WCE Students and Alum Present at NCSTA
Courtesy: Dennis Kubasko/UNCW
In November, WCE Professor Amy Taylor and Associate Professor Dennis Kubasko presented at the North Carolina Science Teachers Association Professional Development Institute in Winston Salem along with Kaitlyn Higgins ’24M and five students enrolled in secondary and middle grades education programs at the Watson College.
Their presentation was titled “Embracing the New Standards in the Outdoors: Transforming Teaching Beyond the Classroom Walls.” During the presentation, the team shared various approaches to outdoor education including unique challenges, best practices and considerations. They provided sample lessons tailored for outdoor learning and encouraged participants to transform one of their indoor lessons into an engaging outdoor activity.
“Working with Dennis Kubasko to guide our students in presenting at a science teacher conference is incredibly fulfilling,” Taylor said. “And, seeing a former student—now a teacher—join us as a presenter brings the experience full circle in the most rewarding way.”
Kaitlyn Higgins, lead author of the presentation, holds a degree in environmental science from NC State, and a dual masters in environmental sciences and middle grades education from UNCW. She is a first year earth/environmental science and biology teacher at North Brunswick High School.
WCE secondary education MAT students Lexi Bainbridge, Gabbi Eppright, Mabel Neemes and Maggie West, and Skylar Bagley, an undergraduate student enrolled in WCE’s middle grades science education program also participated in the presentation.
Taylor also presented with Gabrielle Reisner at the NCSTA Institute. Reisner is a biology teacher at SEA-Tech High school and a participant in the current cohort of the PDS Master Teacher Initiative sponsored by the Professional Development System in the Watson College of Education. Taylor is collaborating with Reisner to help her create professional development for other biology teachers to assist with the transition to the new NC Science Standards. The title of their presentation was "Adapt and Experiment: Teaching Biology Using the New Standards.”
About WCE’s Secondary Education Programs
WCE’s offers four secondary education programs for individuals who would like to teach at the high school level: Secondary Education Licensure, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education, a bachelor's to MAT program and a fully online residency licensure program. There are four licensure areas (science, social studies, English or math) and programs are offered in a cohort model to provide a strong community of support for future teachers.
For more information visit the Secondary Education programs website.
About WCE’s Middle Grades Education Programs
WCE’s middle grades programs are designed for students who would like to teach language arts, math, science and/or social studies in grades 6-9. The College offers an undergraduate degree program and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Middle Grades Education. A dual MS/MAT degree program is also offered in partnership with the College of Science and Engineering's Department of Environmental Sciences. For more information, visit the program websites:
This article has the following tags: Students & Alumni Watson College of Education Accomplishments