College of Education

2020 News Archive

University of South Carolina Faculty to Join Pre-Service Family Engagement Consortium to Develop Educational Framework for Teachers in Training

Michele Myers, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor at the College of Education, will lead the South Carolina contingent of the Consortium along with Yolande' Anderson, Director of Family and Community Engagement at the State Department of Education, Anthony Pittman, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Education at Claflin University, and James Ritter, Educator Specialist at the South Carolina State Department of Education. The team's goal is to create curriculum centered on family engagement for teachers in training.

Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education recognizes College of Education faculty and student with mentoring and achievement awards

Christine Lotter, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Instruction and Teacher Education, and her student, Amber Adgerson, a doctoral candidate in the Teaching and Learning, Ph.D. program at the University of South Carolina were recognized for their accomplishments by the Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education (SASTE) at their virtual conference on October 3, 2020.

CarolinaLIFE receives $2.2M in competitive federal funding for expansion and enhancement

This Transition and Post-Secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant from the US Department of Education is a highly competitive award offered every five years to expand existing model inclusive postsecondary programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities or develop new programs.

Capturing the future- Jaylen Anderson pursues independence and business ownership with CarolinaLIFE

Anderson is a second-year student in CarolinaLIFE, a postsecondary education program for students with disabilities on campus. CarolinaLIFE assists students in identifying and pursuing their goals by offering individualized support across several domains, including employment.

Culturally relevant teaching challenges the status quo

Culturally relevant teaching methods are an instructional approach developed by University of Wisconsin professor emeritus, author and researcher, Gloria Ladson-Billings. It focuses on three tenets: cultural competence, critical consciousness and academic excellence.

CarolinaLIFE creates opportunities for students with disabilities to mentor their peers about personal and professional goals

"The best mentor in this scenario is one who has successfully navigated identifying and pursuing college options. This is especially true for individuals with disabilities, who are in need of mentorship and guidance from others with disabilities."

Letter From Dean Pedersen: September 2020

I cannot express to you how proud I am of the faculty and staff members in our college and their ability to provide a high-quality educational experience in the midst of the pandemic, as well as their leadership — in our college, on the UofSC campus and across the nation — in designing and researching educational practices that highlight and dismantle anti-Blackness and other discriminatory practices.

UofSC initiative paves the way for new teachers in rural areas

The initiative paves the way for bachelor’s degree-holding teacher candidates to immediately begin a career as a classroom teacher while participating in the necessary training to become certified. Current participants will teach in 12 partner school districts throughout the state in early childhood, elementary education and middle level science.

Preparing educators and supporting alumni in a changing environment

University of South Carolina alumna Iman Askar never envisioned her first year of teaching would happen online. But like thousands of South Carolina teachers, the recent College of Education graduate started the school year teaching virtually.

Apple Core Initiative fosters diversity through culture and curriculum

Recruiting, enrolling and retaining education students from underrepresented populations has been a challenge for the College of Education. But through its Apple Core Initiative, the college is increasing diversity among its students — and, ultimately, South Carolina’s teachers — while also helping combat the state’s teacher shortage.

College of Education professor wins prestigious award

The award recognizes the overall body of research conducted within a scholar's first seven years of their career and will help promote the College of Education to an international audience.

Program aims to increase teacher diversity through scholarships and fellowship

The Apple Core Initiative is a program aimed at recruiting high school students from historically underrepresented populations of the state into teacher education programs at the University of South Carolina.

College of Education Faculty secure COVID-19 research funding

In late March, the university's Vice President for Research put out a special call for proposals related to COVID-19. The College of Education answered the call enthusiastically.

Building relationships between families and schools improves student experience

The Carolina Family Engagement Center used its first year for planning, hiring and training staff, building infrastructure and recruiting schools and teachers as partners.

Research focuses on creating healthy family relationships

"With COVID-19, the most fragile families don't have a lot of wiggle room in things that could tip the scale and disrupt their stability," Carlson says.

Student Spotlight: Ayan Mitra

"My research will help teachers and reading specialists in South Carolina understand the brain in relation to literacy. This can help them implement appropriate strategies in the classroom."

Faculty Q&A with Rachelle Curcio: Connecting theory to practice for teacher candidates

"Many teachers use social media platforms, but it's been enhanced in this time where we can't see each other face-to-face, and we are researching the role these platforms play during COVID-19."

Professor studies integrated approach to improving childhood skills and development

A researcher from the College of Education at the University of South Carolina plans to unlock how specific interventions can positively impact a child's social, behavioral and motor skill development. And the results could benefit teachers and schoolchildren nationwide.

Virtual Learning: Doctoral student’s research proves timely in E-learning

Local educator and current doctoral student, Brandy Meyers, shares technology tips for making an effective—and even fun—transition to remote teaching.

Virtual Learning: Recording engineer creates connections in the classroom and on the stage

Jeff Francis, engineer and professor in the School of Music, shares how his Educational Technology degree prepared him to engage his audience in the classroom and on the local stage for the SC Philharmonic.

Museum of Education 2020 Visiting Scholar Residency: Jason Reynolds

Best-selling author, Jason Reynolds, shared about his writing life and award-winning books with hundreds of college students, tweens, teens and fans from across the Midlands during a 3-day Visiting Scholar Residency at the College of Education's Museum of Education February 20-22nd.

College of Education PDS Network Unveils Student Work Gallery

On Thursday, March 5th, 2020, a newly restored display case and accompanying bulletin board in Wardlaw College were unveiled as a location to proudly honor Professional Development Schools with whom the university has partnerships.

New UofSC initiative aims to reduce shortage of teachers in rural areas

The State Board of Education recently approved the Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation as a new alternative pathway to teacher certification. This approval paves the way for rural districts to address teacher shortages through a partnership including the University of South Carolina, Center for Teaching Quality and a consortium of rural districts.

South State Bank partners with UofSC to support CarolinaTIP

The College of Education is excited to announce a new corporate partnership with South State Bank which will help the college provide additional support to recent education graduates during their first years as new teachers.

Celebrating the legacy of benefactor Margaret Mahone ("Mardee") Witten

The College of Education family is mourning the death, and celebrating the life and legacy, of one its most generous benefactors. Margaret Mahone ("Mardee") Witten passed away at her home on December 31, 2019, surrounded by family.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.