CERRA - Teaching Fellows News

Teaching Fellow Named to SCAMLE Executive Board

9/1/2022

By: Dr. Tim Lintner, Campus Director

Eli Basile, Senior Middle-Level Mathematics Teaching Fellow from USC Aiken, was appointed to the South Carolina Association for Middle-Level Educators (SCAMLE) Executive Board as the pre-service educator representative. Eli’s role is to support SCAMLE’s mission to advocate for quality middle-level education by promoting public awareness of and supporting quality middle-level mathematics instruction throughout South Carolina. Specifically, Eli will provide the Board with a “student’s perspective” regarding current policies and practices and any new initiatives under consideration. Our Pacer Fellows Family could not be more proud of her! Congratulations, Eli.

USC Aiken Teaching Fellow named Sunrise Rotary Student of the Month

6/1/2022

By: Dr. Tim Lintner, Campus Director

Congratulations to Rachel Weatherford, a junior Elementary Education Teaching Fellow at USC Aiken, for being named Student of the Month by the Sunrise Aiken Rotary Club. Over and above being a Teaching Fellow, Rachel is the treasurer for Zeta Tau Alpha, a Leadership Coordinator in the Office of Student Life, and a member of Kappa Delta Pi. After graduating, Rachel hopes to pursue a doctorate in Educational Psychology. Congratulations, Rachel! We are PROUD of you!

Yes, This is What Teacher-Leadership Looks Like!

4/18/2022

By Timothy Lintner, PhD

USC Aiken Teaching Fellows Skyla Watson and Deanna McCord who, along with Taylor Eubanks, received the prestigious Magellan Scholar Award from the University of South Carolina. Their project, titled Examining the Perceived Self-Efficacy of Inclusive Special Area Teachers in K-12 Classrooms, will survey local educators in hopes of gaining insight into perceptions and practices that will lead to focused professional development and outreach for both pre – and in-service educators. We could not be more proud of Fellows Skyla and Deanna. This is what teacher-leadership looks like!

Teachers are Leaders!

3/23/2022

By Timothy Lintner, PhD

The USC Aiken Teaching Fellows were honored to welcome Mr. Craig King from PSTA who discussed the many ways Teachers are Leaders! From voice, to action, to intention, to outcome, Craig provided real-life examples of his journey to teacher-leadership and, in doing so, both engaged and inspired the Fellows to become teacher-leaders themselves. And, clearly, all had fun doing so!!

CofC Sophomore Teaching Fellows Learn from Disney

2/15/2022

By: Dr. Tracey Hunter-Doniger, Campus Director

The College of Charleston Sophomore Teaching Fellows raised over $5000 to go to Walt Disney World for their 2022 Sophomore retreat. They wanted to learn how to bring the magic of Disney to their future classrooms, but they learned so much more. Focusing on the Five Keys to Disney Success they were able to think critically about how their classroom can be managed and enhancing curriculum to make it engaging not just for the learner, but also the teacher. The Five Keys to Disney Success are 1) Safety, 2) Show, 3) Courtesy, 4) Inclusion, and 5) Efficiency. These align with several of the Pillars of Teaching Fellows, specifically the following:

Exposing Fellows to innovative and effective teaching practices and educational systems.
Helping Fellows recognize and develop leadership qualities
Promoting an understanding of and respect for diversity
Establishing an inclusive culture among members of the program

Celebrating USC Aiken Teaching Fellows Graduates

1/27/2022

By: Dr. Tim Lintner, Campus Director

The School of Education at USC Aiken is pleased to recognize the achievements of two recent Teaching Fellow graduates. Bri Bedenbaugh (left) received the First Year Teacher of the Year award at Gloverville Elementary in Aiken County. Bri is currently a 5th grade teacher who brings creativity, inquiry, and art-infused instruction into her classroom each day.

Not to be outdone, Falcone Dunlap (second from left) received the First Year Teacher of the Year recognition from Dubose Middle School in Dorchester 2. Falcone was one of the most exceptional Special Education majors to pass through our program in some time. USC Aiken Teaching Fellows are making a difference, one district, one school, one classroom, one student at a time.

USC Aiken Teaching Fellows Participate in Disney Leadership

1/11/2022

By: Dr. Tim Lintner, Campus Director

The USC Aiken Teaching Fellows once again returned to the Happiest Place on Earth and participated in two workshops facilitated through Disney’s Imagination Campus: Disney Leadership and Leadership Done the Disney Way. Though both sessions focused on the core tenets of Disney leadership, each provided different opportunities for USC Aiken Fellows to “situate” leadership, either in a Disney theme park or in a K-12 classroom. Fellows were also provided a rare treat of going (literally) backstage to see how “backward facing leadership” (all that happens behind the scenes) is integral to the success of the entire Disney enterprise. Leadership work in the morning allowed for child-like play in the afternoon! Fellows walked an average of 8 miles a day and gladly got to “hang out” with the likes of Goofy, Jasmine, Donald, Belle and, of course, Mickey!

Teaching Fellows Informational Meeting via ZOOM

11/9/2021

Teaching Fellows Informational Meeting via ZOOM

11/5/2021

CERRA is holding an informational meeting via Zoom for interested high school students and their parents on November 8, 2021, regarding the SC Teaching Fellows Applications.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

When: Nov 8, 2021, at 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Limited to 300 participants so you must register in advance for this meeting.

Thank you and we look forward to “seeing” you there.

Michael Fleming

A Busy Week for the CofC Teaching Fellows

10/11/2021

By: Dr. Tracey Hunter-Doniger, Campus Director

The CofC Teaching Fellows had a busy week and would like to share a few of their activities.

College Day
What an amazing day! 62 high schoolers and one fabulous Teaching Fellow group doing amazing things and promoting CofC and our program. I am so proud, and Will Roebuck knocked it out of the park with the planning, organizing and execution of the day. He really earned that Baby Clyde! Whoot whoot!!! Well done one and all!

Impromptu Painting Night
Some super creative Fellows showed up to paint in the Lounge on Tuesday. They blew off some steam, and had a blast making artwork and sharing a laugh or two. Great time was had by all. Stay tuned for another impromptu creative night.

Freshmen Scavenger Hunt
The Freshmen had a super great day in class where they finished the book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond. Then they completed an amazing scavenger hunt across campus in through Charleston.