SPRING 2015 NEWSLETTER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

02.Faculty

Spotlight

03. Living

HistoryGallery

06.Doctoral Students

Volunteer

07. Dinner with Chancellor

Everts

Dr. Tracy Goodson-Espy, a mathematics education professor in the Curriculum & Instruction Department in the Reich College of Education, understands that math isn’t everyone’s favorite subject. That fact does not stop her from helping her students to gain the confidence and strategies for teaching the subject.

“I just want to instill the passion of math into my students so that they can pass that passion forward to their students,” says Tracy.

Tracy has been a professor at Appalachian for a little over 10 years. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Middle Tennessee State in mathematics. After teaching for several years, Tracy returned to school, but this time at Vanderbilt University and graduated with her doctorate in mathematics education.

Tracy is dedicated to lifelong learning and growth, and she has served 2 three-year terms on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Center. She has been recognized for her teaching strategies, and in 2009, received the Reich College of Education’s Outstanding Teaching Award.

Currently, Tracy works with the Mathematics Education Research Group, a team comprised of instructors in the mathematics education program, including Dr. Kathleen Lynch-Davis, Dr. Chrystal Dean, Dr. Lisa Poling, Dr. Diana Moss, and Dr. Art Quickenton. Together, they get the opportunity to

work closely with Appalachian’s Mathematics Department to provide professional development, and to discuss instructional needs and improvement needs with local schools. Tracy’s excellent grant writing skills has allowed the group to make huge advances in local schools. Most recently, Tracy and the Mathematics Research Group submitted a grant for over $250,000 from the Mathematics Science Partnership to fund APP-LEAP, a three-year Mathematics-Science Partnership with Caldwell County, Alleghany County, Avery County, Burke County, and Watauga County Schools. The grant will provide professional development for K-8 teachers.

The group has even started to work with international schools and a couple of the instructors from the group will be traveling to Belize in the spring to begin developing a relationship with schools in that country.

Tracy, a resident of Boone, enjoys hiking with her two dogs, Rhett and Scarlett, when she is not teaching in the Reich College of Education.

“The College has a fantastic faculty,” says Tracy about her Reich College of Education team members. “We work well together, and continue to support and mentor one another. It’s a great place to work.”

f a c u l t y SPOTLIGHT:

Dr. Tracy Goodson-Espy

“I just want to instill the passion of math into my students, so that they can pass that passion forward to their students.”

There was a buzz on the second floor of the Reich College of Education on the first day of December as students from Dr. Eric Groce’s class gathered along with parents, faculty, and staff for the grand opening of the living history gallery. The gallery features photos of his elementary education majors dressed in costumes from an historical time period in front of an image that sets the proper historical context.

The photos are more than just still images, however. Through the use of the mobile app Aurasma, visitors of the gallery can point their electronic device at a photo and watch it “come to life” as students act out

their interpretation of their historical event. Each student shares their well-researched narrative in authentic dialect. From the Salem Witch Trials to Hurricane Katrina, the students present these past historical episodes through the eyes of a child.

John Henson, doctoral student and adjunct professor, worked tirelessly with Dr. Groce to pull this project together. The gallery will be displayed indefinitely on the second floor and visitors are always welcome. Vistors can check out iPads in the Technology Center on the first floor with the Aurasma app already loaded.

Living History G

allery: Grand O

pening

“ I can only hope that students of all ages can take a few minutes to watch the videos in the Living History Gallery. The stories in there will bring you right into the time period and make you feel like you have a glimpse of life during that era. For students who learn visually, this is a perfect opportunity. In my opinion, the best was to grab students’ attention is to approach history from a narrative perspective and the Living History Gallery does just that. It is all factual and research-based, but it feels like you are watching a movie and it creates a more personal connection to historical events, which is usually difficult to achieve.

Madison Fischer Elementary Education Dressed as “Mary Beth Tinker” in the Gallery ”

Doctoral Students Volunteer at F.A.R.M. Cafe Over a dozen doctoral students, faculty, and staff gathered at the local “pay what you can” café in January. The F.A.R.M. Café is dedicated to “Feed All Regardless of Means” and serves fresh, wholesome, and often locally-sourced food in exchange for donations, volunteer hours, or a smile if the guest is short on funds. The Doctoral Program team helped cook, clean, write thank you notes, organize, serve, and welcome guests throughout the day.

Doctoral student, Josh Silvey, helped make food that day. He said, “The staff members at F.A.R.M. Café demonstrate a commitment to the community that is nothing short of inspirational. I am reminded that it is possible to translate the ideas we

discuss in class to actions that affect positive change in the community.”

Another student, Lori Tyler, wrote thank you notes to the cafe’s constituents. “The doctoral program promotes building community, both in and out of the classroom,” said Tyler. “This opportunity enabled me to work with several of my cohort members who I had not worked with outside of class.”

According to interim program director, Dr. Vachel Miller, “It was great to work together and help make some good food available to thecommunity. For me, it feels good to take time away from email and meetings, and to be together in a different way, with a different purpose.”

International

Student Teaching: A Life-Changing

Experience

Forty-six prospective students in the RCOE have traveled overseas this semester to teach in schools in Costa Rica, England, India, South Africa or Ireland. This is the largest number of students to date to travel so far for their student teaching experience.

Dr. William Peacock, director of early field experiences at Appalachian, hopes that each of the students have a life- changing experience.

“Our goal for them is to have an international experience through which they grow personally and professionally,” Peacock said. “They become a more empathetic individual, which translates into more effective teaching.”

Students travel as groups or cohorts to their international assignments with never fewer than two placed in an international school or district. Peacock and his colleagues work to ensure that each student has a positive experience.

Chancellor Invites Appalachian Educators to Dinner

Freshman Preview Day Planned for March

The Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES) was invited to eat dinner with Chancellor Sheri Everts in her home last month. The annual dinner allows the Chancellor to see the impact that the ACES have on Appalachian’s campus. ACES is a 4-year program for future teachers focusing on men-toring, leadership, service, and personal and profes-sional development.

ACES members are active participants and leaders not only in the club, but also in a variety of campus activities from academics to athletics and religious organizations. The ACES program provides a sense of camaraderie for future educators and promotes a

passion for teaching.

Over 100 ACES students were in attendance at the dinner, including junior elementary education major, Jessica Kessler. Jessica was grateful for the Chancellor and felt that she really understood the group because she was a past teacher.

“It was a really amazing time! I’m so thankful for a Chancellor that humbly opens up her home to students. Chancellor Everts is a wonderful host, and it was lovely to see the way she could connect to all students.”

The annual Reich College of Education Freshman Preview Day is planned for March 21st from 12-4PM in the College. Students who have been accepted to Appalachian State are invited to come learn more about how great it is to be a Mountaineer educator.

Prospective education majors can get all their questions answered about Appalachian, talk to current students about their experiences on campus, meet and talk with faculty and tour the campus. Incoming students and their parents can also find out about housing, financial aid, scholarships, and campus clubs. Dr. Eric Groce, Mr. Jeff Goodman, and Dr. Ellie Hoffman will also be giving teaching demos

for prospective students.

Interested prospective students can get more information and RSVP for the event by March 12th at www.jamescenter.appstate.edu.

Meet 3 of our 220 2014-15 Scholarship Recipients

Stay Involved. Give Back. Make a Difference.

If you would like more information on student scholarships, naming opportunities, or adding the Reich College of Education to your estate plan, please contact Gina Harwood, Director of Development, at harwoodrl@appstate.edu or (828) 262-6563.

Savannah Bower Melanie Sherrill Jake Hinshaw “The scholarships I have received through the Reich College of Education have truly shaped my outlook on life. I am overwhelmingly humbled and gracious of this support I have received from numerous donors in pursuit of following my dreams as an educator. As a graduating senior majoring in Business and Marketing Education, I fully intend to found, lead, and sustain a high school for future business leaders. In doing so, I will forever carry with me this compassionate support I’ve received from the RCOE donors in hopes of doing the same for others in the future.”

“As a mother of 5 young children, going back to school to get a second graduate degree seemed impossible. I was asked to move from the classroom into the Library Media position at my local elementary school when the current librarian, a dear friend and former colleague, passed away from cancer. It is with the generous support of the scholarship committee of Appalachian, and funding provided by various other professional organizations, which has helped me to be able to afford to complete my degree so that I can continue the legacy of my friend and former colleague.”

“Even though I have lived within thirty miles of Appalachian my entire life, it has always been my dream to attend school here. Receiving the Ed and Lois Reich Scholarship made my dream that much sweeter. The scholarship has not only given me a sense of direction into the education field, but it has lifted a burden off of my family’s shoulders as well. Throughout my high school career, I teetered with career choices, but after discovering the ACES program, I am certain that I am called to a lifetime of teaching. I am very grateful for the Reich’s gracious contribution to my education.”

President Shannon Long

Vice President Angela Quick

Elizabeth Bumgarner Page Carver

Wayne EberleGail Ford

Marie Furches Dave JenkinsTerry McDaidMary Moretz

John Neathery, Jr. Cynthia Poe

Peggy RickertJohn RogersFlo Sessoms

Emerti Members Patricia AndersonRonald R. BeaneChancel T. Brown A.C. Larrimore, Jr. Betty Anne Quinn

Maria Vernon

The NC Community College System (NCCCS) has given John Neathery, Alamance Community College instructor and Reich College of Education Advancement Board Member, its highest award as the top community college instructor in North Carolina. This is the first time that an instructor from Alamance Community College has been honored with the North Carolina Excellence in Teaching Award.

Neathery earned the state’s top honor following an interview process at the regional and later state level. Neathery will receive a cash award from the NC-CCS and additional state recognition.

Neathery has taught at ACC since 2003. An instructor since 1997, he graduated with honors from Appalachian State University where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in sociology. He also earned an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) post-graduate degree in Higher Education Teaching, with a concentration in Criminal Justice.

“For me, there is nothing more professionally rewarding and gratifying than helping my students achieve their goals--whatever their academic, career, and life goals may be,” said Neathery.

The Reich College of Education extends their congratulations to John Neathery on this honor.

Thank You to Our Advancement

Board

The Reich College of Education is now accepting nomina-tions for the prestigious

Rhododendron Society Award. The Rhododendron Society recognizes graduates of Appalachian State University whose service as teachers, librarians, human service professionals or administrators has reflected great credit on themselves and the University. New members of the

Rhododendron Society will be inducted at the Society’s Brunch on July 25, 2015.

For the first time, the Rhododendron Society will also honor one freshman and one doctoral student with a scholarship, the most prestigious award in the College. Nominations and supporting materials are due by March 31, 2015. Please contact Gina Harwood at (828) 262-6563 or by e-mail at harwoodrl@appstate.edu with any questions.

a l u m n i

SPOTLIGHT:John Neathery

Call for Rhododendron Society Nominations Mr. Bob Mays, RCOE alum-nus and former Advance-ment

Board Member, will be one of the speakers at the Scholarship Luncheon on March 20th. The luncheon will honor the 220 RCOE students who received scholarships in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Join Us

CALENDAR

March 20, 2015

RCOE Advancement Board Meeting Dedication of the Anderson Reading Clinic

RCOE Scholarship Luncheon

March 21, 2015Freshman Preview Day

For more information, visit www.jamecenter.appstate.edu.

March 27, 2015 Doctoral Symposium

1-4PM in Room 124 in the RCOE For more information, visit www.edl.appstate.edu.

April 13, 2015Open Forum “ASU Then & Now” -

A discussion to mark the 50th Anniversary of Desegregation at Appalachian

For more information, stay tuned to our Facebook page.

April 17, 2015 Installation of Chancellor Sheri Everts

10AMHolmes Convocation Center

April 18, 2015 RCOE Open House

May 10, 2015 RCOE Undergraduate Graduation

9AMHolmes Convocation Center

Reception to follow in the RCOE lobby.

June 25, 2015Rhododendron Society Day

Bryce and Izoria Gordon Gathering Hall

Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University

@appstateRCOE

@appstateRCOE

Reich College of Education, Appalachian State University

Reich College of Education