Four senior education majors were honored during a pinning ceremony April 5 at Furman University’s Hartness
Welcome Center.
Seniors Beth Day, Keri Lyles, Sara Reynolds, and Jill Collins were recognized during the event for their dedication to the Teaching Fellows program, a scholarship program for qualified students who wish to teach in South
Carolina’s public schools.
During the ceremony, Fellows spoke to Advisory Board members and guests about the unique experiences and benefits offered by the program. Teaching Fellows meet weekly in small groups with Director Elizabeth Kutz to hear guest speakers and discuss a variety of seminar topics directly impacting the classroom, including legislative issues, use of the fine arts, and behavior management techniques.
Teaching Fellow Dustin Ledford, a freshman music education major, described it as a support group where he is able to discuss real challenges he’ll face in the classroom. Fellow Anna Sheppard said the program has given her an opportunity to think about new ideas and dive deeper into topics they can’t always cover in class.
“I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the 25 students currently enrolled in the Teaching Fellows program,” said Director Elizabeth Kutz. “All of the students bring unique talents to their field of study and offer a bright future to the teaching profession of South Carolina.”
Keri Lyles spent this spring in a third grade classroom at Anderson Mill Elementary School in Spartanburg District
Six. For Lyles, her practicum experience as a senior has reinforced her desire to be a teacher. “I knew it was for me, because I would do it for free,” she said.
Senior Sara Reynolds, who has been working with 11 th -graders at Mauldin High School, has cherished those
“light bulb moments” when students grasp the concepts she is teaching. “I have truly enjoyed the reality that is teaching,” she said. “It’s been a great experience.”

During their time at Furman, Teaching Fellows participate in the Sophomore Experience, conducting independent research on various cultural and educational programs during the summer following their sophomore year. They serve as volunteer tutors for high school students in Furman’s Bridges to a Brighter
Future program. Throughout their studies, Fellows work with children from diverse cultures, varied experiences, and all socio-economic levels.
Current Teaching Fellows also include Juniors Richard Barrett, Drew Brooks, Brittany Daly, Emily Holleman,
Spencer Nance, Jane Patrick, and Rachael Payne; Sophomores Tiffany Brown, Sara Glogowski, Julie Jarriel, Anna
Sheppard, and Sarah Burke Sigmon; and Freshmen Whitney Beeker, David Alan Burnett, Teresa Carter, Dustin
Ledford, Amy McGreevy, Hannah Pace, Helen Reed, Torre Rossano, and Paul Singh.
For more information about the Teaching Fellows Program, visit http://www2.furman.edu/academics/education