Who We Are

Teacher Training

Our teachers with our students are the heart of our learning community.

They arrive at CPSC with a variety of experiences in life, and in public, public charter, private, and/or other non-profit educational environments. Over 75% of our teachers hold teaching licenses and related certifications, expanding our capabilities and educational expertise.

All new teachers participate in a week-long New Teacher Orientation in the summer. In the essential CPSC spirit of building community and transferring institutional knowledge, teachers in their first and second years at CPSC partner with a peer mentor to develop in key areas we value. In keeping with our commitment to cultivating an equitable workplace and world, all teachers at our school participate in the Racial Equity Institute (REI) in their initial years at CPSC.

Professional Development & our Teaching & Learning Center

Regular professional development is provided to all teachers, new and experienced, in the following areas with local, state, national, and international community partners. Our staff also regularly lead in-house professional development for their colleagues and educators from other institutions across NC and beyond.

  • Child-Centered Project-Based Learning (PBL) with our PBL Committee, teacher leaders, RTI International, and PBLWorks.org.
  • Integrated Arts with our Integrated Arts Committee, local Artists in Residence, the Durham Arts Council, ADF American Dance Festival, the Nasher Museum, and other community partners.
  • Outdoor Learning with our Outdoor Learning Committee, and partnerships with the Museum of Life and Science, The Natural Learning Initiative, Sankofa Farms, Seeds, Stone Brothers & Byrd, and other community partners.
  • Joy of Learning through High Standards with our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Committee,  NC Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with local universities – Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, Elon University, UNC Pembroke, and NC Central University, as well as the NC Coalition of Charter Schools, and NC Association of Public Charter Schools
  • Social Emotional Learning with our Counseling Department, Peaceful Schools NC, Responsive Classroom, the International Institute of Restorative Practices, our Mindfulness Committee, and resources from the former organization MindfulSchools.org.
  • Diversity by Design with Hill Center, ISLA, LGBTQ Center of Durham, Village of Wisdom, the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition, and our Exceptional Children’s Department
  • Family Partnership with ISLA, Hill Center, Village of Wisdom, Peaceful Schools, and our various Parent Committees