NC Teaching Fellows Program

There’s encouraging news for the future of North Carolina classrooms!

East Carolina University, which enrolls more education students than any university in the state, welcomed 938 new College of Education students in 2025 — a positive sign as North Carolina continues working to strengthen the teacher pipeline.

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows program is making that path more accessible. Through forgivable loans of up to $5,000 per semester, NCTF reduces the cost of earning a teaching degree while preparing students to lead in classrooms across the state.

Beyond financial support, Teaching Fellows gain early classroom experience, mentorship, and a strong community of peers — all designed to prepare confident, career-ready educators for North Carolina schools.

How ECU is recruiting the next generation of teachers:

ECU sees uptick in number of education students as state reports concerns over teacher pipeline East Carolina University saw an increase in the number of students pursuing teaching degrees last year at a time when an overall decline was seen in educator preparation program enrollment

Congratulations to UNC Charlotte and NC Teaching Fellows alumna Molly Todd on this outstanding honor! UNC Charlotte Cato College of Education

Congratulations to the 2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year, Molly Todd of Wake County Schools!