Methodist University student Epiphany McGirt, an Elementary Education major, works with 4th grader Davin Redcay to practice spelling different multisyllabic words using letter tiles.

Methodist University’s Education Department is on a mission not only to improve the reading skills of children but also to better prepare its own students – many of whom will become teachers – on innovative ways to teach those reading skills to children.

Methodist University’s Education Department is on a mission not only to improve the reading skills of children but also to better prepare its own students – many of whom will become teachers – on innovative ways to teach those reading skills to children.

The department received a huge boost in its hopes to accomplish that goal after receiving a $15,600 award from the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) through the “Science of Reading” grant.

The grant will help accomplish three main objectives: 1.) providing teacher candidates (students majoring in Teacher Education) with real-world experiences and community connections through a Virtual Teaching Lab, 2.) offering teacher candidates with Pearson Test prep materials, and 3.) helping teacher candidates with an award opportunity and professional development experiences.

“We are excited to receive this grant because it provides new opportunities for elementary and special education teacher candidates,” said Dr. Jessica Redcay, MU’s chair of teacher education. “The most exciting aspect of this grant is that our teacher candidates will gain experience teaching virtually. The teacher candidates who graduate from our program will know the theory and research supporting effective teaching practices, but more importantly, they will know how to implement effective teaching practices in-person and virtually.”

The University already has a face-to-face tutoring partnership with Margaret Willis Elementary School that allows teacher candidates to provide reading tutoring to young students after school every week. However, this new grant provides teacher candidates with the technology (Amazon Glows, multisensory materials, microphones, lights, phone stands, sound shields, and more) to host virtual tutoring opportunities during the typical school day.

Through the Virtual Teaching Lab, each teacher candidate will lead 11 half-hour tutoring sessions with K-2nd grade students, teaching phonics, letter and sight-word recognition, and syllable types. The teaching candidates will also collect pre- and post-data about the learners’ interest and understanding of the reading skills.

“When I was a second-grade teacher who had to teach 27 students virtually during the pandemic, I quickly learned that providing teachers with best teaching practices in-person and virtually is essential,” said Redcay.

The grant will even better prepare teacher candidates for the Pearson Test, the teacher licensure and performance assessment that each teacher candidate is required to take prior to teaching in the classroom. Part of the funding will go towards prep courses that will divide the test into 11 different modules, allowing teacher candidates to learn more about what they will be tested on and take practice tests to give them a better understanding of their preparedness.

Lastly, the grant will give the MU Education Department an opportunity to create its first-ever Distinguished Pre-Service Teacher of the Year Award. The department will select one teaching candidate not only to receive the award, but also to attend a professional development experience at the Annual Reading League in Syracuse, N.Y.

“As a student, it is such a great opportunity to receive this grant to improve reading strategies because it allows students to become better equipped with skills that we will take into our future classrooms,” said Ashlynn Elliott, an MU junior who is majoring in Elementary Education.

“I speak for all the students in the Education Department when I say we are so thankful for the grant and all the opportunities that will be provided to us.” —Ashlynn Elliott, Junior, Elementary Education

While Redcay recognizes this grant assists Methodist University greatly, she believes it will ultimately benefit the Fayetteville community.

“Research has consistently demonstrated that we need to do a better job teaching young children to learn to read,” she added. “The best way to increase literacy rates in America is by providing quality Teacher Education programs.  We are helping our teacher candidates learn how to help students read, and they are already making a positive difference by tutoring students in Cumberland County Schools.”

For students interested in the Teacher Education program at Methodist University, now is a great time to join. To find out more, visit the program’s webpage. You may also contact Redcay at jredcay@methodist.edu.


Photo: Methodist University student Epiphany McGirt, an Elementary Education major, works with 4th grader Davin Redcay to practice reading a children’s book.