Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2006-04-13, Gov. Easley Names Bartlett To Lead Center For 21st Century Skills; Program Will Help Students Succeed In The Global Economy

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Seth Effron Date: April 13, 2006 Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY NAMES BARTLETT TO LEAD CENTER FOR 21ST CENTURY SKILLS Program will help students succeed in the global economy RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today named Melissa Bartlett to direct the nation’s first Center for 21s1 Century Skills to help students learn and use the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the global economy. Easley established the center last year and placed it within his North Carolina Business Committee for Education, a nonpartisan, nonprofit consortium of businesses throughout the state that acts as an advocate and resource for K- 12 education. “Melissa Bartlett is uniquely qualified to lead this effort that will focus on changing teaching and education practices in high schools,” Easley said. “She already is teaching in one of our innovative Learn and Earn schools and has international experience and foreign language skills that are crucial in the 21st century.” Bartlett is a member of the State Board of Education, a former state Teacher of the Year and a finalist for national Teacher of the Year. She teachers at the Collaborative College for Technology and Leadership on the Mitchell Community College campus in Statesville. In addition to English, Bartlett speaks Spanish, Arabic and Swahili, received her Master’s degree from the American University in Cairo, Egypt and taught English in Kenya as a member of the Peace Corps. Bartlett also taught at American University and Durham Technical Community College. Prior to her current post, Bartlett taught in Iredell, Durham and Person counties. She has been a member of the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Committee, the state Professional Teaching Standards Commission and the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Commission. She is a district director for the N.C. Association of Educators, served on the N.C. Public School Forum Board of Directors and is a National Board Certified Teacher. North Carolina was the first state to join the national Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a public- private partnership to foster student success in the global economy. The partnership for the North Carolina project has been developed through the N.C. Business Committee for Education. - MORE - Governor's Press Office State Capitol. Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166