Here is Goeun Grace Park after successfully defending her Honors Capstone Project. Committee members included Dr. Erik Byker and Dr. Daniel Alston (Fall 2021).
Amori Smith successfully defended. Comittee members included Dr. Kelly Anderson and Dr. Shawnee Wakeman (Fall 2021)
Sarah Roberson (Spring 2018 Honors Cohort)
Education Honors Program ~ 2021-2022 |
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|
Honors Student |
Title of Project and Mentors |
|
Goeun Grace Park |
Practices in Elementary Schools to Reduce Racial Stereotypes that Impact Students' Academic Performance Dr. Erik Byker & Dr. Daniel Alston |
|
Dara Kinkopf |
An Approach to the Gender Gap in STEM Education: Increasing STEM Self-efficacy in Female Students Dr. Hilary Dack and Dr. Lenora Crabtree |
|
Canaan Eident |
The Unintended Social and Emotional Consequences of the Gifted Program on Students Dr. Michael Matthews & Dr. Cindy Gilson |
| Tara Gabriel |
Administrative Leadership Efforts in School-Wide Reform Dr. Adriana Medina & Dr. Anita Blanchard |
| Tracy Griffiths |
Bridging the Gap: Challenges Kindergarten Teachers Face Dr. Ann Mickelson & Dr. Sloan Storie |
| Selebrity Hill |
Technology Integration in Mathematics Classrooms for Gifted Education Dr. Madelyn Williams-Colonnese & Dr. Drew Polly |
| Amori Smith |
Reducing the School-to-Prison Pipeline Dr. Kelly Anderson & Dr. Shawnee Wakeman |
Education Honors Program ~ 2020-2021 |
|
| Honors Student | Title of Project and Mentors |
|
Erin Cheney |
A Study of Section 504 Resources Available to Educators in a Southeastern State Dr. Donna Sacco, Dr. Holly Johnson, & Dr. Michael Matthews |
|
Nicole Cook |
In-Service Elementary Teachers' Beliefs About Scientists Dr. Ian Binns & Dr. Daniel Alston |
|
Faith Frayman |
Practice What They Preach? How Pre-Service Teachers' Self-Efficacy in Using Culturally Relevant Teaching Practices Aligns with Their Perceptions of Diversity Dr. Erin FitzPatrick & Dr. Tehia Starker Glass |
| Lesli Kathman |
Offering Novelty: Summer Enrichment Programs as a Way to Expand Course Options for Gifted Adolescents Dr. Cindy Gilson & Dr. Michael Matthews |
| Logan Mangum |
Autoethnography: Hear My Voice: Advocacy for Change for Students with Dyslexia Dr. Cindy Gilson & Mr. William Jamison |
|
Olymbia Palamaris
|
Culturally Diverse Classroom Libraries and Their Effect on Culturally Inclusive Teaching Dr. Erin Miller & Dr. Jean Vintinner |
| Spencer Reece |
Transition to Adulthood for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Dr. Leslie Bross & Dr. Kelly Anderson |
Education Honors Program ~ 2019-2020 |
|
| Honors Student | Title of Project and Mentors |
|
Zina Abualeinan |
Stakeholders’ Perception of Occupational Therapy for Handwriting at One Specialized School |
|
Calysta Castillo |
The Effect of Personalized Learning on Elementary Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions in Mathematics Mentors: Dr. Polly & Dr. Eisner |
| Anna Corrado |
A Qualitative Study Looking at the Long-Term Impact of Head Start on Adults Mentors: Dr. Rebich & Dr. Coffey |
| Parks Drake |
Conducting Teacher-Led Think Alouds for Modeling Reading Comprehension Mentors: Dr. Polly & Dr. Whittingham |
| Jessica Foster |
Teachers’ Perceptions of Teaching and Assessing Tested and Non-Tested Subjects Mentors: Dr. Polly & Dr. Eisner |
| Hayley McNeill |
An Investigation of Advanced Kindergarten Students' Mathematical Self-efficacy on Single Digit Addition and Subtraction Word Problems Mentors: Dr. Polly & Dr. Alston |
| Natalia Mejia |
Investigating and Comparing Universal Design for Learning in South Africa and the United States Mentors: Dr. Byker & Dr. O’Brien |
Education Honors Program ~ Spring 2018 |
|
|
Honors Students |
Honors Project Title/Mentor |
|
Cameron Brophy |
Factors That Influence Student and Family Perspectives on the Social Interactions of Elementary Aged Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Mentor: Dr. Shawnee Wakeman |
|
Heather Rhodes |
What Challenges Do First Grade Teachers Encounter in Terms of Identifying Young Gifted Children? Mentor: Dr. Michael Matthews |
|
My’Asia Jaaber |
Adolescents’ Perceptions of Incarcerated Parents Mentor: Dr. Erin FitzPatrick |
|
Mykayla Perry |
Presence of Multicultural Children’s Literature in Elementary School Classroom Libraries Mentor: Dr. Erin Miller |
|
Nafis Muhammad |
Why do Men Choose to Become Elementary School Teachers? Mentor: Dr. Erik Byker |
|
Samantha Horne |
Use of Technology in the Elementary Classroom Mentor: Dr. Drew Polly |
|
Sarah Roberson |
Preparation of Special Education Teachers to Teach Communication Skills to Students With Moderate to Severe Disabilities Mentor: Dr. Shawnee Wakeman |
|
Taylor Auble |
Growth Mindset in the Elementary Classroom Mentor: Dr. Daniel Alston |
Education Honors Program ~ 2017-2018 |
|
|
August Howerton |
Technology Usage for Students’ in an Elementary Mathematics Classroom Mentor: Dr. Drew Polly |
|
Emily Hoban |
Writing Into the Day Mentor: Dr. Brian Kissel |
|
Kaytlen Thrift |
Stimulating Their Drive: Motivation in Mathematics of Students from Low Socioeconomic Status Backgrounds Mentor: Dr. Susan Hardin |
EDUCATION HONORS FACULTY
Co-Directors of Education Honors Program
Dr. Amy Good and Dr. Cindy Gilson (2018-present)
Education Honors Committee
Dr. Amy Good, Chair (2016-present)
Dr. Bettie Ray Butler – MDSK
Dr. Cindy Gilson – SPCD
Dr. Madelyn W. Colonnese - REEL
Dr. Rebecca Shore – EDLD
Dr. Matt Eastin (Geography & Earth Sciences)
Past Directors of the Education Honors Program
Dr. Michael Matthews (2010-2015)
Dr. Michael Green (2008-2010)
Program general email, honorseducation@uncc.edu
To view a complete list of all Honors Faculty Members, please click here.
Honors in Education Program: Brief History
by Dr. Michael Green
In the fall of 2006, Dean Mary Lynne Calhoun appointed an ad hoc Honors Task Force. Its members were
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Dr. Michael Green, Chair (Reading & Elementary Education)
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Dr. Janet Baxter (Special Education and Child Development)
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Dr. Misty Cowan-Hathcock (Teaching Fellows)
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Dr. Charles Hutchison (Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education)
The committee was charged with preparing a comprehensive proposal for an Honors in Education Program to be presented to college faculty council early in the spring 2007 semester in order to facilitate passage through the college and the University Honors Council. The proposal was to contain the following minimal components:
- Program goal(s) and expectation(s)
- Departmental representation and faculty governance
- Student admission requirements
- Program requirements
- Elements of continued program improvement
- Faithful adherence to programmatic values of the University Honors Council
A proposal was presented to college faculty in early spring 2007. With minor revisions, the proposal was approved for implementation in the fall 2007 semester. The Honors in Education Program was later approved by the University Honors Council too late for fall 2007 implementation. Fall semester was used to recruit the first class of students to begin in Spring 2008.