New from EdNC

Perspective | Dreams come true at McDowell Tech

by J.W. Kelley | February 12, 2026

Editor’s note: This column was originally published by McDowell Technical Community College last May. EdNC is republishing the column now ahead of Valentine’s Day. The McDowell Tech commencement ceremonies are more than formal traditions — they’re powerful celebrations of dreams...

Closing the attainment gap: myFutureNC unveils new data and ‘Workforce Act’ to hit 2030 goal

by Analisa Sorrells Archer | February 12, 2026

In June 2019, North Carolina established an ambitious attainment goal: By 2030, 2 million residents between the ages of 25 and 44 will have completed a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree. Now, state leaders are reflecting on progress made so...

Legislators consider industry-aligned education efforts and promising tutoring models

by Liz Bell | February 12, 2026

Educators are aiming to connect students not just with high-quality instruction, but with in-demand jobs. School and program leaders shared how they are aligning their work with employers’ needs with the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (JLEOC) on Tuesday. The...

Charter Review Board converts remote charter into stand-alone school, approves new virtual academies

by Kristen Blair | February 12, 2026

In a first-of-its-kind decision, the state’s Charter Schools Review Board (CSRB) authorized Pine Springs Preparatory Virtual Academy (PSPVA) to operate as a stand-alone school, separate from its parent charter school, Pine Springs Preparatory Academy. The CSRB approved the remote charter...

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The Editor’s Notes

Rolfe Neill taught us not to be afraid to be caught loving the community we serve, and so the Valentine’s Day edition of EdDaily has become over time one of my favorite things.

In 2024, we featured this story about love and attainment at our great 58.

After that story ran, a superintendent reached out, and in 2025, we published her mountains to the sea love story.

This year, President J.W. Kelley shares a love story about how all kinds of dreams come true at McDowell Tech.

My favorite love story this year is out of Mitchell County. Some of you may remember during Hurricane Helene when I met Whitney Ledford, who at that time was usually an eighth grade social studies teacher at Mitchell Middle School. During Helene, she was my favorite shero, even learning to drive a forklift as she helped set up a distribution center. Whitney started dating Brody, the Harris distribution site coordinator, and their love story was a bright spot for so many including me in the aftermath of the hurricane. I am delighted to report they got engaged last weekend, which makes this the best Valentines ever. Here is a picture of the happy couple! Best wishes from all of us.

If you have an education-related love story for next year, send it my way at mrash at ednc.org.

Here is your playlist for the weekend courtesy of Jeff McDaris with hits for the loveliest of holidays.

 

Need to know

• What makes relationships last? UNCG researcher studies love, stress, and the science of being a team

  UNCG | February 9, 2026

• North Carolina Schools Invited to Apply for 2026 Lt. Governors’ STEM Education Scholarship Program

  The Office of the Lieutenant Governor | February 12, 2026

• Register Now for the Kenan Fellows 25th Anniversary Conference

  Kenan Fellows | February 13, 2026

• Podcast | State of Corruption: The School That Didn't Exist"

  Pretend | February 10, 2026

• Where Are All the Men? A look at male vs. female postsecondary enrollment in North Carolina.

  The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal | December 14, 2025

• Immigration policies closing doors for undocumented students

  UPI | February 11, 2026

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