Southern Educator
April 25, 2012
Volume 1 Issue 4

Upcoming Events
  • April 26  Publishing with Students, Panel Discussion
  • April 26  Education Under Fire Film & Discussion
  • May 1  Alumni Advisory Committee 
  •  May 4  Last Day of Classes
  • May 8  Retired Faculty Luncheon 
  • May 11  Graduate Commencement
  • May 12  Undergraduate Commencement
  • May 31  International STEM Research Symposium
  • June 4  Southeast Conference on Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports
  • June 16  Alumni Event in Atlanta, Atlanta Braves vs. Orioles 
  • June 20 Curriculum Studies Summer Collaborative
  • June 28  Graduate Research Workshop
  • Note: STEM - Georgia Scholarship of STEM Teaching & Learning set  for 2013. 

More announcements. 


Why Give to COE?
At COE we deeply appreciate the support received from alumni and friends like you. Whether through endowed
giving, annual giving or planned giving, every gift makes a difference and helps us continue our leadership role in preparing those who will teach, lead and serve future generations. For information on giving to COE, contact Dawn Oliver, major gifts officer, at doliver@georgiasouthern.edu.
Graduate Students Earn Research Awards 

Student Jing Sun with her poster presentation.
   Two COE graduate students won awards for their research presentations at the annual Graduate Research Symposium sponsored by the College of Graduate Studies. The event was held March 29. COE winners were Dana McCullough, 2nd place, Curriculum, Foundations & Reading for, "Wear Red on October 4th to Honor Henrietta Lacks" and Jing Sun, 3rd place, Curriculum, Foundations & Reading, for "Media Curriculum of Resistance: Youth in China." Additionally, Rachel Bonilla, a research assistant for Dr. Robert Mayes, professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning, won 1st place for "Quantitative Reasoning Accounts in Pathways of Environmental Literacy."

  The symposium gives graduate students an opportunity to showcase the broad range of research taking place at Georgia Southern. The symposium includes poster and presentation sessions by students from all academic disciplines. Read more about the symposium winners. 

Exchange Programs Give Teacher-Candidates More Than Classroom Experience

 
COE students in England, l-r, Kay-Lyn Tatusm Lauren Guttman, Katherine Morgan, Sarah Davis, Kayla Metheny, Laura Leigh Whitman, Eric Lebish, Jackie Davies, Kayla Delaney, Brandee Allman, Katie Ward.
Eleven students from COE will be bringing more than classroom experience to their future jobs as teachers. They'll also bring what they learned from living and teaching in another country. The students spent a month in Sheffield, England, where they taught at two primary schools, Rainbow Forge Primary and Reignhead Primary. "Whenever a teacher-candidate has the opportunity for this type of cultural exchange, it not only benefits the teacher-candidate
Sheiffield-Hallam students , l-r, Ashleigh Coombes, Fran McKay, Megan Leese, Adelaide Okrah.
but also the students in their classrooms," said COE Dean Tom Koballa. "They learn different teaching techniques and they learn first-hand about another culture," he continued.
  That's why COE also hosts teacher-candidates from England, giving them an opportunity to learn about classrooms in Georgia and living in the United States. Four students from Sheiffield-Hallam University in Sheffield, England, are currently working in elementary schools in Evans and Bulloch counties.

Around COE

COE Dean Tom Koballa hosted another informal meeting with faculty, staff and students, "Dessert with the Dean," on April 11.

We're on Facebook

Keep up with all the latest news and happenings from COE on facebook. "Like" us today! 
Don't forget to "Like" COE's Graduate Academic Services Center, too. They've got a special gift for you when you do. Come to COE room 3166.   

Alumni News

Fill out COE's alumni survey today!  

 

At the College of Education we know that it is our alumni and friends who carry the torch for education and serve as our shining example throughout the world. You are our education family and we are extremely proud of all you have and will continue to accomplish. We hope you will keep us informed of all you are doing. Don't forget to send your updated information for your classmates and other alumni to read.   

 

1960-69

Glenda Mead '61 retired with 40 years of secondary education instruction, 37 from Porterville Public Schools in Porterville, CA. She was named Woman of the Year in Educational Leadership in Kings and Tulare counties, in 1993, and is enjoying 56 years of marriage.

Judy McCollough ''68 is enjoying retirement. She has three grandchildren and says she loves to hear from former classmates.

William (Pete) Brannan '69 is one of only eight ITEEA Distinguished Technology Educators (DTE) in Georgia. He will complete his three-year elected term as president-elect, president, and past-president of the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education in July 2012.  

1970-79

Jerry Cox '76 retired in 2010 after 30 years as a contracting officer with the U.S. Army Contracting Agency, Mission & Installation Contracting Command.

Mark Drexler '78 retired after 31 years as a school media specialist in Wayne and Gordon County, GA. He is currently working part-time as a librarian at the Calhoun-Gordon County Library. He is a member of Gordon County Historical Society, Friends of New Echota State Historical Site, and Gordon County Retired Teachers.

1980-89

Ruth Patterson '80 works for the Church of Christ of Hinesville, in Hinesville, GA. Her husband is also an alum and now their daughter attends Georgia Southern.

Susan Mathews '82 serves as the International Vice President of Collegiate Membership for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.

Paul Spence '84 is employed by the Douglas County Board of Education, in Douglasville, GA.

Penny Sikes '86 is retired.

Twyla Preising '88 works for the Scottsdale Unified School District in Scottsdale, AZ. She was recently appointed Music Committee Chair for Arizona Alpha Delta Kappa State Board for the 2012-14 biennium.

1990-99

Teresa Miller '92 works for the Camden County Board of Education in Kingsland, GA

Deborah Adams '92 is wrapping up her 25th year teaching science at Wayne County High School, Jesup, GA. She and her husband, also a Georgia Southern alum and teacher at the same school, attend all Eagles home games and some away games.

Lorraine Kay '93 works at the C.T. Walker Magnet School in Augusta, GA.

Kim Johnson '93 is the Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement at Frederick Community College, in Frederick, MD. She works with the college community and the FCC Foundation to raise public and private funds for student scholarships and academic programs.

Willie Haynes, Jr. '97 works for Hubert Middle School in Savannah, GA. In 2011 he was a Siemen's STEM Fellow. He is vice president on GACTE Executive Board, past president of GAeTE, and coordinator of the Hubert Middle School Career Academy. He is also the Toys for Tots coordinator in a seven county area, distributing more than 5,000 toys every year since 1998.

Christy Casher '98 has worked for seven years as the Literacy Instructional Coach at middle schools and high schools in Michigan and Virginia. She says "I love this role as it allows me to support my colleagues' professional learning and still work with students in the classroom."

Amanda Fetty '99 received national board certification in November 2011. She works for the Wilkes County School System in Wilkesboro, NC.

Patty Hill '99 works in Waynesboro, GA, at Blakeney Elementary School. She is working on her master's degree in curriculum.

2000-09

Nate Green '04 works in Douglas County, Lithia Springs, GA. He says "I got cornered into teaching kindergarten last year and though I wouldn't like it. As it turns out, I like it a lot and agreed to teach it again this year. Sometimes you just never know about things."

Eric Guenther '05 works for Richland School District 2 in Columbia, SC.

Amber Bruce '05 has been the principal of Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School in Camden County, GA, for the past seven years. During that time the school has been selected as a Title I School of Excellence and has made AYP all years. She enjoys being a principal and stays actively involved with the student body by being in the classrooms and seeing what her teachers and children are accomplishing.

Sheree Dudley '07 is in her fourth year teaching third grade at Pearl Stephens Elementary School in Warner Robins, GA. She was a presenter at the Georgia Reading Association Conference in Atlanta last year. In August she will welcome her first child.

Stephanie May '07 is employed by the Ridge Road Primary School in Sandersville, GA. She writes that she is in her 10th year as a kindergarten teacher. She is married to Timothy May, an assistant principal in Washington County, GA.

Patty Cox McDonald '08 and her husband Johnny live in Evans, Georgia, and have a 15-month old daughter. They attend every Eagles home game.

Bliss Wright '08 taught first grade for two years in North Carolina and now teaches pre-K using, what she says, is "all of the wonderful education I received at Georgia Southern." She continues, "I'm excited every day and proud to represent my alma mater." 

2010-

Alyssa Roman '10 works in the Fairfax County Public School System in Alexandria, VA, and will be starting her M.Ed. back at Georgia Southern this summer.

Kevin Floyd '10 was awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor in the School of Information Technology at Macon State College during 2011.

Ashley Tobias '10 is using her degree to pursue her dream to be a teacher. She teaches K-2 reading in a Title I school in Dawsonville, GA, and teaches 3rd grade Reading and Language Arts through a 21st Century After School Program grant.

Ashley Judy '11 is employed by the Liberty County Board of Education and workings in Hinesville, GA. In October 2011 she was named WTOC Top Teacher.

Lindsey Marie Robinson '11 is teaching kindergarten at Centerville Elementary School, Houston County, and is honored to teach in the same school system she went to. She says "I'm extremely thankful to Georgia Southern for preparing me for this job, and I am still learning, but now from 19 5-year olds."