On November 6, 2020, Reich College of Education’s (RCOE) Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES) celebrated 45 students who are graduating with their bachelor’s degree either December 2020 or May 2021. 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.
“These students make a commitment to growth in their teaching and learning outside of their program requirements,” said Megan Kasper, Assistant Director for Student Engagement. “We want to be sure to recognize this commitment and celebrate our scholars as they embark on their teaching careers!”
Held over Zoom, students heard from alumna Charlcy Carpenter and one of their peers, Tori Hunt.
"We know this year's Senior Awards Ceremony looked different than last year, but it was nevertheless a great time of connection and celebration,” said Ike Smith, Director of the James Center for Student Success and Advising. “It was a heartwarming and humbling reminder of everything these ACES students have accomplished during their time in the program.”
“Our speakers, Charlcy and Tori, provided the group with rich reminders of the opportunities and serious responsibilities before them as they work with their future students," he added.
Charlcy Carpenter, box in green, gives advice to graduating Senior ACES as they prepare to begin their careers in education.
Carpenter, originally from Lawndale, North Carolina, graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in middle grades education. Currently, she a middle school math teacher at Burns Middle School, located in Lawndale, North Carolina. She was recently named the Beginning Teacher of the Year for Cleveland County Schools.
As a student at Appalachian, Carpenter received the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Western Region Outstanding Mathematics Education Student Award in 2018 and was described as being a strong leader and contentiously demonstrating true passion towards Mathematics education by mentors and peers.
Carpenter shared advice from teachers in her district she gathered, highlighting various grade levels and subject areas. Across disciplines, there were definite similarities with themes of the importance of building relationships with students, maintaining flexibility, seeking joy, and prioritizing self-care.
Tori Hunt, box in green, reflects on her experiences in ACES and provides advice to her fellow graduating ACES as they prepare for their careers in education.
Nominated by her peers to speak, Hunt, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, secondary education in May 2021. She is a Residence Advisor for Appalachian’s Summer Ventures in Science & Mathematics and President of Appalachian’s Native American Student Association.
Hunt decided to pursue a career in education because she “saw an injustice and I wanted to fix it.” She encouraged her peers to consider how COVID-19 has affected experiences and to consider “the emergency diversity conversations that have emerged,” in recent times and, “using that momentum,” in classrooms and beyond. She closed her remarks with a quote from author Paulo Freire, “There’s no such thing as neutral education. Education either functions as an instrument to bring about conformity or freedom.”
The ceremony concluded with the ACES Senior Awards Video 2020-2021, which captured their last few years in ACES.
The Seniors recognized during the 2020 Senior Awards Ceremony:
- Abby Anderson, Elementary Education
- Alicia Biel, Elementary Education
- Alexis Borlase, Middle Grades Education
- Bridgette Brody, Birth-Kindergarten Education
- Olivia Bryant, Elementary Education
- Abigail Bumgarner, Elementary Education
- Jennifer Cable, Elementary Education
- Alexandra Carpenter, Special Education
- Meghan Clotworthy, Elementary Education
- Carman Crook, Mathematics Secondary Education
- Lily Crum, Art Education
- Bryan Culler, Music Education
- Hannah Dalness, English Secondary Education
- Sarah Dixon, Middle Grades Education
- Alex Dudash, History; Social Studies Education
- Brooklyn Farrington, Elementary Education
- Jean Carlos Garcia Reyes, Elementary Education
- Hannah Gosey, Middle Grades Education
- Omnie Grabs, English Secondary Education
- Megan Haigler, Elementary Education
- Diego Hernandez Guillen, Spanish Education
- Rett Hill, Middle Grades Education
- Tori Hunt, Chemistry Secondary Education
- Zoe Hurwitz, Elementary Education
- Kristen Kinley, Elementary Education
- Samaria McKnight, Elementary Education
- Nathan Minton, History Social Studies Education
- Daisy Mullis, Career & Technical Education
- Taylor Polson, Elementary Education
- Mary Martha Prince, Elementary Education
- Roslyn Reynolds, Birth-Kindergarten Education
- Anna Robinson, Elementary Education
- Audrey Rudinsky, Special Education
- Jennifer Sanchez, Elementary Education
- Sydney Shadrick, Special Education
- Bailey Sparks, Elementary Education
- Jayne Spencer, Elementary Education
- Haley Stanley, Music Education
- Kate Stone, Career & Technical Education
- Paige Strickland, Elementary Education
- Samantha Sweet, Elementary Education
- Elizabeth Greene Thifault, Special Education
- Elizabeth Valois, Elementary Education
- Melanie Werth, Elementary Education
- Winn Williams, History Social Studies Education
ACES Senior Speakers - Charlcy and Tori
