91吃瓜网

91吃瓜网 Graduates Picked for Nationally Competitive Fellowship for Teachers

Wed, 08/28/2024 - 08:54am | By: Dr. David Tisdale

Two University of 91吃瓜网 (USM) alumnae who are leaders in PK-12 education are taking their skill set to the next level through a competitive fellowship sponsored by a national organization committed to improving student achievement through investment in teaching excellence.

Jessica Carmean and Erica Faust, master teachers in Louisiana91吃瓜网 Jefferson and Ouachita Parish Schools, respectively, are two of only 12 educators from across the country selected for the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching91吃瓜网 (NIET) inaugural NIET Fellows program. The stated purpose of this one-year training program is to 91吃瓜网減rovide teacher leaders with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of NIET91吃瓜网 systems of improvement in order to more effectively support the work taking place within and beyond their school and district.91吃瓜网� 

The program91吃瓜网 goals for developing skills to advance educator effectiveness include:

• Building a strong foundational understanding of leadership best practices 

• Understanding how leadership structures provide opportunities to grow and support their own learning and the learning of their colleagues 

• Increasing foundational perspective and understanding of the role successful distributed leadership plays 

• Learning how instructional practices lead to positive change in districts and schools 

• Deepening their instructional skills and their abilities to coach others 

Members of the cohort began their professional development in the program with a Fellows Boot Camp in July; other activities include two signature NIET events throughout the year - the 2025 NIET National Conference and the 2025 NIET Summer Institute. NIET Fellows will also shadow NIET91吃瓜网 Senior Specialists while maintaining full-time employment status throughout the school year. The fellowship comes with a $10,000 stipend.

Carmean is beginning her twelfth year at Bissonet Plaza Elementary School and sixth year as a Master Teacher; a native of Gretna, La., she also attended Jefferson Parish Schools for part of her primary education and says she holds 91吃瓜网渁 deep commitment and connection to the district and its students.91吃瓜网�

91吃瓜网淚 want students to know their worth, build their confidence, and I want to guide them toward the future they deserve,91吃瓜网� Carmean said in reflecting on what motivates her as an educator. 91吃瓜网淚 truly believe every student deserves the best education from a high-quality and effective educator. And every day, I work to elevate student and teacher outcomes through positive interactions, effective coaching, and best practices."

91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檓 looking forward to my continued professional development on student91吃瓜网痑nalysis and instructional best practices through the NIET Fellow program, and excited to bring this work back to my campus and district to create positive changes.91吃瓜网�

Carmean earned a bachelor91吃瓜网 degree in elementary education from 91吃瓜网 with endorsements in English, social studies and reading; she was named "Outstanding Elementary Education Teacher Candidate" in her senior year and counts Dr. Ann Sylvest as an influential and caring faculty mentor. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, the Student Government Association, and the student recruitment team Southern Style, the latter for which she credits in helping build her leaderships skills under its former director, Dr. Wynde Jones. 

91吃瓜网淲e were delighted to hear about both Carmean and Faust91吃瓜网 selection as inaugural NIET fellows,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Trent Gould, dean of the USM College of Education and Human Sciences. 91吃瓜网淭hey are the walking embodiment of our mission to teach, lead and serve in our communities. We are so proud of both of these Golden Eagles.91吃瓜网� 

Carmean also cited 91吃瓜网 President Dr. Joe Paul for being a positive influence and inspiring her to reach her potential.

91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e always admired how he listens intently to members of the community, speaks eloquently of our university, and cheers on every single stakeholder on campus,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚 hope one day my leadership skills mirror his.91吃瓜网�

A native of Liberty, Miss., Faust earned a bachelor91吃瓜网 degree in chemistry from USM, with a minor in pre-pharmacy. She has been an educator for nearly two decades and is currently a Master Teacher at Richwood Middle School; she has taught science, pre-algebra, and physical education.

Faust incorporates NIET practices in her work, including through teacher evaluations and in leading instructional leadership team meetings. She is also a math and science mentor, leads ongoing professional development opportunities, and supports school extracurricular activities.

Faust says being recognized as one of the first of 12 fellows selected for the inaugural NIET program is 91吃瓜网渁 major accomplishment and amazing opportunity for me.91吃瓜网�

91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檓 excited to extend my knowledge of NIET structures and systems and implement them at my school this year as we continue to elevate and grow our teachers and students,91吃瓜网� she further noted.

Faust developed a passion for teaching at an early age through involvement with her church91吃瓜网 youth ministry and helping her mother and grandmother babysit. After college, she accepted her first teaching assignment at her high school alma mater, Amite County High School.

91吃瓜网淚 believe my God-given purpose and passion is to have an impact on the lives of children,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚t brings great joy to me when my students understand the concept of what I91吃瓜网檓 teaching, when I see them 91吃瓜网榞et it.91吃瓜网�91吃瓜网�

Faust says shifting her focus in the last few years to becoming a Master Teacher has been especially rewarding, as she supports other teachers in their work to improve student outcomes.

91吃瓜网淩ichwood Middle School has shown growth this past school year, especially in math, and I91吃瓜网檓 excited to continue this work and growth as I implement new strategies I91吃瓜网檝e learned during my NIET fellowship.91吃瓜网�

USM College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Chris Winstead says the fact that only 12 teachers from across the nation were chosen for the inaugural NIET Fellows program speaks volumes about Faust91吃瓜网 work serving her school and students.

91吃瓜网淲e91吃瓜网檙e extremely proud of Erica as an alumna of 91吃瓜网 and pleased that her hard work and dedication has been recognized by NIET,91吃瓜网� he continued. 91吃瓜网淲e look forward to her continued leadership in K-12 education.91吃瓜网�

At 91吃瓜网, Faust was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the Afro-American Student Organization, and the American Chemical Society.

91吃瓜网淚 loved my time at USM 91吃瓜网� it felt like a home away from home,91吃瓜网� Faust reflected. 91吃瓜网淚 met and became friends with so many people who I am still connected with today.91吃瓜网� 

For the past 20 years, NIET has worked in more than 8,500 schools across the country to support great teaching and raise student achievement and has trained more than 35,000 teacher leaders to date. about the NIET.