BY COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

The Excellence in Collegiate Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Awards ceremony took place on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, honoring more than 30 College of Charleston students, staff, faculty and community members for their commitment to creating a campus environment that promotes diversity and excellence.

Chak Or, a Teaching Fellow at College of Charleston, took home the award for the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance. 

BY HALEY AVANT

​On March 20th, our group of 12 headed to Savannah, Georgia for a wonderful trip filled with beautiful weather, delicious food, and fantastic memories. Our Junior Teaching Fellows were bursting with excitement as soon as our professor let us out of class so we could get our trip started. Mrs. Baggs and her husband had found a wonderful house in the heart of Savannah which made it easy to walk to all our activities.

The first night we got there, we went to a lovely restaurant a few blocks from our house. The food was unique and gave us all a taste of Savannah. After spending time getting to know each other better at dinner, we walked further into downtown Savannah for a ghost tour. Savannah is notorious for ghosts and haunted establishments, and we got to see all of the city’s spooky history. While some of the city’s history is quite eerie, we all enjoyed walking around the historic city at night. The weather was wonderful, and it gave us a great first look at the city we were so blessed to visit.

The next day many of us started our morning by getting coffee at a little restaurant a few minutes from our house. Then, our whole group sat down to just talk about what has been going on in our lives. It was a great way to start the day and further our friendships. Next, we headed out into the city again to find a local restaurant for brunch. We ended up at a lovely establishment overlooking the river. We had a blast just relaxing in the sunny weather and eating delicious Cajun style food. We then hopped on a riverboat cruise to hear some more about the industrial side of Savannah’s history. It was such a beautiful day to hear about the rich history and maybe get a few sunburns. Following the cruise, we were on a mission for ice cream. We found a local establishment that was famous for their ice cream. We then dispersed and toured the city in smaller groups. Our group walked all around the city hitting local stores, coffee shops, candy shops, and the beautiful iconic sights of Savannah. We ended our evening in the city at Paula Deen’s restaurant, The Lady and Sons. It was a classic southern buffet where we definitely all ate a little too much. That night back in our house we relaxed, hung out, watched movies, and played games.

The next morning, we took our time getting ready, packing up, and getting breakfast at local joints close to our house. Around lunch time, we found a small diner to eat our last meal of the trip at. After lunch, we headed to a gorgeous park in the heart of downtown. Here, we took pictures and then sat in the grass to talk with each other. Since we are all juniors, we are all approaching student teaching next year. We discussed our fears and excitement of the upcoming challenge in our lives. This part of the trip reminded us just how lucky we are to have each other as we step into our last year of college. This trip definitely strengthened bonds, and gave us all sweet memories we will cherish for a long time.  We are so grateful for the experience to travel to a new city, explore and learn new things, and build friendships that we will treasure for a lifetime. 

On September 9, 2019, four brave USC Aiken Teaching Fellows tested their fate at the Aiken 2 Escape Room. A sinister suspect was afoot! With time ticking and their futures in peril, the Fellows collected clues as to secure their own release. After admittedly (and literally) stumbling in the dark for a few (like almost 10) minutes, the Fellows calmly (not really) and methodically (not even close) worked together (this is true) to gather the final clue which (literally and thankfully) opened the door to freedom. All with one second – literally ONE SECOND – to spare! Once again, leadership and teamwork prevailed!

Timothy Lintner, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Professor
University of South Carolina Aiken
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Dean Fran Welch recently released her Dean's Update, which included the information below about the institution's Teaching Fellows.

​Our Teaching Fellows at the College of Charleston had a very busy semester!  Engaged in all aspects of college life, the 93 Teaching Fellows are learning much while participating in educational meetings, volunteering for various events, and holding their own fundraisers to benefit others.
 
The Teaching Fellows held a successful midnight bake sale a few weeks ago, and the group raised approximately $550, which will benefit the Morogoro Children’s Fund.
 
The students also volunteered for the YALLFest, which was a huge success.  YALLFest, founded in 2011 by Jonathan Sanchez of Blue Bicycle Books, is a two-day young adult book festival held in Charleston annually on the second weekend of November.
 
Jeff Maxey, 2019 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, spent time with the Teaching Fellows and others on September 26th, and the students enjoyed their time with this very engaging educator.
 
In other notable activities, the Teaching Fellows viewed The Hate U Give movie in October; and many students volunteered with Project Playground at Memminger Elementary, gift-giving with Charleston Hope, and the freshmen Fellows worked with children during the College’s tree-lighting ceremony.  Like many of our teacher education students, a number of Fellows work at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC).

Each Teaching Fellows Institution in the state has a Campus Director who is responsible for facilitating the program. CERRA holds a minimum of four Campus Director meetings each year.

On Friday, November 30th, the Campus Directors and CERRA Teaching Fellows staff convened at Camp Discovery (Twitter and Instagram - @campdiscoverysc, Facebook - campdiscoverysc) in Blythewood, SC for a day of discussion, growth, and networking. Amy Ellisor, a former Campus Director herself, provided team building exercises, demonstrated inquiry-based science instruction, and discussed specific ways Teaching Fellows can engage with Camp Discovery and gain instructional experience. Dr. Sherell Fuller, Winthrop University's Campus Director, presented on the topic of diversity in the K-12 educational system. The Campus Directors also engaged in collaborative discussions about upcoming activities and senior focus group findings. CERRA appreciates the work these individuals do on a daily basis to ensure Teaching Fellows receive the best possible experience. 

BY DR. TIMOTHY LINTNER

On October 28, a panel of local educators presented tips and strategies to the USC Aiken Teacher Fellows. The title of the discussion was Classroom Management and How to Work with Parents. The panel consisted of Dawn Bryant, 3rd grade Teacher at J.D. Lever Elementary; Josh Snipes, Social Studies Teacher at Aiken High; Patrick Newsome, Vice Principal at Warrenville Elementary and former Aiken County Teacher of the Year; Renae Enlow, Principal at Byrd Elementary; and Emilee Meek, Resource Teacher at Clearwater Elementary and current Aiken County Teacher of the Year. Conversations ranged from how to establish a classroom environment that supports all students; when (and when not) to hit the classroom panic button; setting realistic and achievable expectations; and what to expect as a first-year teacher. The engaging and interactive hour-long discussion gave Aiken’s Fellows a realistic and supportive “glimpse behind the curtain,” into how best to manage, discipline, and positively work with parents. ​

BY KIMBERLY BAGGS
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Charleston Southern University sends its congratulations to Teaching Fellows alumnus, Angelica Chavez, for being named Rookie Teacher of the Year at Eagle Nest Elementary School. We are so proud of you, Angelica!