USC Aiken Sophomore Teaching Fellow Maddie Hawkins had her article published in the upcoming edition of the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education journal and will be serving as the lead tutor and manager for student support in USC Aiken’s Writing Center. Way to go, Maddie!
Amaiyah Smith, a Freshmen Teaching Fellow at USC Aiken, will prepare to pack her bags and head overseas to Japan for two weeks this summer as part of USC Aiken’s Study Abroad program. She was awarded the Gilman-McCain Scholarship which honors the legacy of the late Senator John S. McCain and provides up to $5,000 for undergraduate students and spousal dependents of active United States military personnel. Go-buji de (safe travels), Amaiyah!
By: Timothy Lintner, PhD Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs USC Aiken Teaching Fellow, Isaiah Gillian, was selected to present at the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE) annual conference in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of DC. The title of his presentation was An Interdisciplinary Unit on the Renaissance for Middle School. We at USC Aiken are so proud of Isaiah. Lead Up!
By: Timothy Lintner, PhD Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs 2024 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Renee Atkinson, visits Teaching Fellows at USC Aiken10/30/2023
The USC Aiken Teaching Fellows were honored to have the 2024 South Carolina Teacher of the Year, Renee Atkinson, come out and speak to us. Her honest, insightful, and engaging presentation allowed our Fellows to think deeply about their passion, their craft, and their impact. And, yes, it was a serious affair (but you can’t tell by the picture)! She was AWESOME!
By: Jenna Hallman, PhD, NBCT
Teaching Fellows undertake different types of leadership while on their path to the classroom. From left to right, Lakin Hanna (FMU), Nicholas Gallagher (CCU), Mason Tyler (CCU), and Sarah McKenna (CCU) were selected by their professors to serve as co-presenters at the South Carolina Council for the Social Studies annual conference on September 29- 30, 2023. According to the conference program, Lakin and Dr. Patricia Boatwright (FMU) shared ways of "Exploring History Using Oral History Interviews." Specifically, this session focused on how oral interviews provide a more "holistic perspective of historical events and eras." Lakin and Dr. Boatwright also shared model lessons and experiences from the classroom. Nicholas, Mason, and Sarah partnered with Dr. Kristal Curry on a session titled, "Fostering Connection with Students through Interactive Lecture." The Teaching Fellows practiced this strategy in their preservice placements and provided real-world examples of ways students took notes during their lessons, how they connected historical content to students' lives and created activities that used the notes from the lecture, and ways to share information that were not "boring and draining" to students. CERRA is proud to call Lakin, Nicholas, Mason, and McKenna Teaching Fellows! Time is of the essence. You have one-hour to crack the code to pull off the biggest heist in Aiken County history! But it won’t be as easy as a “stroll in a bank.” A series of confounding clues await. You’ll need teamwork, problem-solving skills, and a bit of luck to walk away scott-free with $2 million dollars. The USC Aiken Freshmen Teaching Fellows came within one step of cracking the final code that would open the final vault! They told us it would be hard. We scoffed – “We are Teaching Fellows,” we confidently said. Though we walked away penniless, we still had a BLAST (but you couldn’t tell by the picture)!
By: Timothy Lintner, PhD Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs By: Lisa Midcalf, PhD, FMU Co-Director for Teaching Fellows
Francis Marion University is proud to have 12 new Teaching Fellows join us for the 2023-2024 school year. At our Welcome Back meeting held on August 21, the Fellows gathered to welcome the incoming Freshmen by introducing them to their “families,” creating a family crest, and “speed friending.” We all had a great time getting to know each other and are looking forward to an exciting year! By: Jenna Hallman, PhD, NBCT
Everyone needs a mentor when they start a new experience, and Teaching Fellows are no exception. Lander University partners first-year Fellows with a member of the sophomore cohort. Early in the semester, these students participated in a robust retreat at Camp Fellowship. They completed activities designed to develop mentoring relationships and had some fun in the process! By: Jenna Hallman, PhD, NBCT
While the SC Teaching Fellows Program focuses on providing advanced professional development opportunities and on helping students develop leadership qualities, another benefit is being a part of a supportive cohort. The first-year Teaching Fellows at Francis Marion University, pictured above, recently succeeded in breaking out of the Locked Inn Escape Room. They also enjoyed dinner together at Miyami restaurant. According to their co-director, Dr. Patricia Boatright, the experiences allowed them to learn from each other and about each other. We know relationships are the foundation of a supportive cohort, and the Teaching Fellows at Francis Marion University are well on their way to meeting this goal. It was a big day over at USC Aiken. Last Wednesday morning, the school celebrated this year’s incoming freshmen. With nearly 650 students, the Class of 2027 is on track to be the largest freshman class in school history.
The freshman class celebrated the beginning of their college years at the freshman convocation. Started in 2016, it’s a beloved tradition that motivates and inspires students, and this year, some extra special freshmen participated. “It’s a big group of freshmen. You get to see everybody, see how big the freshmen class is,” said sophomore, Skylar Shirey. During the convocation the freshman class gathered at the Quad fountain and walked to the convocation center together for the ceremony. Shirey said USC Aiken’s freshman convocation is symbolic and a moment that she remembers fondly from her freshman year. “And then you all walk over as a freshman class to the Convocation Center and you enter for the first time as a class. And then you’re going to leave together in 4 years as a class. So it’s really, really special.” The ceremony is an extra big deal for one group of freshmen. It’s the first year for the new Pacer LIFE program where Shirey is a resident assistant. The freshmen in this program are students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They learn life skills that will help them become independent adults. “And this program, it’s only been here for a week and I’m already in love with it. I almost cried the first time they moved in because I was so excited,” said Shirey. “But, my girls are, like, the best people I’ve ever met and they’re so sweet and they’re just wonderful.” The Pacer LIFE students moved into their dorms last week. Roommates Lizzy Cottington, Megan Weeks and Amelia Carpenter all say they already love each other and are having a great time. “We had a pool party. We had a block party. And we just kind of hung out together,” explained Cottington. “I love being with my friends and of course I love spending time with my family. I look forward to, well, I get to experience more freedom and more fun,” said Weeks. They say they were excited about the Freshman Convocation and about starting their college careers. Being a part of the first class of the Pacer LIFE program means a lot to them. “To, like, make me the best I can be in the real world. I’m one of the special ones,” smiled Carpenter. Thursday, August 24, was the first day of classes. |
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