Author: Valencia Abbott, Teacher at Rockingham County Early College
Engaging in teacher professional development is always a commitment for busy educators. People often ask why I pursue these opportunities so often. For me, it’s the thrill of the unknown, the chance to explore new places, and most importantly, the impact these experiences have on my students.
PD is a hallmark of excellent teaching. It enhances instructional practices, improves student outcomes, fosters collaboration, and encourages reflective, adaptive teaching. Sometimes the benefits are immediate—a new strategy, a resource, or even classroom materials. Other times, they appear later.
As an America 250 NC Freedom Fellow in 2024, a fellowship sponsored by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), I experienced both.
This competitive fellowship helps K-12 teachers explore North Carolina’s role in the American Revolution through in-person and virtual learning, site visits, and collaboration with historians. It provided me with tools to enrich my teaching and helped my students experience history in a powerful way.
Recently, an unforgettable reward was an invitation from DNCR and PBS NC to bring my students to an exclusive conversation with documentarians Ken Burns and David Schmidt, to discuss their upcoming documentary The American Revolution.
As we prepared for this incredible opportunity, students curated questions for Burns and Schmidt, and a few willing students were afforded the once-in-a-lifetime chance to interview them on stage. They prepared carefully, practicing questions and the event’s flow.
Participating in a student-led interview with renowned film makers and watching scenes from a documentary before its public release, with students from across the state, was a rare and meaningful experience. Events like this turn history into something tangible.
They remind students that learning extends beyond textbooks—it connects them to the real world and their own potential. Experiences like these transform learning from a routine into discovery. When students engage with high-quality content and are treated as thoughtful participants, they begin to see education as something relevant and worth owning.
Students might not remember every Kahoot or worksheet, but they will remember May 15, 2025. They’ll remember being taken seriously as learners and storytellers. These moments build confidence and curiosity—and they shape futures.
Educators play a crucial role in creating these moments. They’re not extras—they’re essentials. Thanks to DNCR, this event became a catalyst for deeper learning and student empowerment. Let’s continue to support opportunities like this—because for many students, it’s the difference between just going to school and loving to learn.
