Lumpkin, Havel and Madison Use Lessons Learned On The Court Into Their Classrooms During COVID-19
6/1/2020 5:30:00 PM | General
AMY MERCER
University Communications
The challenges of virtual learning are being debated across the country. Stories of students' limited access to high-speed internet and necessary devices – and parents trying to balance work and childcare – are just some of the hot-button issues.
The stories we haven't heard as clearly, or as often, are from the teachers who are trying to make the best of their virtual classrooms. The teachers featured in this story have more than education in common, they also share the proud honor of being former College of Charleston student-athletes.
Jody Lumpkin ('00), former men's basketball star and 2016 CofC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, is a high school math teacher and upper school head at the Hammond School in Columbia, S.C. He says transitioning from in-person to online classes made him feel like a rookie teacher all over again.
"Our lesson plans went out the window," he explained. "We were trying to turn a regular school experience into something virtual. Every day was a new challenge. Since COVID-19 forced us to close our doors, we've been holding zoom meetings with faculty and staff several times a week."
A dominant player, Lumpkin became the first men's basketball player in school history to be named an Academic All-American in 1999 (second team) and 2000 (first team). He ranks 22nd all-time in career scoring (1,269 points), 10th all-time in career rebounding (710) and first all-time in career blocks (238). Lumpkin double majored in mathematics and history and played for legendary Head Coach John Kresse. During his senior year, he completed his master's degree in mathematics in 2001.
What Lumpkin says he remembers the most about his academic experience at The College, is how seriously his professors took their classes.
"The craft of teaching was clearly a priority and I've referenced what I learned in my own teaching," he said.
Despite the multiple setbacks and disappointments, Lumpkin says the morale has been surprisingly high. They have taken deliberate efforts to redesign their classes to best serve students.
"I've seen moments of quasi heroics with teachers, some of whom are single parents with kids at home," he said. "I'm very proud of our faculty. Every single teacher is already better at what they're doing."
Former volleyball star Sarah Havel ('12) teaches fifth grade at Oakland Elementary School in West Ashley and was recently awarded Teacher of the Year. Like Lumpkin, she says her years on the court gave her a strong sense of teamwork, which is a critical component to teaching.
Havel grew up playing volleyball in Indiana and came to The College when she was recruited by Head Coach Jason Kepner. The 2011 AVCA All-South Region selection says the volleyball program was so successful, and even though she'd never been to Charleston, it was an easy choice.
"Sarah was one of the best players we have had at CofC," Kepner said. "She was super competitive and detail oriented, which helped her make a quick transition to college. Sarah quickly became an outstanding team leader and is a natural educator, because of her personality and communication skills. I am very proud of all that Sarah has accomplished as a student-athlete and since her graduation from CofC."
It's no surprise that Havel would prefer to be in the classroom with her students instead of sitting in front of the computer all day. She misses seeing the kids have their "ah-ha" moments.
Oakland Elementary is a Title I school and one of its biggest efforts during the distance learning period is making sure the students have access to the resources they need to be successful. Havel says they are doing the best they can with weekly staff Zoom meetings and video lessons that give the kids a chance to see and talk to each other, which is important socially and emotionally.
Under normal circumstances, Havel would have returned to campus this summer to help out as a volleyball coach for The College's summer camps.
"CofC is still a big part of my life," she said. "The camps give alums a great opportunity to reconnect with former teammates and share the lessons we learned with players of all abilities."
Recent graduate Kennedy Madison ('19) played indoor volleyball and beach volleyball for the Cougars and double majored in secondary education and history.
The 2018 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and All-Colonial Athletic Association First Team selection began teaching eighth grade at West Ashley Advanced Studies Magnet in November of 2019 and says she was just starting to bond with her students when COVID arrived.
"Luckily for me, CofC's School of Education is one of the only programs that requires education majors to take a course that specifically teaches technology integration, so I wasn't completely lost on what to do," she said.
The class, 'Integrating Technology in the Classroom' taught by Dr. Bob Perkins on campus, helped Madison transition to virtual schooling.
"As a former student-athlete, I learned how to easily adapt to circumstances," she said. "Looking back at all of the changes of plans that hurricanes abruptly sprung on all four of my indoor seasons at CofC, those times definitely helped me mentally prepare for situations like this. The unexpected blessing, that has come out of virtual learning, has been the effort to provide equal opportunities for learning to my students.
"Charleston County has really set the bar high, while attempting to help students. I know we've provided devices, Wi-Fi, meals, and all kinds of support to many families during this time. Students, who initially did not have the means to do work online, are being heard and helped. That is something I am very proud of my West Ashley Middle (School) Family for."
Students in South Carolina are fortunate to have educators like Lumpkin, Havel and Madison, who carried the lessons they learned on the courts into their classrooms.
Your support helps to mold and develop the lives of our student-athletes, so they can achieve success and make a difference in their communities after graduation. For more information, log onto: https://cofccougarclub.com or contact The Charleston Athletic Fund by phone at: (843)953-8255 or e-mail at: cougarclub@cofc.edu
University Communications
The challenges of virtual learning are being debated across the country. Stories of students' limited access to high-speed internet and necessary devices – and parents trying to balance work and childcare – are just some of the hot-button issues.
The stories we haven't heard as clearly, or as often, are from the teachers who are trying to make the best of their virtual classrooms. The teachers featured in this story have more than education in common, they also share the proud honor of being former College of Charleston student-athletes.
Jody Lumpkin ('00), former men's basketball star and 2016 CofC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, is a high school math teacher and upper school head at the Hammond School in Columbia, S.C. He says transitioning from in-person to online classes made him feel like a rookie teacher all over again.
"Our lesson plans went out the window," he explained. "We were trying to turn a regular school experience into something virtual. Every day was a new challenge. Since COVID-19 forced us to close our doors, we've been holding zoom meetings with faculty and staff several times a week."
A dominant player, Lumpkin became the first men's basketball player in school history to be named an Academic All-American in 1999 (second team) and 2000 (first team). He ranks 22nd all-time in career scoring (1,269 points), 10th all-time in career rebounding (710) and first all-time in career blocks (238). Lumpkin double majored in mathematics and history and played for legendary Head Coach John Kresse. During his senior year, he completed his master's degree in mathematics in 2001.
What Lumpkin says he remembers the most about his academic experience at The College, is how seriously his professors took their classes.
"The craft of teaching was clearly a priority and I've referenced what I learned in my own teaching," he said.
Despite the multiple setbacks and disappointments, Lumpkin says the morale has been surprisingly high. They have taken deliberate efforts to redesign their classes to best serve students.
"I've seen moments of quasi heroics with teachers, some of whom are single parents with kids at home," he said. "I'm very proud of our faculty. Every single teacher is already better at what they're doing."
Former volleyball star Sarah Havel ('12) teaches fifth grade at Oakland Elementary School in West Ashley and was recently awarded Teacher of the Year. Like Lumpkin, she says her years on the court gave her a strong sense of teamwork, which is a critical component to teaching.
Havel grew up playing volleyball in Indiana and came to The College when she was recruited by Head Coach Jason Kepner. The 2011 AVCA All-South Region selection says the volleyball program was so successful, and even though she'd never been to Charleston, it was an easy choice.
"Sarah was one of the best players we have had at CofC," Kepner said. "She was super competitive and detail oriented, which helped her make a quick transition to college. Sarah quickly became an outstanding team leader and is a natural educator, because of her personality and communication skills. I am very proud of all that Sarah has accomplished as a student-athlete and since her graduation from CofC."
It's no surprise that Havel would prefer to be in the classroom with her students instead of sitting in front of the computer all day. She misses seeing the kids have their "ah-ha" moments.
Oakland Elementary is a Title I school and one of its biggest efforts during the distance learning period is making sure the students have access to the resources they need to be successful. Havel says they are doing the best they can with weekly staff Zoom meetings and video lessons that give the kids a chance to see and talk to each other, which is important socially and emotionally.
Under normal circumstances, Havel would have returned to campus this summer to help out as a volleyball coach for The College's summer camps.
"CofC is still a big part of my life," she said. "The camps give alums a great opportunity to reconnect with former teammates and share the lessons we learned with players of all abilities."
Recent graduate Kennedy Madison ('19) played indoor volleyball and beach volleyball for the Cougars and double majored in secondary education and history.
The 2018 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and All-Colonial Athletic Association First Team selection began teaching eighth grade at West Ashley Advanced Studies Magnet in November of 2019 and says she was just starting to bond with her students when COVID arrived.
"Luckily for me, CofC's School of Education is one of the only programs that requires education majors to take a course that specifically teaches technology integration, so I wasn't completely lost on what to do," she said.
The class, 'Integrating Technology in the Classroom' taught by Dr. Bob Perkins on campus, helped Madison transition to virtual schooling.
"As a former student-athlete, I learned how to easily adapt to circumstances," she said. "Looking back at all of the changes of plans that hurricanes abruptly sprung on all four of my indoor seasons at CofC, those times definitely helped me mentally prepare for situations like this. The unexpected blessing, that has come out of virtual learning, has been the effort to provide equal opportunities for learning to my students.
"Charleston County has really set the bar high, while attempting to help students. I know we've provided devices, Wi-Fi, meals, and all kinds of support to many families during this time. Students, who initially did not have the means to do work online, are being heard and helped. That is something I am very proud of my West Ashley Middle (School) Family for."
Students in South Carolina are fortunate to have educators like Lumpkin, Havel and Madison, who carried the lessons they learned on the courts into their classrooms.
Your support helps to mold and develop the lives of our student-athletes, so they can achieve success and make a difference in their communities after graduation. For more information, log onto: https://cofccougarclub.com or contact The Charleston Athletic Fund by phone at: (843)953-8255 or e-mail at: cougarclub@cofc.edu
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