Leadership and Committees

The North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is the organization that unites teacher educators in both public and private colleges and universities, staff and faculty in state created initiatives and consortia, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. NCACTE is the lead advocacy group for policy issues regarding teacher preparation in North Carolina.

Elected Officers

Heather Bower

President Meredith College

Dr. Heather Bower is currently a serving as the Education Department Chair and Coordinator of Assessment and teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate education programs. Bower completed her Doctorate and MSA from UNC Chapel Hill and has a background as both a classroom teacher and administrator, having taught grades 7-12 Language Arts and AVID and served as the College Access Programs Coordinator in a large, public school system. In these positions, she taught all levels of students and helped to create, implement, and monitor programs for students in grades 4-12, along with their families and teachers. Bower’s recent research focuses on family involvement and school culture, particularly as it pertains to teacher identity and school reform, and classroom and behavior management.

Brad Smith

President Elect UNC Charlotte

Dr. Brad Smith is the Director of Assessment and Accreditation and Associate Graduate Faculty for the Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte. He chairs the NCACTE Advocacy and Policy Committee and serves as a member of the Executive Board. A lifelong North Carolina resident, Brad began his education career teaching high school social studies in NC public schools. He holds an EdD in Educational Leadership (Higher Education) from UNC Charlotte and an MAT in Secondary Social Studies and BA in History from UNC Chapel Hill. 

Diana Lys

Past PresidentUNC Chapel Hill

Christina O'Connor

Treasurer UNC Greensboro

Hannah Reeder

SecretaryAppalachian State University

Full Board List

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