The following definitions apply in this Part:
(1) Commission. - The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission.
(2) Director. - The Director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program.
(3) Forgivable loan. - A forgivable loan made under the Program.
(4) Program. - The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program.
(5) Public school. - An elementary or secondary school located in North Carolina that is governed by a local board of education, charter school board of directors, regional school board of directors, or University of North Carolina laboratory school board of trustees.
(5a) Qualifying licensure area. - A teacher licensure area in one of the following subjects:
a. Either of the following, as identified pursuant to G.S. 116-209.62(h):
1. Special education.
2. Stem.
b. Elementary education (K-6).
(5b) Qualifying teacher. - A teacher in a North Carolina public school who meets the following criteria:
a. Received a forgivable loan under the Program.
b. Graduated within 10 years from an educator preparation program leading to teacher licensure, excluding any authorized deferment for extenuating circumstances.
c. Serves as a teacher in a qualifying licensure area.
(6) STEM. - Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(7) Trust Fund. - The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program Trust Fund. (2017-57, s. 10A.3(a); 2023-134, s. 8A.4(a); 2024-1, s. 2.14(a).)