Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education and Watauga County Schools Receive $10,000 Gift from the Sun Belt Conference

The gift funded a project titled First Teach: Appalachian State University and Watauga County Schools Teacher Leader Mentorship Program (First Teach Program), a partnership focused on the continuing education and professional growth of the WCS 2018 Teachers and Principal of the Year, seven of whom are Appalachian alumni, and approximately 30 Appalachian teacher education students who are members of the Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES) program. ACES is a four-year scholarly program created for future educators focusing on service, leadership, and professional development.

Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education (RCOE) and Watauga County Schools (WCS) received a $10,000 gift from the Sun Belt Conference as part of the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) Week initiative. Appalachian’s RCOE and WCS received a $10,000 gift from the Sun Belt Conference as part of the CFP Foundation’s EYFT Week initiative. Chancellor Everts presents RCOE's Dean Melba Spooner and WCS Superintendent, Dr. Scott Elliott, with a ceremonial check. Photo by Marie Freeman

College Football Goes the Extra Yard for Teachers

EYFT Week, held September 15-22, 2018, was an eight-day period dedicated to celebrating educators across the country, supported by the CFP Foundation and its partners. The CFP Foundations established EYFT Week in 2015 to provide an opportunity for universities, coaches and student-athletes to take part in its mission of elevating the teaching profession through inspiring and empowering educators.

The CFP Foundation provided the Sun Belt Conference with funds to support teacher-centric education initiatives in conjunction with conference activities at member institutions. Institutions had an opportunity to receive up to $10,000 to implement projects in the local community that incorporated one or more of the pillars of the EYFT Program: resources, recruitment and professional development.

In addition, each institution was asked to designate a home game during EYFT Week to recognize the teachers associated with the initiative during an on-field presentation. Appalachian originally selected September 15, 2018. Because this game was canceled due to Hurricane Florence, the recognition was rescheduled for November 17, 2018.

Game Day Celebration

The WCS Teachers and the Principal of the Year were invited to the November 17 App State home football game vs. Georgia State.

Photo collage WCS Teachers and the Principal of the Year attend the November 17 game and Chancellor's Tailgate event with RCOE's Dean Melba Spooner and WCS Superintendent, Dr. Scott Elliott. Photos by Heather Brandon

Those in attendance were:

McKinley Goodnight Kunz ’14 ‘17 from Bethel School;
Terri Hodges ‘88 from Blowing Rock School, who was also named 2018-19 WCS District Teacher of the Year;
Patti Hensley ’89 ‘97 from Cove Creek School;
Heather Ward ‘07 from Green Valley School;
Tonya McKinney ’90 ‘00 from Mabel School;
Kristina Shableski ’07 ‘10 from Parkway School;
Beaver Robinette ‘88 from Valle Crucis School;
And, the WCS Principal of the Year, Phil Norman from Green Valley School.

Terri Hodges '88 waves to the crowd. Photo by Heather Brandon 2018-19 WCS District Teacher of the Year, Terri Hodges '88, from Blowing Rock School waves to the crowd. Photo by Heather Brandon

Sonya Blakeley from Hardin Park School and Olivia Haigler Watson from Watauga High School were unable to attend.

Prior to kickoff, they and their families were hosted by Appalachian’s Chancellor, Dr. Sheri Everts, at a pre-game tailgate event, along with the WCS Superintendent, Dr. Scott Elliott, RCOE Dean Melba Spooner and members of ACES.

During the game, they were recognized on the field for their achievements and as Extra Yard for Teachers participating partners. Chancellor Everts, Dean Spooner, and Director of Athletics, Doug Gillin, presented a $10,000 ceremonial check to Elliot in acknowledgment of the gift that helped fund the First Teach Program. Photo by Heather Brandon The teachers are recognized on the field during the game. Chancellor Everts, Dean Spooner, and Director of Athletics, Doug Gillin, presents a $10,000 ceremonial check to Elliot. Photo by Heather Brandon

“We should take every opportunity to celebrate our teachers and thank them for their dedication to our students and community,” Elliott said. “They truly do go the Extra Yard every day!”

“We should take every opportunity to celebrate our teachers and thank them for their dedication to our students and community. They truly do go the Extra Yard every day!”

About the First Teach Program

Appalachian State University was founded as a teachers’ college in 1899 and these educational roots remain an integral part of the university’s identity. Today, the RCOE is first for teaching - first to lead and listen, first to inspire and innovate - ensuring that our graduates are prepared to be leaders in the field of education.

The college works diligently to develop and sustain relationships with local school districts to support the growth of these teacher leaders. WCS is one such dedicated partner.

RCOE Dean Spooner said, “Sustaining partnerships is critical to the work we do in preparing educators. The Teach First Program, funded in part by the $10,000 gift from the College Football Playoff Foundation, provided the opportunity for our teacher education students to engage deeply with teachers and leaders in the Watauga County Schools. Being able to recognize the Teachers and Principal of the Year for their accomplishments and contributions demonstrates the commitment our university community places on quality education and educators.”

“Sustaining partnerships is critical to the work we do in preparing educators. The Teach First Program, funded in part by the $10,000 gift from the College Football Playoff Foundation, provided the opportunity for our teacher education students to engage deeply with teachers and leaders in the Watauga County Schools. Being able to recognize the Teachers and Principal of the Year for their accomplishments and contributions demonstrates the commitment our university community places on quality education and educators.”

ACES students at NCCAT First Teach Program participants pose in front of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching sign. Photo submitted

The First Teach Program, which included all three EYFT pillars, allowed the WCS Teachers and Principal of the Year to engage with and mentor Appalachian teacher education students who are members of the ACES scholarly program. Professional development of this type helps to prepare Appalachian’s graduates to be successful in their future classrooms, thus inspiring the next generation of Appalachian teachers and sustaining education locally and globally.

The participants traveled from Watauga County to the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) on Ocracoke Island for a rigorous professional development program, November 9-12, 2018. The gift helped to cover the costs of facility rental, participant travel, and room and board as well as substitute pay and a stipend for the participating teachers and principal.

Mountains to Sea

Mountains to sea: currently, Appalachian’s RCOE is the only institution to visit NCCAT for pre-service teacher professional development. Photo by Ike Smith

NCCAT was established in 1983 to provide professional development programming to teachers in the state of North Carolina. Their vision statement says, “NCCAT helps North Carolina teachers grow in knowledge, skills, compassion, and professionalism so that students become engaged, self-motivated, and successful.”

Currently, Appalachian’s RCOE is the only institution to visit NCCAT for pre-service teacher professional development.

Matthew Medlin, from Youngsville, North Carolina, a senior mathematics secondary education major said, “I am very appreciative to have had the opportunity to visit Ocracoke with my fellow ACES and Watauga County schools representatives. I was able to attend several educational professional development seminars. Some focused on first-year interviewing techniques, others forced us to consider questions like ‘what is a teacher leader?’ The biggest benefit was being able to relate our discussions back to what we experienced on the island. Ocracoke is a truly magical place full of the friendliest people who are great role models for how a leader/teacher should act. I know that the knowledge I have gained through this experience will aid me in my first year of teaching and through the rest of my career as a teacher leader.”

The participants focused on significant topics in education, including teacher leadership, differentiation, and community engagement. In addition, they were encouraged to discuss and analyze the history, culture, and geography of the unique barrier island and apply it to their own educational experiences in Watauga County and/or at Appalachian. Participants visit Ocracoke and NCCAT for professional development. Photos by Ike Smith and submitted.

About the experience, WCS teacher, Patti Hensley ’89 ‘97 said, “The Ocracoke NCCAT trip was for me, as a veteran Watauga County teacher, one of the best experiences of my career. As a teacher, I am a life-long learner, and it was gratifying to be able to learn and collaborate right alongside these fine ACES students who are going into the teaching field. It gave me great hope for the future of our children.”

“The Ocracoke NCCAT trip was for me, as a veteran Watauga County teacher, one of the best experiences of my career. As a teacher, I am a life-long learner, and it was gratifying to be able to learn and collaborate right alongside these fine ACES students who are going into the teaching field. It gave me great hope for the future of our children.”

Furthermore, participants have been asked to share their experiences and learned best practices with stakeholders at the university and in the community.

“I am grateful to the Sun Belt Conference, the University and App State Athletics for this award,” Elliott said. “The teacher leaders facilitated several sessions for the pre-service teachers to help them prepare for securing their first job and ensuring a successful first year of teaching. The group also spent time with members of the US Coast Guard learning about the importance of teamwork and distributed leadership.”

WCS teachers mentor RCOE teacher education students. Photo by Ike Smith

Reich College of Education