August 27, 2024
ECU APSI sees record turnout, new course
This summer’s Advanced Placement Summer Institute at East Carolina University boasted the largest numbers ever for the program. The 277 participants from 11 countries and 29 states constituted a 46% increase in enrollment.
Fourteen courses were offered, including the newest course for the College Board, African American Studies. Jacqueline Stallworth, a high school English teacher in Arlington (Virginia) Public Schools and owner of Stallworth Educational Consulting Team, served as the College Board Consultant for AP African American Studies and AP English Literature and Composition.
“My love of working with teachers to be their very best led me to becoming a consultant,” she said. “When I reach one teacher, I can positively impact the learning of hundreds of children. This simple fact makes this job worth every moment.”
She noted that due to the course’s newness, teachers were excited for the course and ready to learn more about how they could share material with their students.
“My greatest moment during the APSI was hearing teachers laugh and exclaim with joy when they understand that they can successfully teach this rigorous course,” she said.
One of the teachers who took AP African American Studies was ECU education alumna Tarsha McNeil, ’13. For her, the APSI helps to expand her knowledge and improve her teaching abilities.
“Providing both broad viewpoints and in-depth analyses of significant topics and people, the course offered a deep dive into African-American history, literature and culture,” she said. “Working in a collaborative setting with other educators was very beneficial since it allowed for discussions that improved our knowledge and methods of instruction.”
McNeill’s experience exemplifies one of the strengths of programs such as the APSI and other professional development initiatives.
“AP training is some of the greatest development for teachers because there is time built in for teachers to work with other teachers from inside and outside of their districts,” Stallworth said. “Also, they get opportunity to work with a trained consultant on one particular subject where they can look closely at the subject and strategies to teach the class with real-time practice.”
For McNeill, this course taught her the importance of integrating varied viewpoints into her courses.
“In order to give students first-hand information and a range of perspectives, I intend to incorporate additional original sources written by African-American authors and historians,” she said. “In order to make the content more relevant and interesting for students, I will employ the course’s emphasis on the importance of making connections between historical events and current situations.”