LCPS expands student innovation teams districtwide; 'Careers on Wheels' drew 615 fourth graders

Lenoir County Public Schools told the board on Dec. 8 that student-led digital learning teams have expanded from a single pilot to all 17 district schools this year, a change officials said has increased student leadership and classroom support.

A district presenter said the program began at Moss Hill Elementary, where interest grew from an expected 10 students to more than 30 applicants; the school now fields separate fourth- and fifth-grade teams that have led lessons, created digital projects and supported teachers in blended-learning classrooms. The district noted partnerships with Apple and an Apple professional learning specialist, Nancy Kacnicki, who has worked with students and staff on site visits and training.

Separately, the board heard a presentation on the district’s 'Careers on Wheels' early workforce event. The presenter identified in the transcript as Miss Carla said this was the program’s fourth year; organizers have engaged more than 50 businesses over time and this year’s event served 615 fourth graders from across the district. The program includes a career-interest survey, classroom lessons on 'major' career fields, and hands-on experiences provided by community and industry partners.

District staff said the initiatives aim to boost student engagement and career awareness early in elementary school, and staff invited trustees to attend upcoming student presentations and student-focused Apple professional learning sessions planned for early February.

Attribution note: quotations and attributions for this story are taken from district presenters identified in the meeting transcript as the student-digital-learning presenter (first appearing SEG 262) and 'Miss Carla' (first appearing SEG 410).