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Math and STEM specialists join NCCAT faculty to support statewide professional development needs

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The following is a press release from the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching

The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching strives to meet the current and future needs of North Carolina teachers. As a result, our two new faculty members will lead math and STEM professional learning. Senior Math Specialist Dr. Bonnie Bolado will support teachers incorporating math standards and digital learning into their instruction and Senior STEM Innovator Darcy Grimes will provide hands-on STEM lessons to help teachers prepare students for an ever-changing world.

NCCAT, a recognized national leader in professional development programming for teachers, responded to an expressed statewide need for professional development in the areas of mathematics and STEM.

Dr. Bonnie Bolado, Senior Math Specialist, comes to NCCAT after holding a variety of positions in education and serving as a professional development presenter for various educational organizations. In her previous position Bolado served as assistant principal of Canton Middle School in Haywood County. Bolado also served as a math and science teacher in Haywood, Jackson and Onslow counties. She has presented for NCCAT, Western Region Education Service Alliance, North Carolina Principals & Assistant Principals’ Association and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Bolado recently led the NCCAT programs “Developing Engagement and Understanding in Middle Grades Math” and “New to the Exceptional Children’s Classroom: Surviving and Thriving.” She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, holds a Master of Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University, and recently obtained a Doctor of Education degree from Gardner-Webb. 

“Working at NCCAT is an opportunity to impact students across the state,” Bolado said. “It is a great opportunity to share knowledge and help teachers be empowered in their classrooms. We know that, just as students need to grow, teachers need to grow. Teachers have a direct impact on their students. When we create effective professional development, it helps teachers grow.”

Darcy Grimes, Senior STEM Innovator, comes to NCCAT after a highly successful teaching career which includes serving as North Carolina Teacher of the Year in 2012-13.  Grimes has taught in Asheville City Schools, Watauga and Wilkes County Schools. She is the NCTIES Outstanding Young Educator Award Recipient 2018, Northwest Regional NC Teacher of the Year 2012, Watauga County Teacher of the Year 2012, and Bethel Elementary School Teacher of the Year 2012. Grimes most recently served as the Digital Lead Teacher at Hall Fletcher Elementary in Asheville City Schools. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Media/ Instructional Technology from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University. She has attended and presented at NCCAT for several years, most recently leading the programs “Teaching Generation Z: Active and Digital Learning” and “Integrating Coding Skills into your Classroom.”

“Everything I’ve been doing has led to this position with NCCAT,” Grimes said. “I will miss working with students each day, but I know I can reach more students by working with the amazing teachers we have across North Carolina. At NCCAT, teachers have the opportunity to not only learn best practices and strategies, but they also practice what they learn. This allows teachers to be confident and ready to bring back these skills to the classroom.  With social media teachers are able to stay connected, share stories of their students and continue the learning long after they are here at NCCAT.”

“We are excited Dr. Bolado and Ms. Grimes will be sharing their expertise as part of NCCAT, working with teachers to make sure students receive great instruction in classrooms across North Carolina,” said NCCAT Executive Director Dr. M. Brock Womble. “They are valuable additions to our efforts.”