EdConnection Newsletter

Greetings from the PSU College of Education! We have had such a great beginning to the 2009-10 academic year. Our new president, Dr. Steve Scott, took the helm in July and is doing a marvelous job as our new leader. Our enrollment at the university increased again and the results of our long term plan for campus improvements is evident everywhere, from the new Bryant Student Health Center to the new parking lots to the new plaza on the south side of the campus to refurbished dorms and academic buildings. It is truly an exciting time to be a part of Pittsburg State University.

A number of projects are also underway in the College of Education. We are in the midst of getting our 30 plus licensing programs approved by the state. These were just submitted at the beginning of October, and the state review process should be completed by January of 2010. Our faculty and staff have worked extremely hard to make sure our programs reflect best practice and that our students are meeting achievement expectations. As we complete this process we are getting ready for our national accreditation visit in October of 2010. We have already been working two years in preparation for this visit and will now intensify our efforts to ensure that our graduates can be proud of the quality of programs they have experienced while at PSU. One of the additions to our programs is a new data system that will allow us the opportunity to track our students' progress during their time here and archive the data needed for future program reviews and national accreditation visits. 

Our COE Diversity Committee has also been hard at work recruiting a more diverse population to our college and helping them become aware of the many professions available. We also hosted workshops this past summer in Kansas and Missouri on autism spectrum disorder for teachers, school staff, and parents and had a tremendous response. The Boylan Foundation from Carthage, Missouri has provided the funds for these workshops the past two summers, and we are extremely grateful for their generous support. We were also just notified that the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at Greenbush was awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education for improving leadership preparation and professional development and the PSU College of Education is a partner with them in this grant.

These are but a few examples of our work on behalf of our students and the communities that we serve. However, the greatest news is that we continue to attract wonderful students who are motivated and passionate about their futures and who truly want to make a difference. We feel truly blessed.

I want to close with a challenge to you. We have built a culture that values relationships for a lifetime. To that end, we want to hear from you, know what you are doing, and know how we might be of assistance to you. We appreciate your continued support!

Andy Tompkins, Ed.D.
-Dean, College of Education

The College of Education is beginning a new tradition this fall by hosting a Student Teacher Recognition ceremony from 9-10 a.m. on Monday, December 14, in the Overman Student Center.

The ceremony will recognize the efforts of the fall 2009 student teachers. Dr. Steve Scott, president of PSU, will give a welcome and Christy Levings, NEA executive committee member, will be the keynote speaker. Graduating teachers will be presented with a specially designed medallion recognizing the successful completion of the Teacher Educaiton program.

Levings, an elementary school teacher from rural Osawatomie, Kan., was elected to the National Education Association's (NEA) Executive Committee in July 2007 for a three-year term. With three decades of education experience, Levings has been a champion for public education and school employees at the state and local levels. She served as president of the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) for five years and vice president for four years as well as president of the Olathe National Education Association. She is also a leader in advocating for teaching preparation and professionalism - she served as a member of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) review team and was recently selected as the vice chair of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

For more information about the Recognition Ceremony for Student Teachers, contact the College of Education, 620-235-4518.

Sometimes with teachers, it's hard to tell who the kids are. As several teachers from around the state were running around trying to knock over (or build up) colored cones, it was a perfect example of one of those situations. Read more in The Morning Sun.

http://www.morningsun.net/archive/x884495849/Pitt-State-hosts-KAHPERD-convention

Pittsburg State University honored four graduates with the 2009 Outstanding Alumni Award during Homecoming festivities. Two of these recipients were graduates of the College of Education.

This year's recipients were selected based on their professional achievements, as well as their community and organizational involvement. They were recognized at a reception at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, in the Heritage Room of the Overman Student Center, as well as at the Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Carnie Smith Stadium.

C.J. Huff

C.J. Huff, a graduate of the College of Education, is superintendent of schools for the Joplin School District in Joplin, Mo.

Since 2008, Huff has overseen the educational development of 7,500 students at the district. His responsibilities also include leading a team of 1,200 teachers and staff.

Before accepting the position at Joplin, Huff served as superintendent of the Eldon (Mo.) School District. He worked as principal for Espy Elementary School in the Nixa (Mo.) School District, as well as the Doling/Weaver Elementary Schools in the Springfield (Mo.) School District. Prior to that, he worked as an elementary school teacher and assistant principal at the Bolivar (Mo.) and Pleasanton (Kan.) School Districts.

Huff received his bachelor of science degree in elementary education from PSU in 1996. He earned a master's degree and specialist's degree in education administration from Missouri State University in Springfield. He finished his doctorate in education leadership at the University of Arkansas in 2003.

Dr. Huff has garnered a long list of professional accomplishments including, most recently, initiating legislative changes to raise Missouri standards regarding high school drop-out criteria. (The bill is awaiting the governor's signature.) In 2007, he was recognized for his leadership and contributions to Missouri education by the Missouri House of Representatives.

He has received many awards and recognitions by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and his district was the 2007 winner of the prestigious Magna Award by the American School Board Journal. Huff has been a contributor to and reviewer of multiple education journals. In 1995, his family was named PSU's Honorary Family.

In addition to his professional achievements, Huff is involved in multiple civic and non-profit organizations, including the Joplin Chamber Leadership Class of 2009, the Joplin Chamber of Commerce, Joplin Noon Rotary, the United Way of Southwest Missouri, Joplin Big Brothers Big Sisters, and many more.

Huff lives in Joplin with his wife Jennifer Wilbourn Huff (BS '97) and children Savannah, 9, Keaton, 7, and Julianne, 7 months.

Clayton Tatro

Clayton Tatro, a graduate of the College of Education, is the president of Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kan.

Prior to assuming this role in 2007, he served as dean of learning services and chief academic officer at Garden City Community College from 1998-2007, and as a social science instructor at GCCC from 1995-1998.

As the leader of FSCC, Tatro is responsible for managing the educational functions of the college, implementing programs, developing the school's operating budget, and serving as the school's top administrator. He serves as a liaison between the Board of Trustees, the college and the community; the Kansas Board of Regents; the Legislature; and other agencies that affect higher education.

Tatro earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Pittsburg State University in 1994, and a master's degree in psychology from PSU the following year. He completed his Ph.D. in the Community College Leadership Program at Colorado State University in 2007. He is a native of Glasco, Kan.

Professional highlights while at FSCC include the fundraising and construction of the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, the college's receipt of a $2 million Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training Grant, and a $900,000 Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant. He has also led the creation of the NJCAA-sanctioned Citizens Bank Bowl football game and the re-affirmation of the college's accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

Tatro has been highly involved in the Fort Scott community, serving as a founder of the Fort Scott Community Visioning Steering Committee, the Youth Activities Team, and as a member of the Good Neighbor Action Team. He serves on the boards of Mercy Health Systems of Kansas, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bourbon County, the Bourbon County Economic Development Corporation, and the Presbyterian Village Retirement Community. He is the incoming vice president of Fort Scott Kiwanis and is a past board member of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

At PSU, Tatro was repeatedly honored as an outstanding student by the Department of Psychology and the College of Education. He was also a PSU Presidential Scholar.

He and his wife, Melissa, are the proud parents of three sons, Garrett, Ethan and Evan.  The Tatro family is active in the First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott.

This past spring, the PSU in Paraguay Program hit a major milestone when it celebrated the graduation of its first participants.

Spearheaded by the College of Education, the program brings students from Paraguay to Pitt State to complete four-year degrees. The program was initiated in 2005 after a review of the 1968 Kansas Paraguay Partnership (KPP), part of Partners of Americas program formed under President Kennedy's administration.

The three graduates - Analia Saldivar, Maria Ferreira, and Jasmine Ramirez - all from Asuncion, Paraguay, finished their years at PSU with high marks, resumes of campus involvement and leadership opportunities, and plans to attend graduate school.

"There are things you don't truly understand when you're living in the bubble of home," said Ramirez, who is now studying at the University of Salmanca in Spain. "I think this program is wonderful for the youth of Paraguay. It is successful and is changing futures."

"For me, the experience has been so great because of the people," Ferreira said. "Compared to what we have at home, there are unlimited opportunities here."

This year, PSU is hosting nearly 40 students from Paraguay. Dr. Alice Sagehorn, professor in Curriculum and Instruction, heads up the program and says it has been invaluable not only to students, but also to the 25 professors who have internationalized their curricula by teaching in Paraguay.

This fall, the College of Education hosted an event designed to attract future students from diverse backgrounds. More than 60 high school students attended the event. Students heard from each department chair about the advantages of pursuing a career in education and about opportunities in each field.

Dr. Trinity Davis, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, helped organize the event. "The event was very successful," Davis said. "Each of these students are potential educators and we were able to provide them with a well-rounded view of the College of Education."

The Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame has inducted two PSU graduates who have had exemplary careers in education.

Alma Cook, an elementary school teacher from the Baxter Springs School District who retired last year, and Rex Babcock, a math teacher and chairman of the math department at the Chanute Senior High School, were both welcomed into the organization this year. Both traveled to Dodge City this summer for a luncheon and the induction ceremony, in which eight teachers from across the state were honored. Nominees are eligible after 25 years in the industry.

In a touching gesture, Cook, whose husband and sons all work in education, was presented with her award by her son Dr. Phillip Cook, superintendent of the Carl Junction (Mo.) School District. Babcock received his award from Kent Wire, principal of Chanute Senior High and fellow PSU grad. Both Babcock and Cook have received numerous professional honors during their careers.

"It's a nice feeling to be recognized. It makes you feel everything you did had a purpose," Cook said. Babcock agreed: "I have no regrets about being a teacher and spending my life that way."

Professor Julie Allison, Psychology and Counseling, has been honored with the Community Champion Award, which recognizes a community member or group that has made a significant difference for victims in their community. Allison received the award from Kansas Attorney General Steve Six at the 12^th annual Crime Victims' Rights conference held in April.

"Dr. Allison is well known locally, as well as across the nation, as a powerful force in stopping violent crime and serving victims," Six said.

In addition to her teaching duties, Allison is director of the PSU Office of Violence Response and Prevention. She serves as a member of the Crawford County Domestic Violence Task Force and president of the community's Sexual Assault Prevention Committee "SE KS is Safely Educating Our Kids." She is also a past board member of the Crisis Resource Center and has served on many other boards and committees in her quest to stop violence.