"Support" is Key to Successful DCS Cohort

Dare County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sue F. Burgess traveled to the campus of EastCarolinaUniversity to attend the commencement ceremony where nine DCS teachers received their Masters Degrees on Friday, December 16, 2005. Seven of the teachers were members of a cohort with ECU and CurrituckCountySchools that enabled teachers to earn advanced degrees in elementary education without leaving their home counties. The cohort was supported by DCS Tuition Assistance program and the Dare Education Foundation's TeacherAcademy. Receiving their MA's as part of the Elementary Education Cohort, here with Burgess (from left): DCS teachers Kristin Gray, Carol Dunn, Laurie Parker, Shannon Sommers, Mary Ann Parks, Allison Rollinson and Lisa Earley on a very big day! PHOTO: Chuck Earley (thanks!)

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By Sharon Sullivan
Posted Friday, January 6, 2006

On the campus of EastCarolinaUniversity in late 2005, seven Dare County Schools teachers formally completed a mission that began almost two years ago. As participants in the first ECU Masters in Early Education Cohort, these seven along with Currituck County Schools peers, embarked on a professional journey that would land them at ECU wearing caps and gowns with diplomas in hand on Friday, December 16: an important date for two other Dare County Schools teachers as well who earned their Masters Degrees individually, outside of this cohort.

To earn an advanced degree while working full time and maintaining family commitments is not an easy venture. With tuition reimbursement from the Dare Education Foundation's TeacherAcademy and DareCountySchools, and with the support of one another, the members of the ECU cohort were able to their goal of securing a Master's Degree in Early Elementary Education.

For years, teachers desiring to further their education found themselves on the road long after a full work day, whether en route to ECU or OldDominionUniversity. Some still do. But with the availability of online courses and financial assistance from DCS and DEF, more teachers feel they have the support to successfully pursue a graduate degree without leaving DareCounty.

EastCarolinaUniversity eagerly stepped up to make that possible with the arrangement of the cohort.

"We're so excited about the opportunities our DareCounty group has had; we feel we've provided a great service and have seen benefits from students and their students already. Our faculty has enjoyed the opportunity to work with this strong group of students, and their colleagues in the Currituck system have added much to the accomplishments of the group as well," said Dr. Patricia Anderson, Professor and Graduate Director of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the College of Education at ECU.

"We were so pleased to recognize our cohort groups as they graduated from ECU in the Fall 2005," continued Anderson. "It was a personal pleasure to join them in celebrating their accomplishments as they marched across the stage at our College of Education graduation ceremony."

CapeHatterasElementary School had the largest contingent of staff completing the program this fall. CHES teachers Laurie Parker, Kristin Gray, Shannon Sommers, Mary Ann Parks earned their degrees as part of the cohort; Media Coordinator Shauna Leggat earned her MA in Library Science. Although Leggat was not a part of the cohort, she did receive tuition reimbursement and support from DCS and DEF, as does any teacher desiring such while pursuing an advanced degree when teaching for Dare County Schools.

FirstFlightHigh School teacher Dawn Edwards earned her Masters Degree in Special Education - Learning Disabilities via a full scholarship at ECU; Edwards agreed to obtain her Assistive Technology Certification while working on her MA and has also committed to teaching for another four years as terms of her scholarship.

Three ManteoElementary School teachers joined the ECU cohort and received their degrees in December: Lisa Earley, Carol Dunn, and Allison Rollinson.

Laurie Parker currently teaches fifth grade at CHES, and has been teaching for five year. After earning a BA in psychology from University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Parker attained her Elementary certification from ElizabethCityStateUniversity in 2001. For Parker, obtaining a graduate degree has always been a professional goal.

"However," said Parker, "I knew that living on Hatteras Island was going to make that difficult due to the Island's remoteness and distance from any universities. When the cohort was offered, I felt like that was about as easy as it was going to get. I was the only one from Hatteras Island to attend the initial meeting in September of 2003. Following that meeting I sent out an email to my colleagues at Cape Hatteras Elementary outlining the program and trying to motivate others to join so I would have some 'study buddies.' That is when Kristin Gray, Mary Ann Parks, and Shannon Sommers joined me. Now as I reflect on the experience, I know that I could not have done it without them because we have supported each other every step of the way."

Kristin Gray teaches second grade at CHES. Gray, a North Carolina Teaching Fellow who received her degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is in her 14th year of teaching. "I had not seriously considered attaining the degree until approached by Laurie Parker after classes had begun. After hearing the details of the cohort from her, I realized what an incredible opportunity we were being given. A Master's degree without leaving DareCounty? That's hard to turn down!

"Prior to enrolling," Gray admitted, "I proposed the endeavor to my family. Everyone supported my proposal and assisted me throughout the two-year period. Without their support this would not have been possible."

National Board Certified Teacher Mary Ann Parks, formerly a fourth grade teacher, is in her second year of teaching Title I at CHES. Parks has taught in DareCounty for 10 years. "My bachelor's degree is from TrinityCollege in Washington, DC. When I got my degree I promised myself I would get my Masters, but we moved to Hatteras Island and the distance was so far. When the cohort came along it seemed like the perfect opportunity."

Shannon Sommers teaches kindergarten at CHES. Professional development and the increase in pay were the primary incentives for pursuing a Master's degree for Sommers. In her fourth year of teaching, Sommers obtained her degree in Social Work and an elementary certification from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

ManteoElementary School teacher Lisa Earley teaches second grade and has taught second graders at MES for seven years. "I graduated from ElizabethCityStateUniversity with degree in Education and decided to get my masters in Elementary Education because I absolutely love to learn new things.

"Also, as my kids get older I want them to see how much I value education and the importance of college," said Earley. "Hopefully they are learning good habits from me!"

Manteo Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Carol Dunn earned her Masters degree as a cohort member, too. Dunn teaches fifth grade at MES. "I chose to attain my Master's degree to become a better teacher, and discover a variety of ways to reach my students." Dunn is in her sixth year of teaching, all at MES.

ManteoElementary School fourth grade teacher Allison Rollinson identifies herself as a "lifelong learner." To prove it, she attained National Board Certification in 2000, just five years after earning her teaching certificate from ElizabethCityStateUniversity in 1995. "I wanted continue on this path by pursuing my master degree. I am always looking for better ways to enhance the learning of my students. Also, this gave me another opportunity to continue on the steps towards my life long goal of pursuing my doctorate and teaching future teachers."

For most educators, finding "extra dollars" can be as challenging as finding time to pursue advanced degrees, but with the tuition assistance offered by DareCountySchools and the Dare Education Foundation's TeacherAcademy program, finding the money to attend school is one concern DCS teachers do not have.

An arm of the Dare County Education Foundation, the TeacherAcademy works in partnership with the school system to encourage and support teachers. "We are pleased that this joint effort between DEF and DCS has produced results for staff and students! We share our congratulations and pride in these graduates with our members and donors," said Bill Pfeifer, DEF Teacher Academy Chair. "Together, with Dare County Schools, the Dare Education Foundation is making a difference in the educational experience of our children."

Superintendent Burgess expressed excitement over the teachers' accomplishments. "It was wonderful to see this cohort group graduate," said Burgess, who was waiting at the end of the stage to shake the graduates' hands in Greenville on December 16. "I am so glad we could bring this opportunity to our teachers." Burgess noted that two other cohort groups are pursuing degrees in administration and special education. "We look forward to more partnerships with EastCarolinaUniversity and the Dare Education Foundation to benefit our staff and students."