2016 College of Education Spring Newsletter

JOHN H. LOUNSBURY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

NEWSLETTER SPRING 2016

CONTENTS 3 Dean’s Message 4 Principal Visit 5 National History Day Winners JOHN H. LOUNSBURY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

NEWSLETTER Spring 2016

5 Mr. and Miss GCEC 2016 6 NAPDS Conference 7 Student Highlights

Dean Joe Peters Newsletter Coordinators Revel Pogue Mariharden McElheny

10 Read to Me 12 Early Childhood Blessing Bag 13 GSTA Conference 13 edTPA 14 Alumni Highlight

16 Sandra Deal’s visit 18 Literacy Fair 19 Call Me Mister Update 20 Steam Ahead

Campus Box 70 Milledgeville, Ga. 31061

gcsu.edu/education University Printing | 04/2016

DEAN’S MESSAGE

COE Friends, We welcome the warmth, light and new blossoms that spring brings again this year as we begin to think about our own renewal in the College of Education.

One important aspect of our renewal is the current administrative searches that are occurring for an Associate Dean, Chair of Teacher Education and Chair of Professional Learning and Innovation. As these new leaders transition into their tenure here at Georgia College, it will be a time for us to re-group, re-prioritize and even re-invent ourselves as needed to look to the future. It is a spring cleaning of sorts as we regroup into fully functioning departments under the leadership of the new chairs. We will also reprioritize within the college as we continue to look at new ways to better support our students, our schools and our community partners. It will also be a time for us to re-invent ourselves as we expand successful projects and programs, sunset some less-needed activities and look for new opportunities in support of our mission.

Spring is also a time to finish planting the seeds that will sprout into new growth. As I began to plant my garden this year, I thought of the “seeds” we have planted with our current and future teachers and administrators. The seeds of outstanding teaching and learning, service activities and field experiences that will ensure their future success. With the commencement season, it is a time to celebrate our students’ achievements, recognize the great potential they will have as future teachers and leaders and continue to watch them grow as professionals – the heirloom growth of our Georgia College programs.

Throughout history people have celebrated the night and day balance that arrives with the vernal equinox and have given thanks for the coming of spring. The Christian celebration of Easter is aligned with the northward equinox and falls on the the ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or soonest after March 21st. Throughout the world, there are other equinox celebrations such as Holi, Ohigan, Ostara, Nowruz and Shunbun no Hi, as well as the modern celebrations such as World Storytelling Day or World Citizens Day. The diversity of the spring celebrations reminds us of the importance of appreciating the diversity in our own College.

Like the animals coming out of hibernation I hope that everyone finds new energy in this season of promise. Spring clean your emotional and mental clutter and join me in taking some time to thank our faculty, staff and supporters for their phenomenal dedication to our students and the programs here at Georgia College. Also thank our students for being a part of the Georgia College experience. They are the reason we are here and we always appreciate that they chose us over other institutions.

In closing, as you read through our news, you will find that it has been a very active time here in the COE. We have a lot to celebrate and be proud of in our College.

Best wishes,

Joe Peters Dean of Education joseph.peters@gcsu.edu

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M O C K

I N T E R V I E W S

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Principal Visit with Early Childhood/Middle Grades

Seated, left to right: Dr. Barbara Roquemore, Dr. Diane Gregg, Mrs. Carol Goings, Mrs. Tracy Clark, Mrs. Leah Clark, Standing, left to right: Mr. Chip Lundy, Dr. Susan Usry, Dr. Mike Newton, Mr. Cecil Patterson, Mrs. Estelle Jacobs, Mr. Mark Hopkins, Mr. Antonio Ingram

n Jan. 29 the Early Childhood and Middle Grades seniors hosted 12 area principals, superintendents and GC personnel with school leadership skills in a professional development experience that included mock interviews and discussion panels.

Students and faculty greeted the guests in the atrium of the John H. Lounsbury College of Education, where each guest was introduced by one of the students.

The group then divided into small groups for mock interview sessions. In the mock interview sessions, each interviewer asked questions that he or she typically uses when interviewing teacher candidates.

Students also asked for clarification about answers they were unsure of. Following the interviews, students led their guests into discussion panels, where the finer points of interviewing were discussed.

Appropriate dress, greetings and other professional behaviors were examined. The event ended with refreshments and socializing. The learning experience was organized by mentor leaders, Joanne Previts, Lyndall Muschell and Carla Hutchings to provide their students an opportunity to practice answering interview questions and to ask principals and superintendents what qualities they look for in applicants. Students appreciated the opportunity to meet school leaders and developed confidence about the process of searching for jobs and participating in interviews.

GCSU Early childhood Education Student, Heidi Bireley, asks the panel a question.

Area principals, superintendents and GC personnel who were former school leaders participated. â–

Dr. Barbara Roquemore works with Middle Grades Education students in developing their interviewing skills.

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E A R L Y

C O L L E G E

National History Day Winners

U P D A T E

As a part of our focus on research and writing in all classes, Mr. Puckett's 8th grade Georgia Studies classes were required to complete National History Day projects. Twenty-eight of our 8th grade students participated in the regional National History Day competition at Georgia College on March 4. Eight of our participants will be advancing to the state competition.

Congratulations to the following winners: • 1st place Individual Website: Destiny Shinholster • 2nd place in Group Website: Bailey Hamilton, Joseph Moats, Deon Daniels, Bryson Rabon • 3rd place in Group Exhibit: Marvicia Smith, Mollie Speights, Jadden Hunt.

Way to go, 8th Graders and Mr. Puckett!

All GCEC Class of 2016 Seniors have been accepted to attend colleges/universities after high school graduation!

Way to go, GCEC C/O '16!

Mr. and Miss GCEC 2016 Congratulations to Christopher Johnson and Amari Dean for being selected as our Mr. and Miss GCEC 2016. Upon high school graduation, Christopher plans to major in mass communications and minor in theater at either Fort Valley State University or Savannah State University. Amari plans to attend Tuskegee University where she has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship. She plans to major in biology/pre-med.

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P D S

C O N F E R E N C E

2016 National Association of Professional Development Schools Conference

NAPDS is the national professional organization that promotes and advocates for the collaborative relationship of school and university partnerships.

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n March 2016, faculty members Dr. Sandra Webb, associate professor and Dr. Rob Sumowski, assistant professor, along with Dr. Noris Price, superintendent of Baldwin County Schools attended the annual meeting of the National Association of Professional Development Schools. NAPDS is the national professional organization that promotes and advocates for the collaborative relationship of school and university partnerships.

The NAPDS presentation, “Response to Urgency: Leveraging the Potential of PDS Partnerships to Support Change in a Rural School District and Professional Learning for Educators” was a collaboration of the Georgia College – Baldwin County Schools (GC-BCS) PDS Partnership. The presenters related the growth of a university-school partnership focusing on support of P12 achievement, new teacher preparation, relationships among university and school educators, professional learning communities at school sites, inquiry and research and the development of effective practices for learning and instruction. In addition, they outlined signature programs of the GC-BCS PDS, such as professors in residence, grant collaborations, onsite courses and professional learning opportunities.

Dr. Sandra Webb has been invited to become a member of the Editorial Board for the first online themed edition of the NAPDS journal, School-Community Partnerships.

The topic of this themed edition explores the question “What is a PDS?” and will be published in the next six months. ■

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S T U D E N T

H I G H L I G H T S

Tri County Grant Recipient Jamy Meeks, ‘95, ‘14 and current Ed.S. student, recently applied for and attained a $1,489.85 Bright Ideas Grant through TriCounty EMC. Play is an important aspect in the cognitive, physical and social development of children. It encourages verbal and nonverbal communication skills, strengthens gross and fine motor skills, promotes body awareness and teaches problem solving skills. As a teacher of students with special needs, Meeks is aware of the need for tools to assist her students in participating with their non-disabled peers.

Her students often lack adequate social skills and communication skills, so providing them with appropriate playground equipment gives them the opportunity to interact with and learn from their non-disabled peers.

Jamy Meeks, pictured in her sensory room at Jones County Pre-K, receives her Bright Ideas Grant.

Scholars Of Distinction Sarah Kukshtel won the inaugural Scholars of Distinction Showcase Competition with her project to initiate a Unified PE program at Baldwin High School. Sarah is a 2015 graduate of the Special Education cohort and is currently pursuing her masters in our Middle Grades MED (and the grad student who checks out all the video equipment for EDTPA and such). At the competition, she presented her project and answered questions from the judges. She handled herself like a pro and truly represented the COE well.

Georgia Power’s New Teacher Assistance Grant Andrea Sowell, nominated by Cynthia Alby and Christopher Leshoure and Ashleigh Lincoln, nominated by Dr. Betta Borrelli, have been selected to receive a grant in the amount of $1,000 each to help them purchase classroom supplies and equipment. Now in its 12th year, the grant program has helped more than 300 first-year teachers have the materials they need to be successful.

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S T U D E N T

H I G H L I G H T S

Media Specialist of the Year Jennifer Rice received her bachelors, masters and specialist degrees in education from Georgia College. In addition to her media specialist responsibilities she also organizes the school’s reading bowl, spelling bee and student news team.

She recently was named to the Georgia Children’s Picturebook Award Committee. Jennifer not only has increased the annual circulation numbers from 30,000 to more than 70,000, but created a “cabin” reading room for reading “campouts” and increased PTA involvement.

2016 Cherokee County School District Media Specialist of the Year, Jennifer Rice.

Special Education Cohort Students

Best Buddies Speed Dating (Kevin Kuehn and Junior Special Education major Emily Dunn)

Four Special Education Seniors spent three weeks at the Queenmill School for students with autism in London in December 2015. L to R: Valerie Acquaviva, Hallie Pangborn, Whitney McCorkle, Margaret Snoddy

Rachel Weaver and Kaylie Pritchard both special education juniors were presenters at the Impacting Student Learning Conference. The conference was focused on practical strategies for enhancing P-12 student learning. Both junior Special Education cohorts were in attendance.

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S T U D E N T

H I G H L I G H T S

Georgia Military College’s STAR Teacher

GMC’s 2015/2016 STAR Student, Stephanie Gorham chose her Physic’s teacher, Major Clay McElheny as STAR Teacher. Major McElheny was a 2009 College of Education M.A.T. graduate. He continues to challenge his students in the classroom using innovative teaching strategies and the latest available technology for his content areas.

Faculty Honors/ Awards/ Recognition Dr. Chris Greer ‘s Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) project qualified for him to attend the ADE worldwide conference held in Berlin. It is such an awesome recognition of his talent.

Dr. Cynthia Alby was nominated for the University Excellence in Scholarship in Teaching and Learning Award and Dr. Betta Vice was nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2016 Ernest A. Lyntor Award for the Scholarship of Engagement for early career faculty.

Due to involvement with Baldwin County PDS initiative, Dr. Sandy Webb has been invited to serve on the Special Issue Editorial Board of School-University Partnerships.

Christopher Greer, Foundations and Secondary Education and Linda Golson Bradley, Early Childhood and Middle Grades Education, were selected by a peer review committee to receive a faculty research grant. These proposals stood out for their overall excellence and the likelihood they will lead to publications or artistic presentations.

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d a Re e M To

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GEORGIA COLLEGE VOLUNTEERS TUTORING BALDWIN COUNTY STUDENTS

he classroom at Eagle Ridge Elementary School is a buzz of voices and activity. At tables throughout the room, young kindergarten students and Georgia College volunteers are peering over books as they read, talk and write in journals. This year, Read to Me, an interactive read aloud program has been implemented in tutoring programs from kindergarten through second grade in four Baldwin County Elementary Schools. At the request of Superintendent Noris Price, Dr. Sandra Webb, associate professor of Literacy Education, collaborated with the Director of Community in Schools (CIS), Sandy Baxter and Coordinator of CIS Tutoring at Eagle Ridge, Christi Tyson, to design Read to Me, a literacy-based tutoring program, supported by Community In Schools and a planning grant sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.

Communities In Schools is the largest drop out prevention organization in the country. Its mission is to provide students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. In Baldwin County, CIS focuses on academics and benefit from Georgia College volunteers that give at least one hour a week to tutor. A Site Coordinator is located at every school that connects tutors with a student and helps facilitate successful relationships and tutoring. Tutors meet with the same student every week to foster a positive relationship and make a difference in the life of this child.

Read to Me, a pilot program within CIS Tutoring, focuses on students in kindergarten through second grade identified as needing additional support in reading. Read to Me provides volunteer tutors with training in interactive read alouds, a research-based routine for supporting young children’s literacy development through reading quality children’s books, modeling important concepts of print, developing new vocabulary, talking about text for comprehension, keeping a written journal and including alphabet practice and word study. In addition to important skill support, the positive relationship with tutors results in experiencing enjoyment and value in reading. “What we now realize,” explains Dr. Webb, “is as young children learn to read, they also develop identities as readers and attitudes about the value of reading that are as important as the skills they learn in

decoding and comprehension.” Having these positive experiences contribute to increased motivation to read and also influence persistence in learning to read. There are 46 students in kindergarten through second grade participating in Read to Me at Eagle Ridge and approximately 75 students at the other three elementary schools.

Christi Tyson, Coordinator of CIS Tutoring, considers Read to Me an improvement over previous tutoring programs.

The tutors have a plan for tutoring that is structured, manageable and enjoyable. “The students love the books,” Tyson says, “and they run to the book box to look through the new books to pick out one to read with their tutors.” Each student has a tutoring folder that includes a motivation survey, reading log and reading journal, in addition to sight words provided by the teacher. Taylor, a second grade teacher at Eagle Ridge Elementary, reported that one of her students is a Read to Me success story, showing more confidence by participating in class. “He’s come out of his shell and participates more. Now he is among the first to raise his hand and is developing a preference for what he reads and an interest in reading.”

The pilot project is collecting data this spring to examine the outcomes of Read to Me. Georgia College volunteers also report changes in their students.

Erin Baker, an AmeriCorps intern relates that students show “more excitement about reading.” Ally Thomas a pre-education major in special education related that she also learns from her young students, such as the importance of patience and of recognizing the individual needs of every student.

Thomas relates that these qualities are important goals in becoming a special education teacher. Although Katie Moen, who is a biology major, does not foresee a career in education at this time, she continues to volunteer with CIS Tutoring through the GIVE Center at Georgia College as her commitment to community service. It is very rewarding to see the progress that a student can make with the help of a tutor. Overall in grades kindergarten through fifth grade, approximately 350 students are tutored in four elementary schools. Next year, CIS Tutoring plans to open programs at Oak Hill Middle School and Baldwin County High School, allowing more students in Baldwin County to be served through volunteer support. Georgia College students interested in tutoring can contact the CIS office located on the campus or The Give Center. ■

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Early Childhood Blessing Bags

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unior Early Childhood Education Cohort Member, Laurel Trust (pictured above in center) is passionate about the issue of hunger. Her work with Georgia College’s Bobcats Against Hunger ignited in her a desire to make a difference at Professional Development School, Eagle Ridge Elementary.

As President of Student Georgia Association on Young Children, Laurel and fellow cohort members talked with Principal Shaun Wells about a service project to raise money to make blessing bags for students who would benefit from having food items to take home for spring break.

When the students created a Go-Fund-Me page they hoped to be able to raise enough money to make 50 bags. Within 24 hours $1,000 was raised and it was obvious a bigger goal needed to be set!

The fundraiser made between $2,500- $3,000 and resulted in the purchase of almost 800 (enough for every student at Eagle Ridge) bags of food from Action Ministries in Atlanta. Each bag was placed in a reusable Georgia College tote bag, with a description of the project and a personal note written by a GC education student. â–

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M . A . T.

SCIENCE TEACHERS

GSTA Conference Caleb McKeever, a member of the Early Childhood cohort, receives technical support from Danny Miller, from the Digital Innovations Group, during the upload of the edTPA.

Members of the MAT STEM Cohort recently had the opportunity to speak up for science at the Georgia Science Teacher Association Annual Conference at Stone Mountain. The conference theme, Speak up for Science, resonated with the group since they have been focused on analyzing the role of academic language in science instruction and preparing for their EdTPA submissions.

As a result, the group‘s presentation, “Science Language: Function, Demand and Support”, fit right into the “Integrating Literacy to Advance Science Instruction” conference strand. The presentation proposed a method for designing instruction that incorporates literacy practices seamlessly into science instruction, while attending to the science and engineering practice of constructing explanations and designing solutions and the crosscutting concept of cause and effect. The presentation was the work of Cassie Carpine, Michael Crawford, Kelly Langford, Patrick McClanahan, Kristi Medford and Olivia Newman, along with mentor leader Miriam Jordan. Bill Flory also attended and provided technical assistance. ■

On March 8, 2016 the teacher candidates in the JHL College of Education began the process of uploading and submitting their edTPA portfolios.

This was the first year that teacher candidates must pass the edTPA, along with other assessments, to become certified in their field of study in the state of Georgia. In total, after the final submission on March 30, 2016, 139 portfolios were submitted to Pearson for official scoring. On April 7, 2016 out of the 109 scores received from Pearson, the College of Education has a 99% pass rate. This success can be attributed to the work done over the course of the past two years. During this time the College of Education faculty have collaborated through an edTPA Professional Learning Community (edTPA PLC) meeting monthly in order to support faculty through the process. Different faculty members have led presentations to share their expertise regarding areas included in the edTPA such as: academic language, video analysis and student structures of support. The faculty involved in the edTPA PLC monthly meetings have attended a variety of professional development opportunities around the state and beyond. Additionally, the edTPA Coordinator, Dr. Holley Roberts, has met with school leaders and community partners at RESA to discuss the integral role of school partners in the successful completion of the edTPA. The ten uploading sessions occurred at the Milledgeville and Macon campuses. They have been aided by tech support from the Digital Innovations Group, the Georgia College Instructional Technology departments in Milledgeville and Macon, College of Education graduate assistants and the cohort mentor leaders. When students were completing their edTPA portfolios, they were given the opportunity to use the College of Education’s technology equipment, which includes iPad minis, a tri-pod and stand and a microphone. The use of this equipment limited the technical issues that arose during the uploading sessions. In addition, students were provided additional resources on the College of Education’s intranet as well as organizing checklists to help them with their submissions. Jazzmine Wilson, a Secondary MAT English Language Arts teacher candidate stated, “The checklists were very helpful. Since I am a visual learner, I appreciate the support that was given in order to clarify what was being asked of us.”

Submitting the edTPA is a graduation requirement, while passing the edTPA is a new certification requirement.

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A L U M N I

H I G H L I G H T

Mr. Moss

One of the problems back when I was in school was hiring male teachers because they had been drafted for military service

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Moss, '72, '73, ’76 aims to grow student diversity and male teachers through Call Me MISTER

hen George Moss was working toward his undergraduate degree at Georgia College in the early 70s, he was one of only 10 black students.

While earning his masters in education, he was the only black student. Then, he was one of two black students to earn his education specialist degree in 1976.

elementary school for six years, a middle school for three years and a high school for three years. Prior to that, he spent four years as an elementary assistant principal. "I was fortunate to work with principals who would give me an opportunity,” says Moss.

“One of the problems back when I was in school was hiring male teachers because they had been drafted for military service,” mentions Moss, who was from Warrenton, Georgia and had also served in the military. He refers to a time when it was difficult to retain male teachers in that area. “I would like to help alleviate that problem.”

When Moss went from being principal at a Dekalb County elementary school to a Dunwoody middle school, he mentions, “They weren't exactly pleased to see me arrive.

I had to increase my repertoire of tricks when it came to working with the parents. But after I was there, my phone didn't ring anymore at night and it was the first time the school had received only accommodations from SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).”

Through a scholarship that Moss and his wife Carolyn endowed, they hope to increase the diversity of GC’s student population while increasing the pool of male teachers particularly for low-performing elementary schools via GC’s Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role models) program. In its first year, the program’s candidates come from underserved, socioeconomically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities. Candidates apply, are interviewed and attend GC on a scholarship. Call Me MISTER graduates then advance to teach in a Georgia public school. Moss is a member of the advisory board and participates in the candidate interview process. He hopes that these recruits will eventually become educators one day in Central Georgia.

“Mr. Moss has been instrumental in the development of the Call Me MISTER program here at Georgia College,” says Dr. Joseph Peters, dean, John H. Lounsbury College of Education. “His extensive background in education and passion for the program are evident in his work on the CMM Advisory Board, his mentorship of the MISTERs and in his generous support of an endowed scholarship for or CMM participants. We truly appreciate his support of this important program.”

Moss worked in education for many years in the Griffin and Dekalb school districts. He was the principal of an

Through the years, Moss obtained his inspiration from his students. “They liked my voice,” says Moss. "Some students would even cut courses just to sit in my class to hear me speak."

When Moss was a principal, some of his students asked if they could have lunch on the front lawn every day. They did. “After they ate, they would clean up their mess,” says Moss, who could observe them from his office window. “If they acted up, they would have to explain it to me. I had great support from the PTA and school council. It made that experience very enjoyable and unique.”

Moss recalls one of his students pointing out to him that Moss’ name was on each diploma that the student received as he was the principal of the elementary, middle and high school that the student attended.

Now that he is retired, Moss spends some of his time reading to grades kindergarten through third-grade students, serving on the Call Me Mister Advisory Board, interviewing Call Me MISTER candidates, doing church activities and traveling.

Moss recounts his time spent at GC. "Dr. John Lounsbury learned to play a mean game of bridge," says Moss. "We would play cards and discuss classwork. I try to tell each student that when you go off to college, if the teachers are going to treat you as an adult, don't miss out on that chance because every conversation I had with a professor was a learning opportunity." ■

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Sandra Deal’s Visit On October 20, First Lady Sandra Deal made a visit to Kilpatrick Education Center. As an alumna of Georgia College’s College of Education, she supports the COE mission to innovatively and collaboratively develop and empower educational professionals. Her work as an advocate of education is evident throughout the state of Georgia.

Deal took time from her busy schedule to meet with Early Childhood Education students in their Literacy class. She enthusiastically asked about each senior student’s future plans and shared personal stories from her teaching days. Her encouraging words about the teaching profession and its importance was motivating to the aspiring teachers.

After the classroom visit, Deal met with Dean Joe Peters and faculty members, Dr. Sandra Webb and Dr. Holley Roberts to discuss Professional Development Schools and data about recent graduates. The faculty and staff were honored to meet and talk with First Lady Deal. ■

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PRE-ED LITERACY FAIR

The Baldwin County Literacy Fair was held at Milledgeville Mall on January 30 from 10-1. This annual event is held to promote literacy to area parents and community members. School organizations and civic groups prepared hands on resources and information on literacy resources available within the community for children and adults. Our Pre Education students manned a table and helped children make paper bag puppets.

A R T S

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L I T E R A C Y

Arts & Literacy: A Journey Uniting Pre-Education Students, YES Students and Multi-Arts

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n February, twenty-one students from across five sections of EDUC 2120 – Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives joined with Dr. Linda Golson Bradley to launch our first semester of Arts & Literacy with the eighty 3rd, 4th and 5th grade YES (Youth Enrichment Services) students of Eagle Ridge Elementary School.

Funded by the office of ENGAGE and a Faculty Research Grant, this pilot semester places 2-3 Georgia College students as the Arts & Literacy teachers of one class of students each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

Participation in this project fulfills students’ field placement component for their EDUC 2120 while also going far beyond expectations in the number of hours and the type of leadership/teaching experience. Our theme for the spring, Passport to the Arts: Journeys through Africa, has included opportunities to make passports, to learn Swahili songs and to read excellent books that introduce folklore and art from African tribes as well as provide a window into the experiences of amazing individuals from the continent of Africa. We have learned African dances, designed masks, participated in readers’ theatre, painted landscapes and created musical instruments. Graduate Assistants, Rachel Hendrix of Creative Arts Therapies and Stephen Hutchings, director of GC’s acapella choir The Cat’s Meow, of Instructional Technology have been key collaborators in planning and implementing the multi-arts curriculum. Faculty colleagues from Education, Music, Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance and Creative Arts Therapies have also been key to the vision and design of the project. We are thrilled about the success of the first semester and our YES partners have been wonderful. We look forward to a culminating program for YES families in mid- April and to continuing this exciting work continuing next fall. ■

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update Rising MISTERS Day

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he inaugural year with the Call Me MISTER program has been an unforgettable experience thus far. Throughout the year, the MISTERs have been involved in mentorship, classroom observations, various extracurricular activities and participated in biweekly leadership seminars designed to challenge them to think critically about their role as educators. They also visited Clemson University (summer 2015) and South Carolina State University (fall 2015) to meet other MISTERs and absorb the power of a national brotherhood of transformative educators.

Our MISTERs are also helping to usher in the next class of future educators. One such recent example is our Rising MISTER Day, where we hosted 21 Black male students from Baldwin and Bibb counties on our campus in an effort to introduce them to the possibilities available through Call Me MISTER. Rising MISTER Day not only provided more information about what it means to be a MISTER, but also gave future MISTERs important information about Georgia College. Given that all of these students either applied for next year’s MISTER cohort (seniors) or the upcoming Rising MISTER Summer Academy (9th – 11th graders), the future of education couldn’t look any brighter!

The first four MISTERs in the state of Georgia – Brian, Homer, Jaleel and Seabon – are some of the brightest young men that our campus has to offer and I’m positive that they are already making a huge impact in education, just from being who they are and having the passion they exude for their community. With our program breaking new ground in the state, our MISTERs have remained committed to the five key tenets of the Call Me MISTER program (servant leadership, ambassadorship, personal growth, brother’s keeper and teacher efficacy) in both their commitment to academic success and community empowerment. Learn more about their passion and commitment toward education in their words in the pages to follow! ■

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S T E A M /

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H I L L

STEAM Ahead at Oak Hill Middle School Funded

by Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Dr. Noris Price, Superintendent of Baldwin County Schools announced the successful funding by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Innovation Grant for STEAM Ahead, an interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering and math innovation with arts and literacy integration for Oak Hill Middle School.

Baldwin County Schools will receive $350,000 for STEAM Ahead and the grant period is March 1, 2016 to March 1, 2018.

Dr. Sandra Webb, associate professor and CoPI for the grant and Robin Lewis, director of Grants and Sponsored Programs at Georgia College were instrumental in writing the application for STEAM Ahead. Additional Georgia College faculty involved as coinvestigators are Dr. Miriam Jordan and Dr. Joanne Previts of the College of Education, Department of Teacher Education, Dr. Angel Abney and Dr. Doris Santarone, Department of Mathematics and Dr. Sam Mutiti, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences of the College of Arts and Sciences.

STEAM Ahead supports collaboration among middle grade teachers at Oak Hill Middle School, Georgia College Early College, Georgia College faculty and community experts. STEAM Ahead will focus on designing and presenting projects that develop design thinking, deepen content understanding in middle grades curriculum and support student goal setting toward STEM career and college readiness. This partnership represents a unique collaboration in rural Central Georgia and presents a model for leveraging community resources for education within the state of Georgia to advance teaching and learning leading to improved student achievement.

This year a pilot project, Building Up STEAM at Oak Hill Middle School, was sponsored by a

mini-STEM grant through the Georgia College STEM Initiative. Six teachers in grades 6 through 8 from Oak Hill Middle School collaborated with Georgia College faculty in creating a professional learning community (PLC) for planning and implementing interdisciplinary lessons in STEM that included arts and literacy integration. Teachers met with faculty to plan lessons and faculty observed lessons, debriefing with teachers afterwards.

Teachers and faculty presented their projects to the Baldwin Board of Education in January. In sixth grade, Allene Veazey and Alison Bass conducted a lesson in soil investigation. Chuck Claxton involved his seventh students in Doctors and Organs, while another seventh grade teacher, Robin Oglesby had students create fabric digestive systems. In eighth grade, Markeeta Clayton and Julie Claxton involved students in investigating, designing and creating water towers that represented community themes. This PLC will provide leadership and direction for implementing the upcoming GOSA Innovation Grant for STEAM Ahead.

The STEAM Ahead GOSA Grant will support additional professional learning for teachers in lesson study, an embedded form of teacherdirected professional development, stipends and substitutes for teachers to engage in planning and developing STEAM lessons with community partners and attending conferences, additional resources for STEAM including technology and field trips for students to enrich curriculum learning objectives and STEAM projects. During a summer STEAM Camp held on the Georgia College campus, middle grades students will engage in real world applications of the middle grades curriculum and teachers will collaboration with Georgia College faculty in designing and implementing inquiry-based STEAM projects. ■

JOHN H. LOUNSBURY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

NEWSLETTER SPRING 2016

gcsu.edu/education