The teacher induction ceremony in the School of Education marks a milestone in the academic journey of teacher candidates. On Sept. 19, a new cohort of 58 teacher candidates were inducted into the teacher education program.
The School of Education’s 2019 induction ceremony recognized 58 new admits 鈥 those who are transitioning from teacher education students to teacher candidates.
Each candidate passed the ACT/SAT or CORE Academic Skills tests with a higher than average score, achieved an overall GPA of 2.70 or higher and passed all prerequisites with no grade lower than a C. Candidates also received positive recommendations from non-EDU 黑料不打烊 faculty, demonstrated appropriate disposition befitting a professional and continue to uphold 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Academic and Social Honor Code.
As teacher candidates, they will participate in coursework and more intensive clinical experiences, learn how to facilitate and assess student learning and deepen their understanding of student behavior and how to organize and manage a classroom.
Through the teacher induction ceremony, the School of Education builds cohesion across all teacher education programs. This bond is paramount to student retention and motivation not only through graduation, but also into their teaching careers.
Paige Knapke 鈥20, an elementary and special education major and psychology minor, 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellow and North Carolina Teaching Fellow, introduced Renita Webb 鈥04, educational leadership strategist and founder of The Refining Life, Inc., as devoted to her work as an educator, consultant, and trainer. One of the goals of The Refining Life is 鈥渢o provide experiences so that people can have their mindsets shifted so they can live more positive and productive lives.鈥
During her engaging presentation titled, 鈥淲hy,鈥 Webb encouraged the teacher candidates to 鈥渇ind their why鈥 because it will 鈥渁ctivate joy in you, help you stay true to yourself and keep yourself moving forward.鈥
In conclusion, Webb asked the teacher candidates to consider what type of education they want to impart as they 鈥渨ill teach new thinkers, change agents and future educators.鈥 Her challenge was to 鈥渄iscover your why so strong that it keeps you from stopping 鈥 to find the strongest, fiercest why.鈥
Teacher candidates were recognized individually by Ann Bullock, dean of the school of education, and received a certificate from Marna Winter, lecturer and chair of the department of education and wellness, to symbolize their transition into the teaching profession.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dean Bullock commended the students for 鈥渟electing teaching as a career because it is a moral decision, a decision to dedicate one鈥檚 self to the future of all children and young adolescents.鈥
The ceremony was organized by the School of Education Induction Ceremony committee members: Heidi Hollingsworth (committee chair), Dani Lane, Marna Winter, and Megan Noltemeyer.