Amanda Blakely named first North Carolina Student Teacher of the Year
Amanda Blakely, 2016 ECU Graduate in Birth-Kindergarten, was named the first North Carolina Student Teacher of the Year by North Carolina Association for Colleges and Teacher Educators (NC-ACTE) at their Fall forum on September 21 in Raleigh, NC.
The NC-ACTE is the organization that unites teacher educators in both public and private colleges and universities, staff and faculty in state created initiatives and consortia, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, according to their website. Each member institution in good standing may nominate one candidate for the NC-ACTE Award of the Year, and in 2016. Blakely was that candidate.
The selection committee is made up of NC-ACTE Executive Board members and additional representatives from outside the organization, such as state PTA member, legislator, superintendent, and more.
A few requirements the committee looks for in a candidate are creates a positive, nurturing, respectful environment, embraces diversity in the school community and the world, demonstrates in-depth content knowledge, and is agreeable, friendly cheerful, optimistic, and enthusiastic.
Blakely is currently Student Teaching at Eastern Elementary in Beaufort County. She is also employed at the Nancy Darden Child Development Center at ECU. Her acceptance speech from the reception can be found here: https://youtu.be/cSwN4m9iH1A
We are so proud of you, Amanda!