By Timothy Lintner, PhD

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!! 

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

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.

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!

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

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.

​By: Dr. Tim Lintner, Campus Director

Sabotage. Revenge. Betrayal. All forms of intrigue were on hand as the USC Aiken Freshmen Teaching Fellows donned their sleuth hats and tackled Escapology in Columbia. In one room, six Fellows had to figure out who was responsible for the untimely death of a well-heeled patriarch. In another room, a group of five Fellows (and the hapless USC Aiken Teaching Fellow Director) needed to find the missing air canisters enabling their disabled WWII submarine to surface for air. Problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills were all on hand as the Fellows solved (without any clues) the Murder in the Mansion. Due to the utter uselessness of the TF Director, the other group was just minutes away from cracking the code and breathing the crisp, welcomed ocean air. Regardless of outcomes, a good time was had by all.