On August 27, 2019, Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education’s (RCOE) Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES) students met for their annual orientation. All 181 members were present.
The four and a half hour orientation included students:
- reconnecting with their class cohorts,
- hearing from alumni of the ACES program share about their content area, and
- listening to a keynote address from Dr. Rwany Sibaja, assistant professor and program director in the Department of History at Appalachian State University.
Sibaja shared his struggles of attending a teacher education preparation program as an underrepresented minority and adapting to fit in, while remaining true to himself. He also shared about his time as a high school history teacher in North Carolina.
Other speakers present were Bethel School principal, Brian Bettis ‘05 ‘08 ‘16; 2019 Watauga County Rookie Teacher of the Year, Kari Riddle ‘18; 2015 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Keana Triplett ‘05 ‘12; and Appalachian State University’s Chief Diversity Office, Dr. Willie Fleming.
“The ACES Orientation was something that I looked forward to each year as a student because it was a time to network with other members as well as a time to learn from successful and inspiring educators, said Olivia Watson Tarnowski ‘18, ACES alumna and presenter from Boone, North Carolina.
“It was a surreal experience to attend the ACES Orientation as a graduate of the program, and I really enjoyed meeting the current students,” she noted.
Megan Kasper, Assistant Director for Student Engagement in the James Center for Student Success and Advising, shares the learning outcomes for the ACES Orientation.
This yearly anticipated event kicks off the academic year for the group of pre-service teachers in the four ACES cohorts. The learning outcomes from this orientation were as follows:
- network and collaborate with other ACES and alumni;
- review ACES program requirements and expectations; and
- engage with topics of inclusive excellence to implement into their practice.
Aliyah Tuckman, senior special education major from Charlotte, North Carolina, noted, “ACES orientation is beneficial as it allows for me to meet with my peers and alumni to better my professional success as I am able to make relationships with those who are on my track and those that have already gone through the things that I will soon experience.”
Jenny Eure, first year elementary education major from Pfafftown, North Carolina said, “My favorite part of ACES Orientation was hearing current teachers talk about their experiences in the classroom because it made me so excited for my future as a teacher! It was a great way to start my career in ACES!”
Prior to this event was the 2019 Black and Gold Ceremony, which all 51 first year ACES students attended together.
Tymber Morrison, first year elementary education major from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, said the events made her find her family.
“During the ACES retreat and Black and Gold Ceremony, I was exposed to how family and community oriented Appalachian State University is,” she noted. “Through ACES, I have gained a group of people that I consider family and that I will have alongside me for many years to come.”
ACES is a 4-year program for future teachers focusing on mentoring, leadership, service, and personal and professional development. The program is housed in the James Center for Student Success and Advising. Along with ACES, the James Center manages several programs in the RCOE.
Director of the James Center for Student Success and Advising, Ike Smith said, “The ACES program is a wonderful opportunity for these students to participate in rich professional development and grow as teacher leaders prior to entering the profession. We’re so excited to welcome all of our ACES back and see the awesome things they’ll do this year and beyond.”
ACES Orientation
