Empower EDU

The rural special education workforce faces unique challenges, from geographic isolation to limited professional development resources. This session explores a current initiative funded by the Appalachian State University Department of Labor Grant, designed to bolster teacher retention and expertise in rural North Carolina.We will begin with a high-level overview of the grant’s mission to strengthen the educator pipeline. The core of the presentation will then pivot to a practical application of the grant’s goals: the development of a micro-credentialing framework. Attendees will learn how we are deconstructing the rigorous National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) process into manageable, bite-sized achievements. By "stacking" these credentials, we provide rural educators with a clear, attainable roadmap to certification, effectively lowering the barriers to entry for advanced professional recognition.Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this session, participants will be able to:Identify the specific systemic challenges facing special education recruitment and retention in rural Appalachian communities.Understand the design and implementation of a micro-credentialing system tailored to the NBCT standards.Evaluate how modular professional development can be used to support high-stakes certification goals in under-resourced areas.

This session will be of interest for anyone that is just beginning their institutional implementation and development of STEM microcredentials. In this session, you will be introduced to the CREDO Process which was created to support early-stage institutional readiness for STEM microcredential development. The session will walk you through the process and attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on how this process could be implemented in their local contexts.

This session highlights a competency-based micro-credential offered through the Office of Rural Promise titled “Leveraging the Arts to Identify and Characterize Emotions.” Participants will explore how creative expression can be intentionally designed to strengthen emotional vocabulary, support social-emotional development, and improve learner engagement.Attendees will review the structure of the micro-credential, including the supporting research base, clearly defined outcomes, and evidence requirements that ensure measurable application of skills. The session will also examine how performance-based artifacts and reflection are used to demonstrate competency rather than seat-time completion.Participants will leave with adaptable lesson frameworks, practical templates, and clear “do’s and don’ts” for effective arts integration. Emphasis will be placed on designing learning experiences that are human-centered, competency-driven, and scalable across diverse learning environments.