Catawba College's Department of Teacher Education held an opening celebration for all teacher education students in Tom Smith Auditorium on Tuesday, September 12. A "meet and greet" reception was held prior to the celebratory program, designed to welcome and inform students of the opportunities for students of education.
Dr. Jim Stringfield, dean of Catawba's Goodman School of Education, welcomed guests to the Opening Celebration and Pinning Ceremony sponsored by the Department of Teacher Education, the Academy for Teaching, and the Student North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE).
Carly Boileau of Lexington, one of the 2016 cohort of West Scholars, presented a brief overview of the Ritchie Academy for Teaching and activities of the West Scholars. West Scholars attending the program were recognized. Kristen Rocko of Johns Creek, Ga., treasurer of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education, informed guests of the requirements for joining KDP and member benefits. SNCAE current members were recognized.
Chad Springer of China Grove, president of SNCAE, gave a brief presentation about SNCAE activities and encouraged students to join the organization. SNCAE officers, Laura Isenhour of Salisbury and Maurice Jones of Raleigh, gave a description of the pin at the beginning of the pinning ceremony.
Twenty-six Catawba College students were honored in this formal pinning ceremony, which marked their admission to the Teacher Education Program at Catawba College. Admission to a teacher education program is not automatic. Admission requirements include the successful completion of PRAXIS CORE standardized tests of reading, writing, and mathematics and the establishment of a 2.75 or better grade point average. Applicants must also pass a criminal background check. Drs. Karen Lucas, Kimberly Creamer, and Donna James assisted with the pinning.
Those who were pinned during the ceremony from the traditional day program at Catawba included Regan Bell, Salisbury; Hunter Benfield, Kannapolis; Charly Brown, Salisbury; Branden Davis, Thomasville; Brittany Furr, China Grove; Elizabeth George, Salisbury; Erin Green, Stratford, N.J.; Brittany Hager, Salisbury; Leah Huggins, Hope Mills; Laura Isenhour, Salisbury; Connor Johnson, Rockwell; Tyler McHargue, Statesville; Holly Messick, Advance; Madison B. Sides, China Grove; Caylin Smith, Concord; Rebekah Terry, Mooresville; Jacey Voris, Brevard; Stacey Wagoner, Lexington; Samuel Wyrick, Salisbury; and Katie Zobel, Chapin, S.C.
Those pinned from Catawba's Birth-Kindergarten Program included Magnoria Funderburk, Pageland, S.C.; Taylor Grier, Kannapolis; Crystal Holcombe, Lexington; Susan Lohr, Salisbury; Taylor Riley, Salisbury; and Pamela Robinson, Charlotte.
Faculty advisor for the SNCAE organization is Mrs. Amanda Bosch. SNCAE officers for the 2017-2018 academic year include Chad Springer, President, China Grove; Laura Isenhour, Vice President, Salisbury; Maurice Jones, Secretary, Raleigh; and Kristen Rocko, Treasurer, Johns Creek, Ga. Faculty counselor for the Kappa Delta Pi honor society is Dr. Karen Lucas. KDP officers for the 2017-2018 academic year include Megan Hampton, President, Hamptonville, and Kristen Rocko, Treasurer, Johns Creek, Ga. The faculty director for the Academy for Teaching and the West Scholars' program is Dr. Karen Lucas.
