Freshman Experience

“A Year of Discovery – An Introduction”

• Freshman Orientation: a half-day conference facilitated by the Forum staff for newly designated recipients and their parents to gain information about the goals and responsibilities of the program
• Fall Semester: weekly seminars focus on survival in college, campus and community resources, time and stress management, and admission to teacher education requirements
• Spring Semester: weekly seminars introduce the various types of public schools within the region (i.e. Regular, Magnet, Alternative, Exceptional, etc.) through visitations including observations at various types of school settings focusing on cultural diversity and technology
• Fall Experiential Learning Experience: an out-of-state travel experience which focuses not only on travel, but also on how to integrate the experience into their classroom
• Field Experience:  Freshmen are required to complete observations in an elementary, middle, and high school during the spring semester
• Leadership Activity: Interview Preparation Workshop for prospective Fellows
• Freshman Retreat: tour of Charlotte or other cultural experience, dinner, and team building activities on the Group Initiatives Course during the first weekend after Labor Day
• DISCOVERY: statewide one-week tour of schools and communities during May which immerses rising sophomores in a range of North Carolina cultures and economies defining schools in the state

Sophomore Experience

“Experiencing the Dream – Diversity in Educational Settings”

• Fall and Spring Semester: weekly seminars include both societal and educational issues dealing with service learning, diversity, and learning styles
• Fall Experiential Learning Experience: an out-of-state travel experience which focuses not only on travel, but also on how to integrate the experience into their classroom
• Field Experience: Sophomore Fellows are assigned a mentor teacher within a local school and are required to participate in an internship which includes clinical experiences within the classroom
• Leadership Activity: Sophomores will attend and participate in a Distinguished Speakers Forum sponsored by the Center for Leadership Development and as well as an educational session sponsored by the Multicultural Resource Center
• Service Learning:  an opportunity to learn through service by volunteering each semester in a school or education based program
• Junior Enrichment: summer activities in which Fellows have the opportunity to travel as a cohort to Europe or may choose from a list of approximately 30 options from a seven-day Outward Bound Course to various camps and study abroad (activities last from one to six weeks)
• Junior Conference: statewide conference for rising juniors during the summer focusing on cultural diversity and creating inclusive teaching environments

Junior Experience

“Leading the Way – Emerging Teacher Leaders”

• Yearlong Study: how to become a leader in your profession
• Fall and Spring Semesters: weekly seminars focus on areas of effective communication, classroom management, lesson planning, and integrating technology
• Fall Experiential Learning Experience: an out-of-state travel experience which focuses not only on travel, but also on how to integrate the experience into their classroom
• Field Experience: Junior Fellows are assigned a mentor teacher within a local school and are required to participate in an internship which includes clinical experiences within the classroom
• Leadership Activity: attend a local school board meeting or city/county government meetings to observe and meet community leaders and attend a Distinguished Speakers Forum sponsored by the Center for Leadership Development
• Service Learning: juniors have the opportunity to experience leadership through service by volunteering each semester with any on or off campus organization of their choice
• Senior Orientation Week: a week-long opportunity for Fellows to experience a school system community and interact with staff having diverse responsibilities
• Senior Conference: statewide conference for rising seniors during the summer focusing on critical educational issues and addressing concerns related to the real world of teaching

Senior Experience

“Catching the Dream – Teaching”

• Yearlong internship and student teaching
• Fall Semester: seminars involve a professional development series of sessions in preparation for the “real world of teaching” (i.e. Expectations for Student Teaching, The First Days of School, Interviewing Tips, School Law, etc.)
• Professional Development: Fellows will have the opportunity to attend a professional conference relevant to their subject area such as the NCCTM (North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics) or NCRA (North Carolina Reading Association)
• Senior Experiential Learning Experience: a three-day trip to Atlanta, GA. to tour and visit the Ron Clark Academy
• Leadership Activity: are responsible for the selection of the recipient of the UNC Charlotte Teaching Fellows Annual Undergraduate Teaching Award
• Annual Recognition Events: Celebration of Teaching (Fall) and Senior Banquet (Spring)