By Michael Fleming
michael@cerra.org

​Teacher Appreciation week is all about recognizing the wonderful field of education and those in it who go above and beyond what is expected of them. At Richland 2 school, Windsor Elementary all teachers present display evidence of the four Columbia College C’s. Enter any classroom, and you will see teachers displaying courage, commitment, confidence, and competence! To show appreciation for such a wonderful school, the Columbia College Teaching Fellows created Koala Kandy Bar Bags. We wanted to provide something sweet for teachers who inspire their students! As, a senior teaching fellow and current student teacher at Windsor Elementary, I especially wanted to express my gratitude to the faculty and staff that welcomed me with open arms. Columbia College Teaching Fellow Director Mrs. Ellisor, and I spoke with the Windsor staff about our gratitude. Additionally, we spoke about Columbia College Teaching Fellows, and how this wonderful program has benefited many young women entering the field of education. Any young woman interested in Columbia College and the Teaching Fellows program will not just receive a wonderful and welcoming community but, an additional price match to the scholarship provided by Columbia College! As a senior Teaching Fellow and student teacher I have learned a great deal this semester and I know I could not have had a successful semester without the support of the wonderful teachers at Windsor Elementary and my Teaching Fellows cohort!
Submitted by Helen Braddock, Senior

By Michael Fleming
michael@cerra.org

​On November 18th, the Columbia College Teaching Fellow Junior and Senior Cohort embarked on their annual Junior/Senior Trip. The crew loaded up the Koala Cruiser Friday morning, and left for Charleston, South Carolina. Friday’s itinerary included a trip to the South Carolina Aquarium, where the cohorts were selected to receive a behind the scenes tour of the kitchen and diving tanks. After lunch by the beach, the group was given a tour of a local nature reserve, before enjoying a dinner next to the historical Charleston market. The evening was finished with a ride through the James Island Christmas lights display. Saturday’s events included a historical walking tour with members of the College of Charleston Teaching Fellows Cohort, and a shoppers walk of King Street. The trip served to promote leadership and collaboration and to expereince several field trip ideas that the Fellows can incorporate into their future classrooms.
Submitted by Callison English, Junior

By Michael Fleming
michael@cerra.org
Submitted by Mr. Derrick Hines, Campus Director

Senior Kayla Washington was recently featured on the front page of USC's main website showcasing her undergraduate research efforts on determining elementary students motivation to read.  Her story can be seen on the following link: https://youtu.be/KU7fgzby7wU.
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Senior Mary Kathryn Mazell participated in a University sponsored program where Elementary education students presented their self-written books to second graders at Irmo Elementary School. The college students have worked in the classroom with the young students since August as part of their in-service training. During this time, the students wrote, and in some cases illustrated, books about each child in hopes of fostering a love or writing and reading from an early age. As part of its curriculum, College of Education students spend between one to two semesters in classrooms of public schools around the Midlands working directly with young students alongside veteran teachers. Note: story also featured on Columbia's WLTX news.
https://www.facebook.com/UscCollegeOfEducation/photos/pcb.1229854293751484/1229853837084863/?type=3

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By Michael Fleming
michael@cerra.org
Submitted by Dr. Erik  Lowry, Campus Director

By Michael Fleming
michael@cerra.org
Submitted by Mrs. Nancy Hanley, Assistant Campus Director

Freshmen Teaching Fellows below at Anderson University are beginning their two- day training on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with Mr. Connley Skeen, trainer for Franklin Covey.   Participants in the training will continue their assignments throughout the school year working with their accountability partners in developing a mission statement and completing other activities and projects relating to the “7 Habits”.  Freshmen students will also discuss the relationship of  the 7 HABITS to the characteristics the effective teacher.  The goal of the Teaching Fellows program is to train the freshman in the 7 HABITS each year when they enter the program. (Photo 1)

​Each fall, the Teaching Fellow sophomores at Anderson University conduct a four- day Storytelling Festival for elementary students in the Anderson Area.  During this event some nine hundred elementary students are able to hear professional storytellers such as Tim Lowry below, who is being introduced by AU Teaching Fellows.  Elementary students were bussed from Calhoun Elementary School, Midway Elementary School, Nevitt Forest Elementary School, Homeland Park Elementary School, Concord Elementary School, Whitehall Elementary School, Centerville Elementary School, and North Pointe Elementary School for the event this year. Planning and conducting this storytelling program was the responsibility of the sophomore Teaching Fellows class.  The Teaching Fellows at Anderson University have been conducting this Storytelling Festival for the last ten years.n (Photo 2)

Lexys Baker, freshman Teaching Fellows, at Anderson University was elected president of the freshman TF class.  She received the Pickens County School District Teacher Forum Scholarship, AMVET Scholarship among several others.  She was also a member of her schools National Honor Society for two years, and an honors graduate.  Lexys was involved in her community and received two Presidential Service Awards for many hours of community service.  She was also selected to be a part of the Junior Leadership of Pickens County. 
Lexys stated, “It is truly an honor to be a part of this amazing program, and I am ecstatic to be elected to such an important role in our Teaching Fellows cohort.  Being president is something I will not take lightly.”
​(Photo 3)

The Junior Teaching Fellows at Anderson University enjoyed four days of professional development and educational workshops in Charleston. The cohort worked in teams with an Advisory Council member.  To study Covey’s book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and focus in on a different HABIT.  Through further research and group preparation, members of the junior cohort became more educated on these habits and grew closer as a group. They also had an afternoon of shopping, dining, and taking a carriage ride in historic downtown Charleston.                                        
--Mary Lesslie Culp, Junior Teaching Fellows President
​Photo 4

On Nov. 10th, over one hundred and fifty veterans and guests were treated to breakfast along with a special program honoring veterans.  Veterans from World War II, the Korean Way, the Vietnam Way, and the Gulf were represented and recognized for their service.  An education classroom was dedicated by the Anderson University Teaching Fellows in memory of SSG Charlie Pannell who lost his life due to wounds received in Mosul, Iraq.  His mother (education faculty member), wife, and his children, were present.  A number of veterans after the meeting stated that it was one of the best Veterans Day program they had attended and were greatly impressed with our Teaching Fellows.  The Anderson University Teaching Fellows were honored to organize and present this program. (Photos 5, 6, 7)

By Michael Fleming
michael@cerra.org

​Hurricane Matthew altered this semester for College of Charleston by requiring make up classes to be scheduled on evenings and weekends.  Despite the time crunch much has been happening.  Some items reported here are from pre-Matthew time.
 
Thirteen Teaching Fellows conducted “Break Out Sessions” at the iTeach Conference at Maudlin High School where many Teacher Cadets gathered for professional development on October 13th.
Slideshow Photo 1 
 
College Day at CofC this semester hosted 87 Teacher Cadets and their instructors. Fellows socialized with Cadets, escorted them around campus and to some classes, helped them acquire their Cougar ID Card and ate lunch with them in our cafeteria.  Breakout sessions were conducted by Professors, Fellows and the Dean.
Sideshow Photo 2 
 
As part of their Freshmen Experience, CofC Fellows went to the aquarium and sea turtle hospital to investigate ways that we might help the local marine community.
Slideshow Photos 3 and 4
 
 
YALLFest, an annual Charleston event, was supported by Teaching Fellows again this year. Nearly thirty Fellows gave of their time to help make this event a success. Seeing favorite authors like Sara Dessen and Veronica Roth only added to the excitement of the days.
Slideshow Photo 5 
 
Three Teaching Fellows became certified to drive college vans this semester. This made it possible for a group of dedicated Fellows to conduct an assembly for prospective college students at Timberland High School on November 7th. The objective of this meeting was to promote college attendance and the Teaching Fellows’ program before the deadline for applications in December. 
 
Charleston Hope, Adopt a Classroom projects are in full swing for the season. Teaching Fellows have raised money, purchased gifts, wrapped gifts, and will take those gifts along with a party to several local classrooms that are part of the 134 that have been adopted this year by Charleston Hope.

By Michael Fleming
michael@cerra.org

​For the third year in a row, all incoming freshman Teaching Fellows at Lander, conducted most of their Fall service hours at La Puerta de Esperanza (“Door of Hope”), an afterschool program for English Language Learners.  This semester, 18 Teaching Fellows spent 2 hours a week for 8 weeks, tutoring the students at La Puerta.  That’s 288 hours of support for students.  In addition to developing instructional skills through one-on-one tutoring, the Fellows get exposure to the challenges and needs of English Language Learners.
Submitted by Dr. Lee Vartanian, Campus Director