New renovated teaching center, mobile lab to better prepare education majors for careers

The Winston-Salem State University Department of Education hosted a grand opening of its newly renovated Curriculum Materials Center (CMC) and Innovative Teaching Lab on Oct. 3, as well as unveiled a new Mobile STEAM Lab: Bringing Classrooms to Communities.

The CMC and Innovative Teaching Lab underwent a transformational facelift, providing up-to-date materials and resources that education majors and pre-majors can utilize as they prepare themselves for the ever-evolving field of education.

Teacher education majors now have access to a model teaching lab, instructional resources and cutting-edge technology in the Anderson Center while the Mobile STEAM Lab will allow teacher education majors to bring STEAM strategies and experiences to communities and schools in need.

The preparation faculty have designed a Curriculum Materials Center that is cutting edge and provides state-of-the-art resources for WSSU’s Pre-K-12 educator preparation candidates, said Dr. Anthony Graham, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

“With current digital technology and a model elementary classroom, our faculty and students have access to the materials they need to plan culturally responsive instruction for young people in our Pre-K through 12 public schools,” Graham said.

“Our candidates have the resources they need to prepare adequately for the state-required assessments that they must pass to become licensed teachers in the state of North Carolina. I commend our teacher preparation faculty for pushing the envelope and thinking innovatively for the betterment of our candidates and our students in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and beyond,” he said.

During the program, a plaque was dedicated in honor of Winston-Salem Teachers College as a reminder of “those who have come before us and upon whose shoulders we stand,” said Dr. Kim D. Pemberton, chairperson of the WSSU Department of Education.  It will be prominently displayed on the wall of the CMC Center.

“Students, this new facility has been designed with you in mind. Use it and use it wisely,” Pemberton said.