Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1497043
Page 16 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, April 13-April 19, 2023 293 S Broadway St., Forest City 828-245-0434 Monday & Tuesday 8AM-5PM Thursday & Friday 8AM-5PM Sat. 8AM-12PM • Closed Wed. Not Just Oil, Pennzoil FAST FAST FAST FAST WAY WAY WAY WAY LET US DO YOUR DIRTY WORK! KIDS' CORNER BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Rutherford Weekly's publisher and its advertisers are not responsible or liable for misprints, typographical errors, misinforma- tion herein contained. We reserve the right to edit, reject or accept any articles, advertisements, or infor- mation to be printed in this publication. We will provide ad proofs for pre-paid ads or ads that are placed by established clients. No proofs may leave our premises without payment and permission and are copyright by Rutherford Weekly. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. CANCELLATION OR CORRECTION DEADLINE: is the same as the order deadline because much of our cost is involved in the production of the ad itself. If you have to cancel an ad after deadline, it may be necessary to charge for the time and materials we've spent on preparing the ad. Display & Classified Deadline is Tuesday at 3pm. ERRORS: We want your ad to be accurate and correct, and normally there will be no errors. However, should there be an error and it is our fault, we will give you a correction letter and return (and/or give credit) for the actual space occupied by the incorrect information. You should notify us of the error immediately and before the ad runs a second time. COPIES: ONE Free copy of Rutherford Weekly is available per household. Additional copies are available at our office for a $1.00 charge. No individual or business is permitted to place or attach any flyer, poster or any type of advertisement of any kind to our boxes or on our racks. FIRST MEDIA, INC FIRST MEDIA, INC "Creating Business For People" ® Proud Member of: Association of Community Publishers CIRCULATION C O U N C I L VERIFICATION Audit by Circulation Verification Council Display Advertising: Mayra Littman • mayra@cfmedia.info advertising@rutherfordweekly.com advertising@rutherfordweekly.com Editorial & Announcements: events@rutherfordweekly.co events@rutherfordweekly.com For Classified Ads Call 828-248-1408 or email: classifieds@rutherfordweekly.com classifieds@rutherfordweekly.com Creative Designer: Jan B. Cook advertising@rutherfordweekly.com advertising@rutherfordweekly.com Distribution: Tommy Sims • Greg Grimes RUTHERFORD WEEKLY 157 West Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043 Phone 828-248-1408 Visit us online at: rutherfordweekly.com 2400 Oakland Rd, Forest City 828-429-3129 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm NON CLIMATE CONTROL AVAILABLE WELL WELL LIGHTED LIGHTED with with 24/7 24/7 SECURITY SECURITY OFFERING OFFERING BOAT BOAT & CAMPER CAMPER Storage Storage In 2019, Gardner-Webb University's College of Education launched the Teacher Assistant (TA) to Teacher Program in response to meeting the critical teacher shortage in North Carolina. Since then, enrollment in the online degree program in Elementary Education has grown from 71 to 172 students. Several factors contribute to the program's popularity, noted College of Education Dean and Professor Dr. Prince Bull. Offered fully online, the bachelor's program includes a support system for students. In addition to instructors, students have access to mentors, program assessors and other advisors. "Our online program's key components are our customer service, trust, care, retention strategies, and knowledgeable faculty," Bull stated. "The faculty understands andragogy— how to prepare adult learners—for academic success. In addition to ensuring mastery of competencies, we consistently maintain a high pass rate in all licensure exams." Also contributing to the program's growth is the development of partnerships with area school systems. Dr. Lane Wesson, GWU professor of education and coordinator of teacher education, noted, "The College of Education has a strong relationship with Gaston County Schools and has provided an avenue for their current TA and Residency candidates to attend virtual classes in the evenings. We hope to develop similar partnerships with other public-school systems who want to support their TAs and hire them in local schools." Bull shared that Gardner- Webb's program receives high marks from teacher candidates as reported on the North Carolina Department of Instruction's Educator Preparation Program Dashboard. "Gardner-Webb University leads all Education Preparation Programs with 89% candidate satisfaction in the average percentage of teaching tasks for which they were 'well' or 'very well' prepared," he offered, "GWU ranks as the #2 Education Preparation Program in North Carolina in overall employer satisfaction, earning 98% on the percentage of teaching tasks candidates performed as 'well' or 'better than average' fi rst-year teachers (2020-2022)." Two Gardner-Webb students, currently in their student-teaching semester, agree with their peers' assessments. Nicole Childers, who lives in Alexander County has been a TA for nine years, serving in regular, Exceptional Children and alternative settings. Adriene Crego, lives in Shelby and has worked in Cleveland County Schools for more than 10 years—the last six as a TA for Exceptional Children. Childers said from her fi rst day of student teaching, she was prepared for the classroom. "I have been able to take what I have learned and implement it into my student teaching semester," she affi rmed. "I feel that what I have learned throughout my time at Gardner-Webb has really helped and improved the person I have become." Childers also pointed out another advantage of Gardner-Webb's program was instruction on edTPA—a required performance- based assessment that demonstrate a student's readiness for the classroom. "The professors start from day one and give us the knowledge and skills we need to achieve this goal of passing edTPA," observed Childers. "They teach you more and more about the edTPA process in every class." Both Childers and Crego were recently notifi ed that they passed the edTPA on their fi rst submission along with 25 of their classmates. Crego described feeling confi dent as she stepped in front of her fi rst class. "What came to mind was actually everything each professor had said," Crego asserted. "I carried their wisdom with me in my 'Teacher Toolbox.' One of the most memorable pieces of advice given to me was, 'Do not forget to have fun and enjoy the experience.'" In addition to the excellent professors and course material, Crego also appreciated the fl exibility of Gardner-Webb's online program. "One major advantage is the ability to plan my education and educational requirements around my busy lifestyle," she noted. "I am an adult learner with a full-time job as a TA and bus driver, as well as a mom of a child with disabilities. Gardner- Webb made it possible for me to pursue my dream of teaching, as well as maintain my role as an employee and parent." One-Stop Registration: The Gardner-Webb College of Education is hosting a One-Stop Registration event May 6, from 9am to noon at the GWU Charlotte Campus, 8030 Arrowridge Blvd. Candidates will be able to apply free and receive fi nancial aid information. For more information call 704- 406-3030. GWU's Online Degree in Elementary Education Achieves Rapid Growth Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photo Contributed. Teachers Nicole Childers and Adriene Crego.