Education Grads Are Ready to Teach
Guests filled Kuhne Auditorium in Neville Hall to watch the induction of 14 graduating education majors into the teaching profession. The ceremony took place on Friday, May 11 at 4 p.m.
PC President Bob Staton began the ceremony by praising the graduating seniors for the work they’re assuming as teachers.
“Today you are going to take an oath that affirms your obligations and responsibilities as a teacher to your students and our schools,” Staton said. “The profession you are entering is vital to the future of our children and in turn the world.
“You are assuming responsibility for inspiring, through learning and the example you set, the lives of our children who will be our future leaders. I applaud you for accepting this high calling.”
“You have picked the best career”
Kerry Gambrell, the 2017-2018 Laurens District 55 Teacher of the Year, gave PC’s future teachers words of encouragement during the event.
“You have picked the best career to go into,” she said. “Teaching is the profession that teaches all other professions.”
Gambrell relied on five years of teaching at E.B. Morse Elementary School in Laurens to pass along tips to the future educators. She said it’s very important that teachers build relationships with their students.
“Students want to know that we teachers care about them,” Gambrell said. “Yes, we need to care about their academics, but we have to show them we also care about their lives.”
Gambrell told the graduating seniors to be advocates for the teaching profession and to make sure they allow time for themselves. Encouraging students is also very critical.
“We as educators can have a powerful influence on our students by helping them feel confident and proud of themselves and their accomplishments,” Gambrell said. “It is imperative that students are exposed to educators who are a positive influence.”
The Majors Take the Oath
Dr. Julia Wilkins, assistant professor of education, led the recitation of the Oath for Graduating Educators. The 2018 education graduates inducted as teachers during the ceremony include:
- Bailey Coble, of Batesburg, S.C.
- Julianne Cooper, of Pauline, S.C.
- Danielle Dohmeier, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
- Claire Doolittle, of Pomaria, S.C.
- Victoria Fleck, of Laurens, S.C.
- Brook Fortner, of Columbia, S.C.
- Timothy Hartshorn, of Cumming, Ga.
- Frank Keller, Wilmington, N.C.
- Cassie Kemmerlin, of Varnville, S.C.
- Caroline Moore, of Chapin, S.C.
- Brittany Nuttall, of Roswell, Ga.
- Lindsay Rivers, of Simpsonville, S.C.
- Lauren Schaaf, of Ellicott City, Md.
- Annie Willets, of Camden, S.C.
Visit the Education Department pages to learn more about the teacher education program at PC.