EDUCATION The University of Georgia
News for Alumni and Friends of the College of Education
Fall 1999
America’s Best Teacher Andy Baumgartner Talks About What Makes A Great Teacher
From the dean ...
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University Calendar Fall Semester 1999 • Classes Begin: Aug. 23 • Labor Day: Sept. 6 • Semester Midpoint: Oct. 13 • Thanksgiving: Nov. 24-26 • Classes End: Dec. 9 • Final Exams: Dec. 13-17
Spring Semester 2000 • Classes Begin: Jan. 10 • MLK Day: Jan. 17 • Semester Midpoint: March 1 • Spring Break: March 4-12 • Classes End: May 1 • Final Exams: May 3-5 • Commencement: May 13
t is a distinct honor and privilege for me to offer greetings as the new dean. Dean Russell Yeany’s imprint on the college is tremendous. I am happy to report he will continue to play a meaningful role as emeritus dean. All of us are very fortunate to have such a scholar and leader to call upon whenever necessary. As the newcomer, my first task will be to get to know you. Our college has outstanding programs, premier faculty, excellent students and a superb staff. It is only after I can fully appreciate their work will I be able to articulate a more precise academic message. Nonetheless, I am pleased to share with you that the college has an exciting and important strategic plan in draft status. Our work on outreach, diversity, technology, curriculum, teaching, and learning continues. Other initiatives are under way (e.g., Millennium Commission and collaboration with other colleges) and status reports on their progress are forthcoming. In closing, I wish to pledge to you my commitment to build on the leadership of Dean Yeany and his vision of excellence and recognition for the College of Education. With research as our common thread, I believe the college can achieve our ambitious goals with your continuing support. Together, we can build a Top 10 college of education. Sincerely,
Summer Semester 2000 Louis A. Castenell, Jr.
May Session • • • •
Classes Begin: May 17 Memorial Day: May 29 Classes End: June 6 Final Exams: June 7
Thru Term • • • • •
Classes Begin: June 12 Independence Day: July 4 Term Midpoint: July 7 Classes End: Aug. 3 Final Exams: Aug. 4, 7-8
Short Session I • • • • •
Classes Begin: June 12 Term Midpoint: June 23 Independence Day: July 4 Classes End: July 7 Final Exams: July 10
Short Session II • • • •
Classes Begin: July 11 Term Midpoint: July 24 Classes End: Aug. 4 Final Exams: Aug. 7-8
About the cover photo...1999 National Teacher of the Year and COE grad Andy Baumgartner receives hugs and adoration from some of his pupils at A. Brian Merry Elementary School in Augusta. (Photo by Jeff Jankowski/Reprinted by permission from The Augusta Chronicle)
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COE News Online
www.coe.uga.edu/coenews
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eeping up with College of Education news got a lot easier in 1999, thanks to a new service developed by the college’s Office of Outreach. In fact, it’s as easy as turning on your computer and getting on the Web. Alumni can now visit COE News Online, the college’s new electronic newspaper, to find features and news stories on everything from the latest innovative research projects to college-wide initiatives, to national honors earned by COE faculty, to our calendar of upcoming events and activities. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find on COE News Online: • News, feature stories about COE faculty and their research, teaching, and service. • Links on the Web to news stories in the local, regional, and national media in which the COE is featured or our faculty are cited. • Links to the latest education news on the World Wide Web. • The COE Archives: a searchable online library of past print articles that feature the COE or cite its faculty. • COE Calendar: upcoming lectures, conferences, activities, and special events. • Updates on honors, awards, and news about COE alumni. The electronic newspaper was created and designed by Charles Connor, coordinator of distance education. Michael Childs, public information director, writes, edits, and consults on design. ✍
College Earns Recognition for Excellence! University Faculty Awards Sally Hudson Ross, an associate professor of language education, received the Walter Bernard Hill Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach. Steve Oliver, an associate professor of science education, was granted a Study-in-a-Second-Discipline fellowship.
National Recognition
Ross Julie I. Tallman, an associate professor of instructional technology, was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship for the 1999-2000 academic year to join faculty members at the University of Botswana in Gaborone in their efforts to establish library information services and Internet-based distance education courses. Peter Smagorinsky, an associate professor in language education, received the Raymond B. Cattell Early Career Award for Programmatic Research at the AERA’s annual meeting in Montreal. Bill Swan, professor of educational leadership, received the 1999 Harrie M. Selznick Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the national Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), in recognition of his career-long leadership in the field. He is the first Georgian to win the award in its 14-year history. Karen Watkins , professor of adult education, was named the 1998 Outstanding Scholar-of-the-Year by the Academy of Human Resource Development. Ted Baumgartner, professor of exercise science, received an Honor Award, the highest award given, from the American Association for Active Lifestyles and Fitness (AAALF) at its national convention. Joe Riley, professor of science education, received the 1999 Gustav Ohaus/National Science Teachers Association Award for Innovations in Elementary Science Teaching from the National Science Teachers Association. Ronald Cervero, professor of adult education, was a co-recipient of the 1998 Imogene Okes Award for Outstanding and Continuing Research in Adult Education given by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. Roger B. Winston, Jr. , professor of counseling and human development services, and Theodore (Ted) Miller, professor emeritus of the same department, were named Diamond Honorees by the American College Personnel Association’s Education Leadership Foundation. Rod Dishman, a professor of exercise science, was named a “founding member” of the International Olympic Committee’s Academy of Science.
College Faculty Awards John Dattilo, professor of recreation and leisure studies, was named Aderhold Distinguished Professor. Deborah Tippins , associate professor of science and elementary education, and Denise Mewborn, assistant professor of mathematics education, received D. Keith Osborn Awards for Teaching Excellence. Mark Faust, an associate professor of language education, Brian Glaser, an associate professor of Counseling and Human Development Services, and David Jackson, an associate professor of science education, received the college’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Staff Awards for Excellence Joyce Brown, middle school program advisor in the department of elementary education, received the college Staff Award for Excellence for 1999. Also recognized for outstanding service to their individual units and received certificates and cash awards: Joyce Davis, senior administrative secretary in the School of Professional Studies; Judy Mote, office manager in communication sciences and disorders; Joan Taylor, office manager in occupational studies; Stephanie Bales, office manager in elementary education; Martha Williams , budget analyst in the School of Health and Human Performance; Shea Ray, administrative secretary in the Learning and Performance Support Laboratory; and June Smith, budget analyst in the business office. ✍
COE Grad Programs Among Nation’s Best
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or the fifth consecutive year, graduate programs of the College of Education are ranked among the nation’s best, according to U.S. News and World Report magazine. The college tied w ith Northwestern University for 18th -one up from last year -- out of 188 programs. Under Education Specialties, the magazine ranked four of the college’s graduate programs in the Top 10 nationally: Secondary Teacher 1. Michigan State University 2. University of Wisconsin–Madison 3. Ohio State University–Columbus 4. Teachers College, Columbia University (NY) 5. University of Georgia 6. Stanford University (CA) 6. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign 8. Indiana University–Bloomington 9. University of Virginia (Curry) 10. University of Washington Elementary Teacher 1. Michigan State University 2. Teachers College, Columbia University (NY) 3. Ohio State University–Columbus 4. University of Wisconsin–Madison 5. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign 6. University of Georgia 7. Indiana University–Bloomington 8. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor 9. Vanderbilt University (Peabody) (TN) 10. University of Virginia (Curry) Vocational/Technical 1. Ohio State University–Columbus 2. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign 3. Penn State University–University Park 3. University of Georgia 3. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities 6. Virginia Tech 7. University of Wisconsin–Madison 8. University of Missouri–Columbia 9. Colorado State University 9. Oklahoma State University 9. Texas A&M University–College Station 9. University of Tennessee–Knoxville Counseling/Personnel Services 1. University of Minnesota–Twin Cities 2. Ohio State University–Columbus 2. University of Maryland–College Park 4. University of Wisconsin–Madison 5. University of Florida 6. University of Missouri–Columbia 7. University of Georgia 8. Indiana University–Bloomington 9. University of Virginia (Curry) 10. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign See a full report on the U.S. News rankings on COE News Online at www.coe.uga.edu/coenews.
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Cover Story: 1999 National Teacher of the Year
Meet ‘Mr. B’ College of Education graduate
and Augusta kindergarten teacher Andy Baumgartner cringes at the notion that he’s the ‘best teacher in the nation,’ but says the honor does give him the opportunity to represent all the wonderful things happening in education.
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ugusta kindergarten teacher Andrew Baumgartner, may use slightly unconventional methods, but his success in spreading the magic of learning earned him the honor of being named 1999 National Teacher of the Year last April. “Sometimes they may seem a bit off the wall,” Baumgartner said of his ideas, “but nothing tried is nothing gained.” Baumgartner, 46, a graduate of the University of Georgia’s College of Education, will try just about anything to coax his students to learn. He once held a wedding for Sleeping Beauty, complete with limousine and cake, and a knighting ceremony for Jack, from Jack and the Beanstalk, after he killed the Giant. The Alabama native has taught for the past four years at A. Brian Merry Elementary School in Augusta where 58 percent of the 530 students get free lunch, educators’ most common measure of student poverty. “Classes should be an adventure every day,” said Baumgartner, one of four finalists selected by the National Teacher of the Year program. “They (classes) should be places where children discover... where failure is kept at bay.”
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President Clinton congratulates Baumgartner
Baumgartner graduated from UGA College of Education in 1976 with a BSEd in speech pathology and audiology. He received a master’s degree in early childhood education from North Georgia College in 1979. He is the first Georgia winner of the national honor. But Baumgartner, fondly referred to by many of his students and colleagues as ‘Mr. B,’ remains modest about the award. “Being National Teacher of the Year does not mean that I’m the best in the nation,” he said. “It does mean that I am being given the opportunity to represent all of the wonderful things happening in education and all of the wonderful teachers that teach within the public school system.” Baumgartner had been serving the past year as Georgia’s Teacher of the Year. During his year off from teaching, he has presented and attended 248 workshops and seminars throughout the state, telling educators to find ways to address the needs of every child. A teacher for 23 years, Baumgartner has battled his share of educational demons, even in his own family. He went through the pain of watching his son, Brock, diagnosed with multiple learning
disabilities, fail in class, and eventually drop out of school in frustration. “He is one of the students who fell between the cracks,” Baumgartner said in an interview earlier this year. “When a school fails a child, it fails an entire family.” His son, now 21, got his general equivalency certificate and is now enrolled in an Augusta technical school. The experience forced Baumgartner to reevaluate his own teaching style. “It turned me into the teacher who became the Teacher of the Year. I had to dig down deep and figure out who I was,” he said. “Brock’s difficulty in school taught me the importance of making sure every child in my classroom has some element of success. And that each child who enters my class has a right to enter with dignity and exit with dignity.” Baumgartner, a former Marine, started out as a K-12 speech pathologist but decided to go into early childhood education. He said he never thought the littlest kids would be too tough to handle. “They have a real thirst for learning,” he said. “They’re still very eager to try.” He also has fought to overcome skepticism toward male teachers, especially ones in the early grades. More than three-fourths of the nation’s teachers are women. “The stereotype was they had to be motherly women, maternal,” he said. “I had to show that I could be paternal, which is just as good or better, since many of these
kids don’t have fathers at home. Little boys in school need to see men succeeding.” Baumgartner said he was inspired to teach by his minister father. “We were taught that we’d been so blessed by God that it was our duty to give something back. I did that by having a career in service,” he said. Since an April 19 ceremony at the White House, Baumgartner has been on the road doing promotional tours as National Teacher of the Year. Baumgartner wants to use his tenure to emphasize that teachers and principals should not be alone in setting high academic standards for schoolchildren. “Everyone must be accountable for the public education system,” he said. “That’s why it’s called the public education system.” And that’s exactly what he told President Bill Clinton. “I told him our country needs to be aware of how wonderful our public school system really is, but also how much in need our public school system is of more support,” Baumgartner said. “I told him that this emphasis on accountability cannot rest just with teachers, and in using standardized tests as a measurement for accountability. We must realize that they are not the best measurement or the only measurement and we need to continually look for better ways to evaluate our students’ progress and the success of our teachers.” Baumgartner’s message has certainly gotten through in his school. His pupils recently climbed all over him when they saw him in a recent return visit. He sat down with them in the middle of the floor and listened as they updated him on what they’ve been up to since last they saw him. The veteran teacher said his greatest “kick” in teaching “comes when I look into the face of a young child and watch confusion turn to concentration, concentration to surprise, and, finally, surprise into the pride of accomplishment.” ✍ (Excerpts from stories by Augusta Chronicle Staff Writer Faith Johnson and the Associated Press were used in this article.)
Making Science Magical Georgia’s Teacher of the Year 2000 Amy Denty Credits COE Preparation for Success
Denty (L) works with students
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hether mummifying chickens, making slime, conducting scientific experiments or examining the 100-foot long, life-size model of a whale that their teacher created, Amy Denty’s sixth-grade students learn scientific concepts in fascinating ways. “My classroom is very inquiry based,” Denty said. “I believe students must have real experiences so that they can integrate concepts into their lives and make them meaningful.” Because of her dedication to her students and the teaching profession, Denty, a science teacher at Arthur Williams Middle School in Wayne County and a COE alumna, was named 2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year this past spring. Denty, 32, attributes much of her success in the classroom today to her educational background in middle school science education at the college. “The program really prepared its undergraduates with the knowledge and
the skills to run an effective classroom,” she said. “Every college should use UGA as a model.” The curriculum requires that science education majors take teaching methods classes within the College of Education paired with content courses taught by science professors. “By taking the methods and content courses at the same time, we were able to gain a deep knowledge of science while learning the best ways to teach it,” she said. Denty also said her education curriculum provided real-world experience that helped her make a smooth transition into the classroom. “Each Friday, educators who were currently teaching in public schools would come into our classroom and work with us one-on-one,” she said. “We would also have practicum opportunities every quarter where we could go into real classrooms and work with children.” Denty credits Michael Padilla, professor and interim director of the college’s School of Teacher Education, as having a profound impact on her decision to become a science teacher. “I had Dr. Padilla for two courses, but he was also my advisor and my friend,” she said. “I never dreamed of teaching science because it was the subject I hated most in school, but he encouraged me to stick with it, and now I couldn’t imagine myself teaching anything else.” ✍
COE Grads Named Georgia Teacher of the Year Since 1973 Eleven COE graduates named Georgia Teacher of the Year, their teaching area and school system: Year
Teacher of the Year
2000 1999 1994 1984 1983 1982 1980 1977 1976 1974 1973
Amy Denty, science, Wayne County Andy Baumgartner, kindergarten, Richmond County Vallye Blanton, first grade, Lowndes County Kay Harvey, math, Gwinnett County James McRaney, music, DeKalb County Sandra Worsham, English, Baldwin County Emma Stevens Murrah, kindergarten, Lowndes County Patricia Hammond, learning disabilitiy, Lumpkin County Edith Smoak, psychology, Glynn County Norma Lattimore, first grade, Rome City Kathleen Hobgood White, second grade, Barrow County
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The College of Education Honor Roll of Dono This Honor Roll of Donors recognizes gifts made to the College of Education through the University of Georgia Foundation from July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999.
Profile in Philanthropy Joan Burkes Neal Residence: Fayetteville, Ga.
Corporations, Foundations and Organizations - recognizing gifts from these entities at all levels. Abbott Laboratories Hospital Products Division Athens Sertoma Club Book Warehouse Delta Air Lines Foundation East Georgia Radiation and Oncology Center Fluor Foundation Georgia Association for Gifted Children, Inc. Georgia-Pacific Corporation GP Therapy, LLC Gwinnett Alliance for Gifted Education, Inc. Holiday Inn of Athens Homeplace LandAmerica Foundation Merrill Lynch and Company Foundation, Inc. NovaCare R.E.M./Athens, LLC Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. The UPS Foundation USX Foundation, Inc. Wachovia Corporation Deferred Giving - recognizing donors who have included the College of Education in their estate plans through life insurance policies, bequests, or pooled-income gifts. Neal Alford Joan Berryman Charles Brown Julianne F. Chambliss Thelma Bray Dorsey Carl D. and Sara Glickman Sylvia Hutchinson Virginia Macagnoni Louise McBee Morley G. McCartney Mary Ann Morgareidge David and Cynthia Mullen, Jr. Joan Burkes Neal Barbara J. Rankin Julian C. Stanley, Jr. E. Paul Torrance Curtis and Irene Ulmer Aubrey Whelchel Dean’s Club - recognizing donors who have given a minimum of $1,000 during the year. Gifts at this level also qualify for the University of Georgia Annual President’s Club.
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Degree: B.S. education, ‘51 (extra course work in library science) Career: Teacher in kindergarten and third grade, 1960-63; Librarian at Fayetteville Elementary School, 1963-1990 What has the College of Education meant to you? It gave me real worth and changed my outlook on life after my first husband died. What motivated you to make your gift to the College? I wanted to help a young one or ones through UGA. My granddaughter, Wendy Adams, has the HOPE Scholarship. I love the university and have always been proud that I graduated from there. I was the first one in my family to graduate from college. My parents were very proud. Dr. Ira E. Aaron Martha Nell Allman Terutsugu Ando Dr. Orlow E. Ball and Barbara Stevens Ball JoAnn F. and Gene M. Barber Betty J. Benson Nancy C. Brown Brian Christopher Bruce Bob and Maxine Burton Ethel T. Chaffin Sara Lucas Cooney and Dr. Thomas J. Cooney Dr. Bernice Louise Cooper Dr. Carolyn Carson Dahl Dr. Jonathan David Edwards Elizabeth Garrard Hall Dr. Joseph P. Hester Dr. Sylvia McCoy Hutchinson Virginia Stewart Jarvis Dr. Marcella Anne Kerlin Erick K. and Zarina G. McCarthy David John Mullen, Jr. and Cynthia Shields Mullen Dr. Whitney Lee Myers Dr. Marilyn Newhoff Dr. Helen and Tom Richardson Dr. Harriet Tamara Safter and Warren J. Safter Carol L. Schlichter Harold W. Seaton Dr. William Walter Swan Judith Thomas-Blanton Dr. E. Paul Torrance Dr. Hsiao-Lin Tuan Dr. Harry M. Turner and
Faith L. Waldron Turner Dr. R. Curtis Ulmer, Sr. and Irene S. Ulmer Sharon Green Webber and M. Thomas Webber, Jr. Dr. L. David Weller Dr. Patricia S. Wilson Lois Cason Wooten and Frank L. Wooten, Jr. Dr. Russell H. Yeany, Jr. College Club - recognizing donors who have given a minimum of $500 during the year. Dr. James Crockett Acton and Joyce Lifsey Acton Dr. Linda McLaurin Arthur Dr. Jeri Benson Virginia M. Carver Louie William Cleveland, Jr. Lindsey Lavon Cook and Deanna Dooley Cook Dr. Bradley C. Courtenay and Nancy Talton Courtenay Sara O. Glickman and Dr. Carl D. Glickman Susan Joan Graham Dr. Michael J. Hannafin Steve and Diane Horton Robin Jackson Dr. Jeremy Kilpatrick Dr. Richard L. Lynch and Genevieve A. Lynch Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd C. McNally, Jr. Dr. Denise Spangler Mewborn Dr. Helen C. Hall and
Billy E. Moppin Drs. Beverly Dean and David A. Payne Dr. Glenn Eldon Pethel Janice Bateman Puder Dr. Jack E. Razor Drs. Catherine Elkin and Sidney Rosen Drs. Barbara Boyt and John W. Schell Margaret Lex Schneider and Dr. Donald O. Schneider Anne Howard and Robert H. Stolz Erla Gortatowsky Zuber Century Club - recognizing donors who have given a minimum of $100 during the year. Dr. Stephen Kwasi Agyekum Naomi Shearouse Alderman Drs. JoBeth E. and Lewis Ray Allen Dr. Thomas Duane Allerton, Sr. Patricia Humphrey Arnold Thomas Jackson Arnold Raymond H. Babineau Frank Stetson Bachelder Dr. Frances Faust Barger Dr. Mitchell Kyle Barnes Dr. Dorothy Ann Battle Rebecca Seagraves and Herman Crawford Baugh Dr. Ted A. Baumgartner Dr. Sidney E. Benton Richard L. Bestwick Dr. Laura Lee Bierema Ruth Mitchell Bilbro Dr. Robert Alan Black Dr. John Metcalf Bowen and Jean Schmidt Bowen Jane Probert Bowers Dr. James S. Bradshaw Robert Branch Dr. P. Stanley Brassie Becki V. and Michael P. Breslin O. Walter and Deanna R. Britton Dr. Elizabeth Yeomans Brown Jeffrey Alan Cain Carol Hendon and John Rance Cain Mrs. Joseph O. Carson, Jr. Dr. Martha Ann Solomon Carter Sherry G. Centanni Carol Hatcher Cochran Melissa Rand and Walter Norman Cohen Dr. Dorothy Z. Coleman Ruth Wagnon and Lafiece D. Collins, Jr. Dr. Mary Jim Combs and Curtis E. Tate, Jr. Vicki Ann Connell and Hoyt Keith Kay Dr. Charles C. Connor, Jr. and Beverly H. Connor Fornadia Winett Cook Diane L. Cooper Dr. Mary Kay Corbitt
ors 1998-99 Dr. Gale Norman Coston Dr. Marie Elaine Cress Dr. Harlon Doyle Crimm Jeanne and Waller W. Dalton Anne Dickens Davenport Brenda S. and Daniel L. Davis Virginia Howard Davis-Beck and Elwood M. Beck Drs. David M. and Judith K. DeJoy Drs. Carolyn Blount and Paul F. DeLargy Anthony DePalma Alice DePass-Miller Irene Mary Diamond and George M. A. Stanic Mr. and Mrs. George R. Dieterle Rosemary Eakins Charlotte Hitchcock Efurd Joy Thomas Elder Shirley May Ellis Dr. Mary Arnold Erlanger and Michael C. Erlanger Dr. Lorelle Chalmus Evans, Jr. Dr. Marc Eugene Fey and Sandra Hamilton Fey Brenda Bowen Floyd Dr. Mary Kathryn Floyd Kay Shearer and Stuart W. Fors Bruce Howard Fraser Dr. Mary M. Frasier Dr. LaRetta Matthews Garland Mary Ann Garrard Dr. George M. Gazda Drs. Shawn and Denise Glynn Dr. June Wehrt Gray Steven H. Gresham M. Smitty Griffith Mrs. Leon R. Gross Drs. Elaine Olbrych and Kent L. Gustafson
Thanks to Every Donor! Knut A. Hagtvet Robert Charles Hart and Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart Dr. Richard L. Hayes Thomas P. Hebert Dr. Howard Herbert Hendley Susan Highsmith-Graveline Dolly Bentley Hogan Dr. Charles Thomas Holmes Hildegard K. Holmes Drs. Sharon G. and Arthur M. Horne Mark Allan and Joanie Kenny Hoyt Dr. Carl J. Huberty Dr. Sally Ann Hudson Ross Dr. George W. Hynd Joseph Gledhill Impink Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Durell Jessup Dr. Ann E. Jewett Celeste Coley and Willard Calhoun Johns, Jr. Dr. Edwin Anthony Johnson A. Belle Jones John D. and Susan Head Jones Dr. and Mrs. Daniel J. King Dr. James Milton King Ann H. Kingston Drs. Pamela Bradley and Douglas A. Kleiber Steven Leroy Langston Dr. Jamie Reese Lawrence Dr. Gene Rolf Layser Dr. Chester William Leathers Dr. Carolyn Lehr Marion Jones and A. Allan Leonard Dr. Thomas Jackson Lewis, Sr. Dr. Virginia M. Macagnoni Dr. Paul H. Madden
Dr. Roy P. Martin Kenneth M. Matthews Margaret M. McQuilkin Glen and Sandra Miller Dr. Editha Barnes Mills Mary K. Mills Alicia Mae Mitchell Sharon S. Moore Dr. Genelle G. Morain John Albert Moreland, III Dr. David E. Mullins and Jane C. Mullins Dr. Gwendolyn Brown Mundy Donald G. and Susan F. Myers Dr. Anne Lindsay Nalls Ann Gower Nelson Mr. and Mrs. James C. Norton Dr. Stephen F. Olejnik and Sherrie Nist Olejnik Drs. Jenny and Steven Oliver Juliana Ruth Osterhout Dr. Michael J. Padilla Patricia Rocker and Charles E. Parker, Sr. Georgia Parthemos Dr. Sandra Keever Perry Dr. Gary Kent Person Charles Poolos Dr. Judith Preissle Patricia Padgett Price Dr. William F. Prokasy and Pamela P. Prokasy Dr. Amy Meltzer Rady Drs. Patricia Mullins and Thomas C. Reeves Dr. Cecil Randy Reynolds Dr. Mikel Freeman Richardson J. William and Clarice M. Rioux Janet G. Robertson Dr. Randall Harvey Rogers
New Beginnings... This year brings new beginnings to the College of Education and University of Georgia alike. The most prominent one for the college is the arrival of Louis Castenell as our new dean. Dr. Castenell brings a wealth of experience as an educational leader, having served as dean at the University of Cincinnati College of Education for almost 10 years. He is especially interested in external relations and is eager to get to know our alumni and supporters. Under his leadership, we will provide more opportunities to engage our alumni in the goals and mission of our college ... so stay tuned.
Another change this year is that COE alumni will have two opportunities to support the college. Next spring, for the first time, our alumni will be asked for specific support for the college. Alumni can also designate their gifts to the college in the traditional fall campaign. But why give to the college in the first place? Because your dollars help us enrich the academic experience of our students. It is an investment in the education of our students and in the many professions that the college represents, from teaching to recreational therapy.
Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Sadler Dr. Jacqueline J. Saindon and Dr. Stephen A. Kowalewski Dr. Neil Boydston Satterfield Dr. G. Franklin and Hildred Hardigree Shumake Sara Lee Simons Drs. Phyllis H. and Phillip Belton Sparling Dr. Steven A. Stahl Robin P. and G. Danny Stevens Dr. Howard Lamar Stevens Catherine Meadows and Thomas G. Stokes Dr. Julie I. Tallman Connie Sue Tibbitts Natalie Tucker Dr. Craig Ellsworth Ullom Dr. Anne van Kleeck Karen E. Watkins Dr. James Brian Welsh and Iris Kilgore Welsh Dr. Mark F. Wheeler and Jan Bates Wheeler Nancy Gunter and George Hamilton Williams Green Berry Williams, Jr. Mrs. Leroy M. Willson Dr. Roger Bradley Winston, Jr. Barbara Johnson and Rod Wright Dr. Tzuhui Wu Vickie S. Young A complete list of donors can be seen at our COE News Online (www.coe.uga.edu/coenews). If you would like your name to appear differently than listed, or if your name was omitted, please let us know.
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This year alone, private dollars supported student scholarships, faculty teaching awards, instructional laboratories, programming for K-12 school improvement, professorships and alumni activities. If you would like to know more about giving to the College of Education, please contact me at (706) 542-2267 or contact me by email at rstevens@coe.uga.edu. Your support does indeed make a difference. Robin Stevens Director of Development
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A conversation with the COE’s new dean...
Louis Castenell ‘Some
people don’t see the strides being made in education because they are looking for the big bang. And I’m saying the big bang may never happen... for a variety of reasons. But many smaller bangs add up.’
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ouis Castenell hit the ground running when he arrived on campus last month to become the 13th dean to lead the University of Georgia’s College of Education. In fact, his first few weeks here have consisted of a non-stop series of meetings with administrators, faculty, and staff to learn all about one of the nation’s largest education colleges. Seen as a rising star in higher education, Castenell brought many changes to the University of Cincinnati where he had been dean of education since 1990. His tenure there was marked by several major advances including the creation of a doctoral program in criminal justice and urban educational leadership, a 76 percent rise in research funding to $8.3 million in 1998, increased scholarships for graduate programs, creation of a child development research center and $12 million in capital renovations. Castenell sorted through some of the challenges, issues, and opportunities facing the college, as well as the field of education in this interview in his first week on the job. Since you were already a dean at Cincinnati, you must have scrutinized the college pretty closely before accepting this job. What won you over? Well, the college is, of course, nationally ranked. It has academic excellence. It has many well-known faculty whose reputations are well-known throughout the
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country. I’ve also had a chance, in recent years, to work with different faculty here in joint projects. Doing things collaboratively gave me a chance to hear their views of the college. Without exception, they all had nothing but terrific things to say about the place. That’s really important because it gives you a sense of people’s identity, their well-being and whether it’s a fit place to work. It was my impression that this would be such a place. If those are the strengths, what did you perceive as weaknesses? There are a couple of areas we can improve on. One is in alumni affairs. No institution has done all that it can do to bring the alumni into the planning operation of a college. That is something on which we should focus. Secondly, fund raising. I think that, despite our academic stature, we have to become more progressive in how we think about attracting external funds. We should take advantage of our academic excellence. We should leverage it to get substantial funds to continue work that we’re doing and to pioneer into new areas that are going to be really important to the region and to the country, and perhaps the world. What will be among your first priorities here? I think the first year is a critical one in which I have to pay attention to how things are done. You can’t introduce change unless you understand the current
status – you have no way of knowing what works well and what doesn’t. But the first year will be a very active process where I will meet with all kinds of people and listen to them. It’s an audit year for me where I’m taking into account the multiple issues in the college. Then, if there’s a need to change anything, I can do so in an informed way, probably in the spring sometime.You really have to study the formal institution and the informal institution before you really know how to get things done. You’ve said you want to improve the college’s external relations. In what areas will you focus? I’m going to focus on several things. First, I have to get to know the people I serve. Second, I have to assess and begin to make appropriate contacts with individuals, organizations, and companies that have interest in education. I have to work closely with the UGA Foundation. I have to study and see where opportunities may lie with existing partnerships. The college has partnerships with different institutions and I want to see how I can be a help there. I need to investigate the international connections we have. Third, I want to study opportunities that might be available in the region and not just in Athens. Most important, however, I must make sure our work is a correct fit with UGA’s strategic plan. Please see Castenell on page 9
The college has more than 40,000 living alumni. How important are alumni to the college and in what way? They are the most important product of our work. Our alumni are professionals in the field; and so what they do, in fact, changes the world in a profound way. You cannot be decoupled from that. All learning is and should be lifelong learning. People don’t stop being students when they leave college. They are your signature. They represent who you are and they represent the quality you possess. How does Georgia’s education reform effort compare to what’s been happening in Ohio? The two states are very much alike. They’re grappling with the same issues. Of course, they differ a little bit, but I understand the purpose of the Georgia Education Reform commission and, in fact, Ohio did something similar. The P-16 Initiative is also something that Ohio is deeply involved in. But there’s a unique state flavor to these similar initiatives. That’s the part I’m picking up now. What makes Georgia’s initiative somewhat different than what we did in Ohio? You might say, 90 percent of it I know, because the issues are the same. Probably, the recommendations are going to be very similar, too. But that 10 percent I just don’t know is the part I’m trying to focus on. Are there any areas that stick out to you as important areas for reform? Yes. The available evidence makes it real clear – the single, strongest predictor of learning is the quality of teaching in the classroom. That involves knowing the subject you’re teaching, as well as the preparation and the methodology. But I’m pretty sure that the commission will also restate the significance of quality teaching. A later issue might be class size. That’s important also. However, you can have a smaller class with an inept teacher-then you have nothing. But quality teaching to me is the most important variable. The other thing is the P-16 partnership. How we successfully partner with schools, colleges, organizations, and community can address our concern for high-quality performance of teachers. Another key is diversity. A simple study of the emerging demographics
makes it clear: African Americans and Hispanics are going to be essential to Georgia’s economic growth. We need more minority teachers in the classroom. Finally, I believe elected officials and special interest groups will continue to push for educational experimentation. Are school vouchers and charter schools examples of such experimentation? The public’s impatience with outcomes tends to outstrip the time it takes for good data collection and analysis. So you might actually do something terrific in one year, but need more time to study it. Meanwhile, people become impatient. They go on to a new trend and that trend bumps what you were studying. So it’s hard to catch up with--and certainly hard to surpass--the public’s fancy for tinkering with educational models. If only we treated education like medicine. We certainly are careful about medication before releasing it to the public. But when it comes to education and children, we’re very much the Vegas gambler. We must be careful. People are too complicated. I believe we are seeing some informed incremental improvements. But some people don’t see that because they are looking for the big bang. And I’m saying the big bang may never happen... for a variety of reasons. But many smaller bangs add up. If you take the time to look back from where you are now to where you were 10 or 12 years ago, depending on the measure, we are way ahead of the game. For instance, the achievement gap between whites and African Americans and other groups, has shrunk significantly. And that’s good! It’s still not where we want it to be, but no one talks about the progress we have made. People are actually staying in school longer now than before. That’s good! But we don’t talk about the improvement. We don’t talk about the technological skills students have today compared to 10 or 12 years ago. Those are all achievements, but you know, it’s not a big bang. That’s a long-winded way of saying, that in Georgia it is critical for the college to lead by research, teaching, and public service to inform the public about scientific pedagogy. ✍ See complete interview on COE News Online at www.coe.uga.edu/coenews.
QUICK-TAKES Oglethorpe Folklore Museum Project Wins Smithsonian Award The Oglethorpe Virtual Folklore Museum, a Web site developed in a collaboration between the COE and a 6 th grade English class at Oglethorpe County Middle School, was a Laureate winner in the Computer World--Smithsonian Innovation in Education competition. The site features stories and recipes gathered from older Oglethorpe residents, old-time songs sung by senior citizens, and video clips and photographs of county people and landmarks. You can visit the site at: www.coe.uga.edu/areaschools/ocms .
Millennium Commission Unveils Vision of Next Great COE The College of Education’s Millennium Commission has released a document that it hopes will serve as a blueprint to the college’s future as a national and world leader in education. The report foresees the college offering new forms of curricula, programs, assessments, and uses of technology in the 21st century. It urges further attention to issues of diversity; multicultural education; service learning; international education; and the integration of teaching, research, and service.
Columbine Students Get Copy of COE Prof’s Book In response to an overwhelming need for teen-centered healing, the Castle Rock Foundation in Denver bought 2,100 copies of Marilyn Gootman’s book titled, When A Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving and Healing. Copies of the book have been distributed to every student in Columbine High School in hopes that its gentle but knowing advice will help them recover from the horrifying school shooting last April.
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College of Education
5th Annual Homecoming Tailgate October 23, 1999 Join us on the north side of Aderhold Hall for a “dawg-gone good time” as we get fired up for the Georgia vs. Kentucky game. Festivities start 2 ½ hours prior to game time, currently set for 1 p.m., but check local media for possible changes.
Meet our New Dean!
Great Food!
Take advantage of this first opportunity to welcome and meet our new dean, Louis Castenell. Described as a gifted educator and dynamic leader, Castenell comes to UGA from the University of Cincinnati where he was education dean for nearly 10 years. He will talk briefly about his vision for the college, but will spend most of his time getting to know our alumni oneon-one.
Mouth-watering Sonny’s Pit Barbeque will be served featuring chicken and pork with all the trimmings.
Great Fun! Special recognition will be given to COE alumni in these categories: Most Dawg-Decked Out - spirited dress Most Dawg-Gone - earliest graduation year Bull-Pup of the Day - youngest child Most Dawged-Tired - longest distance traveled Dawg-Gone Grad to be Here - most recent graduate
Meet UGA’s New Basketball Coach Jim Harrick Meet UGA’s new men’s basketball coach Jim Harrick and hear his preview of the upcoming season. Harrick, who won a national championship as head coach at UCLA in 1995, led Rhode Island to NCAA Tournament appearances the past two seasons, including a berth in the Elite Eight in 1998. He has been a head coach for 19 seasons, including nine at Pepperdine (1979-88), eight at UCLA (1986-96) and two at Rhode Island (1996-98). During those 19 years, his teams have earned invitations to 14 NCAA Tournaments and two NIT berths. Harrick’s overall head coaching record is 403-182. Be sure to enter the drawing for free UGA men’s basketball tickets. Still need football game tickets? Contact the UGA Athletics Ticket Office at (706) 542-1231. For questions about Homecoming Tailgate ‘99, call (706) 542-1717. You can find more info on Homecoming weekend events at: http://www.uga.edu/alumni/FallEvents.html. Homecoming Tailgate Registration Name: _________________________________________ Class of:_____________ Major: ___________________________ Phone Number: (
) _____-_________ Guest(s) Names: ___________________________________________________
Indicate how many meals you want to reserve: Barbeque Plates
______ at $10.00 each = $__________ TOTAL REMITTED = $__________
Make checks payable to The University of Georgia Foundation
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To register, fill out and return this registration form by October 18, 1999 to: College of Education Alumni Office G-10 Aderhold Hall The University of Georgia Athens, Georgia 30602-7101
CLASS NOTES 1960’s
1990’s
David C. Mosely (BSEd ‘65, Health & PE, MED ‘72 School Counseling) has served 34 years in public education, the last five as Glynn County School Superintendent. He is retiring in June, 1999.
Meghan Keally Gaskill (BSEd ‘92 Educational Psychology) is Assistant Director of Alumnae Affairs for Agnes Scott College. J. Randy McGinnis (PhD ‘92 Science Education), assistant professor, University of Maryland, was the recipient of a national research award presented by the National Association for Research in Science Teaching that recognizes outstanding performance and continuing potential in science education research performed by a researcher during the five-year period since earning a doctoral degree. Margaret A. Trevathan (BSEd ‘92 Health Education) has recently moved to Hawaii after finishing work in Alaska as community coordinator for PATCH, Planned Approach to Community Health. James T. McRaney (Music Education ‘93) is Director of Concert Choir, Reinhardt College. Christina Sheperd Rochan (BSEd ‘93 Early Childhood Education) is Music Department Manager at Chick Piano in Athens, GA. Lynda R. Flage (PhD ‘95 Science Education) is assistant professor at Piedmont College. Patricia W. William (EdD ‘96 Curriculum and Instruction) teaches at the Phoenix Alternative School in Atlanta Public Schools. She recently completed “Teaching Humanities in a Media Age,” an innovative program that teaches high school teachers how to improve their classes by incorporating media analysis and media production into their classroom instruction. The program was part of the Summer Institute at Clark University in Maryland. Jennifer Renee Wallpe Lewis (BSEd ‘97) is a 5 th grade teacher at Little River Elementary in Cherokee County. Wendy Naylor (BSEd ‘97) is teaching and coaching at Athens Academy.
1970’s Denise Jennings (BSEd ‘74 Art Education) is an art teacher and Visual Art Department Chair at Milton High School in Fulton County. Andrew C. Baumgartner (BSEd ‘76 Speech Pathology and Audiology) was named 1999 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic, Inc., the educational publishers. Baumgartner will spend a year on promotional tours as teacher of the year, kicked off with a ceremony at the White House on April 19. Deborah A. Healy(BSEd ‘79, Dance Education) is a stockbroker with J.C. Bradford in Chamblee.
1980’s Claire Hubbard Mann (BSEd ‘87 English Education) is a 4 th grade teacher in Gwinnett County School System. She and her husband, Jack, are proud parents of a son, born October, 1998. Nandra L. Miller (BSEd ‘88 Early Childhood Education) is a preschool teacher at Andover Country Day School in Alpharetta. Penni Paradise (BSEd ‘88, Middle School Education) is teaching at Greene-Taliaferro Middle School and Head Cheerleading Coach for Greene-Taliaferro High School. She is currently working on her master’s degree at UGA.
What’s New With You? Your promotions, professional activities, honors, and community service are an important part of the Education news. Complete this form and return it to the College of Education Alumni Office, G-10 Aderhold Hall, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. I am a past member of Kappa Delta Epsilon. Please update my address/phone.
I am interested in volunteering for college projects. Please add me to the COE-Alumni Electronic List.
Please Remember to designate your annual fund gift to the College of Education
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College of Education 1999 - 2000 Calendar
SEPTEMBER 22 Fall Faculty Meeting
18-20 8pm. Young Choreographer’s Series Senior Concert. New Dance Theatre
2 3 Noon -1pm. Multicultural Education Seminar. “Themes and Tensions in Multicultural Research and Practice”
DECEMBER 7-8 Summit on School Violence. Speaker: Gov. Roy Barnes
OCTOBER 1 4 3:30-4:30pm. Multicultural Education Seminar. “Graduate Experiences of African American Students on Predominately White Campuses”
11-12 Saturday 8pm; Sunday 2pm. UGA Ballet Ensemble and Athens Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert. Classic Center
FALL SEMESTER 1999
2 2 4pm. Torrance Lecture
17 1 and 4pm. Fall Convocations. Performing Arts Center
2 3 COE Homecoming Tailgate.
SPRING SEMESTER 2000
NOVEMBER 7-9 The League of Professional School Annual Fall Conference. Savannah Marriott
JANUARY 6-8 Annual Conference on Qualitative Research in Education. Georgia Center
27-29 8pm. Concert Dance Company. Fine Arts Theatre FEBRUARY 24-26 8pm. UGA Ballroom Performance Group. New Dance Theatre MARCH 23-25 8pm. CORE Concert Dance Company’s Spring Collection. New Dance Theatre
The University of Georgia
EDUCATION Dean Louis A. Castenell, Jr.
24-25 The Annual Conference on Children’s Literature. Dept of Language Ed. Georgia Center
Outreach Administrator Donna Q. Butler
APRIL 13-16 “La Bayadere,” UGA Ballet Ensemble. New Dance Theatre
Editor Michael Childs editor@coe.uga.edu
MAY 1 2 1 & 4pm. Spring Convocations. Performing Arts Center
COE News Online
www.coe.uga.edu/coenews Visit our electronic newspaper on the Web for daily updates and indepth coverage of news, announcements, and events in the College of Education and from around the world. Make us your home page.
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