Staff Spotlight: Joseph Fewell

As an ELL teacher, I work to bridge the linguistic gap for the Academy’s EL students. I am also working to promote global awareness with my students — I strive to make them true global citizens.

Joseph Fewell, originally from Hickory, North Carolina, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from the University of South Carolina in 2006 and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2015. He also studied abroad at the Universite de Grenoble in France in 2004. 

Fewell, who is fluent in French, serves as one of the Academy’s English Language Learners (ELL) teachers. Read on to learn more:

Why did you choose to work at the Academy?
I worked at Middle Fork Elementary before it became Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork. I was intrigued by the concept of a lab school and impressed by the sense of community. 

What's your favorite part about working at the Academy?
The ongoing sense of community — everyone genuinely seems to care about the school and our students. 

How are you impacting education in your community?
As an ELL teacher, I work to bridge the linguistic gap for the Academy’s EL students. I am also working to promote global awareness with my students — I strive to make them true global citizens.

What was your favorite subject when you were in elementary school?
Social Studies and French

The Academy has a reading literacy focus. What is your favorite book?
Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

“Learning together” is a core commitment of the Academy. What does "learning together" mean to you? 
It can mean trial and error. For example, last year, when I started co-teaching, I had never done it before and neither had my partner. It was definitely a situation where we learned together.

Describe an experience where you "learned together" at the Academy. 
In addition to the above example, I learn together with my students. I especially enjoy learning about their traditions, as well as sharing mine. 

Just for fun, what is your favorite candy?
Snickers


Stay tuned and watch for new Academy Staff Spotlights each month. 

Joseph Fewell
Published: May 11, 2021 8:17am

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