(ASHEVILLE) -- For the last two years, North Carolina teachers have been without public funding for professional development, so many private organizations are stepping up to help them get the training they need to stay current on education trends and technology.  The Asheville City Schools Foundation is one of those groups.

Kate Pett, executive director of the Asheville City Schools Foundation, said in addition to increasing teachers' knowledge, the fellowships increase morale. "One of the most important strategies to insure that great teachers stay in the classroom is to provide them with ongoing professional development that allows students to learn more and make teachers feel more successful," said Pett.

She added that they have also seen a reduction in students' behavior problems and an increase in "on-task" behavior in classrooms taught by teacher fellows. In the last four years, 82 Asheville teachers have received fellowships through the program., with the help of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.