Walkertown Middle and West Forsyth High Teachers Named Kenan Fellows

Brad Rhew with students

Brad Rhew, who teaches eighth-grade science at Walkertown Middle School, and Marci Harvey, who teaches honors physics and chemistry at West Forsyth High School, are among the 49 new Kenan Fellows in the state.

Kenan Fellows receive fellowships that enable them to tackle summer research projects in a variety of fields including curriculum design, renewable energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. From their research, the Fellows will develop innovative classroom resources and lesson plans designed to enrich the educational experience for kindergarteners through high school seniors.

These resources are shared with other educators at the regional, state and national level via workshops, conferences and online platforms. Statewide more than 230 teachers applied for 49 Fellowships.

 “We are so proud our science colleagues and their accomplishments!” said Benika Thompson, the school system’s program manager for science.

Marci Harvey

Harvey grew up in South Carolina and went to the College of Charleston. She graduated from there with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She earned her master’s degree in chemistry from the University of South Carolina. She earned her National Board Teaching Certification in 2008.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to work with this outstanding program,” Harvey said. “The fellowship allows me to learn about current research on biofuel development at N.C. A&T.  Then, I can teach my students about these topics and they see the relevance of science in their everyday lives, all from research happening right here in North Carolina.”

Rhew graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with a major in Middle Grades Education and a concentration in Science and Social Studies. He is a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Rhew is one of nine Kenan Fellows who will partner with professors at N.C. State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 4-H on a project about salmonella research. The project is sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

“This exciting opportunity will allow me to collaborate with research scientists to examine the components of salmonella and develop strategies to minimize the spread of salmonella in a population, “Rhew said. “My role on the team will be to take our findings and develop interdisciplinary lessons with the science practitioners in the research group. These lesson plans will impact science classes across state, as I have an opportunity to share the experience, knowledge, activities and strategies with other science educators. I have a passion for teaching and a firm belief that students learn best when their education is rooted in reality and real world applications. This fellowship will be an invaluable professional growth experience for me as I align my teaching practice with current issues that affect our future. I will thoroughly enjoy this collegial experience and look forward to sharing the experience and strategies with other North Carolina educators."

An initiative of the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science at N.C. State University, the Kenan Fellows Program sends teachers into contemporary “learning labs” in industry or higher education where they are paired with a mentor to explore new ways of preparing students for college and careers. The teachers remain active in their classrooms while completing the year-long Fellowship.

"The Kenan Fellows Program leverages the wealth of public and private expertise across the state," said Susan Parry, acting director of the Kenan Fellows Program. “We arm educators with 21st Century skills and help them develop the skills of master teachers who inspire change in their schools, districts and beyond.”

Fellows are selected through a competitive process. In addition to a five-week summer externship with a mentor, Fellows receive a tablet provided by Lenovo — the program’s technology sponsor — two weeks of professional development and a stipend. The experience is designed to support model educators who serve as ambassadors for excellence in education.

The Kenan Fellows Program cultivates effective education-industry partnerships to promote teacher leadership, address retention and advance K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

The program is made possible through the support of generous sponsors and partners. For more information about the program, go to Kenan Fellows