September 26, 2024
Department of Elementary and Middle Grades Education Updates (2023-2024)
Pettigrew fosters growth, builds foundations in her elementary classrooms
Growth and learning are pivotal words for East Carolina University alumna Cameron Pettigrew.
“One of my favorite parts about being a first-grade teacher is seeing my students grow and learn new things every day,” she said.
That growth mindset was instilled in Pettigrew while at ECU as an elementary education major, with the help of mentors and professors who encouraged her on her path as a future teacher.
“My time at ECU will always hold a special place in my heart,” she said. “ECU is where I met my very best friends and built relationships with various mentors and professors who shaped me into the person and teacher I am today.”
Some of the valuable skills Pettigrew is utilizing in her classroom include writing effective lesson plans, executing classroom management, and collecting student data. She credits ECU for giving her those skills and having a tremendous impact on her career.
“The classes I took, the internships I was placed in, and the experiences I had came from the people and students I worked with during my time at ECU,” she said. “Jennifer Adams, Julie Stanley, and Angela Novak were some of my favorite professors that I had the chance to learn from, and I am so thankful for their guidance and the knowledge they passed onto me.”
Pettigrew has known that she wanted to be educator since her second-grade Career Day when she dressed up as a teacher. While she didn’t understand all the facets of being a teacher, she was able to take part in a class during her senior year of high school that filled in the gaps and solidified her love of the profession.
“Through my Teacher Cadet class, I worked in a kindergarten classroom, and the impact that made on my life showed me how important teaching and working with children was,” she said. “Since then, I decided to pursue teaching in college, and I am so glad I made that choice! Seeing how children think and digest information, and how they can grow over a period of time is so rewarding and special to be a part of.”
Pettigrew’s dedication to her craft has not gone unnoticed. During the 2022-2023 academic year, she was named one of Nash County’s First Year Teachers of the Year.
“As a first year teacher, I am constantly learning about what it means and what it looks like to be the best teacher I can be,” she said. “Receiving the title of First Year Teacher of the Year solidified that my hard work and love for my job was paying off, and that I am doing what God made me to do.”
Throughout her first year teaching, Pettigrew feels that her behavior management and academic growth with students has continuously improved. She enjoys creating student-centered lessons that focus on what her students want and need to learn, but that also challenge and excite them.
“I’ve seen some students who do not like school open up and participate in lessons to further their learning,” she said.
“I’ve seen the joy and excitement on students’ faces that feel like giving up when things are hard but choose to push through and face challenges head on. It’s so rewarding to experience that on a daily basis and see my students’ confidence grow as they learn.”
When she’s not in the classroom, Pettigrew enjoys spending time with her friends and family, painting and calligraphy. She also loves going out to eat Mexican food and shopping at Target and Hobby Lobby for new things for her classroom.
New graduate certificate offers advanced skills, leadership
Prospective graduate students will have a new certificate option offered by the Department of Elementary Education and Middle Grades Education.
The Teacher Leadership Graduate Certificate is designed to equip teachers with advanced skills and knowledge necessary to assume leadership roles within educational settings. Offering this certificate will assist in addressing leadership needs, supporting teacher growth, fostering collaboration and innovation, advancing education reform and improving teacher retention and satisfaction. It will also ensure that educators have the necessary skills and knowledge to lead effectively within their educational communities.
This certificate fills a crucial need for current teachers who are not interested in pursuing an educational path towards becoming a principal or assistant principal.
East Carolina University will be the only institution of higher learning in North Carolina to offer this certificate.
Club fosters belonging
It’s no secret that positive human connections foster success. For decades, the Elementary Education Club (EEC) at East Carolina University has been an active student-led organization that fosters relationships among students, faculty and the community.
This year the EEC welcomed many guest speakers, including a presentation on wellness and one on professionalism. Members of the club also participated in volunteer activities to support the Ronald McDonald House and Ridgewood Elementary School in Winterville, N.C.
Helping students find a balance between academics and well-being, the club also offers social activities including tote bag painting, mystery dinners, sip and study, and campus scavenger hunts.
Ms. Dawn Shelton, master teaching instructor, serves as the faculty facilitator for the club.
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