Teaching with Joy Network Awarded Community Grant

The Teaching with Joy Network at UNCW’s Watson College of Education has received a 2026 Community Grant from The Endowment. The funding will support continued growth of the network and its efforts to promote educator wellbeing, student belonging and joyful teaching practices across New Hanover County Schools, helping strengthen educator recruitment and retention.

“We are proud to see Teaching with Joy recognized by The Endowment,” said Denise Ousley-Exum, associate professor of secondary education and a founding member of the Teaching with Joy Network. “This grant allows us to expand our joy-forward community and share practices that enhance the experiences of educators and students in New Hanover County.”

Teaching with Joy began as a collaboration between Watson College faculty and local high school teachers committed to reimagining teaching through the intentional practice of joy. In May 2025, Ousley-Exum was awarded the Wendy and Dell Murphy Distinguished Professorship with a three-year appointment to grow and formalize the initiative.

Over the past year, the network has expanded to include educators across all grade levels. A companion initiative, Leading with Joy, was introduced for school leaders seeking to build positive, supportive school cultures. Through presentations and professional development sessions, the network has reached more than 2,500 educators — from preschool through higher education — with its message of “intentional joy.”

The Community Grant will strengthen the partnership between Watson College and New Hanover County Schools through continued professional development for educators and school leaders. Funding will also support research exploring how intentional joy influences teacher retention, student engagement and attendance, along with new initiatives to help integrate joyful practices into local classrooms.

For more information, visit the Teaching with Joy website.

This spring, The Endowment awarded 41 Community Grants totaling $500,000 to nonprofit and community-serving organizations across New Hanover County. The Spring 2026 awards were announced March 31 and support projects designed to expand opportunities, strengthen services and improve residents’ wellbeing.