BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts engaged with the university’s youngest students to date when she visited the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork on Aug. 30.
As part of her visit, Everts — a former English teacher — delivered books to all of the students as she met with them and the academy’s teachers and administrators to demonstrate Appalachian’s support of the school, which opened this year as a partnership between Appalachian’s Reich College of Education (RCOE) and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Students in each grade received a different book, and in addition to delivering books, Everts read to students.
“Literacy is a foundational piece for students and teachers,” said Dr. Melba Spooner, dean of the RCOE.
The Academy at Middle Fork, which offers services for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, is one of nine University of North Carolina laboratory schools. The UNC Board of Governors selected Appalachian to establish the academy because of the quality of its educator preparation program.
At the Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts prepares to read a story with students in the third-grade classroom of teacher Heather Wham ’13. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chancellor Sheri Everts looks on as students read in Heather Wham’s third-grade class. Photo by Marie Freeman
As part of her visit to the Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork, Chancellor Sheri Everts delivered books to each classroom, including the classroom of second-grade teacher Christina Procida-Rush. Procida-Rush is one of four academy faculty enrolled in master’s programs at Appalachian. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chancellor Sheri Everts shows off the books she is delivering to the classroom of second-grade teacher Kori Trainor ’10. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chancellor Sheri Everts and Assistant Principal Verschello Nelson visit the classroom of fourth-grade teacher Allison Lam ’17 ’18 and deliver books for the students. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chancellor Sheri Everts visits an English as a second language (ESL) classroom and meets with ESL teachers Joseph Fewell, far left, and Chantae Reynolds. Reynolds is one of four academy faculty enrolled in master’s programs at Appalachian. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts embraces Assistant Principal Verschello Nelson at the Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork as Dr. Amie Snow ’06 ’14, director of curriculum and instruction, far left, and Principal Tasha Hall-Powell ’01 ’09 look on. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chancellor Sheri Everts talks with art teacher Megan Garner. Photo by Marie Freeman
“The Academy will be a center for innovation, research and teaching excellence for our student teachers, as well as for a body of students who are beginning what we hope will be a lifelong relationship with an institution of higher learning,” said Everts, who also stressed the importance of literacy and reading.
One goal of the academy is opening a pathway to a college education for all students. To keep with the academy’s commitments — learning together, developing the whole child, boosting academics and amplifying sustainability — the school is implementing three key innovations: a literacy workshop, a balanced curriculum and targeted professional development.
The UNC lab school initiative aims to provide enhanced educational programming to students and to plan demonstration sites for the preparation of future teachers and school administrators. The academy will operate for a minimum of five years.
“The goal is to make sure the whole school — students, parents and teachers — have what they need to succeed,” Spooner said.
Prior to the start of classes, the academy held an open house Aug. 23 for families, who met teachers and staff, learned about after-school programs and activities, worked through transportation needs, and visited and took pictures with Yosef, Appalachian’s mascot.
Dr. Robin Groce, Appalachian director of planning and implementation, welcomes Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork student Finnian Yuskis during the academy’s open house Aug. 23. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Alicia Spain with her parents, Edward and Marie Spain, at Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork’s open house. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Arely Espinoza-Caballero shakes hands with first-grade teacher Melissa Boyd at Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork’s open house. Photo by Chase Reynolds
First-grade student Kaylee Trejo-Hernandez smiles for the camera at Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork’s open house on Aug. 23. At the open house, families had a chance to meet with teachers and staff, learn about after-school programs and activities and work through transportation needs. Yosef, Appalachian’s mascot, also made an appearance at the event. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Tom Arellanes-Noyola hugs RaChelle Wood, a first-grade teacher assistant at the academy, as family looks on at Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork’s open house. Photo by Chase Reynolds
About the Reich College of Education
Appalachian State University offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls more than 2,000 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs, with offerings that span multiple fields — from teacher preparation, counseling, and therapy, to higher education, school and student affairs administration, library science, educational leadership and more. With over 10,000 alumni employed in North Carolina public schools, there is at least one Reich College graduate in every county in the state. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
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