We are statewide force for teacher leadership and growth in North Carolina.
Investing in Teachers, Strengthening Communities.
When we commit to teachers’ growth with intention and care, students, schools and communities benefit in measurable and lasting ways. That belief drives everything we do at the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership, and it’s why we treat teacher professional learning as a statewide priority.
Our professional development programs and services invest in teachers as trusted leaders. Our immersive experiences place them inside the industries and regions shaping communities today.
Teachers bring that learning and those relationships back into their classrooms, expanding students’ views of career pathways and what’s possible for their futures. Learn more about our work.
90%
Of educators remain in the classroom five years after completing our fellowship.
100%
Of educators said they developed the skills to work with industry and community leaders.
100%
Of educators said the fellowship made them better teachers.
“This has been the best professional development I have ever experienced. The instruction is relevant and the environment is constantly positive, productive and inspiring.”
Teaching Grows Stronger Through Community Partnerships
Partner with us
Teachers are essential leaders of North Carolina’s future. When we invest in them as trusted, skilled professionals, they reinvest their learning back into our students, schools and communities, expanding what’s possible for our state.
Huge thanks to @meta for supporting our program for the seventh consecutive year! 🎉
We`re proud to welcome Rachel Culbreth of @polkcountyschools and Shelby Lewis of hcpsnc to our 2026-27 cohort of Kenan Fellows.
Rachel will explore Biltmore Farms to connect students to wellness, educational enrichment, and sustainability values in their own community.
Shelby will spend three weeks this summer collaborating with the ASAP – Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project to learn about local food systems and create resources for after-school programs statewide.
🥚 Our Fellow spotlights continue, and we have so many amazing teachers to celebrate!
Charisma Lee from @nashcpschools is one of our 36 incredible 2026-27 Kenan Fellows, and her project might change the way North Carolina students think about breakfast.
She is partnering with @ncagintheclassroom, @ncfarmbureau, and @nceggspert to gain an inside perspective of the state`s egg industry.
Then, she will partner with egg producers to create a brand-new NC Eggs Ag Mag that will bring that knowledge into classrooms across the state.
A huge thank you to these sponsors for making this fellowship possible. Your investment in teachers is an investment in every student they`ll ever teach. 💛
We`re spotlighting every single Fellow project, so stay tuned. We have more to come! 🌾
We`ve been introducing you to our 2026-27 Kenan Fellows and our partners all week. This evening, we`re shining a light on Juana Rhili.
A National Board-Certified Teacher and the 2024–25 @gcschoolsnc Teacher of the Year, Juana will spend part of her summer with the @unc_system, North Carolina Teacher Fellows @ncatsuaggies, designing professional development to strengthen the NC teacher pipeline.
We`re proud to have Juana in our 2026–27 cohort. 💙
Read the full release on our website. Link the comments.
![Headshot of Erin with quote: "[T]his program will not only be self-fulfilling in my personal quest to expand my own learning but also incredibly beneficial to my 5th-grade scientists."](https://kenanfellows.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/390/2026/05/Harden-Fellowship.png)
