2024 William Friday Teachers Retreat to Honor North Carolina Educators

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced today the 2024 William Friday Teachers Retreat, part of the department's commitment to supporting and uplifting educators across the state. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Beaufort, N.C., this annual retreat, held from Sunday, June 23 to Tuesday, June 25, promises to provide our state's K-12 educators with a rejuvenating experience that blends professional development, cultural enrichment, and appreciation for the art of teaching.

The retreat is part of DNCR's Learning Happens Here initiative, in partnership with Carolina K-12 at UNC-Chapel Hill and with funding from the North Caroliniana Society. It is designed to recognize the invaluable contributions of North Carolina's K-12 teachers, who can attend free of charge.

"The 2024 William Friday Teachers Retreat exemplifies DNCR's steadfast commitment to supporting teachers and fostering excellence in education across North Carolina through our Learning Happens Here initiative," said DNCR Secretary Reid Wilson.

This year's retreat features a comprehensive agenda designed to educate, inspire and authentically appreciate educators. From immersive presentations on eastern N.C. history, culture, and heritage to engaging coastal adventures both on land and at sea, participants can expect a blend of enriching experiences. Highlights include visits to DNCR affiliates such as the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Bonehenge Whale Center, a guided tour of downtown Beaufort aboard a vintage double-decker bus, and an experiential learning day on Harkers Island with the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, who will take the group on an exclusive nature tour of Cape Lookout.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide a platform to honor the dedication and resilience of our state's K-12 teaching scholars, especially in these challenging times," noted Christie Norris, director of Education for the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. "Through DNCR's collaboration with Carolina K-12 and the North Caroliniana Society, we are able to provide educators a unique opportunity to reconnect with their roles as professional scholars, reignite their passion for the art of teaching, and show them in a tangible way that they are deeply valued for their work."

Throughout the retreat, educators will have the chance to network, collaborate, and recharge alongside colleagues from all regions of North Carolina. The event will also include a special Teacher Appreciation Dinner, where attending educators will be honored for their dedication and commitment to shaping the next generation of North Carolina's leaders and innovators.

For more information and to register for the retreat, visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov/2024fridayretreat.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Related Topics:

• Education