On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Reich College of Education’s (RCOE) Appalachian Community of Educators Scholars (ACES) and North Carolina Teaching Fellows (NCTF) celebrated 24 students who are graduating with their bachelor’s degree in either December 2024 or May 2025. Housed in the RCOE’s James Center for Student Success and Advising, ACES is a four-year scholars program for future teachers focusing on mentoring, leadership, service, and professional development. NCTF is a competitive, merit-based forgivable loan program providing tuition assistance for qualified students committed to teaching elementary education, special education, science, technology, engineering or math in a North Carolina public school.
Each of the seniors were recognized for their accomplishments in the program and at Appalachian State University and received the following:
- a cord bestowed by someone significant in their academic career;
- an ACES/NCTF-branded padfolio to use throughout their future career;
- a certificate of completion for the programs, and
- a letter that students wrote to themselves during the First Year Retreat.
Dr. Melba Spooner, dean of the RCOE, welcomed the graduates and over 100 guests to the celebration.
Senior Matthew Rhodes, an elementary education major from Mooresville, North Carolina, and past president of the Appalachian Educators Club, was voted on by his fellow graduates to speak. He recounted many of the experiences both in and out of the classroom the students had engaged in.
Senior Journey Barnes, an elementary education major from Denver, North Carolina, closed the ceremony, reminding students to remember the preparation they received through the ACES and NCTF programs as they enter the classroom.
The seniors recognized during the 2024 ceremony:
- Chloe Brooke Angell, middle grades education, NCTF
- Journey Kay-Aileeen Barnes, elementary education, ACES and NCTF
- Brook Lynn Boyd, elementary education, ACES
- Mal Calhoun, health and physical education, ACES
- Elias Catlin, music education, ACES
- Cassidy R. Cosgrove, career and technical education, ACES
- Madison L. Coulter, elementary education, elementary education, ACES
- Abby Taylor Dent, art education, ACES
- Olivia A. Gaines, elementary education, NCTF
- Gia Marie Gerald, English secondary education, ACES
- Alexandra Cecilia Greene, Spanish education, ACES
- Morgan R. Jones, art education, ACES
- Karson Glenn Fazenbaker, history education, ACES
- Katelyn L. Fullbright, elementary education, ACES
- Kayliegh Laibson, child development, ACES
- Hanna Elizabeth Lampe, elementary education, ACES
- Kennedy Elisabeth McFee, English secondary education, ACES
- Matisse Suter Notte, theatre education, ACES
- Sophia T. Ordóñez, elementary education, ACES
- Patricia E. Polinski, elementary education, ACES
- Matthew Ryan Rhodes, elementary education, ACES and NCTF
- Hadley Anne Seifert, special education, ACES
- Morgan E. Smith, elementary education, ACES
- Emma Marie Weeber, special education, ACES
Group shot
