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PowerEd Cabarrus

From our youngest gardeners to our graduating seniors, we Grow Our Own

Logo for the Cabarrus Educational Alliance, featuring an open book with a graduation cap and the text 'PowerEd Cabarrus'.

Purpose and Mission

The PowerEd Cabarrus Education Alliance is committed to the educational journey of all students through our initiative Grow Our Own. By fostering partnerships in the community and generating essential resources, we strive to elevate the educational experience for every learner, promoting lifelong learning and community involvement in Cabarrus County.

The Grow our Own initiative is aimed at serving students with two targeted purposes:

  • Enhancing the learning experience of our present students; and,
  • Inspiring and equipping our graduating students to return to our classrooms as teachers.

Together, we aspire to create a full circle vision for our community.

"The most valuable investment we can make is in our children's education. When we make education a priority, we give our children opportunity."  --Martin O'Malley. 

A graphic illustrating PowerEd Priorities, highlighting critical thinking, culture, and engagement.

Grow Our Own

PowerEd Cabarrus’ first initiative in creating this full-circle vision to Grow Our Own is to support our classroom teachers by awarding grants for outstanding teaching methodologies and concepts that support our PowerEd Priorities.

In alignment with our district’s core mission of engaging minds and shaping futures, these funds will aid teachers in providing world-class educational experiences. 

A colorful graphic illustrating the STEAM learning model, with icons representing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.

A graduate in a red cap and gown speaks at a podium with a microphone.

Support for Aspiring Educators

PowerEd Cabarrus’ second initiative will be to support aspiring educators by awarding college scholarships to students pursuing degrees in education, with the expectation of serving in our district for five years following graduation.

As we guide and empower students through this full circle pathway, we truly Grow Our Own by fostering educational experiences that inspire our community to explore learning beyond the traditional classroom and equip aspiring teachers with opportunities that will enable them to experience the joy of learning as a licensed professional educator.

Our vision is that as We Grow Our Own, our students will come full circle returning to the very classrooms where they once sat as students, now prepared with the wisdom of their academic journey through the Cabarrus County Schools educational experience and empowered to give back to the next generation of our community.

Teacher Grant Application

Future Teacher Scholarship Application

Membership

  • Catherine Thomas
    Executive Director of PowerEd
  • Allyson Finnley
    Board Member
  • Caleb Snell
    Board Member
  • Honorable Kim Herrick
    Board Member
  • Namu Kachroo
    Board Member
  • Phil Penn
    Board Member
  • Dr. Robert Kirk
    Board Member
  • Brian Floyd
    Advisor

 

 

Hear From Our Homegrown Teachers!

 

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Kailan Bost, CHS graduate and current CMS teacher

"I've always loved giving back to my community, and I feel like teaching is one of the best ways to give back because of the relationships I've built in my short five-and-a-half years of teaching. As a student in Cabarrus County Schools, the teachers I built relationships with have stayed important to me through all walks of life, and I hope to be someone that is able to inspire at least one student each year to be the best version of themselves and to go the distance in life."

A

Kailan Bost, CHS graduate and current CMS teacher

"I've always loved giving back to my community, and I feel like teaching is one of the best ways to give back because of the relationships I've built in my short five-and-a-half years of teaching. As a student in Cabarrus County Schools, the teachers I built relationships with have stayed important to me through all walks of life, and I hope to be someone that is able to inspire at least one student each year to be the best version of themselves and to go the distance in life."