Nov. 12, 2012
For Immediate Release
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| Senior Jonas Bohm, left, of Germany explains his poster to from left: Lindsey Hammons and Kristi Jenkins, NEA observer and teacher from Somerset High School, on the state NCATE team. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University’s dean of the School of Education Dr. Brenda A. Priddy called this week’s visit by the national and state teams and consultants of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education a “momentous occasion.”
NCATE is the “standard of excellence in teacher preparation.” Four members of the national team are from Indiana, Michigan, Washington, and Montana, and four members of the state team are from Bowling Green, Louisville, Richmond and Somerset. They are joined by two consultants from the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. The teams are on campus through Tuesday to talk with students, faculty and administrators about CU’s School of Education and to evaluate their eligibility for “continuing” accreditation status after having attained “initial” accreditation in 2006.
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| Dr. Brenda Priddy, dean of the School of Education, praised CU’s school partners. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
At a dinner in their honor Sunday night, Priddy thanked them for coming and thanked faculty and staff for their hard work for the board of examiner’s team visit. Putting together materials for the visit began in the summer, and she personally thanked Dr. Donna Hedgepath, associate professor of education and program chair of undergraduate education, and Bettye MacFarland, assistant to the dean of the School of Education, for their hard work.
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| Dr. Patricia Swails, left, board of examiners chair, professor of education at Oakland City University in Oakland City, Ind., talks with Dr. Donna Hedgepath, associate professor of education and associate dean, who was NCATE coordinator. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
Priddy said the faculty respects the process of the accreditation association.
She also thanked the school districts with which CU partners. “We are so thankful for our school partners,” she said. “There are very busy individuals, and we are very appreciative that they have joined us tonight.”
Superintendents Roger Cook of Taylor County Schools; Dr. Chuck Hamilton of Marion County Schools; Jim Frank of Green County and Ricky Line of Hart County were at the dinner.
Priddy thanked Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, for his support and called his leadership “vibrant and visionary.” She said, “We enjoy working with the senior leadership team, and strong leadership begins with the leader at the top of the organization,” she said.
Carter welcomed those attending and said Campbellsville University’s education program is a continuing thread throughout the history of the institution, which began as Russell Creek Academy in 1906.
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| Dr. Michael V. Carter and his wife, Debbie, from left, talk with Sara Parker and Danielle Lanham about interdisciplinary early childhood education. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
“There is a great need for the preparation of teachers in central Kentucky as we prepare for the challenges of the future,” he said.
He said CU operates under Vision 2025, which is a “bold and dynamic plan,” and CU faculty are always interested in delivering innovative ways of education to prepare the next generation of teachers.
He said CU is in the 12th semester of record fall enrollment, and he believes CU’s reputation and mission is “so important for south central Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.”
Carter praised Priddy for her “stellar” leadership, and said a poster session, held before the dinner, was a great way to start the team’s visit.
The board of examiner’s team members viewed a poster session by students, with advice from professors, including ones on action research, diverse field experience, Education Club and Kappa Delta Pi, Excellence in Teaching, Future Educators of America Regional Conference, innovative technologies in interdisciplinary early childhood education, literacy, paired clinical model, servant leadership and student teacher exit program.
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| Eric Graves, right, a graduate of the master of arts in special education program at CU, talks with the board of examiners, as Matt Peyton, current MASE student, listens. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
After the dinner, the board of examiners interviewed online and adjunct faculty members, master of arts in special education students and members of two advisory councils, the Kentucky Alternative Certification for Special Education Council and the Teacher Education Advisory Council.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.