# data[].attributes.body
Professional:

I am sort of a Junior. I kinda just meet in the middle in saying that because, it is my second year here, but I have senior credits, because I went to an Early College High School back in Concord (right outside of Charlotte). This means I graduate with all m gen-ed completed and an Associates of Arts as well as my high school diploma. I am an Elementary Education major with a concentration in diversity studies, but I’m applying for the 4+1 accelerated masters program in the RCOE this semester. I want to apply for the middle grades program, I am deciding between English and Social Studies as my concentration for my masters. I am also a Teacher Ambassador for the College of Ed. I also am a member of Kappa Delta Pi. Which isn’t a sorority it’s also a college of ed thing.

Personal:

I really did not want to be a teacher until it sort of found me my first year here when I gave it a chance after much encouragement. I love going to live music or comedy shows. Or really trying anything new. I hate the heat, even though I love being at the beach. I have boyfriend of two years who I met for the first time in middle school. We got a cat this summer and he is the cutest thing in the world (not even exaggerating)… He’s also around fourteen pounds… I’m terrible about binging shows on Netflix or HBO. Inclusion for all and staying informed and politically engaged are hugely important to me. Portofino’s is probably my favorite place in Boone.

Peculiar:

This isn’t very special but although I was born and raised here in NC I did not eat grits or a lot of other “southern” food till very old ages  because my whole family is from up north.

# data[].attributes.body
Sophomore
Chemistry Secondary Ed

Professional: I graduated from North Lenoir High School in 2013 and got my Associates Degree in 2016. I want to get my Master's degree in Chemistry and eventually be able to teach middle school somewhere in North Carolina.

Personal: I love music to the point where I am pretty much an audiophile. And I have an intense assortment of headphones and music that I like to switch and keep updated on the regular.

Peculiar: I'm a severe Otaku which means I love Manga and Anime to the point where I can become completely consumed by it.

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Chemistry Secondary Ed

Professional:
I graduated from Lincoln Charter high school in 2012.  It's located about 30 minutes North of Charlotte near Lake Norman. My junior year I bet my history teacher I could teach the class for 2 weeks and the test average would be higher than when she taught and it was.

Personal:
I've played sports all my life. My favorites are lacrosse, diving, wrestling, bouldering, and ultimate Frisbee.  A lot of my friends think I ask to get hurt doing the dumb things I do but I like to think I'm living on the edge.  I like to climb random things and jump off of them or sometimes I'll randomly throw a backflip somewhere or off of something to catch people off guard.

Peculiar:
Normally you can catch me wearing something tie-dye and listening to reggae. I've had 5 or maybe 6 concussions.  When I eat, I like to mix everything I'm eating and eat it all mashed up.

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Special Education

Professional: I graduated from Mount Vernon Presbyterian school in Atlanta, Georgia. My junior year I interned in a classroom with 4 and 5 year olds with learning disabilities, but wasn't able to do it senior year as well, due to conflicting schedules.

Personal: My dog is my life, so is pizza, and so is travelling. My dog, Simon, is a papillon/king charles mix and is the light of my life. He makes me happy as soon as he walks into the room.
My dad is a pizza geek, and has transferred part of his geek onto me. We have a wood fired pizza oven in our back yard and my dad and I even make our own dough and sauce for our pizzas.
Travel has always been a big part of my life. I lived in England for six years when I was younger, and was able to travel to a lot of places in Europe because of it. I'm hoping I can do my student teaching abroad because  I really miss all the travelling.

Peculiar: I have been to 14 different countries including the US.

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Communications but looking to switch to Middle Grades Education.

Professional: I graduated from West Muskingum High School in Zanesville, OH... but I don't believe anyone will know where that is. During high school, I was involved in our local Community Youth Foundation, which focused on encouraging the counties youth to become involved in their community. I was also actively involved in Future Business Leaders of America, which focused on providing students with the experience they need to be familiar with professional settings.

Personal: During Christmas break, I had the opportunity to visit Europe with my freshman seminar class. We were able to visit various cities in Belgium and the Netherlands. My favorite place was Amsterdam, because of the Anne Frank Museum and, most excitingly, going to various spots that The Fault in Our Stars was filmed! After this trip, I realized that I need to follow my dreams rather than choosing my major based on opinions that shouldn't sway my life choices. I hope to spend summers teaching English abroad by getting my certificate to do so!

Peculiar: I love to ride horses, read, sometimes dabble in painting, and have dedicated this year to bettering myself!

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Elementary Education

Professional: I graduated from Watuaga High School in Boone NC. My Senior year I took a class at CCC&TI on Early Childhood Education. I was the Band Librarian at Watauga for my Junior and Senior year. My Senior year I won the Band Director award and the national John Phillip Sousa award for superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty, and cooperation.

Personal: I love band and it was a huge part of my life growing up. But the only reason I really loved it was for the teaching aspects of it. I was section leader in marching, jazz and symphonic band for my last 3 years of school. I really enjoyed to help everyone learn about their instruments and how to play them.

Peculiar:  I love the Roller derby I just started playing last fall. It is a really great community to be in and I love to be apart of it

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Elementary Education

Professional: I graduated from Central Davidson High. My junior year I interned in a fourth grade class and during the summer I went to Indonesia and worked with kids for 3 weeks. My senior year I interned in a sixth grade class to test the middle school waters. The second half of the year I also interned with a reading teacher at an elementary school.

Personal: Going to Indonesia was my first time out of the country, and definitely one of the more exciting things I've done. Traveling is something I want to always have a part of my life, and I've considered going into the Peace Corp after college. I feel like this is rather typical to claim, but I really enjoy community service or just anything involving helping out somebody else, which is probably the majority of the reason I'm going for teaching. That, and I despise rude teachers, so I plan to be a better one!

Peculiar: I can twitch my nose like the witch off of Bewitched (the TV show). I can also flip my eyelids up! I am the only child of folks that are in their late 50's, so I have come to love old TV shows, black and white movies, old music, reading, playing card games, and waking up early.

# data[].attributes.body
Junior
Elementary Education Major

Professional: I graduated from Caldwell Early College in May 2016. Because it was an early college, I graduated with a high school diploma and an Associates of Arts and an Associates of Science. I am majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math, Science, and Technology. After I teach for a few years, I would love to get a Master's degree, probably in Curriculum & Instruction.

Personal: I have always been very involved with my church youth group, and through that was able to go on 5 mission trips during my time in high school.  Two of them were out of the country, to Puerto Rico and Costa Rica!

Peculiar: My favorite dessert of all time is ice cream! Although I never did sports in school, I did take dance class for 10 years. My favorite is pointe!

# data[].attributes.body
Sophomore
Secondary Career and Technical Education Major

Professional: I graduated from Chase High School in June 2015. I went to Gardner-Webb University for one year and I transferred to App Fall 2016. I am a sophomore planning to major in Secondary Career and Technical Education with a concentration in Family and Consumer Sciences. I took several CTE classes throughout high school and my teachers inspired me to pursue this degree.

Personal: Since I was 6 years old, I have been a cheerleader. I was named captain my 7th and 8th grade year in middle school and I was captain my senior year of high school. I was only on Junior Varsity my freshman year and I was on Varsity the remainder of my high school career. I would cheer in college, but I cannot tumble at all. I enjoy shopping, spending time with family and friends, napping, watching Netflix, and being outdoors.

Peculiar: I am a natural red head and I hear all kinds of jokes about it, but I love my hair color because it makes me unique! I love to pop my back while sitting in a chair haha. I also am addicted to cheese. I LOVE cheese! It is always my go to snack.

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Elementary Education

Professional: I graduated in June 2016 with honors from Mooresville Senior High School in Mooresville, NC. While at Mooresville HS, I was an intern in a first grade classroom, volunteered with autistic children, and helped implement the new 1:1 laptop plan in my district.

Personal: 2017 is my seventh year living in North Carolina. I am originally from Wooster, OH. My family and I moved to North Carolina for my Dad's job in 2010. I played basketball for twelve years and "retired" after my senior basketball season. My love for basketball influence my love for fitness. I love working out and anything that has to do with fitness in general! I also love crafts, dogs, and finding classroom ideas on Pinterest!

Peculiar: They say that twins always skip a generation, but they sure don't in my family! My mom is a twin, I have twin cousins (on my Dad's side), and I am a twin (and I would love to have my own set of twins too!)

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Elementary Education Major

Professional: I graduated from North Buncombe High School which is located about 15 minutes north of Asheville. As a senior I participated in an internship within a first grade classroom. During my internship I worked with students on developing literacy skills. Although I have been around small children for most of my life, my internship ultimately led me to pursuing a degree in education.

Personal: I began playing flute at the age of ten. Music has brought a lot of opportunities into my life, such as traveling to Hawaii with my high school band for the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in 2014. I also participated in both school and club volleyball for 6 years. I have a little brother who is in kindergarten. I enjoying parkway rides, watching Netflix, and going on adventures with my friends.

Peculiar: I was born in Florida and moved to the Asheville area 13 years ago. Also, my 3 best friends at home all live within 2 miles of my house.

# data[].attributes.body
Freshman
Elementary Eduction Major

Proffesional:
I have been all around the country, so I have been to multiple elementary and middle schools. However, I moved to Wake Forest, NC and received high school education at Heritage High. I participated in a program called PEPI (Physical Education Pupil Instructor) where I taught elementary kids and special ed fun PE games during their recess time. I think this program is what made me want to be with children throughout my life and that is why I am in the education field now.

Personal: Ever since fifth grade I played volleyball and participated in club tournaments across the country. However, senior year of my high school I stopped because I was worn out from it. I enjoy writing and reading and watching netflix. I am also part of Sigma Kappa here at APP.

Peculiar:
I lived in New York twice, Missouri twice, Arizona, and here in NC. @Kaitlyn I also pop my hips too!! I also like to crack peoples thumb. Oh, my friends think I am so odd because I like to eat dill pickles sand peanut butter.

# data[].attributes.body
Junior; Adapted Special Education Major

Professional: I graduated from Alexander Central HS in 2014. I went to Catawba Valley CC for 2 years and got my Associate in Art's Degree. I just transferred to APP this past fall. I am a junior and I am planning to major in Adapted Special Education K-12 and I plan on doing the 4+1 program as well to get my Masters in Special Education.

Personal: I started dating my boyfriend in 9th grade  5.5 years ago. He goes to Mars Hill University 30 minutes past Asheville. I am an only child. And I am currently people watching and questioning why people eat the way they do.

Peculiar: I like to pop my hips (my friends think its weird.) And my tongue shakes when I stick it out.  I also worked at a all girls summer camp the past two summers!

# data[].attributes.body
Assistant Director

James Center for Appalachian Educators

Professional-I have been in education for 12 years in grades K-6 and as a curriculum coach. I am a former Appalachian State Teaching Fellows and received my BS degree in elementary education and  my Master of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction Specialist.

Personal-My almost 4-year old daughter, Emma Reese, keeps me on my toes with her curiosity and energy. We love puzzles, Disney Princesses, and books.

Peculiar-I have lived in all 3 regions of the state, recently moving from Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks.