From left: James McManus, Jennifer Bucciarelli, Dr. Stephenie Hewett and Congressman Joe Wilson

Zucker Family School of Education: Getting engaged in national education policy making

Zucker Family School of Education graduates, dean and professor spend a "Day on the “Hill”

 A group of educators from The Citadel’s Zucker Family School of Education is more knowledgeable about the U.S. educational policy making process after a recent trip to Washington, D.C. Two members of The Citadel Class of 2016, James McManus (Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education) and Jennifer Clark Bucciarelli (Masters of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics Education), were part of a larger South Carolina delegation participating in a “Day on the Hill,” sponsored by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). The two students, who are also teachers, learned about educational policy from Washington experts and participated in visits to the offices of South Carolina’s members of Congress. AACTE holds the event annually to assist teacher education faculty and students who wish to become involved in educational policy creation.

The Dean of the Zucker Family School of Education, Larry G. Daniel, and Citadel Professor Stephenie Hewett also attended the D.C. event. 

"AACTE’s a 'Day on the Hill' is a premier event within the profession of teacher education. It builds camaraderie among teacher educators, education students, and individuals involved in the making and interpretation of educational policy,” said Daniel, who has attended the last 12 years. “I am pleased we can help our faculty and students in education learn about the importance of their involvement in the democratic process.”

The four-member team from The Citadel was joined by representatives from Benedict College, South Carolina State University, and University of South Carolina Aiken, forming one of the largest state delegations participating in the event. Representatives from 31 other states also took part. 

Following a day of orientation, McManus and Bucciarelli made visits to the offices of both of South Carolina’s U.S. Senators and five of the state’s seven congressmen. Discussions focused on asking members’ support to diminish overreaching federal regulations on education, to maintain federal appropriations for critical education programs, and to support legislation aimed at preparing more teachers for the nation’s most challenged student populations. McManus leaves later in the summer to teach in Norway as part of his Fulbright Student Award.

The Zucker Family School of Education is The Citadel’s academic unit responsible for preparing professionals for roles as teachers, counselors, and leaders within the field of education. The school is named for Charleston philanthropist, Anita Zucker and her family. The school is dedicated to improving education and providing noteworthy direct assistance to Charleston-area classroom teachers and school leaders.

AACTE is a professional organization devoted to excellence in the preparation of educators and promotion of educational policy that supports the nation’s teachers and their students. Over 800 institutions of learning hold membership in AACTE.

 

Comments

Every country need to have

Every country need to have National Education Policy which help to make the school Education system is more strong. Some part of Education policy have this article. I belong to Pakistan and such Education policies don't have in my country. Therefore, Education standard don't meet the world standard. I want to write my essay on the Education Policy and this article help me a lot to complete that essay.