10187732.
⏰ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳! If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to reserve your room. Reservations after today will be based on availability and prevailing rates.

🍴 Lunch will be on your own, with multiple options located near the hotel.

📋 A detailed daily schedule is coming soon!

Come ready to 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘-𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲. We hope to see you in Burlington!

10/06/2026

What questions are you wrestling with about digital learning, AI, screen use, attention, inquiry, instructional practice, or student engagement?

The 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 & 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 is a statewide professional learning community for educators, school and district leaders, coaches, SLMCs, and others who want to think deeply, share perspectives, explore research, and learn alongside colleagues.

There’s no single “right” topic to bring — just curiosity, questions, challenges, and a willingness to contribute. Most networking and research will happen virtually, with optional in-person opportunities throughout the year, making it easy to participate from anywhere in NC.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱.
Apply: go.ncdpi.gov/applyDPPNetwork