Watson College Recognitions

Kathy Fox authored an article titled “Building an Understanding of Family Literacy: Changing Practices Regarding Homework and Other Forms of School-Home Engagement,” that includes findings from a qualitative study of 11 practicing teachers that showed a new appreciation for family literacy efforts. It was published in the Spring/Summer edition of School Community Journal and recently spotlighted in the School Community Newsletter. Dr. Fox is a professor of language and literacy at the Watson College.

Sheri Conklin, Jeremy Hilburn and Kevin McClure were recognized for peer-reviewed journal publications at UNCW’s fall 2023 research celebration. Donyell Roseboro is now in the $1Million Dollar Club for research funding.

UNCW announced the awards in a home page story: Impact Like No Other: UNCW Celebrates Its Research Leaders. Conklin is an associate professor of instructional technology, Hilburn is an associate professor of middle grades education, McClure is an associate professor of higher education, and Roseboro is UNCW’s chief diversity officer and a professor in WCE’s Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations and Special Education.

Somer Lewis was featured in Seahawks First profile. Seahawks First is a UNCW community designed to support first-generation students. Lewis is director of WCE’s Professional Development System.

WCE faculty and staff were recognized at UNCW’s fall 2023 Staff Service Awards:

• Brian Brinkley, director of WCE’s Betty Holden Stike Education Laboratory - 30 years
• Jeff Ertzberger, director of WCE’s Educational Technology Unit - 30 years
• Joy Childs, WCE business officer (retired) – 15 years

Kemeka Sidbury has received a 2023 White Lotus Leadership Emerging Leaders Award from NC Project Lead. Sidbury is the Academic and Learning Coordinator at D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy.

Hailey Sales ’22 has been awarded the 2023-2024 North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching  (NCCAT) Beginning Teacher Award for Pamlico County. She earned a degree in Special Education from the Watson College and is an EC teacher at Pamlico County Primary School. The news was announced by Pamlico County Schools: Beginning Teacher of the Year Announced.

Leticia Emefa Yawa Akabutoo, a UNCW Fulbright TEA alumna from Agbakope, Ghana, was featured in a LearningPlanet Alliance article about inspiring educators: Inspiring Educators’ Voices 2023: Leticia Emefa Yawa Akabutoo.