Wall Highlights 2008-2009 Year as an Exemplary and Award Winning Year.

During the 2009 Fall Meeting of the College of Education’s faculty and staff, Dean Russ Wall stated that faculty and staff should celebrate the 2008-2009 year as an exemplary and award winning year of productivity. In his PowerPoint presentation, he detailed how Award Winning Alumni, Award Winning Students, an Exemplary Faculty and Staff and Exemplary Programs made the 2008-2009 year an exemplary and award winning year of productivity. To view his PowerPoint presentation CLICK on the title page photo to the right or CLICK on “A Celebration of Exemplary and Award Winning Productivity.”

New Master’s of Arts in Education: Teacher Leader degree approved by EPSB

Beginning fall 2009, teachers who in the past would enroll in elementary, middle school or secondary master’s degree programs to continue their certification will now enroll in a new master’s degree program that creates teacher leaders for every classroom. Teacher leader programs are also available in Special Education Adv LBD; Special Education IECE; and, Career and Technical Education. The new program Master’s of Arts in Education: Teacher Leader was approved by the Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB) on Monday, August 3 and will lead to a Rank II and endorsement for teacher leaders. Core courses will be offered at regional campuses, the Murray campus and on-line. Program information and advising forms are available at: http://coekate.murraystate.edu/ncate/manager/advsheet/

Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to the best pre-college-level science and math teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Winners of the Presidential Teaching Award receive $10,000 awards from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for a White House awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and science agency leaders.

Collins Receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematic and Science Teaching

Melissa Collins, a second-grade teacher at the John P. Freeman Optional School in Memphis, was named to receive a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by the White House.

"I'm overwhelmed," the 34-year-old said when contacted by Bartholomew Sullivan of the Memphis Commercial Appeal in Hattiesburg, MS, where she is working on a doctorate degree in education administration at the University of Southern Mississippi. "I've cried and shouted, cried and shouted." Melissa played women’s basketball at Murray State in 1994-1996 and graduated in 1999 with a degree in Elementary Education.

Dowdy Receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematic and Science Teaching

Keri Dowdy, a fourth-grade teacher at Sedalia Elementary School in the Graves County School System was named to receive a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by the White House. Keri stated that she was “excited when she heard the news but equally as humbled. To hear that I was being rewarded for doing what I love was a humbling honor and one that I do not take lightly. I love teaching children.” Just prior starting this school year, Keri attended the prestigious Mickelson ExxonMobile Teachers Academy in New Jersey. She graduated from Murray State in 1995 with a degree in Elementary Education.

College of Education’s programs re-accreditated by NCATE/EPSB with no areas for improvement cited

The College of Education (COE) at Murray State University (MSU) is pleased to announce the continued accreditation of its education programs with no areas for improvement cited. The Kentucky Academy of Technology Education was recognized for its exemplary support of educational technology for students, faculty and programs. The COE hosted a combined National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) accreditation team on October 25th—29th.  The team consisted of 13 teacher educators from across Kentucky and the United States. They reviewed student data, programs, courses, faculty qualifications, and resources. The College of Education would like to express its sincere gratitude to the faculty, MSU administrators, arts and sciences faculty liaisons, staff and PK-12 school partners for their dedicated efforts that resulted in this exemplary report.

Spring 2009 Social Studies class completes “Project Backpack” for Murray and Calloway County children

The Spring 2009 ELE 401 Social Studies Methods Class organized a service learning project that benefited Murray and Calloway County school children. During “Project Backpack”, the students collected 110 backpacks filled with school supplies worth $3000 or $30 each. The backpacks were delivered to the directors of the Murray and Calloway County Family Resource and Youth Services Centers. According to the Murray Ledger and Times, the directors stated they were short 70 backpacks. The coordinators were delighted when the backpacks were delivered on July 22, 2009. This will allow them to provide students with much needed school supplies.