Author: Andie Freeman
Header image: 2025 A+ Fellows Summer Professional Development, photo by Sarah Ridings, courtesy of NC Arts Council
A+ Schools of North Carolina is a whole-school transformation model that treats the arts as essential to teaching and learning across every area of the curriculum. These unique schools create a culture in which students and teachers thrive through collaboration and a curriculum that weaves the arts into every child's learning experience. Helping schools to succeed in their A+ practice is a team of talented people called A+ Fellows. They lead professional development and serve as advisors to A+ schools across the state.
The A+ Fellows represent a wide range of backgrounds: PreK–12 classroom teachers from all disciplines, special education teachers, administrators, college faculty, and teaching artists. This diversity is one of the network’s major strengths. As Fellows collaborate across grade levels and artistic disciplines—visual arts, dance, theater, and music—they spark innovation. “A+ Fellows always work in teams, never alone, and their ability to collaborate with other Fellows is essential,” said Jennifer Huggins, A+ Schools program coordinator. “True collaboration requires Fellows to actively listen to, share, respect, and edit ideas as they plan and design customized professional development for our schools. This collaborative spirit carries over to their work with A+ educators and administrators to ensure that the content is relevant and on par with what the school needs.”
Teachers report feeling supported in the A+ Schools network—support that can largely be attributed to the Fellows. This support is especially important for teachers new to the A+ model, as they learn the skills needed to fully integrate the arts in their school. For some, bringing the arts into a classroom is intimidating at first, especially if they are not familiar or comfortable with art skills. To ease the learning curve, A+ Fellows step in as sounding boards and sources of inspiration. As fellow educators, they understand firsthand the challenges that A+ teachers face. This shared understanding builds trust and strengthens the network. “The Fellows’ capacity to adapt and change—often in the moment—is so important, along with the ability to engage adult learners,” Jennifer added. “Facilitating content for teachers and administrators is different than teaching children.” The Fellows also bring a tangible energy and excitement to A+ professional development, and that positivity is contagious.
They continually practice what they teach, and that keeps them attuned to the needs of their fellow educators. “Research points to high-quality professional development as a primary reason why A+ Schools has achieved such longevity, “ said Vicki Vitiello, deputy director of the North Carolina Arts Council. Fellows must continually refine their practice and stay current with educational standards.
“The success of the program rests with the Fellows who teach the teachers,” Vicki said. “Because their role is so crucial, the process of becoming an A+ Fellow is rigorous and thorough.” Recruitment of new A+ Fellows begins in the winter, with online information sessions led by A+ Schools staff. These sessions help prospective applicants understand the program’s expectations. A call for applications follows in the new year, and selected candidates are invited to a two-day evaluative training. Staff use this training to assess each applicant’s readiness, and those who demonstrate strong potential receive invitations to a one-year paid apprenticeship.
During the apprenticeship, Apprentice Fellows participate in intensive training while assisting and observing veteran Fellows as they lead professional development. Apprentice Fellows reflect on their strengths and identify areas they want to grow throughout the year. They work on teams that allow them to apply their expertise while developing new skills. Because some educators arrive with a deeper familiarity with the A+ approach than others, Apprentice Fellows progress into the full Fellow role at an individualized pace. This gradual, supported growth is one of the program’s greatest strengths. “I love seeing new A+ Apprentice Fellows genuinely connect with our cohort of veteran Fellows and realize they’ve found ‘their people’— like-minded peers who have a passion for creative, engaging education experiences,” Jennifer said.
Every Fellow brings a unique story, a different lens, and a distinct set of skills. Together, the Fellows form a network that shapes schools, supports teachers, and ultimately changes the lives of students across North Carolina. This commitment is reflected in the stories of the Fellows themselves. “I became one of the founding A+ Fellows when I was contacted in 1993 by Ralph Burgart, who had this crazy idea to develop schools centered around the arts,” A+ Fellow Jan Adams said. “As a dance teacher, I have long believed that if students can embody their learning, the learning becomes more personal and more memorable. Helping through the years to develop A+ Schools of North Carolina was the perfect way to find out.”