Statesville
Statesville, NC · Education
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The Gaston Gazette
Meet the Key Homes Amazing Teacher for the month: Kelly Armstrong
Kelly Armstrong, a math teacher and mathematics department chair at Forestview High School, has been selected as the Gaston Gazette/Shelby Star/Key Homes Amazing Teacher of the month. 🍎 Know an Amazing Teacher? Tell us about them! Nominations are open to all. Armstrong has taught for 26 years, including 21 years at Forestview. She also leads the school’s Social Committee and Sunshine Crew. Jennifer Armstrong nominated her, pointing to the time, creativity and collaboration she brings to teaching. "She gets to school early and stays late to help her students and work on lesson plans. She uses a variety of hands-on and technological activities to help her students learn and understand the topic at hand." What inspires her Armstrong originally planned to become a music teacher with a focus on voice, drawing on her love of singing and piano. While studying music and education in college, she realized math was her stronger passion. "There are many students who have such a negative attitude towards Math, and I like to try to teach them that it is important in everyday life and can be a wonderful subject to learn." A classroom built on trust Armstrong wants students to know they are cared
FOX8 News
The Tribune
Elkin school board to sign contract with new superintendent Nov. 16
A new superintendent for Elkin City Schools is expected to be in place for the start of the new year. The board has been working since the summer to recruit and hire a replacement for Dr. Steve Hall, who left the position in June. The school board hired North Carolina School Board Association consultant Sam Thorp to aid with the search and hiring process. On Monday, Nov. 16 the board will hold a Special Called Meeting in the media center at Elkin High School beginning at 6:30 p.m. A closed session will be held first, at 6 p.m. for the board to finalize discussions. In open session the board will officially vote on the new hire and sign the contract ahead of announcing the new leader and a welcome reception. The name of the new superintendent will not released until the contract is signed at the Nov. 16 meeting. The new superintendent is expected to begin on Jan. 1, 2027.
Ashe Post & Times
$35 million App State GEAR UP grant advances college, career readiness for Western NC students
BOONE — Appalachian State University’s Office of Rural Promise (ORP) is the awardee of a seven-year, $35 million GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The award marks the second consecutive $35 million federal grant App State has received in support of its GEAR UP program, allowing the university to serve more students and families across the western portion of the state. GEAR UP is a federally funded college access program designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education immediately after high school. Through a wide range of research-based services to students, families and teachers, App State’s GEAR UP NC Appalachian Partnership aims to improve college-going mindsets, high school graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment rates. Results from App State’s previous GEAR UP grants demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in improving educational outcomes. Among participating schools, 97% of students were on track to graduate by the end of ninth grade, and 98% graduated from high school on time, significantly exceeding the statewide average of 88%, according to 2024–25 data, the latest available. “By helping prepare thousands of regional middle and high school students
iredellfreenews.com
FOX8 News
Christmas spirit has taken over High Point University
HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — The High Point University campus is wasting no time getting into the Christmas spirit. Christmas lights and nutcrackers line the promenade, and crews have already put up the state’s largest Christmas tree. It took 20 people about three days to put all the holiday decorations up. Each year, the university […]
hoodline.com
App State’s New GEAR UP Grant Targets 14,000 Students; Program Counts Vary by Cycle
Appalachian State University says its new seven-year, $35 million federal GEAR UP award will support college and career preparation for about 14,000 middle- and high-school students and their families in Western North Carolina. The program, GEAR UP APEX Northwest, began Oct. 1 and is the second consecutive $35 million GEAR UP grant awarded to the university, according to Appalachian Today.