Invited guests gathered in the Reich College of Education (RCOE) Rotunda on Friday, November 16, 2018 for an event honoring donors Steve and Judy James and a rededication of the center that shares their name, the James Center for Student Success and Advising. Judy James is an Appalachian alumna, having earned her B.S. in elementary education in 1969.
Steve and Judy James and the student recipients of the James Scholarship, which is awarded to one incoming freshman each year who plans to pursue a career in teaching in North Carolina. Pictured from top left, clockwise: Daisy Mullis, Simeon Wallace, Brandon Moore, Judy James and Steve James. Photo by Heather Brandon
The center’s mission is to support and retain education majors during their tenure at Appalachian State University and beyond. The James Center was originally located on the RCOE’s fifth floor; however, earlier in the fall, the center moved to a prominent space on the first floor and was revisioned as the James Center for Student Success and Advising to better serve all Appalachian teacher education students.
A Legacy of Student Success
The James’ said, “We believe strongly in the value of education.”
RCOE Dean Melba Spooner presents Steve and Judy James with a token of appreciation. Photo by Chase Reynolds
The James Center strives to uphold this commitment by helping students connect with peers, discover resources, participate in professional development, serve the campus and community, and more.
The center has evolved and grown over the years. When the Teaching Fellows Program ended in 2011, Appalachian’s leadership invested in the university’s future educators by providing funding to continue the program in all but name. Thanks to the generosity of the James’, the James Center was established to support this new program, the Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES).
“The ACES Program is a recruitment tool. Many students tell us that ACES was the deciding factor in their decision to come to Appalachian.”
ACES is a four-year scholar program for future teachers focusing on mentoring, leadership, service, and personal and professional development.
ACES has become a model for other institutions in North Carolina. ACES helps to sustain education locally and globally, serving close to 200 students annually, with only 35% receiving some scholarship money.
According to Jan Stanley, Director of the James Center, “the ACES Program is a recruitment tool. Many students tell us that ACES was the deciding factor in their decision to come to Appalachian.”
This year, 218 future teachers applied for 50 available spots!
Impacting Education in North Carolina
The event included remarks from RCOE Dean Melba Spooner and Watauga County Schools (WCS) Superintendent Scott Elliott as well as former and current students who shared reflections on the value of an Appalachian education.
Dean Spooner opened the rededication program, presented a gift of appreciation to the James’, and led guests in singing “Happy Birthday” to Steve James, whose birthday was the next day.
Steve James reacts to the crowd singing "Happy Birthday." Judy James applauds. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Elliott spoke next and shared that he appreciates WCS’ and RCOE’s mutually beneficial relationship. He also spoke of the impact of the James Center, saying “It’s difficult for me to overstate the importance of the work the James Center does to prepare and support the next generation of educators in our schools. The hard work and dedication aspiring teachers show here every day will have a far-reaching impact into the lives of our students long into the future.”
RCOE alumna and 2012-13 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Darcy Grimes ‘06 gave the keynote. She shared her experiences as an excited and terrified education student at Appalachian - during a time when technology was rapidly changing the world and education.
RCOE alumna and 2012-13 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, Darcy Grimes ‘06 shares reflections on her Appalachian experience in the keynote address. Photo by Chase Reynolds
She noted that her professors “adapted their teaching and prepared us for not only the classroom but also for an innovative world,” thus preparing Grimes and her peers to be successful teachers.
And, she was successful. Grimes recalled that her first classroom experience was very different from other teachers. Although she still had much to learn, she was prepared.
Grimes said, “Time and time again, I was told I didn’t ‘act’ or ‘teach’ like a first-year teacher and I wholeheartedly believe that a big reason for that is because the professors, teachers, and mentors I had at App State. They gave me the experiences and tools to be successful that first year and for the years to come.”
“Time and time again, I was told I didn’t ‘act’ or ‘teach’ like a first-year teacher and I wholeheartedly believe that a big reason for that is because the professors, teachers, and mentors I had at App State."
Grimes also shared reflections on her 12 years of teaching, noting that she can always tell when she is working with an Appalachian student or graduate because these individuals “walk into the classroom with the content, pedagogy, and the innovative still learning mindset that is needed to help students be successful.”
Grimes was followed by two students impacted by the James Center, by ACES and by the James’ generosity: Brandon Moore and Libby Rose.
Moore, from Kannapolis, North Carolina, is a junior English secondary education major, a member of ACES and a recipient of the Steve and Judy James Scholarship, which is awarded to one incoming freshman each year who plans to pursue a career in teaching in North Carolina.
Brandon Moore, junior English secondary education major and James Scholar, addresses the crowd. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Moore spoke about the meaningful relationships he has established through ACES, noting that he is “part of a cohort of students who deeply believe in the power of education and who want to make a difference in the lives of their students.” He shared that ACES has been an integral part of his Appalachian experience - the professional development and service opportunities as well as the support and encouragement he has received from his peers and the James Center staff.
Rose is from Matthews, North Carolina; she is a senior elementary education major and ACES member. Rose, like Moore, described ACES as a family.
Libby Rose, senior elementary education major, discusses the impact ACES has had on her college career. Photo by Chase Reynolds
“ACES has created a home for me, within the RCOE but also at Appalachian,” she said. “It has served as a springboard for my other areas of involvement on campus, allowing me to become a leader here and beyond.”
Stanley concluded the program and invited guests to get involved with the James Center - as mentors or financial supporters. Please contact Jan Stanley to learn more or give now to support ACES.
James Center director, Jan Stanley, shares a hug with Judy James. Photo by Chase Reynolds
The James Center for Student Success and Advising, named for Steve and Judy James, is located on the first floor of the Reich College of Education. Photo by Chase Reynolds
