June 10, 2025 — Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification (APEC) and APEC-Coker recently collaborated for a professional development event that brought together residency fellows from both programs for a day of meaningful learning and connection. This partnership between APEC and APEC-Coker enabled fellows to engage not only with their peers from their respective cohorts but also to network with educators across the two programs.
The event, which took place at Columbia College’s APEC Center of Excellence, was an intentional, thoughtful alignment of efforts to foster both horizontal and vertical connections across their networks. This collaborative approach created an atmosphere of hope and inspiration, but most importantly, a community of educators where aspiring teachers found support and encouragement from those already navigating the teaching profession.
The “Stay Koala-fied” professional development day featured impactful sessions from a range of speakers, including Kathy Maness, the Executive Director of PSTA, who delivered an inspiring keynote address. Fellows participated in workshops that offered actionable strategies for personal and professional growth, allowing them to deepen their understanding of the teaching field. The event also provided a platform for sharing ideas, exchanging knowledge, and fostering stronger connections among APEC fellows, graduates, and faculty.
This collaborative effort strengthened the bonds between the two residency programs and reinforced the importance of community and shared learning in advancing the mission of the teacher residency movement.