Reich College of Education names 2018–19 Student Teacher of the Year and finalists

This fall, Little — who said she has wanted to be a teacher since she was in elementary school — will begin her full-time teaching career at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, where she will teach world history and sociology. She previously served as a long-term substitute at the school, teaching world history and world humanities after graduating from Appalachian in December 2018.

Little said she chose Appalachian because she knew it would be the best place for an aspiring educator to grow and develop.

“I grew to love history in high school, so becoming a social studies teacher was a natural option,” she said.

Dr. Rwany Sibaja, assistant professor in Appalachian’s Department of History and director of the history, social studies education program, said, “During her time at Appalachian, Kenley Little excelled in the classroom — both as a history/social studies education major and as a student teacher. She always demonstrated a willingness to listen, engage with peers and help others succeed.”

Sibaja continued, “Kenley combines her pursuit of teaching excellence with genuine care for her students, and in fact, it is her desire to help students succeed in life that keeps pushing Kenley to find engaging ways to help them master the content and skills of the history/social studies classroom. All of these traits were apparent to us in the history department, particularly during her time as a student teacher in Lincoln County.”

“Student teaching was one of the most exhausting, rewarding and enjoyable things that I had the pleasure to participate in,” Little shared.

When asked for her thoughts on being nominated as a finalist for the student teaching award, Little quoted Nelson Mandela: “There is no passion to be found playing small — in living a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

“As an advocate and champion for history/social studies education, Kenley Little has the potential to become a leader in her school system and beyond,” Sibaja said.

Little will represent Appalachian at the state level for the Student Teacher of the Year award, which is conferred by the North Carolina Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (NC-ACTE). The NC-ACTE winner will be announced at the organization’s annual fall meeting to take place Sept. 30–Oct. 2. This is the fourth consecutive year that NC-ACTE will recognize an elite group of student teachers from each of its member institutions.

Andrea Berry ’18, from Jamestown, graduated from Appalachian in December 2018 with a B.S. in health and physical education, K–12.

“I chose health and physical education because I didn’t always like being physically active, and all it took was one teacher to show me the fun physical activity can bring to the table,” Berry said. “I hope to be that same inspiration for one of my students.”

In addition to her student teaching experience at Jackson Middle School in Greensboro, Berry was selected as one of nine students who completed their international student teaching in Thailand. “I had a fantastic experience working with my school and learned so much about myself, my students and my teaching,” she said of the teaching abroad experience.

Berry is currently the head coach for the varsity women’s lacrosse team at Lucy Ragsdale High School in Greensboro.

Jennifer Crain ’18, from Hickory, said she chose Appalachian because of its reputation as being a leader in education, the cost of its programming and its proximity to home.

Crain graduated in December 2018 with a B.S. in middle grades education–language arts and science, which she completed through App State Online’s hybrid program. During her academic career, she was a State Employees’ Credit Union Appalachian Partnership Scholarship recipient.

“If I learned anything from my student teaching experience, it was to be a teacher from the heart, to come to school every day and give it every piece of my heart,” Crain said. “I struggled in school when I was younger, and I want others to know they can reach their full potential.”

Crain is currently teaching sixth grade science at Heritage Middle School in Valdese.

Olivia Sabins ’18, from Roxboro, graduated in December 2018 with a B.S. in elementary education.

One of Sabins’ greatest strengths as an educator is her interpersonal and communication skills, she said. “I made use of any available time to build relationships with my students. Whether I was facilitating a mini-lesson or playing four square at recess, I maintained a smile and a warm disposition,” she said.

On her final day of student teaching, Sabins said she received many heartfelt cards and poems. She, in turn, gave each student a card with a handwritten note and a quote based on who they are, what they might need to hear or simply what might make them smile. She chose the quotes from R.J. Palacio’s “365 Days of Wonder.”

“To be a successful teacher, one does not need to create and execute perfect lessons every day,” Sabins said. “To be a successful teacher, one simply needs to give students a safe, engaging space to learn, explore and make mistakes. I believe I created that space every single day.”

Shannon Furr ’19 first came to Appalachian with the intent of majoring in elementary education. “While my passion for education has not changed, I realized that I could make the most impact with my capabilities in a history classroom,” Furr said.

Originally from Wilkesboro, Furr graduated in May with a B.S. in history, social studies education.

“The history education program has furthered my love of history and social studies curriculum, and my love for sharing this material,” Furr shared. “My goal is to help students become aware of the narratives of the past so that they can develop a deeper identity in this world and the nation. The history education program has made this goal possible.”

In addition to her student teaching experience at East Wilkes High School in Ronda, Furr was selected to complete international student teaching in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Furr is currently pursuing her M.A. in history at Appalachian through the Accelerated Admissions Program.

Cami Haney ’19, from Hudson, graduated in May with a B.S. in elementary education.

Haney said she chose Appalachian for its “phenomenal teacher education program” and proximity to her home. “I love the mountains, teaching and family, and being at Appalachian provided me with just that,” she said.

“Being an elementary teacher is the one job that makes all the other jobs possible: a doctor couldn’t be a doctor without knowing how to read; an accountant couldn’t be an accountant without learning how to add; and an author couldn’t write books without learning how to write a sentence,” Haney said. “That’s why I chose elementary education; I want to be the one that makes endless possibilities possible for all my students!”

After graduating, Haney hopes to have the opportunity to give back to her hometown by serving as an elementary school teacher in Caldwell County.

Emma Lassiter ’19 immediately fell in love with Appalachian when she first visited the campus, she said. “The combination of the large university with the smaller communities of the Honors College and (Hayes) School of Music were a perfect fit,” she shared.

Lassiter, from Apex, graduated with a Bachelor of Music in choral music education (K–12).

On being selected as a Student Teacher of the Year finalist, Lassiter said, “This shows me once again how supported I am by the Appalachian faculty and my student teaching team. I am proud to be able to share this honor with my students, who have driven me and taught me to be my best.”

This fall, Lassiter will begin her first year of teaching vocal music at the middle school level.

Amber Morgan ’19, from Apex, graduated in May with a B.S. in special education–adapted curriculum K–12.

“Special education holds a unique and special place in my heart,” Morgan said. “It is a daily blessing to work with such diverse children and be a supportive and positive impact in their lives.”

“Being a student teacher of the year finalist means to me that the past four years of hard work from my professors, mentors, classmates and me has come to fruition,” Morgan added. “All these people’s hard work and passion to guide me towards dedication and excellence clearly shows through!”

Morgan is currently pursuing her M.A. in special education with a concentration in intellectual disabilities at Appalachian through the university’s Accelerated Admissions Program.