Research Speaks Conference - October 30
Join UNCW’s Watson College of Education for the 2025 Research Speaks Conference, a celebration of the innovative research taking place across...
Watson Student & Alumni News
Recent Posts
New Certificate in AI and Emerging Tech
UNCW’s Watson College has launched a 12-credit online graduate certificate to help professionals harness AI and other disruptive technologies...
Upcoming Events
Each semester the Watson College hosts Preview Day and Future Teacher events for prospective students interested in a teaching career. Conferences,...
Sophia Foster
Sophia Foster is Pender County Schools’ Beginning Teacher of the Year. Ms. Foster is enrolled in WCE’s MAT program. She teaches at...
D.C. Virgo's Positivity Project
The Positivity Project is making an impact at D.C. Virgo! We are pleased to share a story written by fifth grade teacher Colette Fraley that shows...
Ashton Allgood-Batten ’11M
Ashton Allgood-Batten ’11M has received the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (SMT) Center’s 2025...
Bethany Meighen ’15 Ed.D.
Bethany Meighen ’15 Ed.D. has been selected to serve as the 13th President at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia. She will begin her...
WCE Alums Named NHCS Educators of the Year
Desiree Traylor ’14 is New Hanover County Schools’ Elementary Educator of the Year, Benjamin Lord ’22M is Middle School and...
Congratulations to May Graduates
In May, the Watson College of Education celebrated the achievements of our most recent graduates!
Maggie West '24
Maggie West graduated from UNCW in May 2024 with a BA in Biology and is currently pursuing her MAT in Secondary Education from the Watson College....
WCE Celebrates Master Teachers
Members of the 2022-2025 cohort of PDS Master Teachers were recognized at the PDS Partnership Teacher Celebration on May 1.
UNCW Wins Esports Championship
The UNCW Esports Valorant Team won the NECC Division IV Championship on April 7, their second championship this academic year!
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.
Kylei Ward '25
Kylei Ward ’25, recipient of a spring 2025 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship, is completing her internship at Belville Elementary School. Kylei...
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...
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...
Ruth Markezich '25
Ruth Markezich ’25 has received a spring 2025 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship award. Ruth is completing an internship at Newport Elementary...
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...
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...
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.
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...
Madison Mobley '25
Madison Mobley ’25 has received a spring 2025 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship award. Madison is completing an internship at Murrayville...
Join Us for High School Teaching Information Sessions
On Feb 26 and March 13, UNCW’s Watson College will host information sessions for students interested in exploring a career as a high school...
Hannah Moon Named SE Region Teacher of the Year
Hannah Moon ’08M has been named the Southeast Region Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Moon teaches English at Laney High School.
Kevin Ojaniit Named NCCAT BTOY Finalist
Kevin Ojaniit ’23 has been named a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2025 Burroughs Wellcome...
Congratulations to December 2024 Graduates
In December, the Watson College of Education celebrated the achievements of our most recent graduates including students who earned undergraduate...
Jenny Root Receives PECASE Award
Jenny Root ’10 of Florida State University has been selected as one of about 400 scientists and engineers to receive the Presidential Early...
UNCW Wins Esports Conference Championship
The UNCW Valorant Team clinched the National Esports Collegiate Conference Division V championship on Dec 4 with a finals win over the University...
Natalie Tidler '24M
We are pleased to announce that Natalie Tidler ’24M is a fall 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship recipient. Natalie will graduate in December...
Ashley Swisher-Arnold '24
The Watson College is pleased to announce that Ashley Swisher-Arnold ’24 has received a fall 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship. Ashley will...
KDP Welcomes 39 New Members
In October, 39 Watson College of Education students were initiated into Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society that recognizes and supports...
Chad Lewis and Madeline Lewis '24
Chad Lewis is a Sergeant with UNCW Police Department. His daughter Madeline (Maddie) will graduate in December with a degree in elementary...
Chris Garner '96, '05M and Jenelle Garner '28
Chris Garner ’96, ’05M is a WCE partnership teacher at Hoggard High School, where he has taught social studies for the past 24 years....
WCE Students and Alum Present at NCSTA
In November, five students and one alumna from Watson’s secondary and middle grades education programs co-presented with Amy Taylor and...
Jay Flowers '90 and Olivia Flowers '25
Jay Flowers ’90 is an English teacher at Topsail High School and a longstanding WCE partnership teacher. His daughter Olivia is now an...
$300,000 Kenan Trust Award will support TAs to Teachers
The Watson College of Education has been awarded $300,000 from the Kenan Trust to support Teaching Assistants transitioning to fully licensed...
Teachers Create Joy in Teaching Network
Jeremy Buie, Jessica Harvey ’12M, Sydney Hoover ’24, Kylee Maarschalk, Matt Taylor ’24M and Nicole Turner ’24M - with...
Upcoming Events
Each semester the Watson College hosts Preview Days and Future Teacher events for prospective students interested in a teaching career....
Lucas McLawhorn Featured in Documentary Film
Lucas McLawhorn ’01 is passionate about helping people – especially kids – empower themselves to live healthier lives. A new...
More than 100 Students Attend Future Teacher Conference
More than 100 students from eight area schools participated in the first Fall 2024 Future Teacher Conference, held September 20 at UNCW’s...
SpEd and TPYA Students Create Ability Garden at Watson
In September, students in Watson’s Special Education program partnered with students in the NHCS Transition Wo(rks! program and staff of the...
Taura Simmons It Begins with Teachers
Taura Simmons ’23M began her career in financial services, but found her passion as a teacher and student mentor. The Watson College is...
Amy Blessing Receives Roy E. Harkin Award
Amy Blessing, PDS partnership teacher and kindergarten teacher at Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, is the recipient of the spring 2024 Roy E....
Nicole Adam Recognized at UNCW Commencement
UNCW Chancellor Aswani Volety recognized the accomplishments of Nicole Adam ’24 at the WCE/CSB commencement ceremony on May 11. Nicole...
WCE Alums Named NHCS Educators of the Year
Latasha Howard-Mott ’11 is New Hanover County Schools’ Middle School Educator of the Year, Hannah Moon ’08M is High School and...
Madi Sutton Receives Grace Burton Award
Madi Sutton ’24 is the recipient of the Grace M. Burton Promise of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Teaching Award. Madi...
Anika Mazurkiewicz Shares Her Experiences at WCE
Anika Mazurkiewicz recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Münster in Germany. She spent a...
Zoey Willis Honored with Hoggard Medal for Achievement
Zoey Willis ’24 has received UNCW’s Hoggard Medal for Achievement. Zoey graduated in May with a degree in the Education of Young...
Katie Riley Recognized as Exemplary Intern
Katie Riley ’24 is the recipient of the Exemplary Intern Award for an intern in an undergraduate degree program. Katie earned her...
Savannah Everhart Receives Exemplary Intern Award for MAT
Savannah Everhart ’24M is the recipient of the Exemplary Intern Award for an intern in a Master of Arts in Teaching graduate...
Madison Reid, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Madison Reid, Elementary Education, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Megan Brown, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Megan Brown, Elementary Education, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
IBEC Wins NHCS Battle of the Books
Congratulations to the Battle of the Books team at Isaac Bear Early College High School! The IBEC team won the high school division of the New...
Rilee Seering, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Rilee Seering, MAT in Elementary Education, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Savannah Everhart, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Savannah Everhart , MAT in Elementary Education, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Wilmington Regional SeaPerch Competition
Middle and high school students from New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties participated in the 2024 Regional SeaPerch Competition hosted by...
Taylor Stanley, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
Taylor Stanley, MAT in Secondary Education, Spring 2024 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Recipient
STEM SENC Supports STEM Youth Congress
With support from STEM SENC, eight students from Southeastern North Carolina participated in the 2024 Changemakers in STEM Youth Congress, held...
Wilmington Regional Science Olympiad
More than 800 middle school and high school students participated in the 2024 Wilmington Regional Science Olympiad hosted by WCE’s CESTEM on...
Southeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair
CESTEM hosted the Southeast Regional Science and Engineering Fair on February 10. The event provides an opportunity for third-to 12th-grade...
Kimberly Walrod Receives STEM Educator Award
Kimberly Walrod ’23 has received the STEM/STEAM Educator of the Year Award from Bell Fork Elementary School in Jacksonville, NC.
Spring 2024 Future Teacher Conference
More than 125 students from 15 area schools participated in the Spring 2024 Future Teacher Conference, held March 15 at UNCW’s Watson College...
Congratulations to December 2023 Graduates
In December, the Watson College of Education celebrated the achievements of our most recent graduates!
WCE Alumni Named NCCAT BTOY Finalists
Madison Ayers ’22 and Katie Adams ’22 are finalists the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2024 Empower NC...
New "It Begins with Teachers" Videos
The Watson College is pleased to share new “It Begins with Teachers” videos featuring students enrolled in WCE elementary education and...
Isabel Garcia Named National STEM Champion
Isaac Bear sophomore Isabel Garcia has been named a National STEM Champion. She also took top honors at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair,...
Devin Pierce is NHCS 2024 Rookie of the Year
Devin Pierce ’21, a third-year special education teacher at the International School at Gregory has been named New Hanover County...
Taura Simmons Alumni Profile
Taura Simmons ’23M graduated in December with an M.Ed. in ESL, Reading Specialist add-on licensure and National Board Certification. She...
Mark Mormando, Secondary MAT
An article written by Secondary MAT student Mark Mormando titled “Using AI to make the most of teachers’ planning periods” was...
MarineQuest
Discover your passion for marine science at MarineQuest! Registration for 2024 summer programs is open. Instructors are needed too!
Junior Seahawk Academy
Junior Seahawk Academy, a summer enrichment program for middle-grades students, will offer two one-week sessions in Summer 2024. Registration is open!
Hattie Strong Scholarships are Announced
The Watson College of Education is pleased to announce that Abby Corbett and Carly Mounts have received fall 2024 Hattie M. Strong scholarship awards.
WCE Hosts Future Teacher Conference
The Watson College was pleased to welcome 124 students from 15 area schools to the fall 2023 Future Teacher Conference. FTC events give prospective...
Secondary Program Builds Student Alum Connections
Scoville Stewart ’19M, Jessica Harvey ’12M and Brook Faulkner ’20M recently participated in an open forum with WCE Secondary MAT...
Victoria Spagnoli Now School Principal in Japan
Victoria Spagnoli ’14M, ’22Ed.D. is pursuing her passion for travel and education as principal of the Niseko campus of Hokkaido...
WCE Alums Featured in Girl Rising Newsletter
Paige Antonelli ’23M and Golda Farrell Strelecki ’15M are featured as Girl Rising Educator Spotlights in the September issue of the...
Watson College Recognitions
Christine Liao received the Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award. Amy Moody was a guest on WHQR’s Coastline. WCE recently announced...