News from The Center for Educational Practice at Union University

School of Education to launch online Leadership in School Reform degree program

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 09:41:44 CST

Union University’s School of Education will soon launch a fully online degree program designed to help educational leaders advance their professional development. Beginning in January 2014, the Leadership in School Reform program will combine the study of school policy, child development, learning and teaching to instill a vision for educational leadership within a context of school reform. “At Union and in the School of Education, we want to insert ourselves into the school reform culture at the highest levels of professional learning, training transformational leaders to make a difference in their classrooms and schools,” said Thomas Rosebrough, a university education professor and the executive dean of the College of Education and Human Studies. “For example, two of the new courses are titled ‘The Changing Superintendency’ and ‘Teacher Leadership.’ Our new online program will serve changing needs.” The School of Education currently offers training for aspiring school administrators who are seeking instructional leadership licensure, said Ben Phillips, an associate professor of educational leadership and the director of the Education Specialist and Doctor of Education programs. The Leadership in School Reform program, however, is designed for professionals who already have a school leadership license or possess school leadership training or experience. The new program also is offered as both an Education Specialist degree and a Doctor of Education degree. “The Leadership in School Reform program fulfills a previously unmet need in a broader scope of education degrees,” Phillips said. “We really feel like we’re offering something that’s innovative and unique.” Registration for the Leadership in School Reform program is open for a limited time. To learn more about the program and application process, contact Marcia Joyner at mjoyner@uu.edu.

By Beth Knoll

Union Education School a Top Performer in Tennessee

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 15:38:32 CST

Union University is one of only three universities in Tennessee cited as “having consistently produced teachers that are outperforming other teachers in the state or are on an upward trend in effectiveness scores,” out of forty-two teacher education programs listed in the evaluation, according to the 2013 Annual Report Card published jointly by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and State Board of Education. Lipscomb University and University of Tennessee, Knoxville were the other two traditional teacher preparation programs. Three other non-traditional teacher preparation programs also received the same recognition, placing a total of six teacher preparation programs in this top-tier listing. Memphis Teacher Residency, where Union faculty train teachers at the master’s level in urban education, is one of the non-traditional programs in this ranking (Teacher for America Memphis and Teach for America Nashville were the other two non-traditional programs.). In short, Union University is demonstrating an ability to effectively prepare teachers in both traditional and non-traditional programs.

Dr. Tom Rosebrough serves as the Executive Dean of the College of Education and Human Studies. He is pleased by the state’s recent announcement, saying that “it validates the work of our School of Education faculty and our faculty across the university in our undergraduate and graduate Teacher Education Program, and of course our amazing alumni who are teaching in Tennessee.” Dr. Dottie Myatt, Assistant Dean for Teacher Education, added that “it also validates the strategic work being done in our Union University Teacher Education Initiative, launched February 1, 2011. We have studied what we have been doing well and what we have needed to improve, producing many initiatives including integrated technology, more data-driven assessments, enhanced clinical experiences, and cutting-edge degree programs.”

Highlights from the state report indicate that graduates from Union University’s Teacher Education Program are more effective than veteran teachers in high school Algebra I and in relation to composite scores from the state’s End of Course exam. Likewise, results from the state’s analysis indicate that Union University’s program completers perform at the same level as veteran teachers in several elementary and secondary areas (i.e., 4 th-8 th grade TCAP composite, math, reading, science, and social studies; high school Algebra II, Biology I, English I, and US History end of course exams). Program completers from Union University, according to the Report Card, are more effective than other beginning teachers in 4 th-8 th grade TCAP math, as well as high school End of Course exam composite, Algebra I, and Algebra II.

Union University’s School of Education offers a variety of degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, both traditionally and online. For more information about Union University’s School of Education, visit: "http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/">http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/ . To learn more about Union University’s online degree programs, visit: "http://www.uu.edu/online">http://www.uu.edu/onlin

Union University Ed.D. Alumna Speaks About the Human Brain on Television and at Global Think Tank

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 19:15:05 CST

Dr. Megan Salemi is a graduate of Union University’s Doctor of Education degree program, having completed her studies on Union’s Germantown, TN campus. Salemi was recently featured on WREG News Channel 3, Memphis’ CBS news affiliate. Salemi spoke about the human brain and how kids learn, as she was promoting a technology think tank, a gathering of 500 educators from around the globe who met in Memphis last week. Salemi is currently a teacher at New Hope Christian Academy who had studied as a Union doctoral student about the human brain and its ability to receive and process information.

During her television appearance, Salemi compared the brain’s neural pathways to that of the cup-and-string telephone game that is often played by children. She emphasized the neural pathways and connectedness that is present in the brain and the importance of stimuli to learning.

To see Salemi’s interview on News Channel 3, please visit: "http://wreg.com/2013/07/16/technology-think-tank-how-kids-brains-work/">http://wreg.com/2013/07/16/technology-think-tank-how-kids-brains-work/

To learn more about Union University’s School of Education and degree offerings, please visit: "http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/">http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/

Parents and Educators Push Back Against Too Much Standardized Testing

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:42:32 CST

Parents and educators are concerned that students are being tested more than is needed, according to a recent article published in The Tennessean (to read the Tennessean article, see link below). Since 2001, the year in which No Child Left Behind was implemented, federal and state reform efforts, including Race to the Top and First to the Top, have emphasized the scientific side of education. Measurable outcomes in the form of test scores, driven by an accountability culture for schools, have upset the balance of art and science in U.S. education. A common complaint among educators has been that testing is used more to sort and punish than it is for diagnosis of individual learners and learning. However, parents and educators have decided to push back, desiring to see less testing in K-12 classrooms in an effort to provide teachers and students greater opportunity to focus more on learning and less on testing. Over the last decade, the appeal of technology to “drill down” data has created political pressures for educators to obtain and analyze test results like never before. Such solutions and a business-minded perspective about the bottom-line of education have contributed to efforts to make education much more about measured learning. Both sides of the political aisle have supported such test-driven results to assess schools, students, and teachers. But those on the front lines of education, including both parents and educators, are realizing there is more to education than only a scientific focus. Union University’s School of Education has long recognized the need for balance between the Art and Science of teaching. Faculty in Union University’s School of Education understand the instructional process and the need for test results to inform future instruction, but they also recognize the depth of value that a teacher’s professional judgment and creativity can have to transform the life of students. Lea Ann Atherton, a teacher and Union University School of Education alumna, represents a voice of balance. As a Hope Street Group Kentucky Teacher Fellow, she is using what she learned at Union to help bring about educational reform that supports both the scientific and creative side of teaching. She recently wrote an op-ed about the importance of bringing creativity back into Education (to read Atherton’s op-ed, see link below). Union University’s School of Education supports teachers and the transformational role they have in their daily work with students. To learn more about the School of Education and its degree offerings, visit: "http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/">http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/. For more information about the articles mentioned above, visit:

"http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130827/NEWS04/308270032/Tennessee-s-heavy-use-standardized-tests-sparks-hard-questions-from-parents-educators">The Tennessean article, Tennessee's heavy use of standardized tests sparks hard questions from parents, educators
"/centers/edpractice/news/PGESOp-Ed_Atherton.pdf">Lea Ann Atherton’s article (.pdf)

Union School of Education Alumna Selected as Teacher Fellow

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 08:36:37 CST

Lea Ann Atherton, a 2002 Bachelor of Science graduate in Elementary Education, and a 2006 Master of Education (M.Ed.) alumna of Union University’s School of Education, was recently selected to be an inaugural member of Hope Street Group’s Kentucky Teacher Fellows. Atherton was one of 21 educators selected from among highly competitive candidates to offer teacher opinions about educational reform efforts. Hope Street Group is a national nonprofit organization known for its teacher engagement work. The nonprofit selected Atherton from among 20 Kentucky school districts. As a Fellow, Atherton is charged with being a positive voice for Education, particularly in relation to engaging school communities, informing state policy discussions, and learning from professional development opportunities. Atherton provides some rationale behind her motivation to apply to become a Fellow by stating, “Sometimes is it easy for a teacher to lose sight of the bigger picture of education outside the four walls of his or her classroom. If we want to make the biggest and best difference in the moments that take place there, we must also commit to – and even celebrate – involvement in the broader spectrum. Having been a part of the development of the new teacher evaluation system in its early stages, I was eager to become a part of something that would enable the tool – a tool that has undergone many changes since those early days - to become more than a form to be completed by administrators and filed in a drawer. I’m excited that this fellowship can positively use that tool and the conversations that surround it to make a positive difference in those moments taking place within classroom walls in Kentucky.” Atherton was named as Thelma Barker Student Teacher of the Year in 2002, and she currently teaches 6th grade writing at Lone Oak Middle School in Paducah, KY. In 2005, she was selected as West Tennessee Classroom Character Teacher of the Year. She has already demonstrated her abilities as a positive voice for education by serving in partnership with various other educational organizations and entities, including TeachScape, the Tennessee Department of Education, the Kentucky Department of Education, and AdvancED. Atherton is honored by her nomination and sees teacher evaluation as an important part of improving teacher evaluation systems. To this end, she says, “Sometimes a teacher’s opinion of what constitutes effective teaching and the opinions of the state leaders setting the policies to bring about statewide effectiveness are vastly different. By engaging teachers in the processes of implementation and revision, there will be representation and a more current voice of the people serving and pouring their time and efforts directly into the field each day. In our classrooms, we want our students to be involved in each step of setting their goals and standards and styles of learning and evaluation before their final unit tests are ever given. In the world of evaluating professional educators, the continuous involvement of creative teachers along the way could be just as beneficial to the process and the individual outcomes in classrooms across the state. Moreover, as teachers realize that policy makers are just professional people trying to do what’s best for the children in our state, they can then work together to bring about the most unique and effective teaching in classrooms, and the most efficient modes of evaluating it.” Union University and its School of Education are proud of the accomplishments of Atherton, feeling blessed that she has put her God-given talents and graduate degree to effective use. For more information about Union University’s M.Ed. Program, including both face-to-face and online degree offerings, please visit: "/med">uu.edu/med.

Union University Hosts Community Conversation about Education

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:42:52 CST

On Monday, April 15, 2013, Union University hosted the SCORE foundation for the purpose of having a community conversation about the state of education in Tennessee. The conversation was open to the public and welcomed input from those in attendance. Dr. Sharon Roberts, COO of SCORE, led a conversation among a panel of regional educators which included:

Eddie Pruett, Superintendent, Gibson County Special School District
Susie Bunch, Superintendent, Lexington City Schools
Pennye Thurmond, Principal, Ripley Elementary Schools
Jackie Hopper, Instructional Coach, Milan Special School District
Fred Ellis, Parent Representative, Lexington City Schools
Jeff Griggs, Alderman, City of Lexington
Dr. Thomas Rosebrough, Executive Dean, College of Education and Human Studies, Union University
Dr. Norma Gerrell, CORE Director, Northwest Tennessee
Dave Bratcher, Vice President of Financial Services, West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation
Chuck Jones, Chief of Technology, Jackson-Madison County School System

The Executive Dean of Union University’s College of Education and Human Studies, Dr. Tom Rosebrough, started the conversation and emphasized the importance of the human element in education. Although the current educational climate may be challenging, he indicated that with higher expectations (such as in CCSS) a teacher’s sensitivity to the difference between a challenge and a frustration for students becomes even more vital. He later added that great education comes from focusing on children in the instructional process to produce great by-products, as opposed to a primary focus on products like scores on achievement tests. In the current era of educational accountability, it was not surprising that part of the panel’s conversation addressed the topic of student achievement, particularly in relation to how work done the past year has been able to improve student learning. Many of the panelists emphasized the value of data, especially as a means of formative assessment. Being able to track student progress to make more informed decisions has been one of the major advantages over the past year. The conversation offered a meaningful opportunity for educators to share and discuss the pros and cons of the current system and to offer insight about the future of education. One point seems certain; educators in West Tennessee are dedicated to making a positive difference in the life of students. Such conversations are a thought-provoking way to promote collaboration among educators.

Community Conversation about Education to be Hosted by Union on April 15

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:08:07 CST

Union University will be hosting the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) on April 15, 2013, which will provide opportunity for a community dialogue about education. The discussion will focus on the community's work over the past year to improve student achievement and address how such progress can continue. The event will be located in the Bowld Student Commons from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in room 221. The discussion will be open to the public. Panelist will include a variety of educators from west Tennessee. The roundtable participants will include:

Eddie Pruett, Superintendent, Gibson County Special School District
Susie Bunch, Superintendent, Lexington City Schools
Pennye Thurmond, Principal, Ripley Elementary Schools
Jackie Hopper, Instructional Coach, Milan Special School District
Fred Ellis, Parent Representative, Lexington City Schools
Jeff Griggs, Alderman, City of Lexington
Dr. Thomas Rosebrough, Executive Dean, College of Education and Human Studies, Union University
Dr. Norma Gerrell, CORE Director, Northwest Tennessee
Dave Bratcher, Vice President of Financial Services, West Tennessee Heathcare Foundation
Chuck Jones, Chief of Technology, Jackson-Madison County School System

For more information about the event, visit conversationsix-eorg.eventbrite.com

New Internship Major for Elementary and Special Education Candidates

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:45:15 CST

The Union University Teacher Education Initiative (UUTEI) continues to bear the fruit of change. At the February meeting of the Greater Faculty, new Teaching and Learning (T&L) and Interdisciplinary majors were approved for Union University students seeking to teach children in Preschool through Eighth Grade. The new majors emphasize clinically-based practice culminating in a year-long internship the senior year. The internship is an incremental immersion clinical experience beginning with 2 days weekly in schools in the fall semester, moving to 5 days a week in the spring semester. The T&L and Interdisciplinary majors lead to a 4-year baccalaureate degree with teacher licensure. Teaching candidates may also opt to couple a traditional school subject major (in English, Mathematics, Science, Language, History, etc.) with the Interdisciplinary Studies major and graduate in five years with a bachelor's degree and the master's internship degree. This option is called a 4+1 degree program and has the advantage of counting the graduate internship as the first year of teaching. Both tracks emphasize rich preparation for the challenges of the 21st century classroom. Dr. Ann Singleton, Associate Dean of the School of Education, comments, "Our Union students are being offered cutting edge preparation to meet the rapidly changing demands of schools. We want our graduates to be fully ready, even as they begin their first year of teaching." The Greater Faculty also approved a newly revised Special Education 4-year internship degree. Dr. Michele Atkins, chair of the undergraduate UUTEI committee, is pleased with the results: "This degree program incorporates all the good things we have been doing and adds the improvements we needed to make to ensure the best teacher preparation anywhere." And, Dr. Tom Rosebrough, Executive Dean, adds, "We have created curriculum that offers preparatory strands of diversity, integrated technology, data-driven assessment, transformational teaching concepts of student goals and teacher roles, and enhanced clinically-based experiences. Our faculty members have carefully studied current national trends in consultation with local schools and are excited about this new set of majors for our students." The first internship year is scheduled to begin fall 2014.

Graduate School Alumnus Named Shelby County K-4 Teacher of the Year

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:31:02 CST

Dr. Heather Fisher is no stranger to Union University, as she has obtained multiple degrees in Education from the university. Fisher holds the M.Ed. (2000), Ed.S. (2004) and Ed.D. (2006) from Union, but it is her current achievement that has brought her the most recent attention. Fisher was recently named as Shelby County Schools’ K-4 Teacher of the Year. Fisher currently teaches third grade students at Dogwood Elementary School in Germantown, TN, and she was surprised to receive a visit from district and school-level administrators and teachers. She was in the middle of a Science Lab with her students when the announcement came, complete with balloons and congratulatory words. Fisher says, “I never dreamed that I would be named Shelby County’s K-4 Teacher of the Year.” Fisher attributes her success to God, stating, “As a Christian, it is my desire to glorify the Lord in all that I do. For me, this reward brings glory to Him.” Fisher is appreciative of the support she has received from her parents, colleagues and mentors during her teaching career. She also credits the preparation she received as a Union University student. “My graduate studies at Union opened my mind to new ways of teaching and relevant research, in a collegial atmosphere,” Fisher said. “I must say that I cherished those Saturday classes because I got to exchange ideas with so many educators. I learned so much from this experience.” Fisher’s award as Shelby County’s K-4 Teacher of the Year makes her eligible to be a Regional Teacher of the Year, as her recent award is affiliated with the Tennessee Teacher of the Year award. Fisher has been teaching for 16 years, but it is evident that she never wants her work or passion for teaching and learning to become stagnant. “Every year I pick an area in which I would like to improve and work toward that goal. I love to learn new things. I embrace learning and hope that I never get over my desire to learn. Sharing ideas is essential to keeping our profession healthy,” Fisher said. Union University’s School of Education is honored by the success of Dr. Heather Fisher. Clearly, she is making a positive difference in the lives of young minds. To learn more about Union University’s graduate degrees in Education, please visit: "http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/graduate/">http://www.uu.edu/programs/education/graduate/ .

Union University M.A.Ed. Graduate Appointed to Tennessee's Reward Schools Ambassador Program

emarvin@uu.edu (Center for Educational Practice at Union University) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:25:34 CST

Danielle Ringold, who completed her graduate studies in Education on Union University’s Germantown, TN campus, was recently appointed to Tennessee’s Reward Schools Ambassador Program. This accomplishment means that Ringold has been recognized as someone who understands current educational demands, particularly in relationship to data analysis. Ringold teaches social studies at Kingsbury Middle School, located in Memphis, but with this new honor, she will be helping other teachers understand how to analyze data to improve student achievement. The Reward School Ambassador Program selects highly successful teachers from high achieving schools to share best practices with schools in need of additional assistance. Although Ringold was chosen based on her successful work as a teacher, she is rather humble about her achievement. She says, “I am excited that God has given me the opportunity to have an impact on other schools.” Ringold was among 15 Tennessee teachers who earned an overall “5”, the highest score on Tennessee’s Teacher Evaluation. Starting in the fall, Ringold will begin working in a school that needs help in raising its test scores and closing the achievement gap, leaving the classroom success of her currently high achieving school for one year. Ringold’s success as a teacher can, in part, be measured by the academic achievement of her students. The state calculates student growth using a measure called the Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE). Over three years, the state average for the grade level and content area in which Ringold teaches is 1.4 (NCE), but Ringold has obtained a student growth rate of 6.6 (NCE). Ringold attributes her success to her faith in God. She says, “Teaching in an urban setting requires a lot of faith. With my Christian foundation, I always knew that no matter how challenging my days were, I needed to trust that God had put me at Kingsbury for a reason and have faith that I could have an impact on student achievement. Without my faith and trust in God, there is no way I would have had the results I have.” It is evident that Ringold is not looking at this recognition as a matter of personal success, but as one of further opportunity. She says, “I am excited to see if I can have an impact on a greater number of students. Union University’s School of Education is proud of the success of Danielle Ringold, especially in term of the impact she is having on the lives of our area’s youngest citizens. For more information about Union University’s School of Education, please visit: "http://www.uu.edu/programs/education">http://www.uu.edu/programs/education.