ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创鈥檚 Teacher Education Program recently received a $30,000 Education Preparation Program (EPP) grant from the . This Special Education Student Teaching Stipend will support two NCWU special education student teachers during the spring 2023 semester.
To be eligible for the stipend, students must be engaging in a special education student teaching opportunity during the 2022-23 school year in pursuit of a special education license. NC Wesleyan students, Chlorinda Lafranque and Taylor Webb, are the grant recipients and will student teach, respectively, at Benvenue and Winstead/Englewood Elementary schools.
In addition, this grant intends to:
- Increase the diversity of the special education teaching profession
- Retain special education teachers in North Carolina after successful completion of an NC Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
- Provide ongoing support for early-career special education teachers
- Develop a community of practice among a diverse set of early career teachers and their mentors
Dr. Patricia Brewer, NCWU Professor and Coordinator of Special Education, continues to highlight the program鈥檚 100 percent licensure passage rate on the North Carolina Licensure PRAXIS Exam: Special Education Core Knowledge and Mild-to-Moderate. Dr. Brewer also recognizes the impact of the Students Helping Students Award-Winning Afterschool Program that provides opportunities for diversity in teaching and service-learning.
鈥淲e are so excited about this grant,鈥 stated Dr. Brewer. 鈥淭he funds will supplement students鈥 living costs and related expenses during student teaching.鈥
As a condition of accepting a stipend, each special education student teacher recipient agrees through an assurance agreement to seek employment in North Carolina for at least one full school year and actively participate in the NC Early Career NCDPI/Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) partnership.
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
麻豆原创 (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. 麻豆原创 delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal鈥hrough mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical鈥y helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven鈥y helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on , , , and .
NCWU Receives Grant Funds for Educator Preparation Program
麻豆原创 is one of 31 schools to recently receive grant funds to support its Educator Preparation Program (EPP). (NCICU), the statewide office representing 36 private, nonprofit colleges and universities, recently disbursed a total of $248,000 in subgrants from the Goodnight Educational Foundation to support the work of the faculty in each individual program. The work includes enhancing, redesigning, and developing effective literacy coursework, practica, and internships based on the Science of Reading. Each of NCICU鈥檚 31 EPPs received $8,000 in grant funds following an application and review process. Pending continued funding from the Goodnight Educational Foundation, each of the 31 EPPs will receive an additional $7,600 in 2023 to fully implement their projects. To learn more, please visit NCICU’s .
NCWU Collaborates with Rocky Mount Prep
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 (NCWU) has partnered with (Rocky Mount Prep) to offer educational opportunities to their employees who are pursuing their Teaching License with NCWU’s Teacher Education Program. This opportunity is available to those seeking teacher licensure as a Residency Student, as a bachelor’s-only student, those pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, or for those seeking tutoring support for licensure exam preparation.
鈥淭his partnership with Rocky Mount Prep provides an invaluable opportunity to support our local school systems and the teachers that have a direct impact on future generations,鈥 noted Katie Farrell, Associate Dean of Strategy, Partnerships & Assessment at NC Wesleyan. 鈥淲e have enjoyed witnessing the support the Rocky Mount Prep administrators provide to their teachers and look forward to helping these teachers grow in their profession.鈥
Rocky Mount Prep staff who apply to 麻豆原创 in pursuit of a degree and/or teacher licensure, must do so via the University鈥檚 Adult & Professional Studies Program. Those who are accepted will receive a discounted tuition rate through one of two scholarships: a Public Service Scholarship equating to 10% of the total semester tuition or NC Wesleyan alumni will receive a scholarship equivalent to 50% of tuition. In addition, Rocky Mount Prep is supporting their employees鈥 pursuit by offering a $4,000 per year tuition reimbursement.
鈥淲e know the importance of having highly-qualified and well-supported teachers in our classroom. We pride ourselves on a strong culture of support for our team members. At Rocky Mount Prep, we have an amazing team that serves diligently every day and shares invaluable experiences with our scholars in support of their academic attainment,鈥 said Dr. Chaunte Garrett, Rocky Mount Prep Superintendent. 鈥淲e are delighted to partner with NCWU to support the teacher development pipeline in this region and to offer our current team members, and any new team members who want to become highly-qualified teachers, the opportunity to do so. It is a win for Rocky Mount Prep and NCWU, but most importantly it will have a great impact on our region.鈥
麻豆原创’s Teacher Education Program will provide exclusive tutoring assistance at a rate of $35 per hour for Rocky Mount Prep staff. Tutoring services will be provided face-to-face or virtually via a third party or by NCWU Teacher Education faculty.
In addition, Rocky Mount Prep will promote the partnership to all staff and provide the option for NCWU Teacher Education students to gain practical training experience and observe live classes. Dr. Garrett mentioned that 鈥淭eam Rocky Mount Prep is a diverse family of educators with several of our teachers scoring in the top 25% of teachers in the state in scholar academic growth. We are glad to share this wealth of knowledge with future educators.鈥
鈥淭his seamless partnership provides a wonderful opportunity to enlarge the pool of licensed and highly-qualified teachers to educate North Carolina’s K-12 students,鈥 stated Dr. Kelvin Spragley, NCWU鈥檚 Director of Teacher Education.
During their time observing live classes and teaching techniques at Rocky Mount Prep, NC Wesleyan鈥檚 Teacher Education students will also have the chance to be trained as North Carolina Education Corps tutors for Rocky Mount Prep. North Carolina Education Corps partners with local public school units to recruit, train, and support corps members to accelerate learning and provide support for students. Corps members are employed by schools to work part-time as high-impact literacy tutors grounded in the science of reading and reading instruction.
麻豆原创 Rocky Mount Prep
Rocky Mount Prep is a tuition-free public charter school. Rocky Mount Prep educates scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade from school districts across the Eastern North Carolina Region. Our instructional model serves the whole child in alignment with our mission 鈥渢o educate, equip, and empower each scholar to excel.鈥 The school is accepting applications for enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year. To learn more, visit rmprep.org.
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
麻豆原创 (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. 麻豆原创 delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal鈥hrough mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical鈥y helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven鈥y helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on , , , and .
NC Wesleyan University Earns National Accreditation of Teacher Education Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 The (AAQEP) has awarded full 7-year accreditation to 麻豆原创鈥檚 Teacher Education program.
After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its June 10 meeting along with the following rationale:
The Commission evaluated the program鈥檚 evidence for each AAQEP standard and determined that all four standards are met. Completers of the program are prepared to work effectively as professional educators who are able to adapt to different contexts and to grow professionally. The Teacher Education Program analyzes evidence of its effectiveness and makes revisions to benefit candidates, maintaining a high level of quality in a small and personalized program. In addition, the program engages with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the local P-20 education system.
麻豆原创鈥檚 teacher candidates learn to engage in data-driven decision making and become action-oriented, culturally responsive professionals. The program deploys evidence-based practices to support and empower P-12 students and their families while developing candidates鈥 growth as educators.
鈥淐ongratulations to NC Wesleyan and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,鈥 said AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson. 鈥淭he University鈥檚 commitment to this program鈥檚 strength supports the deep engagement of faculty with families and communities and personalized guidance for teacher candidates.鈥
National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 30 states and other jurisdictions with over 180 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.
“Being accredited by AAQEP ensures our Teacher Education program candidates that they are going to receive high quality preparation as they journey into the profession. As an agency, AAQEP requires that we provide evidence that our students are prepared to work with diverse populations, external partners, and are grounded in content knowledge and education theory,鈥 stated Dr. Kelvin Spragley, Director of Teacher Education at NC Wesleyan. 鈥淎s a result of meeting these requirements, our graduates have a 100% pass rate on licensure tests and 100% job placement.”
麻豆原创 AAQEP
Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Visit for more information.
麻豆原创 麻豆原创
麻豆原创 (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. 麻豆原创 delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal鈥hrough mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical鈥y helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven鈥y helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on , , , and .
NC Wesleyan鈥檚 Teacher Education Program Earns High Accolades
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 Two recent graduates of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Teacher Education Program have earned First-Year Teacher of the Year awards from Nash County Public Schools. Zack Foster, a spring 2021 graduate, teaches English at Southern Nash High School and Jackie Webb, a fall 2021 graduate, is a Mathematics teacher at Northern Nash High School.
“These students are representative of the quality instruction one receives in Teacher Education at 麻豆原创. While we are excited about their individual successes as practitioners, we were not surprised that they had achieved the distinction of First-Year Teacher of the Year at their respective schools,” stated Dr. Kelvin Spragley, NC Wesleyan鈥檚 Director of Teacher Education.
In addition to these awards, the College has also seen great achievement within its award-winning Students Helping Students Afterschool Program. Led by Dr. Patricia Brewer, NCWC Professor and Coordinator of Special Education, Students Helping Students is a service learning project within the College鈥檚 Teacher Education Program. The initiative provides afterschool resources to K-12 children with learning differences in Nash County Public Schools. Since its inception in 2015, the program has received statewide recognition. The program was designed for NCWC education students to provide individualized instruction in math and reading once a week. Additionally, the program provides parent advocacy training. Dr. Brewer conducts weekly sessions for parents of participating K-12 children on how to navigate and advocate services for their children.
Each year, the (NC CEC) celebrates and recognizes youth with disabilities who demonstrate progress and achievements in nine categories: academics, arts, athletics, community service, employment, extracurricular activities, independent living skills, self-advocacy and technology. On February 26, 2022 at the upcoming 35th NC CEC Annual Conference, two students mentored by the Students Helping Students program will receive the statewide Yes I Can! Award. Bryson Worsley, a seventh grader at W.A. Pattillo Middle School, will be receiving the Yes I Can! Award for academics. Jordan Contreras, a seventh grader at Nash Everywhere Digital Academy (NEDA), will be receiving the Yes I Can! Award for technology. To date, a total of four recipients from the afterschool program have received the distinguished Yes I Can! Award.
鈥淢uch gratitude extends to NCWC鈥檚 Teacher Education students and the parents for their tireless efforts to embrace learning differences, explore instructional research-based strategies and advocate for services in the schools. It’s a humbling experience to monitor the growth and development of our pre-service education students,鈥 stated Dr. Brewer.
The Yes I Can! International Awards Program was established in 1981 to celebrate the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; to encourage children and youth with disabilities to seek their highest potential; and to increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of people with disabilities.
NCWC Honors Forty Teacher Education Candidates
Pinning Ceremony Held March 22nd
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 The Teacher Education Program at 麻豆原创 held their Spring Symposium, featuring a pinning ceremony for program candidates, on March 22. Guest speaker was Corey Williams, an alumnus of Wesleyan and honoree of the 2021 Teacher of the Year for Northampton County Schools.
Williams, a sixth grade Mathematics and Science teacher at Gaston Middle School, just entered his eighth year in public education and third year teaching in the classroom. Over the course of his career, Williams has served in the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, Halifax County Schools and currently, Northampton County Schools. A graduate of 麻豆原创 in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, his continued commitment to excellence celebrates students鈥 learning differences and diversity in a responsive classroom.
During the Teacher Education Pinning Ceremony, forty candidates received certificates and education pins. This rite of passage marks the initial journey into teacher education where students transition into a noble career and dedicate themselves to lifelong learning.
鈥淭he Teacher Education Program promotes a holistic approach to learning and embracing the whole child. I am extremely happy with the students鈥 commitment to engage, love, share, foster and embrace teaching and life practices within the context of the K-12 students鈥 experiences,鈥 stated Dr. Patricia Brewer, Associate Professor of Education.
A highlight of the event was the announcement of the Taunja Cox College Scholarship鈥 a $1,000 award given annually to a selected Wesleyan student majoring in special education. This opportunity was created by NC Wesleyan alumna, Glinda Williams of Kinston, North Carolina, in honor of her 34-year-old daughter, Taunja Cox, who was diagnosed with developmental disabilities at 18 months.
Since graduating from Kinston High School in the special education curriculum, Taunja has participated in work programs, volunteered with children at local daycares and is currently attending Lenoir Community College in the compensatory education class. This scholarship seeks to give back to students in the special education program who aspire to make a difference in the lives of those like Taunja. This year, the scholarship was awarded to two students鈥 Emily Bissette and Paige Gardner, who are both double majoring in Elementary Education and Special Education.
NCWC Welcomes New Director of Teacher Education/Coordinator of Diversity & Inclusion
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 麻豆原创 announces the addition of Dr. Kelvin Spragley as their new Director of Teacher Education. Dr. Spragley will also serve as Wesleyan鈥檚 Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Programming. He begins on January 4, 2021.
Dr. Spragley is a U.S. Army veteran, who has worked in the Wake County Public School System for seven years as a Social Science teacher. He also served as an Education Consultant for the . From 2001-2010, Dr. Spragley worked concurrently as Associate Executive Director of the 60,000-member North Carolina Association of Educators and Executive Director for the , a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that provides support to needy public-school children and grant support to public- school educators.
Dr. Spragley completed his degrees in the following areas and locations: Chowan University (A.A. in History-1991); East Carolina University (B.S. in Education-1993); North Carolina State University (M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction-1999); and North Carolina State University (Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction-2009). During the past nine years, Dr. Spragley served in a variety of roles at Louisburg College, including Interim Academic Dean and VP of Academic Life, as well as Division Chair for Business Studies & Social Sciences. In addition, he was a Professor of History and Education while at Louisburg College, where he also served as the Director of the A.A. in Education program.
鈥淲e are extremely fortunate to have someone with Dr. Spragley鈥檚 vast knowledge, accomplishments and vision to lead both the Teacher Education program and contribute substantively to a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion,鈥 stated Dr. Molly Wyatt, Interim Provost. 鈥淒r. Spragley will provide strategic direction for initiatives on cultural competencies, gender differences, building a climate of equity and inclusion, and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values 鈥 especially those that affirm the College鈥檚 core values of empathy and understanding.鈥
As Director of Teacher Education, Dr. Spragley will be responsible for teaching two undergraduate courses each semester, working with students in field experiences, supervising student-teachers, serving as chair of the Teacher Education Council and as liaison to State Education activities, coordinating and overseeing licensure, approving adjunct faculty, facilitating and submitting curriculum recommendations to the Curriculum Committee in collaboration with the Division Chair, preparing annual reports for accrediting agencies and leading the accreditation process. In his role as the Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion Programming, Dr. Spragley will be responsible for collaborating with College leadership to create, implement and monitor strategic initiatives designed to build awareness and growth among students as it relates to diversity and inclusion.
Dr. Spragley is married to Mrs. Tracey Lofton Spragley, a public-school teacher of 27 years and wife of 25 years. The couple has two children, Kelsey (24), who is a lab scientist for ThermoFisher Pharmaceuticals, and Kelvin, Jr. (18), who is a freshman at Wake Technical Community College.
The National Education Association Awards CREATE Grant to NCWC
Grant to Benefit College’s Teacher Education Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 鈥 聽麻豆原创 recently received a CREATE grant from the Center for Great Public Schools Aspiring Educators Program. The $2,000 grant is to benefit the Students Helping Students Afterschool Program for Social Justice.
Led by Dr. Patricia Brewer, NCWC鈥檚 Professor and Coordinator of Special Education, Students Helping Students is a service learning project within the College鈥檚 Teacher Education program. The initiative provides afterschool services to K-12 children with learning differences in Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. The program has received statewide recognition and is designed for education students to provide individualized instruction in math and reading. Additionally, the program provides parent advocacy training. Dr. Patricia Brewer facilitates this part of the program for parents of participating K-12 children.
鈥淲e are so excited about this grant,鈥 stated Dr. Brewer. 鈥淧re-service education students become strong, confident and intentional in educational practices with diverse learners and parents. They consistently support high expectations that result in growth and positive outcomes.鈥
Students Helping Students Afterschool Program for Social Justice fosters connections and investigations for critical inquiry of exceptional students鈥 needs in the classroom. This Social Justice grant will allow NC Wesleyan鈥檚 pre-service education students to become reflective practitioners beyond the boundaries of the school. Through the grant, pre-service students will increase their passion and impact the lives of K-12 students using a pedagogy of culturally responsive practices and differentiated strategies.
The National Education Association (NEA) offers mini-grants to teacher education programs for teacher quality, community engagement, social justice and political advocacy. The NEA is the nation’s largest professional employee organization and is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA’s three million members work at every level of education鈥攆rom pre-school to university graduate programs. The association has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.
