(828) 262 - 2232 • rcoe.appstate .edu • 151 C ol lege Street • ASU B ox 32038 • B oone, NC 28608

Dear Educators,

As the College’s newly appointed Interim Dean, I am looking forward to building on the success of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and administrators. We are moving forward with task force goals that began last year. These goals include a vision that will encompass field-based communities of practice, social justice, diversity, sustainability, technology, pedagogy, and forging our identity as a college of education.

I want to thank all of you who give back to the College with respect to your time and resources. We are facing certain economic challenges and the support that you have given has already provided us with the necessary means to operate and continue to meet the rising demands of education in North Carolina. We strive to add new programs in the College while sustaining those that move us toward our mission as well as the institutional strategic plan of Appalachian State University.

Remember to continue to share your journey and experiences with us by emailing RCOEMarketing@appstate.edu or connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. We look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Dr. Robin Groce Interim Dean

What’s InsideNew Graduate

Certificate Programs

Alumni Spotlight

A Partnership with the University in Ethiopia

Living History Gallery

Welcome New Faculty & Staff

Mr. Mel Falck Dr. Michelle Flippin Ms. Cassie Graves

Dr. Glenda Johnson Ms. Meredith Kitson

Dr. Melia Kizer Ms. Jamy Lambert

Dr. Diana Moss Dr. Mark Schwarze Dr. Jill VanHorne

Fall 2014 Newsletter

Our AlumniThe Reich College of Education Alumni are Impacting Lives from Sea to Sea

1. Aaron Connor takes home first place in the #RCOEYoselfie contest. 2. Executive Director of Academic Affairs at Bahir Dar University, Dr. Matebe Tafere and Dr. Vachel Miller greet each other.

New Graduate Certificate Programs Added The Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University announced the addition of three new graduate certificate programs. The three programs include Middle and Secondary Teaching, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and School Leadership.

For more information on any of the three certification programs and the many others offered by the Reich College of Education, visit the College’s website at rcoe.appstate.edu or the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School’s website at www.graduate.appstate.edu/.

Students Participate in Social Media Contest The students in the Reich College of Education took the “selfie” to a new level in honor of the new school year. Students took photos of themselves around the College and added them to Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #RCOEYoselfie. With over 75 entries, the top three students were awarded a Gift Card for their creativity. The social media contest united the College and spread awareness about our College’s newest Marketing and Communication efforts.

3. Students in Dr. Eric Groce’s class participate in the inaugural Living History Gallery. 4. Trey Tillery, a Junior Elem. Ed. major performs his living history project on Hurricane Katrina.

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A Partnership with the University in Ethiopia A group of Appalachian State University faculty and staff including Vachel Miller, Susan Musilli and Kate Johnson (ACT Office), representing the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, traveled to Bahir Dar, Ethiopia in May of this year to work with the faculty and staff at Bahir Dar University.

Funded by an Appalachian QEP grant, the intention for this trip was to lay the foundation for a short-term study abroad course at Bahir Dar in May 2015. Dr. Miller has plans to develop a course that will be open to doctoral students as well as other graduate students interested in issues of international education and leadership. Experiences like the one in Bahir Dar will enhance students’ skills in navigating cultural differences, communicating across cultures, collaborating to achieve shared goals, and becoming more aware of their own assumptions, biases, and identities as American educators with a growing sense of themselves as global citizens and global educational leaders.

Living History Gallery Dr. Eric Groce is teaching his Elementary Education majors to bring history to life for their future students. Through the use of the mobile app, Aurasma, visitors of the photo gallery can point their electronic device at a photo and watch it “come to life” as students act out their interpretation of a historical event.

From the Salem Witch Trials to Hurricane Katrina, the students are presenting these past historical episodes through the eyes of a child. Dressed in costumes from the time period, each student shares their well researched narrative in authentic dialect and in front of an appropriate image that sets the proper historical context for the video.

“This product not only allows students to refine their own research, writing, and presentation skills, but it also allows them a chance to see how they would teach this process to elementary learners,” said Groce.

“Love and believe in yourself and through critical and creative thinking and determination, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”

That’s what Reich College of Education alumnus, Samuel Neil Byrd, said he learned during his time at Appalachian State University.

Byrd graduated in 2011 with an undergraduate degree in Middle School Education and a minor in Global Studies. A highly involved student, Byrd participated in Phy Mu Alpha Sinfornia Fraternity and the Glee Club, as well as worked as a Resident Assistant. Through this experience, Byrd found that his career was being taken in a different direction and decided that college-aged students were where he could make the biggest impact. Soon after graduating, he applied to the College Counseling and Student Development master’s program at North Carolina State University and there, he found himself wearing many hats. Byrd oversaw the training of the residential staff and education programming of 1200 undergraduate and graduate students as a Residence Director. He was a course instructor for the “College Student Development and Peer Counseling” class. He led many service and leadership trips around the country to help students expand their multicultural humility around topics of multiculturalism. Byrd also worked for the GLBT Center as a Life Counselor, working one on one with GLBT identified students.

“He is definitely one of our best and brightest and has made an impact on many students in North Carolina,” said Dr. Laurie Ramirez, Assistant Professor in the Reich College of Education’s Curriculum and Instruction Department and advocate of Byrd.

After graduating this past May from North Carolina State University, Byrd was hired at the University of California at Berkley as a Professional Resident Director. He oversees two high-rise resident halls and works primarily with first and second year students from low income, first-generation backgrounds. Not only will he be counseling these students, but he will also be teaching university courses on social justice and restorative practices. Additionally, Byrd hopes to have a direct involvement in the LGBT community in the future.

Byrd’s passion about students and education is evident. He works tirelessly everyday to ensure that students are having an excellent experience like he had at Appalachian.

“Education allows individuals to go forth and contribute to their communities and to society as a whole in a variety of ways, ultimately having the opportunity for them to leave it better that they found it. I care about where our society is heading and I know education will play a key component in its success.”

Byrd is an active participant in many professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association, the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) and the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce. In his free time, Byrd enjoys travelling, hiking, human rights activism, and acting.

Alumni Spotlight: Samuel Neil Byrd ‘11

Shannon Bigger Long, President Angela Quick, Vice President

Elizabeth Bumgarner Page Thompson Carver

Wayne Eberle Gail Lentz Ford

Marie Ellen Furches Dave Jenkins Terry McDaid Mary Moretz

John M. Neathery, Jr.

Cynthia Mullen Poe Peggy Badgett Rickert

John Rogers Flo Sessoms

Emeriti Members Patricia Anderson Ronald R. Beane

Chancel T. Brown A.C. Larrimore, Jr. Betty Anne Quinn

Maria Vernon

Congratulations to our 2014 Rhododendron Society Members

“On career day in my kindergarten class, I sported a tie and briefcase to reveal to my peers that, one day, I would become a

teacher. Almost fifteen years (and many peanut butter sandwiches) later, Appalachian State University has helped me bring that dream into reality. As I work to pay for my education and finish my degree without any student debt, I owe my college career to the kind people who continue to contribute financially to my academic success.

I am only a second-year student, and I have already had ample opportunities to teach and observe in the classroom with a wide variety of students. These learning experiences have allowed me to step into the shoes of an instructor and deepen my love for the profession of teaching. Without my scholarships, I would have much more of a burden on my shoulders to make ends meet. I am truly blessed and relieved by those that help me move along. Appalachian State has become much more than a place where I come to study; it has become my home.”

Judson MacDonald Sophomore Spanish Education (K-12) major

Scholarship Spotlight

Thank you to Our Advancement Board

Three Appalachian State University graduates whose careers have helped change the lives of countless students were inducted into the Reich College of Education’s Rhododendron Society. This year’s honorees are (from left to right): • J. Warren Taylor of Sparta,

retired Alleghany High School teacher and community servant

• Dr. Michael H. Palmer of Durham, a retired Louisburg College educator

• Dr. Jerry E. McGee of Monroe, President of Wingate University

Established in 1999, The Rhododendron Society honors Appalachian State University alumni who have exemplary careers in education and provide outstanding examples of service in the community. In July, the Society introduced a new annual scholarship to be awarded to a freshman and also a doctoral student. This will be the highest honor given in the Reich College of Education.

Calendar October 10, 2014 Coffee with the Dean

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Duke Rotunda

Reich College of Education

November 1, 2014 College of Education GameDay

Time: TBD Kidd Brewer Stadium

Use code ASU14EDU for discounted tickets.

November 1, 2014 College of Education Friends & Family Tailgate

Time: 3 hours before kickoff Sanford Mall, In front of Anne Belk Hall

Connect with Us!

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, Associate Director of Development, at harwoodrl@appstate.edu or (828) 262-6563.

Come cheer on the Mountaineers on College of Education GameDay on November 1st against Georgia State University! To purchase your discounted tickets on athletics’ website, use the code ASU14EDU. Plan to come to our Friends and Family tailgate on Sanford Mall before the game.

Gina Harwood