{"id":6,"date":"2017-09-12T16:27:12","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T16:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-09-18T22:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T22:32:54","slug":"sample-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wncelementarystemcop\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Western North Carolina
Elementary STEM Community of Practice<\/h1>\n

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A Western Carolina University initiative to connect Western North Carolina elementary science and STEM educators through collaborative discussions and activities focused on improving K-6 STEM education in our region.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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<\/h2>\n

A Western Carolina University initiative to connect Western North Carolina elementary science and STEM educators through collaborative discussions and activities focused on improving K-6 STEM education in our region.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Collaborate. Problem solve.\u00a0 Innovate.\u00a0 Advocate.<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Fresh Ingredients” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.03)” custom_padding=”0|7px|1px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ max_width=”1184px” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”0|0px|12px|0px|false|false” animation_style=”fade” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1184px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”50px|30px|50px|30px” custom_css_main_element=”border: 1px solid #C1A875;||display: flex;||flex-flow: column nowrap;||flex-direction: column;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”R||divi||400″ icon_color=”#c1a875″ image_icon_background_color=”rgba(126,190,197,0)” image_icon_width=”48px” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”|300|||||||” image_icon_custom_padding=”25px|25px|25px|25px|false|false” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”-36px||-34px|” border_radii_image=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”rgba(126,190,197,0)” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=”#592c88″ image_icon_background_color__sticky=”#592c88″][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#592c88″ text_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#592c88″ header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#592c88″ header_2_font_size=”46px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”||||||||” header_3_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”2px|||” custom_css_main_element=”color: #592c88;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Our Vision<\/h3>\n

Connect people passionate about elementary STEM education in WNC<\/p>\n

Strengthen elementary STEM teaching and learning in WNC<\/p>\n

Learn from and with each other<\/p>\n

Create sustained partnerships that organically grow<\/p>\n

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Excited for 2026\u201327<\/span><\/h3>\n

We are excited to begin a new chapter for the WNC Elementary Science\/STEM Community of Practice with our 2026\u201327 Teacher Leadership Cohort<\/strong>. This group brings together passionate elementary educators from across Western North Carolina to learn with and from one another, strengthen their own science practice, and grow their influence as teacher leaders.<\/p>\n

This year, our work will center on two priorities: student sensemaking<\/strong> and advocacy for elementary science<\/strong>. Together, we will explore how to create classrooms where students are doing the thinking, questioning, investigating, and figuring out\u2014and how teacher leaders can help ensure elementary science has the time, attention, and support it deserves.<\/p>\n

A highlight of the year will be our in-person professional learning day on April 28 at the Lake Logan Conference Center<\/strong>, where cohort members, WNC educators, and community partners will come together for a full day of learning, collaboration, and connection.<\/p>\n

There is a lot to look forward to in 2026\u201327, and we are especially excited to see the ripple effect this group of teacher leaders creates across Western North Carolina.<\/p>\n

\n

Follow this website and join our contact list<\/a><\/strong> to stay up-to-date on these events.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

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<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Our Advisory Board<\/h3>\n

Patricia Bricker, Western Carolina University<\/p>\n

Wes Davis, Open Way Learning<\/p>\n

Leah Downing, Hazelwood Elementary<\/p>\n

Amanda Hall, Jackson County Schools<\/p>\n

Jennifer Love, Macon County Schools<\/p>\n

Kristin Menickelli, Cullowhee Valley School<\/p>\n

Morgan Pittman, NC School of Science & Math-Morganton<\/p>\n

Liza Webster, Buncombe County Schools<\/p>\n

Kate Whittier, Buncombe County Schools<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Recent Posts<\/h3>\n

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Contact Us<\/h4>\n

Dr. Patricia Bricker<\/p>\n

Western Carolina University<\/p>\n

School of Teaching and Learning<\/p>\n

91 Killian Building Lane, Killian 101<\/p>\n

Cullowhee, NC 28723<\/p>\n

bricker@wcu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

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