Clemmer College of Education and Human Development at ETSU

Student Activities and Organizations invites the campus community to celebrate Juneteenth on Thursday, June 18 at 11:30 am at the D.P. Culp Student Center Cave. Mrs. Lisa Black the West Lawn Cemetery Board of Director will reflect on Juneteenth Celebration on the theme is “Resiliency through Excellence.” We celebrate and honor the achievements of so many Black leaders and people who paved the way for so many people and future generations.

We invite you to a celebratory reflection on Juneteenth in the context of the 250th anniversary of U.S. for this year’s Juneteenth and how the local historical cemetery captures, preserves, and educates us every day. We will also have a dance performance with Kasper Glasper who is a nationally known dancer and instructor for over 20 years of dance training and experience.

As a reminder, ETSU and all offices are Closed in deep appreciation and observance of this important date.

This month's ETSU Alumni Spotlight goes to one of our own, Kaci Olinger, with a beautiful credit to Dr. Katherine Sharp, Professor of Early Childhood Education!

"Dr. Katherine Sharp believed in me and pushed me when I did not believe in myself."

Read more here: https://www.etsualumni.org/s/974/bp18/interior.aspx?sid=974&gid=1&pgid=5353

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jill Channing
When Dr. Jill Channing stepped into online teaching at ETSU, she expected technology to be one of the biggest challenges. What she discovered instead was an incredible opportunity to build meaningful connections with students.

“Teaching online at ETSU has become one of the most rewarding — and honestly surprising — chapters of my career. The students who show up in my online courses are motivated, thoughtful, and often balancing more than most people realize: jobs, families, careers, and community responsibilities — all while choosing to invest in their education. That means something to me, and I try to make sure my teaching reflects it.”

Thank you, Dr. Channing, for creating a supportive and inspiring learning environment for ETSU students both inside and outside the virtual classroom! East Tennessee State University ETSU Grad School Clemmer College of Education and Human Development at ETSU

SCEC Unified Champions at ETSU have had an active and impactful spring semester, bringing students together through service, inclusion, and community engagement. As part of the ETSU Student Organization Spotlight, the group hosted several events designed to promote connection and awareness both on campus and beyond!

Among their highlights this semester was the Spread the Word–Inclusion campaign, which encouraged students to foster a more inclusive environment. The organization also organized a Unified Co****le Tournament, creating a fun and welcoming space for students of all abilities to participate and connect. In addition, members volunteered at Joy Prom, helping to create a memorable and inclusive celebration for individuals with disabilities.

Guided by faculty advisor Dr. Luann Ley Davis and co-advisor Dr. LeAnn Olson, SCEC Unified Champions continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to service and advocacy. Open to all ETSU students regardless of major, the organization offers free membership and meaningful opportunities to get involved in building a more inclusive community!

Congratulations to Marketta Raevsky, who has been awarded the 2025–2026 Excellence in Community‑Engaged Teaching award by Colorado College! This prestigious honor recognizes educators who successfully blend teaching with meaningful community work, highlighting exceptional commitment to both academic and civic engagement.

As a doctoral student in Early Childhood Education and Development, Marketta Raevsky has demonstrated significant dedication to both her students and the broader community. This award affirms her impactful contributions and leadership as she prepares for her comprehensive exams in August.

Dr. Jingyuan Zhang, assistant professor in ETSU’s Department of Educational Foundations and Special Education, has been selected to serve as an Early Career Representative on the executive team for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Improvement Science in Education Special Interest Group!

This appointment recognizes Dr. Zhang’s growing leadership in implementation and improvement science, particularly her work focused on enhancing mathematics outcomes for students with or at risk of difficulties in rural settings. Her research emphasizes participatory approaches and sustainable implementation strategies within Multi-tiered Systems of Support aligning closely with the SIG’s mission to bridge research and practice.

The position represents a meaningful professional milestone and an opportunity to expand her impact within the national research community while continuing her work at ETSU!

Students and faculty in the Community Engaged Learning (CEL) sections of science and integrated STEM courses in the Early Childhood Education (ECED) and Curriculum and Instruction (CUAI) departments visited Dollywood this April as part of an ongoing collaboration with the park.

Led by Dr. Laura Robertson (CUAI faculty), Dr. Alissa Lange (Director of the Center of Excellence in STEM Education), and doctoral student Amie Perry (ECED), the visit continues a meaningful partnership with Dollywood focused on developing a Dollywood STEM Workbook for educators. This resource will feature activities designed to engage students in STEM learning before, during, and after their visit to the park. The project builds on the work of the Early-Elementary STEM Collaboration team, which has been working together since 2018 to create innovative, hands-on learning experiences for young students.

A special thank you to Dollywood, especially Cassidy Hepp, for their continued partnership and for hosting our group so generously! Opportunities like this allow our students to actively contribute to meaningful educational resources while gaining valuable, hands-on experience in the field!

Join us tonight for Forever Fest: West Walnut Block Party!

Celebrate the week with live music, food vendors, local makers, and community fun in downtown Johnson City!

East Tennessee State University's "Forever ETSU Week of Giving" is taking place this week. As part of the festivities, the university hosted a "423 Day" on Thursday to give students the opportunity to give back in an easy way.

Every gift moves ETSU forward. Please consider giving to ETSU today during this event, and don't miss the Jam Session and other events on campus today!

Just outside the Culp and throughout the campus there's music, activities, giveaways, and VIP experiences for students!