Reich College of Education

Preparing Quality Educators - Past, Present and Future

• Appalachian was first founded as a teaching college in 1899
• 6 undergraduate majors, 13 graduate majors, 1 doctoral program
• Elementary Education is one of Appalachian's top 10 majors
• One of the largest teacher preparation programs in the state with over 2,000 students

Focus on Student Success

• Over 375 students were awarded almost $950,000 in scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year - more than any other college at Appalachian
• 100 full-time faculty members
• Average class size:
  • Undergraduate: 27 students
  • Graduate: 15 students
  • Doctoral: 10 students
• International opportunities in 7 countries
• Graduates approximately 400 teachers per year
• Ranked 1st of Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of National Board Certified Teachers for 2021 - sixth consecutive year
• Almost all 100 counties in North Carolina employ an RCOE teacher or administrator

Award-winning Faculty and Alumni

• Eleven alumni named Beginning Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 academic year; three are finalists for the NCCAT 2021 Prudential NC BTOY.
• Fulbright Fellowships: Dr. Paul Wallace (2019-2020), Dr. Vachel Miller (2015-2016), Dr. John Tashner (2014).
• UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Tracy Wilson Smith (2017).
• North Carolina Teacher of the Year: Keana Triplett '05 '12 (2014-2015), Darcy Grimes ’06 (2012-2013).
• Meghan LeFevers ‘07 was selected as the sole North Carolina Milken Educator Award Winner for 2017-18.
• Dr. Jim Brooks ’85 ’97 ’11 was one of five U.S. educators inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, Class of 2012.