Appalachian GEAR UP has selected ten faculty members from colleges across the region to participate in an inaugural cohort of the Teaching For Community Resilience (TFCR) Program. TFCR is a year-long, theoretical and practical investigation of the intersection between public education and community resilience.
"Probably much sooner than later, our changing climate will reshape the material and social context of public education in WNC. This fellowship engages faculty across the region in reimagining and (re)enacting the role that public higher education can play in how our communities adapt to those coming changes,” said program creator, Dr. Eric Klein.
Participants work individually and together to reimagine how public higher education contributes to the resiliency of WNC communities. Each participant will be designing and implementing a student experience in GEAR UP communities to take place during summer 2022. In fall 2022, participants will be reflecting on and sharing the outcomes of their pedagogical experiences in a small conference-style presentation among participants and others.
The fellowship includes:
Dr. Jennifer Luetkemeyer assistant professor of library science, Department of Leadership & Educational Studies, Appalachian State University
Dr. William Schumann director of the Center for Appalachian Studies, Appalachian State University
Dr. Tracy Smith professor of middle grades education, faculty fellow in the Hubbard Programs for Faculty Excellence and program director of the Appalachian Scholarly Teaching Academy, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Appalachian State University
Sarah Beth Hopton associate professor and internship director, Department of English, Appalachian State University
Dr. Elizabeth Shay associate professor, Department of Geography & Planning, Appalachian State University
Dr. Ashley Carpenter assistant professor of higher education, Appalachian State University
Maureen MacNamara assistant professor, Department of Social Work, Appalachian State University
Dr. Heather Monteiro instructor, Entrepreneurship Instruction, Tri-County Community College
Dr. Matthew Deibler T-Step instructor TEACCH , Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Starr Silvis program advisor, Department Chair Transfer Engineering, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
For Luetkmeyer, being a part of the inaugural cohort has provided opportunities to learn about sustainability and resiliency alongside colleagues across the university and state.
“I love that the fellowship's reach goes beyond the borders of App State and encourages collaboration with other institutions in the High Country as well as with secondary students in the area,” said Luetkmeyer. “The TFCR fellowship program is exactly what we need now as we look forward to a more sustainable future.”
Teaching for Community Resilience
