Watson Chronicle

Welcome to the Watson Chronicle! Here, you'll find the latest updates, stories, and articles for the Watson College of Education. Stay connected. Explore our news below!

Watson College News

Yan Liu Appointed Faculty Fellow for Research Yan Liu has been selected to serve as WCE’s inaugural Faculty Fellow for Research, a position created to support faculty, promote research collaboration and enhance scholarly activities in the Watson College. Yan Liu Appointed Faculty Fellow for Research

Michele Parker Collaborates with Researchers in Ghana Michele Parker is collaborating with a team of four Computer Science faculty members at the University of Ghana on the effective use of AI in higher education. Michele Parker Collaborates with Researchers in Ghana

UNCW 3C Hosts CTP Conference “Programming that leads to sustainable jobs and career readiness and understanding neurodiversity” was the theme of the annual UNCW/3C Challenging the Paradigm Conference, held Feb. 27-28 at the Watson College. UNCW 3C Hosts CTP Conference

Upcoming Events

WCE's PDS will host a Regional Eggs & Issues Breakfast in partnership with The Public School Forum of North Carolina on April 17. A Teach and Lead Conference and a PK-12 STEM Education Conference will be held in June. Join us!

Upcoming Events

Alumni Recognitions

Anthony Martin Named Sandhills Region TOY Anthony Martin ’17 Ed.D. has been named the Sandhills Region Teacher of the Year. Dr. Martin is a CTE educator at East Columbus Junior/Senior High School. Anthony Martin Named Sandhills Region TOY

Laura Bailey Named Sandhills Region POY Laura Bailey ’24Ed.D. has been named the Sandhills Region Principal of the Year. Dr. Bailey is principal at Scotland High School in Scotland County. Laura Bailey Named Sandhills Region POY

Mattie Johnson is NHCS Rookie of the Year Mattie Johnson ’22M is New Hanover County Schools’ Rookie of the Year. Ms. Johnson teaches English at Ashley High School. Mattie Johnson is NHCS Rookie of the Year

Teach with Joy!

A new Watson College initiative seeks to inspire teachers to teach with joy! The project is gaining momentum as Denise Ousley, Robert Smith and participating teachers share their ideas with others.

Teach with Joy!

Blooming in the Noise of the Whirlwind

Past, present and future educators convened at the Watson College of Education on March 13 for “Blooming in the Noise of the Whirlwind,” an event designed to create a network of support within the field of education.

Blooming in the Noise of the Whirlwind

CESTEM Hosts Regional STEM Competitions

Regional Science and Engineering Fair CESTEM hosted the Southeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair on February 15. The event provides an opportunity for third through 12th grade students to showcase their STEM-related work, with winners advancing to state and international competitions. Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Wilmington Regional NC Science Olympiad More than 900 middle school and high school students participated in the 2025 Wilmington Regional Science Olympiad hosted by WCE’s CESTEM on March 8. Wilmington Regional NC Science Olympiad

Wilmington Regional SeaPerch Competition Twenty-one middle and high school teams participated in the 2025 Wilmington Regional SeaPerch Competition hosted by CESTEM on March 15. Wilmington Regional SeaPerch Competition

Hattie Strong Scholarship Recipients

Bridgette Gruber '25

Bridgette Gruber will graduate in May with a degree in Elementary Education. This spring, she received a Hattie M. Strong Scholarship award. We are pleased to share the story of Bridgette’s journey to becoming a teacher – and what the scholarship means – in her own words.

Bridgette Gruber '25

Madison Mobley '25 Madison Mobley ’25 has received a spring 2025 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship award. Madison is completing an internship at Murrayville Elementary. She will graduate in May with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Dance. Madison Mobley '25

Ruth Markezich '25 Ruth Markezich ’25 has received a spring 2025 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship award. Ruth is completing an internship at Newport Elementary School in Carteret County. She will graduate in May with a degree in Elementary Education. Ruth Markezich '25

Kylei Ward '25 Kylei Ward ’25, recipient of a spring 2025 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship, is completing her internship at Belville Elementary School. Kylei will graduate in May with a degree in Elementary Education. Kylei Ward '25

Student Spotlight

Hinton Cox '24

Hinton Cox '24 discovered a passion for physical fitness and healthy living, leading him to pursue a degree in Healthful Living and Fitness Education.

Hinton Cox '24

WCE Highlights

Faculty, Staff Present at SITE Conference

Angie Reid Griffin, Michele Parker, Jeff Ertzberger, Amber Colon, Denise Ousley and Daisy Barreto all presented at the SITE Conference in Orlando, FL in March. SITE focuses on information technology and teacher education.

Watson faculty and staff at the SITE conference

BOV Visits the Ed Lab – March 28

The UNCW Board of Visitors and Parents Council stopped by the Watson College for a tour of the Ed Lab on March 28. The visit was one of four stops during their “Day in the Life as a Seahawk;” an event designed to showcase hands-on learning opportunities unique to UNCW, where students can practice and apply what they are learning.

Board of Visitors and Parents Council in the Ed Lab

Educators Participate in Advocacy Day

Somer Lewis, Jodi Hebert and Bridgett Reese championed the NC New Teacher Support Program during Advocacy Day in Raleigh on March 26. The educators had an opportunity to meet with Senators Bob Brinson, Kevin Corbin, Bobby Hanig, Michael Lee, Brad Overcash and Norman Sanderson, Representatives Cynthia Ball, Kelly Hastings, Charles Miller, Ray Pickett, Reece Pyrtle and John Torbett and former Representative Jeffrey Elmore.

UNCW Homecoming 2025

Denise Ousley, Robert Smith, Sharon Richter, Dean Heath, Erin Moran and Kimberly Cockrell participated in Watson’s showcase at UNCW’s 2025 Homecoming Brunch which featured Teaching with Joy, WCE’s new MAT in Special Education, and a hands-on display from the MarineQuest team. Thanks to all who stopped by to visit with us!

PDS Hosts Professional Learning Day

WCE’s PDS Office hosted a Spring 2025 Professional Learning Day for partnership teachers, university supervisors and school site coordinators on March 21. The theme of the event was “Teach Out Loud: A celebration of Educator Artistry and Excellence.”

Emeriti Faculty Gift Art to Ed Lab

Thanks to James Applefield and Hathia Hayes! The emeriti faculty stopped by the Watson College on March 27 to donate beautiful new artwork to the Ed Lab.

IBEC Students Excel in STEM

Isaac Bear’s Varsity Science Olympiad team came in 2nd at the regional NC Science Olympiad competition in Trask Coliseum in March, and JV team #1 earned 2nd place overall, too, in junior varsity. A total of 58 IBEC students – coached by Science teachers Bryan Bishop and Dan Walter – participated in the regional competition this year.

IBEC scores big at the NC Science Olympiad

FTCA Visits Forest Hills

In February, students in the Future Teachers Career Academy at Isaac Bear joined Courtney Townsend and Frances Carter for a visit to Forest Hills Elementary, where they observed and assisted in K-3rd grade classrooms.

Future Teachers Career Academy from Isaac Bear

Virgo Students visit the CAM

On March 11, D.C. Virgo fourth and fifth graders visited the Cameron Art Museum (CAM). Through history lessons and hands-on creating, art came to life for the students. Thank you, CAM for providing this opportunity for Virgo students!

D.C. Virgo students at Cameron Art Museum

Shoutout to the TPYA Brew Crew!

Students in the TPYA (Transition Program for Young Adults) have a new Brew Crew offering online ordering of coffee and breakfast treats for Watson College faculty and staff during weekday mornings!

Alumni Recognitions & Awards

Emily Grace ’07M, ’12 Ed.D

Dr. Emily Grace ’07M, ’12 Ed.D. has been named Teacher of the Year at JC Roe Center. Dr. Grace teaches HS Math and serves as JC Roe’s MTSS Coordinator and Webmaster.

Noah Swanson ’24

Noah Swanson ’24 has been named Beginning Teacher of the Year at Stovall-Shaw Elementary in Granville County where he is a Kindergarten teacher.

Anay Soto-Gomez ’24

Anay Soto-Gomez ’24 was named Teacher of the Month at Union Intermediate School in Sampson County in January. She teaches third grade math and science.

Natalie Tidler ’24

Natalie Tidler ’24 has been named Teacher of Promise/Beginning Teacher of the Year at Rocky Point Elementary School. Ms. Tidler earned her MAT in Elementary Education from the Watson College. She teaches 2nd grade at Rocky Point.