Education | Today at 黑料不打烊 | 黑料不打烊 /u/news Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:14:42 -0400 en-US hourly 1 Izzie Crowley 鈥28 finds purpose through making a difference in special education system /u/news/2026/03/18/izzie-crowley-28-found-purpose-through-making-a-difference-in-the-special-education-system/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:00:57 +0000 /u/news/?p=1033857 For Izzie Crowley 鈥28, teaching聽isn鈥檛聽just a career聽choice;聽it鈥檚聽a calling shaped by family. She is pursuing a promising future in special education at 黑料不打烊 thanks to her close relationship with her cousin who has Down syndrome, Grace.

鈥淲atching Grace grow up, I learned聽that,聽while she聽wasn鈥檛聽equipped to deal with certain things in life, she is so talented in聽many ways聽鈥 it just shows up differently. Grace is so happy all the time and she has so many hobbies. She can twirl a baton for longer than anyone聽I鈥檝e聽ever聽met聽and聽she鈥檚聽a great聽swimmer too,鈥 said Crowley.

A large group of people of various ages stand together on a grassy lawn in front of trees and a cabin, posing for a group photo. The scene suggests a family gathering or reunion in a wooded outdoor setting.
Izzie Crowley ’28 and family

Since the 8th grade,聽Crowley聽knew she had the skills and passion to pursue teaching聽children聽with disabilities as a career path.聽She grew up with Grace her whole life, but as she got聽older,聽she started to notice differences in their developmental stages.聽She began to teach and aid Grace in her studies, helping her learn to spell and write.

鈥淭o me that was my cue that there are so many people out there that are being treated as if they聽can鈥檛聽do things when聽it鈥檚聽not聽true;聽they can do it. They just do it in聽a different way,” Crowley said.

Grace鈥檚 talents and聽struggles聽emphasized 颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 desire to teach special education.

鈥淕race has the best聽handwriting,聽and聽she’s聽also聽excellent聽at remembering things,” she said. “Teaching Grace encouraged me to want to help others through this, because聽it鈥檚聽difficult when students聽don鈥檛聽have a teacher to encourage what they are already good at, and instead focuses just on the聽skills that they need to develop.鈥

Crowley was encouraged to explore 黑料不打烊 from one of her other family members, an alum聽of聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 Teaching Fellows program.聽She provided Crowley with a list of what to look for in the best teaching programs as she started to explore colleges.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢 was the only school that had everything on the list.聽I have always genuinely enjoyed it here,” said Crowley. “Before I even got into the Teaching Fellows, I said to my mom,聽I think this聽is where I need to be.鈥

A woman stands on a mountain overlook at sunset, smiling with a lake and rolling hills stretching out below. The warm evening light casts a soft glow over the landscape and her face.
Izzy Crowley ’28

Crowley prides herself on being a “social butterfly” who enjoys meeting and talking with others.

“I鈥檓聽always meeting new people and reaching out to them.聽I鈥檓聽most proud of myself for meeting new people and making lasting connections. Meeting others聽through Teaching聽Fellows has been the highlight of my 黑料不打烊 experience,” she said.

As a lifelong dancer, Crowley has connected her creative passions and interest in special education with research聽and a minor in dance. Having previously conducted research in high school on how incorporating dance with individuals who have special needs can enhance their overall body function and awareness of their body, she plans to build on her knowledge by beginning research here at 黑料不打烊.

鈥淥riginally, my research was just how dance can聽benefit聽those who have special needs, both physically and mentally. I want to hone that into my future profession and discover how it can work in a classroom setting,” she said.

Crowley is also involved in volunteer work with Alamance County schools聽through聽service with the聽鈥淚t Takes a聽Village鈥澛燩roject, a program to aid English as a second language聽for聽elementary students.

She聽says this volunteer work has been聽a catalyst for her future work as a teacher.

鈥淟ast spring, I was placed in a classroom working 30 hours a week, which was huge for me.聽It鈥檚聽exciting, and it reinforces that this is what I want to do聽following graduation,” she said.

颁谤辞飞濒别测鈥檚 Joey Brocato Memorial Teaching Fellows Scholarship was聽established聽by 黑料不打烊 parents Mike and Karen Brocato P’16, in memory of their son Joey. The Brocato family expressed to Crowley that they intentionally wanted to donate to a future educator who wanted to go into special education.

A woman in a light blue dress stands beneath a white archway surrounded by bright pink flowers, smiling toward the camera. Sunlight illuminates the scene, creating a warm, picturesque outdoor setting.
Izzy Crowley ’28

鈥淭o know that聽I鈥檓 privileged enough to be the one they聽want to聽give back to聽encourages聽me to work my hardest,鈥 saoe Crowley.聽鈥淚鈥檓聽lucky enough to have met my donors, the Brocato family, last fall, to meet and talk.聽I鈥檒l聽text them to check in and get updates.聽It鈥檚聽nice to have that personal connection.鈥

She explained that her close relationship with her donors has only increased her drive to succeed and give back to her community and the children in it.

鈥淜nowing them has pushed me to want to be better. Their story is so meaningful to me because of my cousin, Grace,” said Crowley. “To have that connection and know them only pushes me further to do the best I can because I want them to feel like聽they鈥檙e聽putting their money into something beneficial.

As a future educator, Crowley says she is aware of the聽obstacles聽in聽the聽field, one being lower聽pay.

鈥淎s a future educator,聽I鈥檓聽aware that I am not going to be making a ton of money, but it聽doesn鈥檛聽change the fact that this is what I want to do,” she said. “Being given this scholarship and the opportunity to learn and get all the experiences that I need to be a future educator, without the worry of having too much debt, has been such聽a big help.鈥

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黑料不打烊鈥檚 future math educators shape statewide conversations on teaching and learning /u/news/2026/01/21/elons-future-math-educators-shape-statewide-conversations-on-teaching-and-learning/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:45:09 +0000 /u/news/?p=1037318 Two presenters stand smiling in front of a projected presentation slide titled 鈥淧ICTURE IT! Visualizing High Quality Math Classrooms.鈥 The slide includes their names, photos, and event details, indicating an educational conference or workshop setting.
Sarah Copenhaver (黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellow) and Katie Baker, co-presenting at the聽North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025

黑料不打烊 students in Katie Baker鈥檚 MTH 2080 Number & Algebra for K-8 Teachers and EDU 4200 Mathematics Methods course, Heather Barker鈥檚 MTH 2090 Geometry & Data for K-8 Teachers and Emily Elrod鈥檚 MTH 3080 Mathematics & Statistics for Middle Grades & Secondary Teachers attended the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025.

Students in MTH 2080, 2090, and 3080 also presented at the conference and their conference experience was supported by the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education Dean鈥檚 Fund.

The 黑料不打烊 student presenters showcased their ideas for engaging mathematics tasks in the session 鈥淧reservice Teacher Power Hour: Fresh Lesson Ideas.鈥

Two students stand smiling beside a tri-fold poster titled 鈥淢agic Measurement鈥 at an academic poster session. The display includes sections on learning goals, application questions, and a presented task, with other attendees visible in the background.
Kyra Massey and Anika Ybarra presenting on behalf of MTH 2080 at the聽North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025.

Prospective math teachers from across the state presented new ideas for high-quality math tasks (elementary, middle and high school) that focus on developing students’ conceptual math understanding. Baker supported organization and facilitation of the session through her role as past-president of the North Carolina affiliate of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. Elrod supported the organization of this session, as well as the entire conference organization and orchestration through her current role as President of the NCCTM.

While at the conference, students attended sessions like Deborah Peart鈥檚 keynote on building mathematical identities and topics like using meaningful fraction models and number line use for building computational skills. Another topic of interest was exploring mathematical visions in the presentation Visualizing High-Quality Math Classrooms co-presented by Baker and 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellow Sarah Copenhaver. This presentation overviewed findings from Copenhaver鈥檚 Inquiry Project and SURE 2025 data analysis phase about prospective teachers鈥 vision for K-5 mathematics classrooms that enact math tasks and discussions.

Two presenters stand smiling beside a tri-fold poster titled 鈥淪kittles and Fractions,鈥 focused on number and operations for grades 3鈥5. The poster displays sample student work and instructional materials at an academic poster session.
Hayley Spraggins and Kaitlyn Lewis presenting on behalf of MTH 2080 and EDU 4200 at the聽North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025.
Two presenters stand smiling beside a tri-fold poster titled 鈥淭he Great Shape Hunt鈥 at an educational poster session. The display features colorful shapes, learning activities, and children鈥檚 books focused on early math concepts.
Ella Layne and Casey Weaver presenting on behalf of MTH 2090 at the聽North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025.
Three presenters stand together smiling at an educational poster session, wearing conference badges. Display boards with instructional materials are visible behind them, indicating a professional learning or academic conference setting.
Astrid Breed, Emily Elrod and Amanda Pollock in front of Breed and Pollock鈥檚 presentation on behalf of MTH 3080 at the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025
A large group of students and presenters pose together in front of multiple educational poster displays at a conference or showcase event. Everyone is smiling and wearing conference badges, indicating a collaborative academic or professional learning setting.
Barker, Baker, Elrod (not pictured) and MTH 2080, MTH 2090, and MTH 3080 students at the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025.
A very large group of students, faculty, and staff pose together in a conference room in front of educational poster displays. The group smiles at the camera, wearing name badges, suggesting a formal academic showcase or professional event.
黑料不打烊 Students & Preservice Teachers from across the state attend and present at the NCCTM conference at the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2025.
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Katie Baker selected as the 2026-28 Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) Scholar /u/news/2026/01/12/katie-baker-selected-as-the-2026-28-center-for-engaged-learning-cel-scholar/ Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:26:44 +0000 /u/news/?p=1036547
Katie Baker

Katie Baker, associate professor of education and associate chair of the Department of Education and Wellness聽at聽黑料不打烊鈥檚 Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, has been selected as聽the聽2026鈥28聽. Baker will focus her research on聽ePortfolios聽as a high-impact educational practice.

CEL Scholars are faculty members who engage in sustained, multi-year inquiry around engaged learning practices, contributing to the center鈥檚 research,聽publications聽and national outreach. Baker鈥檚 work will draw on her extensive experience supporting聽ePortfolios聽in teacher education, particularly through her role as聽edTPA聽coordinator for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 teacher preparation programs.

Since joining 黑料不打烊 in 2017, Baker has played聽a central role聽in implementing and sustaining the聽edTPA, a required performance-based聽ePortfolio聽assessment for teacher licensure in North Carolina. The聽edTPA聽requires teacher candidates to聽demonstrate聽their planning,聽instruction,聽and assessment through a digital portfolio that includes lesson artifacts, reflective聽commentary,聽and video recordings of classroom instruction. In her coordinator role,聽Baker supports聽teacher candidates,聽faculty and community-based clinical teachers聽across multiple content areas and licensure programs.

Baker鈥檚 scholarly work includes national and state-level presentations and publications on teacher education, mathematics聽education and performance-based assessment. She has served in leadership roles within the mathematics education community and has contributed to externally funded research focused on聽equitable聽and high-quality instruction. Her聽selection聽as a CEL Scholar聽enables her to聽build聽on聽this record of engaged scholarship and institutional leadership聽while exploring聽ePortfolio聽research and practices聽across other disciplinary contexts.

The Center for Engaged Learning supports research and dialogue on evidence-based teaching practices that foster deep student learning. CEL Scholars play a key role in advancing that mission by connecting disciplinary聽expertise聽with broader conversations about engaged learning in higher education.
Baker will join an esteemed group of聽previous聽CEL Scholars, including David Buck, Caroline Ketcham,聽Amanda Kleintop,聽Ketevan Kupatadze, Buffie Longmire-Avital, Phillip Motley, Amanda Sturgill, Aaron Trocki and Cora Wigger. Applications for the 2027-29聽CEL Scholar will open in Fall 2026.

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Carpenter and Morrison publish research article with 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellow alum and current student /u/news/2025/05/30/carpenter-and-morrison-publish-research-article-with-elon-teaching-fellow-alum-and-current-student/ Fri, 30 May 2025 13:07:10 +0000 /u/news/?p=1017850 William S. Long Professor and Professor of Education Jeff Carpenter, Associate Professor of Education Scott Morrison, and Grant Doherty ’24 G’26 published their peer-reviewed research, titled “Social media and pre-service teachers鈥 apprenticeships of observation,” in the “Journal of Research on Technology in Education.”

Doherty is an 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellows program alum who completed his undergraduate studies in 2024, majoring in history with teacher licensure. As a current classroom teacher at Southern Alamance Middle School, he is a participant in the Teach for Alamance program and a student in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education’s Master’s Degree in Innovation program. And now he’s a published author as well.

Doherty began his contribution to the research project as a part of his participation in the 黑料不打烊 Teaching Fellows program, and took undergraduate research credit hours with both Drs. Carpenter and Morrison. He also participated in the 黑料不打烊 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURE), which provided him dedicated time to work on data collection and analysis, as well as funds to compensate study participants.

The article can be found , and its abstract is as follows:

Before pre-service teachers (PSTs) enter educator preparation programs, their experiences as K-12 students shape their understanding of teaching. Additionally, many aspiring teachers are exposed via social media to ideas, resources, and narratives about teachers and teaching. To help explore and conceptualize how social media may be adding to PSTs鈥 knowledge and expectations of teaching, we interviewed 28 PSTs about factors, experiences, and role models contributing to their understanding of teaching. Participants reported having learned about teaching through social media and demonstrated some awareness of the complexities and challenges of such learning. Most PSTs also valued content shared by teachers on social media but did not see these teachers as role models.

The reference for the article is as follows:

Carpenter, J. P., Morrison, S. A., & Doherty, G. T. (2025). Social media and pre-service teachers鈥 apprenticeships of observation. Journal of Research on Technology in Education. Advance online publication.

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Marna Winter selected as the next CATL Associate Director /u/news/2025/02/19/marna-winter-selected-as-the-next-catl-associate-director/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 13:56:09 +0000 /u/news/?p=1007546 The聽Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL) is excited to announce that Marna Winter, senior lecturer in education, will serve in a four-year position as the next associate director of CATL. Winter has been a dedicated member of the 黑料不打烊 community for 17 years, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to student-centered teaching, faculty mentorship and community-building in higher education. She has held several leadership roles at the institution, including serving as department chair聽and chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

CATL Associate Directors serve staggered, four-year terms. In collaboration with the Center鈥檚 director and assistant director, the associate directors promote intentional, evidence-based teaching and learning practices, contribute to university-wide initiatives related to teaching and learning, and foster the scholarship of teaching and learning at 黑料不打烊.

In addition to her classroom work, Winter has actively engaged in CATL鈥檚 faculty development programs, completing and then co-facilitating a community of practice for 黑料不打烊鈥檚聽Inclusive Teaching Certificate program, as well as participating in the Wellness Pedagogy Scholars program. Winter鈥檚 appointment as associate director of CATL reflects her dedication to faculty growth and student success. As associate director, Winter will contribute to CATL鈥檚 ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive, engaged and thriving teaching and learning community at 黑料不打烊.

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黑料不打烊 announces plans for new HealthEU Center /u/news/2024/04/16/healtheu-center/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:46:09 +0000 /u/news/?p=977890
A rendering of the courtyard and main entrance of the new HealthEU Center to be built at 黑料不打烊.

As a reflection of its commitment to supporting the holistic health of all students, faculty and staff, 黑料不打烊 has formally announced plans to build a 135,000-square-foot facility within its Innovation Quad to support the broad spectrum of dimensions in its HealthEU initiative.

The HealthEU Center will become the second-largest building on campus behind Schar Center and will be a hub that combines academics with recreation, health and well-being offerings in support of the holistic growth of members of the university community. The design of the building prioritizes collaboration, connection and innovation.

“We understand that health and well-being are critical to the success not just of our students but also our faculty and staff,鈥 President Connie Ledoux Book said. 鈥淭his multifaceted facility will provide a wide range of support to our community and offer opportunities to connect with each other and with resources that support their growth and development.鈥

The three-story building will be built south of the Colonnades Neighborhood within the Innovation Quad, an area of campus that now includes Sankey Hall, Founders Hall and Innovation Hall. The multifunctional facility is rooted in the six dimensions of wellness through the HealthEU initiative 鈥 community, emotional, financial, physical, purpose and social.

The HealthEU Center will include offices and space for academic departments including Exercise Science, Education & Wellness and other faculty focused on health and wellness. Labs and spaces for interdisciplinary research will be included as will rooms designed for one-on-one and group fitness assessments, personal training, health and nutrition coaching, and financial literacy.

An expanded Counseling Services center will relocate to the new building in support of individual and group therapy with offerings including workshops and outreach programs. A HealthEU vending space will provide on-the-go wholesome options and a demonstration kitchen will support nutrition education efforts as a new resource for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Food Studies minor, which provides students the opportunity to study and synthesize concepts around food production, distribution and consumption from multiple perspectives. The demonstration kitchen will also serve as a venue for co-curricular health and nutrition coaching to promote healthy eating habits for students, faculty and staff.

The HealthEU Center will offer new campus recreation and fitness facilities including:

  • A gymnasium with team and individual recreation spaces.
  • An aquatics center with a collegiate competition-sized pool.
  • Fitness, weight training and exercise space for groups and individuals.
  • An indoor track.
  • A climbing center with climbing and bouldering walls.
  • Outdoor fitness center.

A physical therapy and athletic training clinic will be included as well as studios for individual and group meditation, mindfulness and yoga. Space will also be provided to support employee wellness programs.

A rendering of the natatorium in the new HealthEU Center, which includes a collegiate competition-sized pool.

Early conceptual renderings of the building depict architecture that complements 黑料不打烊鈥檚 traditional collegiate aesthetic with a modern flourish, boasting swaths of large windows to create an open, welcoming space and showcase the activity within the building from the exterior. An expansive entry plaza, outdoor fitness areas and ample green space surround the building, while inside areas for fitness and athletics, nutrition, mental well-being, research, classrooms and offices can be found throughout the three floors. A significant portion of the second and third floors are open, so visitors can easily view the activity below at the pool, gymnasium courts and climbing areas.

黑料不打烊 has set a $25 million fundraising goal to help make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed more than $6.5 million to the project, said Jim Piatt, senior vice president for university advancement and external affairs. Among the generous donors to the project are alumni Mark 鈥98 and Kim Tyson 鈥99, of Monroe, North Carolina, who made a $3 million gift to name the counseling center in the building.

A rendering of the first-floor space outside the fitness center and gymnasium at the new HealthEU Center.

鈥淲e are actively engaged in a fundraising campaign to support the HealthEU Center in partnership with inspired donors who believe in the vision for the center and are committed to ensuring students have the skills they need to lead lives of meaning and purpose,鈥 Piatt said.

The plans for the facility follow years of work at 黑料不打烊 including the 2016 report by the Presidential Task Force on Social Climate and Out-of-Class Engagement as well as the 2018 report by the Task Force on Student Wellness and Well-Being. The university appointed a group tasked with creating a vision for a new center on campus, and in 2022, the university launched the HealthEU initiative that is guided by the HealthEU Council and the new director of HealthEU iniatitives, Anu R盲is盲nen, who starts at 黑料不打烊 in August.

Brad Moore, associate vice president for facilities and chief facilities officer, said the task force creating the vision for the new facility completed multiple visits to other university facilities. The visits included new buildings and renovated buildings, and while some tried to integrate multiple components into the facility, none went as far as what 黑料不打烊 was seeking to do, Moore said.

鈥淲hat we found was that no one was doing exactly what we were planning on doing which was not only the practice of health and well-being, but the research and study and education around wellness and well-being,鈥 Moore said.

Jon Dooley, vice president for student life, said many of the facilities on other college campuses are very student-focused, and 黑料不打烊 wanted to take a more expansive approach. 鈥淚n our case, we’re thinking about this as a community of well-being that is supported by this facility,鈥 Dooley said. 鈥淭he goal is for this to be a resource to the entire university community 鈥 students, faculty and staff.鈥

黑料不打烊 has been intentional with the design by fully integrating academic components into the facility to underscore the emphasis on collaboration and to help leverage the spaces within the facility for research purposes. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn explains that the building was designed so that users move through different types of spaces on their way to their destination. For instance, the classrooms will be interspersed throughout the three floors of the building rather than placing them all in one area.

鈥淭here鈥檚 exercise equipment spread throughout the building,鈥 Kohn said. 鈥淔aculty offices won鈥檛 necessarily be next to classrooms, and faculty and staff offices related to health and wellness will be intermixed.鈥

For instance, a person heading to the third floor for a financial literacy class may pass the gym, the offices for counseling services and an exercise science lab. The goal is to help people see the connection between these different elements and how they impact a person鈥檚 overall wellness and well-being.

鈥淲e鈥檇 like this to be a space that draws all faculty, staff and students into it so that everyone can see something about this building that they want and need to be part of,鈥 Kohn said.

Construction of the HealthEU Center will begin in the fall, with Samet Corp. serving as construction manager. Plans call for the building to open in 2026.

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EdNC features insights from Stephen Byrd on how educators are using AI to support student growth /u/news/2024/03/25/ednc-features-insights-from-stephen-byrd-on-how-educators-are-using-ai-to-support-student-growth/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:19:51 +0000 /u/news/?p=975985 Generative artificial intelligence is being increasingly used in the classroom to support student learning, and some educators are exploring how this new technology can benefit students with learning differences.

Stephen Byrd, Associate Professor of Education

In her article “,” reporter Chantal Brown with educational news outlet talked with experienced educators who focus on students with learning differences to see how AI can be utilized. Among those Brown spoke with was Associate Professor of Education Stephen Byrd, who is the program coordinator for special education at 黑料不打烊.

Byrd told Brown that he’s conscious of the fact that using AI and technology in the classroom can be controversial, but that it’s important that students with learning differences be exposed to how to responsibly use the technology as well and to see how it can support their educational development.聽鈥淲e also know that it鈥檚 very important that all of our students have access to technology, not just students without disabilities, but students with disabilities, so that they can have the maximum opportunity to learn so that they鈥檒l not be behind in this area,鈥 Byrd told Brown.

for more.

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Meet the teachers in Teach for Alamance聽 /u/news/2024/02/01/meet-the-trio-of-teachers-in-teach-for-alamance/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:04:28 +0000 /u/news/?p=969169 Matt Trez remembers the joy his mother brought home with her from work as an elementary school teacher. Zo毛 Rein recalls high school instructors who built her confidence through their writing assignments.

Trez and Rein represent the first cohort to complete Teach for Alamance, a program established in 2023 by the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education at 黑料不打烊 to recruit and retain top talent to local public schools.

In exchange for a two-year commitment to teach in the Alamance-Burlington School System, new 黑料不打烊 graduates receive a full scholarship to the university鈥檚 Master of Education in Innovation program, as well as a small annual stipend to help with living expenses.

Teach for Alamance participants grow their knowledge of innovative approaches to teaching, deepen their knowledge of educational research, and develop a broader understanding of the way that young people use technology to learn and connect with peers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important for 黑料不打烊 and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education to support the very schools in our community that help us prepare teacher candidates for successful careers,鈥 said Dean Ann Bullock. 鈥淏y providing a program to entice graduates to stay and teach here, we strengthen those relationships, which benefits all involved.鈥

Introducing the 2023-2025 Teach for Alamance Fellows

Matt Trez ’23 G’25

Matt Trez 鈥23 G鈥25
Eighth Grade Social Studies
Turrentine Middle School

鈥淎ny opportunity I get to step up my game is something I鈥檓 going to take.鈥

Matt Trez joined the 黑料不打烊 Phoenix football team in 2019 as a preferred walk-on offensive lineman. Then came COVID. With time to assess his goals, the Connecticut native hung up his cleats and switched majors from finance to education. He needn鈥檛 look far for inspiration.

鈥淢y mom loves her teaching job more than anything,鈥 Trez said. 鈥淪he loves her kids. And I had to make a decision between possibly sitting at a desk for the rest of my life or a job where I could connect with people and build relationships.鈥

Student teaching led Trez to an opportunity to help coach football for Williams High School in Burlington. How could he not jump at the eventual full-time job offer to teach eighth grade at nearby Turrentine Middle School? More than a career, Trez had discovered a community filled with the very children of faculty and staff who鈥檇 mentored him at 黑料不打烊.

鈥淢y kids are on the cusp of becoming young adults. Having a part in their formation is really, really interesting,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 also love that I鈥檒l get to see these kids grow into their own and flourish once they go off to a high school where I coach.鈥

The Teach for Alamance program simply made sense. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a dream deal,鈥 Trez said. 鈥淭he people at 黑料不打烊 during my undergraduate studies really cared about making sure we made it to the finish line. I feel like I鈥檓 getting that same support now. I don鈥檛 want my educational journey to stop. I鈥檓 always going to do what I can to get to that next level and better myself.鈥

Zo毛 Rein ’23 G’25

Zo毛 Rein 鈥23 G鈥25
Ninth Grade English and Language Arts
Eastern Alamance High School

鈥淚 always loved learning and I wanted to keep learning and do a job I thought would be different every single day.鈥

Freshman year of high school was tough for Zo毛 Rein. Her family had just moved to Colorado from their longtime home in Kansas City, and the quiet teenager was lacking confidence in her new environs. She soon met teachers who encouraged her love of the language arts and the passion for poetry she鈥檇 harbored since reading Emily Dickinson as a child.

Rein鈥檚 college search would lead her to 黑料不打烊 and an Honors Program with the flexibility to double major in mathematics and English with teacher licensure. She today teaches language arts and advises a poetry club at Eastern Alamance High School.

鈥淲riting is what makes me feel like I鈥檓 helping students do something they鈥檒l be able to do for the rest of their lives, something that helps them empower themselves and find a voice,鈥 Rein said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the thing that brought me out of my shell.鈥

Rein hadn鈥檛 planned on graduate school so soon after starting her career. A self-described 鈥渉uge researcher,鈥 she wanted to work for a time, then pursue answers to questions drawn from classroom experiences. But earning a master鈥檚 degree on a full scholarship? Turned out that Teach for Alamance was too good to turn down.

Rein notes other benefits to pursuing a master鈥檚 degree as a rookie teacher. The program reinforces concepts learned as an undergraduate and students have access to faculty who provide advice for overcoming the rough moments all new educators face.

鈥淪ome days it can be really hard to remind myself of all the things I know are pedagogically good,鈥 Rein said. 鈥淩eading again about effective teaching helps me reframe what I need to do.鈥

About the Master of Education in Innovation program

黑料不打烊鈥檚 30-hour Master of Education in Innovation program is a part-time, distance education program designed for teachers who are active educators in the K-12 setting delivered online in the summer, spring and fall semesters.

The M.Ed program is intentionally designed to disrupt practitioners鈥 traditional concepts of schooling and move teachers toward more progressive visions and praxis.鈥疌andidates are:

  • Introduced to a range of progressive student-centered pedagogies such as project-based learning and place-based education
  • Asked to reimagine education within a constructivist framework, allowing for equitable learning opportunities that are respectful and responsive of students鈥 backgrounds
  • Offered opportunities to experiment in their own practice with innovative pedagogies

 

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Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education honored by accrediting agency /u/news/2023/09/29/dr-jo-watts-williams-school-of-education-honored-by-accrediting-agency/ Fri, 29 Sep 2023 12:02:14 +0000 /u/news/?p=959659 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education was among the institutions recognized this fall by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for an evidence-based approach to teacher education.

Twenty-one education programs from 15 states and the United Arab Emirates received CAEP鈥檚 2023 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement, named after the founding president of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council, a precursor to CAEP.

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Recipients are selected from educator preparation providers granted accreditation by CAEP at the initial level from the previous year, who provided a full complement of evidence with demonstrated data trends and no stipulations or areas for improvement.

鈥淭here is no greater privilege than preparing young people for careers in education,鈥 said Ann Bullock, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams Dean of Education at 黑料不打烊. 鈥淥ur faculty are second to none in their commitment to excellence. This award underscores ongoing efforts to ensure our teacher candidates excel as they follow their professional calling into school classrooms.鈥

CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the TEAC. Murray was a key advocate for a single set of educator preparation standards to unify the profession and was instrumental in the merger.

鈥淔rank Murray was passionate about education preparation, a prominent leader in our profession, and an advocate for evidence to improve education,鈥 said Yuhang Rong, chair of the CAEP Board of Directors. 鈥淭he providers that CAEP is recognizing are committed to continuous improvement and preparing their students to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate. Murray Leadership Recognition recipients should be proud of their accomplishments.鈥

CAEP has accredited 541 educator preparation providers in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.

鈥淭his fifth class to receive the Murray Recognition represents the diversity and innovation that comes with CAEP accreditation,鈥 said CAEP President Christopher Koch. 鈥淭hese recipients reflect the innovation that CAEP affords in achieving excellence, by meeting the standards in a variety of ways, for the diverse populations they serve.鈥

2023 Frank Murray Recognition for Continuous Improvement

  • Al Ain University鈥擴nited Arab Emirates
  • Alcorn State University鈥擬ississippi
  • 黑料不打烊鈥擭orth Carolina
  • Florida Atlantic University
  • Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Grace College鈥擨ndiana
  • Kent State University鈥擮hio
  • Liberty University鈥擵irginia
  • Mississippi State University
  • Missouri Western University
  • North Carolina State University
  • Northwest Nazarene University鈥擨daho
  • Sam Houston State University鈥擳exas
  • Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
  • Spelman College鈥擥eorgia
  • The University of Mississippi
  • University of South Carolina Beaufort
  • Valley City State University鈥擭orth Dakota
  • Virginia Wesleyan University
  • Western Oregon University
  • Williams Baptist University鈥擜rkansas
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Jennifer Stephens co-edits new book on decolonizing higher education /u/news/2023/04/03/jennifer-stephens-co-edits-new-book-on-decolonizing-higher-education/ Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:17:08 +0000 /u/news/?p=944464 A new book co-edited by Jennifer Stephens, director of Academic-Residential Partnerships and assistant professor of education, examines the process of unlinking colonizing structures from teaching and learning in higher education through the honoring of space, place and culture in the learning process.

Part of the Vernon Press Series in Education, “”聽brings together diverse voices of educators (inside and outside of formal educational spaces), students, activists and artists, including those often marginalized in the formal academic process of knowledge creation, to highlight justice-forward approaches to teaching and learning.

Organized around the Toward a Liberating Learning Spirit (TALLS) model for developing critical consciousness, developed by Stephens and co-editor Laura Pipe, the chapters feature a range of styles from academic scholarship to personal essays, author interviews, graphic literature, folktales, hip-hop lyricism and other diverse forms of knowledge creation and dissemination.

The structure of the book was an intentional choice to decolonize (as much as possible in the book publishing process) what is traditionally held as valid academic scholarship. In these varied forms, the chapter authors provide a foundational context for decolonizing education in ways that seek to disrupt academically detached approaches to learning, elevate learner narratives as acts of unlearning, apply experiential and justice-forward direct action to the learning process, and examine the concept of liberation in lived context. This book serves as a call to action to 鈥渋gnite鈥 a process of undoing (to any extent possible) practices of colonization in education.

“Ignite” is available for purchase at Vernon Press, Amazon, and other major book retailers. Members of the 黑料不打烊 community can save 24% by ordering direct from Vernon Press using code CFC59011C51E at checkout.

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