063-Annual-Report-2023-v13 Final pages - Flipbook - Page 22
The Moore family’s commitment to education
is felt across generations of educators
Lisa Cunningham likes to call herself a “grandma” in the
Clemson’s teacher residency program because, for the
first time in the program’s history, a former resident is
now a mentor teacher. Kirstin Bull, once Cunningham’s
resident, is hosting resident Ellison Pruitt during the
2024-2025 academic year at Spearman Elementary.
Having gained so much experience as a resident, Bull
feels especially prepared to pass that knowledge to Pruitt
as a teacher and a former resident.
“I felt really prepared even though my first year took
place during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic,”
Bull said. “Lisa continued to provide help and advice.
I had to work through some hard moments, but for the
most part, I was on my feet and not drowning.”
and philanthropist and has since become the principal
benefactor of the College of Education.
The Moore family created an enduring legacy at Clemson
through their incredible support and dedication to the
University’s nationally renowned College of Education.
In 2002, Darla Moore and her late husband, Richard
Rainwater, established a transformational investment
to honor her father, naming and endowing the Eugene
T. Moore School of Education to recognize his lifelong
commitment and passion for education and creating
leadership opportunities for educators. This $10 million
endowment was the largest gift Clemson had ever
received at the time.
Cunningham, Bull and now Pruitt continue the legacy
Eugene “Gene” T. Moore Jr. ’49 inspired. The success,
innovation and expansion of Clemson’s teacher
residency program can be traced back to the Moore
family’s devotion to the betterment of themselves, their
community and their state through education. Gene, the
son of educator Lucile Moore, enjoyed a long career as
an educator, administrator and coach.
The gift that Cunningham received and passed on to Bull
is now hers to give Ellison Pruitt, an elementary education
major, during the 2024-2025 academic year. Bull and
Pruitt look forward to talking shop and troubleshooting
classroom issues, much like Cunningham and Bull did
five years ago and how the two compare notes even today
about students they share at Spearman Elementary.
Cunningham expects Bull and Pruitt to be constant
visitors in her kindergarten classroom.
He brought inspiration home to his two daughters,
Lisa and Darla Moore, who would learn to embrace
their unique educational journeys. Lisa Moore ’78, a
Clemson alumna like her father, is now an accomplished
nurse from Daniel Island, South Carolina, and a
mother of two children. Eldest daughter Darla Moore
became a successful international businesswoman
“When Kirstin told me she was going to be a teacher
residency mentor, I cried; I am tearing up now just talking
about it,” Cunningham said. “I walked alongside her that
year and have seen her grow and become so confident.
It truly is everything coming full circle. I could tell she
was proud to tell me. I remember shouting, ‘I’m a mentor
teacher grandma!’”
Kirstin Bull (right) meets Ellison Pruitt for the first time at Teacher Residency “Match Day,” an event held at the end of the year
where mentor teachers are “revealed” to their residents.
21 | College of Education
