North Carolina STEM Teachers

05/05/2025

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

05/05/2025

Building Engineers in K-5 Classrooms Conference!

I am presenting in the Fifth Session!

Who else is here?

04/05/2025

Double your vote today!!!

I have one last shot in the Wildcard Round!

I couldn’t have done it without all of you.

Keep your daily votes going and share the link! Encourage and remind everyone you know to vote everyday!

I need your continued support, only the #1 teacher in the group will advance to the Quarterfinals.

Voting is open April 4–April 6, and I must be in first place to move forward!

Let’s make it happen!

Please keep voting, keep sharing, and keep the momentum going!

Vote here:

https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/rustina-dawn-thompson-sharpe

Thank you for everything!

🤩Rustina Dawn Thompson Sharpe🦅

America's Favorite Teacher Contest 2025

04/03/2025

🚨 FINAL PUSH! Less than 12 hours to go! 🚨

Wow—what a journey! Thanks to your incredible support, I’ve made it this far in America’s Favorite Teacher competition. But now, it all comes down to this moment…

I MUST be in 1st place by 10 PM EDT TONIGHT to advance!

This isn’t just about me—it’s about celebrating teachers who inspire, uplift, and make a difference. If you believe in what I do, please:

✅ VOTE NOW (it’s quick & free!):

👉
https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/rustina-dawn-thompson-sharpe

✅ SHARE this post—every vote counts!

Let’s show the world the power of an amazing community. Thank you for being on this journey with me! ❤️



With joyful gratitude-
Mrs Sharpe
America's Favorite Teacher Contest 2025

Teaching brings me joy as I nurture children's curiosity and witness their excitement in discovering new ideas, especially in science

03/28/2025

I made it to the next round!!

Voting ends Thursday April 3.

I need your continued support thru daily voting and sharing the link to continue advancing! I must be in First Place to move forward!!!

Link:

americasfavteacher.org/2025/rustina-dawn-thompson-sharpe

Tell everyone you know that every vote counts!️

Thank you for your daily support!!

Wishing everyone a beautiful and joyfully adventurous Spring Break!!!

With a heart full of gratitude and love-

Mrs. Sharpe

America's Favorite Teacher Contest 2025

Teaching brings me joy as I nurture children's curiosity and witness their excitement in discovering new ideas, especially in science

03/27/2025

03/27/25

NORTH CAROLINA TRIVIA!🌋🏔️

North Carolina's Uwharrie Mountains were formed by ancient volcanic activity. Approximately how many years ago did these volcanoes erupt?
A) 10 million years ago
😎 100 million years ago
C) 750 million years ago
D) 1 billion years ago

🌋⛰️ Did you know that North Carolina was once home to active volcanoes? About 750 million years ago, the Uwharrie Mountains in central NC were formed by volcanic activity! While they're no longer active and have eroded significantly over time, remnants of these ancient volcanoes can still be found in places like Morrow Mountain State Park and Uwharrie National Forest. This means if you're hiking in the Uwharrie National Forest, you're walking on the remains of some of the oldest mountains in North America!

How far is the Uwharrie National Forest? Uwharrie National Forest is approximately 100 miles southwest of Eno Valley Elementary School. The drive typically takes around 2 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The forest offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and fishing, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. 🌋⛰️

Answer: C) 750 million years ago! 🎉
🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️🌋⛰️

I am honored to be in America’s Favorite Teacher competition, and I continue to be grateful for your support! It means the world to me that you vote once every day! The current round for America’s Favorite Teacher ends in less than 8 hours tonight! I must be in the top 5 to move to the next round. Please take a moment to share the link with family and friends. Every vote counts, and I am beyond grateful for your support!

Please vote here, and share the link too!

https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/rustina-dawn-thompson-sharpe

Your encouragement and support make all the difference!

With appreciation,
Mrs. Sharpe 😊🍎

NOTE: The photo is of Deep Gap, NC, approximately 2 hours north of the Uwharrie National Forest.

Teaching brings me joy as I nurture children's curiosity and witness their excitement in discovering new ideas, especially in science

03/13/2025

A Lunar eclipse and Pi Day! My Class Dojo message for our parents!

I am so excited to share about the Lunar Eclipse that is taking place late tonight and into tomorrow's early morning! If the skies are clear (and I wake up at 1:00 AM), I will take photos to share! If your family can rise and shine early and take photographs, please email them, and I will share them by Class Dojo tomorrow!

So, what is a total lunar eclipse? A total lunar eclipse, also called a "Blood Moon," will be visible in Durham, North Carolina, from March 13 into the early hours of March 14, 2025. During this event, the Earth will align between the Sun and the Moon, casting Earth's shadow over the Moon and giving it a reddish hue.

Eclipse Timing for Durham:

Start of Penumbral Eclipse: 11:57 PM EDT on March 13

Start of Partial Eclipse: 1:09 AM EDT on March 14

Start of Total Eclipse (Totality): 2:26 AM EDT
When the Moon is entirely within Earth's shadow and appears red, the totality phase will last approximately 65 minutes, from 2:26 AM to 3:31 AM EDT.

Maximum Eclipse: 2:58 AM EDT

End of Total Eclipse: 3:31 AM EDT

End of Partial Eclipse: 4:44 AM EDT

End of Penumbral Eclipse: 6:00 AM EDT

Viewing Tips:

Location: To enhance visibility, find an area with a clear view of the sky, away from city lights.

Equipment: No special equipment is necessary; the eclipse is visible to the naked eye. However, binoculars or a telescope can provide a more detailed view.

Safety: Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe without eye protection.

Weather Considerations:
Some weather forecasters expect clouds, while others expect clear skies. Be sure to check the weather for your location. Clear skies are essential for optimal viewing. It's advisable to check local weather forecasts closer to the event to ensure visibility won't be obstructed by clouds or inclement weather.

RESOURCES AND MORE!
NASA Video: https://youtu.be/-KKwMhdFzqg

What You Need To Know About the March 2025 Total Lunar Eclipse by NASA: https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-march-2025-total-lunar-eclipse/

NASA Lunar Eclipse Page: https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/lunar.html

NASA Visibility Map: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5473

National Geographic Article: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/see-blood-moon-lunar-eclipse

REMINDERS:

Tomorrow, Friday, March 14, is PI DAY!
Join the mathematical fun by wearing circles! That means polka dots, round buttons, hoop earrings, circular patterns—if it’s shaped like a circle, it counts!

Bonus challenge: Can you memorize at least five digits of Pi? Try it and impress your teachers! If you memorize five digits or more, please let me know! You will have a chance to win a prize from the STEM Box!

Vote for me in America’s Favorite Teacher!
Round 2 Ends tonight, and I am currently in second place! I must be in the Top 15 to move to Round 3. Please vote and share the link via text and social media. I appreciate all your support and votes!

Vote at:
https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/rustina-dawn-thompson-sharpe

Wishing everyone a STEM-tastic Day and a beautiful night for the Lunar Eclipse!

Mrs. Sharpe
America's Favorite Teacher Contest 2025

Teaching brings me joy as I nurture children's curiosity and witness their excitement in discovering new ideas, especially in science

01/30/2025

Hi! Hope all is going wonderfully! Will you please share the following with everyone you know? I greatly appreciate it!

🚨 Exciting News! 🚨

Rustina Sharpe, a STEM teacher at Eno Valley Elementary in Durham County, is competing in **America’s Favorite Teacher**! This is a chance to celebrate educators making a difference. Your support means the world—stay tuned for voting details!

Let’s show the power of our amazing NC family and cheer her on!🎉🍎



Visit
https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/rustina-dawn-thompson-sharpe

Voting begins February 24th at 2:00 Eastern Time!!!

Please share with your friends and family!

Teaching brings me joy as I nurture children's curiosity and witness their excitement in discovering new ideas, especially in science

10/19/2024

For my birthday Apple gave me:
an update for version 18 that will not download,
a frozen phone, a new way to turn it off,
the discovery that Big Sur on our Mac does not like iTunes because you can “force” an update to your Apple devices thru iTunes,
becoming pals with at least 3 different Verizon techs trying to find out why there is no CELLULAR on the phone,
a new understanding that physical SIM cards are not needed in newer phones, that Rob and I have a little bit more patience than we thought,
and I need to stop using technology because I seem to have some negative issues with my iPhones (remember the camera issue this summer?)!!!

All to discover in the end:

IF YOU CAN NOT UPDATE THE APPLE SOFTWARE (an Apple Support issue),
ONE CAN NOT FIX THE ESIM AND CELLULAR ISSUE! (a Verizon issues). And Vice Versa!!

When you look at the photos, you get a taste of my journey into cellular paralysis.

Please let me know if you have encountered similar issues or know someone who has the same luck as me!

10/13/2024

Coming to Kirby Theatre in
Person County: Crusade
November 3-6.
More info to come.

10/04/2024

Science Trail Westrn NC Partners Updates- please share these opportunities so they can spread to those in Western NC.

10/01/2024

Just sharing some community resources for those in Western North Carolina. Please share!