University of North Carolina at Wilmington

The Teaching Fellows Program at UNCW includes several distinct elements that provide our students with a number of advantages. Our program accepts forty-five students per class, and we offer a very individualized program. We are a close group and the word “family” describes the kind of community feeling we provide. The attention, counseling, and close relationships established between students and faculty have proven to be an outstanding feature of our program. The University is a thriving academic community where a low student-faculty ratio lends itself to a unique learning environment for both pupil and teacher. To complement our academic foundations, all Fellows participate in seminars based on an inquiry approach to learning and a comprehensive exposure to the teaching career. Freshmen have the opportunity to become tutors and mentors to middle and high school students, examine tutoring theories and practices, and become knowledgeable about the surrounding community; while Sophomores participate in a year-long internship with a teacher in their chosen subject or grade level. Sophomores also have the unique opportunity to participate in combined seminars with Juniors that focus on: diversity in schools and the community; understanding our global society and bring it into the classroom; spotlights exemplary teachers; examine and facilitate various educational theories and practices; and explore technology in a new light. Seniors seminar focuses on professional development and their role as school leaders in addition to receiving extra insight into their upcoming student internship experience. Each year over 50 speakers from the field of education share their expertise with Fellows.

Teaching Fellows play an integral role in the program development aspect for both the Fellows activities and the Watson School of Education. They serve on advisory boards and committees – always bringing their unique insights to whatever they do. Students have a high degree of ownership of the Fellows program and continually help to design and implement traditions for years to come.

The School of Education at UNCW offers programs of study leading to BA degrees in early childhood (birth-kindergarten), elementary education, middle grades education and special education (general, adaptive tracks), and programs leading to secondary (9-12: Math, Sciences, Social Studies, English) and special subjects (K-12: French, Spanish, Music, PE) teacher licensure.

There are many other unique aspects to the UNCW experience. With one of the nation’s leading programs in Marine Biology, UNCW is especially attractive to science education majors. There is a strong University-wide focus on leadership and volunteerism and Fellows are often the pioneers in these activities. The School of Education building is a state-of-the art facility and new initiatives are in place for meeting the technological needs of education in the 21st century. UNCW and the Teaching Fellows Program offer a rare opportunity to blend academic aspirations with social activities and service to others. Its coastal location enhances these possibilities as no other campus can!

To learn more, please visit the UNCW Teaching Fellows website at: www.uncw.edu/tfellows