Community Engagement

Centers & Partnerships

Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC)

  • Fosters a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, regional and rural-serving colleges through research, policy analysis, resource collection, and public engagement.
  • Provides in-person and online professional development and training through the ARRC Professional Development. 

College Access Partnerships

James Center for Student Success & Advising

  • Recruits, supports, and retains teacher education majors during their tenure at Appalachian to ensure success in the classroom. 
  • Coordinates many college events as well as campus visits and tours.

Lab Schools

  • Lab schools are a partnership between the UNC System, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, a UNC university that has a strong educator preparation program, and a local school district.  There are three main priorities for lab schools: redefine and strengthen university partnerships with public schools, improve student outcomes, and provide high-quality teacher and principal training.
  • There are eight UNC System lab schools in North Carolina.  Appalachian State University is the only institution to operate two lab schools – the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork and the Appalachian State University Academy at Elkin.

Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program

  • A laboratory program operated by the Department of Child Development, Literacy, and Special Education that serves as a model and professional preparation site for individuals working with young children.
    • Provides access to high-quality care for young children and their families.
    • Serves as a model program that reflects current recommended best practices, as well as a site for developing new and innovative practices.

Mathematics and Science Education Center

  • Provides workshops, summer institutes, courses, and other instructional programs for teachers. 
  • Offers a variety of math and science resources available for check-out (books, manipulatives, kits, and journals). Want to host a Family Math Night or Family Science Night at your school? 

Parent to Parent Family Support Network - High Country

  • Provides support, education, and caring connections to families who: 
    • Have children with diverse physical, emotional, intellectual, or health needs
    • A child born prematurely
    • Are grieving the death of a child

Public School Partnership

  • Fosters collaborative relationships among the college, university, and public schools in the region.
  • Provides resources and activities that support students, teachers, and administrators.

 

Resources for Educators

Digital Teaching and Learning Resources

Provides equipment and support to nurture and promote a digital age learning culture, to oversee systemic data driven improvements and to cultivate digital media literacy for the college community.

Belk Library Instructional Materials Center

Provides resources and services to support the Teacher Preparation and School Media Specialist Programs of the Reich College of Education. Lays the foundation for the development of professional collaboration patterns between teachers and librarians/school media specialists.

FREE Teacher Borrower Card

Teachers that are employed in one of our Public School Partnership districts, can sign up for a FREE Teacher Borrower Card. This allows local educators to check out library materials and use the Idea Factory.

FREE Parking

Teachers who have a Teacher Borrow Card can receive free parking when visiting the IMC.

  • Park in a free 30-minute space on the lower level of the College Street Parking Deck
  • Visit the library circulation desk (main level) or lower level service desk to show your Teacher Borrow Card and get a 1-day visitor's parking pass
  • Display the pass in your vehicle.

Services

  • Reference service to Appalachian students, faculty, and staff, as well as area educators and community members
  • Offering “readers advisory” for all ages and reading levels
  • Hosting classes and workshops on finding and using library resources
  • Providing public computers for research (via the library catalog, databases, periodical indexes, and the Internet)
  • Maintaining the “Idea Factory,” a media production facility designed exclusively for education students and area educators

Materials

  • K–12 textbooks (both N.C. state adopted and supplementary)
  • Children’s and young adult literature (fiction, non-fiction, picture books, biographies, etc.)
  • Curriculum and lesson planning ideas and examples
  • Professional and reference collections
  • Audiovisual materials (CDs, DVDs, software, etc.)
  • Manipulatives and displays (posters, models, puppets, games)

Campus Visits for Student Groups

Are you a teacher or counselor that would like to bring your class to visit Appalachian? 

College Access Partnerships offers:

  • Tours
  • Scavenger hunts
  • Science demonstrations
  • Meet and greets with current students and faculty members
  • and more!

NC New Teacher Support Program

The Appalachian State Region of NC New Teacher Support has grown from serving 11 teachers in 2 school districts in 2017 to serving 122 teachers in 9 school districts this year! Four coaches now work to support these teachers in their first, second, or third year of teaching by providing three core services each year:

1) weekly coaching for each teacher enrolled

2) aligned professional development sessions at district Beginning Teacher (BT) meetings and onboarding orientations

3) a state-wide BT Institute each year to allow participating teachers to attend customized conference sessions created specifically for beginning teachers' needs.

Clinics & Programs

Anderson Reading Clinic

 The only university-based clinic in North Carolina that offers year-round teacher training, along with diagnostic and remedial reading services to children in the community.

  • Provides direct service to children with reading disabilities - approximately 15 hours per child of one-to-one reading and writing instruction. 

Mountaineer Readers

  • A summer reading program that is a collaborative effort between the Reich College of Education and Appalachian Athletics. Contact Public School Partnership (partnership@appstate.edu) for details. 

RCOE Mathematics Clinic

The first university in the University of North Carolina System, and one of a few in the nation, to establish a mathematics clinic as part of its special education teacher preparation.

  • Provides direct service to children who have disabilities or who struggle with mathematics - approximately two hours each week per child of one-to-one instruction.

Scholars with Diverse Abilities Program

  • Prepares college-aged students with intellectual disabilities for personal growth and occupational success. 
  • The goal upon completion of the program is that students obtain competitive, integrated employment and live independent, fulfilling lives. 

 Summer Ventures

  • Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics is a no-cost, state-funded program for academically talented North Carolina students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Contact Lori Tyler (tylerle@appstate.edu) for details.