Education News

Lindsay Brooke Lee, who graduated from NSU in 2014, is the English department chair at Will Rogers Junior High in Claremore, Oklahoma. She was awarded the Milken Educator Award. See story for more detail:

https://www. milkeneducatorawards.org/ educators/view/brooke-lee

On Friday, August 9, 2019, Dr. Choate and his colleagues presented a 4-hour continuing education workshop, TRANSlating Research Into Practice: Evidenced-Based Care for the Transgender Community. Dr. Choate presented his new theory, The Triarchic Theory of Gender (The Gender g), a framework he designed to incorporate the various disparate research in the field of Gender Studies into a cohesive whole that can be tested in an empirical way. Furthermore, his colleagues, Jim Scholl and William Bryant, presented data they had collected to validate the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) with this population and inform interdisciplinary treatment decisions through a trauma-focused lens.The workshop was met with high praise and many major theorists in this area have already reached out to include Dr. Choate and his colleagues in future research and application endeavors that will cross cultures and international borders.

Pictured from left to right: Danny Johnson, NSU Director of Alumni Relations; Dee Shell, Reading Specialist at Creekwood Elementary; Rachel Kaiser, Principal of Creekwood Elementary; & Dr. Lisa Bisogno, Associate Dean of NSU College of Education

NSU Alumni Association presented a $500 teacher appreciation gift card award to COE alum Dee Shell and Principal Rachel Kaiser at Creekwood Elementary. Congratulations to all!

Pictured from left to right: Danny Johnson, NSU Director of Alumni Relations; Dee Shell, Reading Specialist at Creekwood Elementary; Rachel Kaiser, Principal of Creekwood Elementary; & Dr. Lisa Bisogno, Associate Dean of NSU College of Education

The Library Media and Information Technology graduate degree program at Northeastern State University was ranked 18th best library science schools in the country according to Study.com. Hundreds of library science schools were evaluated and NSU s Library Media program was selected based on academic and career resources for library science students, the quality of education, faculty, and more. For more information, see Study.com s Top Library Science Schools list.

Dr. Kurt Choate and his co-editor, Dr. Alfred Carlozzi published a book titled Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons: A Handbook for Service Providers, Educators, and Families. Dr. Choate is an Associate Professor and the Department Chair for Psychology and Counseling.

In the News
NSU professor publishes transgender and gender diverse handbook - Riverhawks Weekly
April 1, 2019

Guest speaker Taylor Mali, a TED Best of the Web speaker, has done little more than write and perform poetry--and teach others to do the same--since 2000. His poems are clear. They are almost always hysterically funny, often sentimental, appealing, accessible. And smart (Bob Holman). He is a vocal advocate of teachers and the nobility of teaching, having taught in one capacity of another since 1990.

The Celebration of Teaching event on March 14 marks the event s 20th year. Taylor s talk on NSU s Tahlequah campus will be followed by lunch, then a panel presentation for high school students. The day will wrap up around 2:00. There is no charge for participants, but pre-registration by March 8 is required.

The Celebration of Teaching is designed to support and celebrate current teachers, inspire future teachers, and recognize the profound impact of education on our society. The event is sponsored by Kappa Delta Pi and Northeastern State University s College of Education.

Contact Dr. Tobi Thompson at 918-444-3710 or thompsto@nsuok.edu for registration materials or more information.

February 2019

Ms. Jessica Langston, graduate student in the Higher Education Leadership M.S. program, was selected as a graduate intern for the NASPA Annual Conference. Langston was eligible to apply to be an intern due to her participation in the 2018-2019 NASPA Graduate Associate Program. Eight interns are selected from across the nation each year. Langston serves NSU as the Senior Scholarship Coordinator.

NASPA is the national professional organization for leaders in student affairs.

January 18, 2019

Four December graduates from the College of Education participated in the November Donning of the Kente. The ceremony celebrates the academic and personal achievements of black undergraduate and graduate students who are graduating this semester.

Edna Boggs
I am a Fall 2018 graduate from Sallisaw Oklahoma majoring in Health and Physical Education. During my time at NSU I was President of the Association of Black Collegians, American Association of University Women, and Phi Theta Kappa. I plan to attend Southern Nazarene University the Fall 2019 to obtain my Masters in Kinesiology.

Tori Peterson
I am from Tulsa, OK. I am getting a B.S in Psychology and a minor in Communications. I played college soccer at Bacone College, then transferred here to finish getting my degree. I couldn t have done it without the amazing support of my family and friends, and God.

Pictured left to right: Tori, her younger brother Kyle Easley, and mother Rochelle Peterson.

Ashley Steele
I was born in Muskogee, Ok. I spent the majority of my life in Wagoner, Ok. I transitioned back to living in Muskogee during my freshman year of high school. Growing up, we didn t have much, but my parents always made ends meet. After graduating high school, I went to Oklahoma State University for two years before returning home. During my absence from school, life happened. I was blessed to have a beautiful little girl named Julianne. I was determined to give her everything I never had, and inspired to teach her everything I ever wanted to know. Through the TANF focus program, under the wings of Suzanne Holloway and Heather Mason, I was afforded the opportunity to further my education and broaden my horizons. I began school at Connors State College. It only took me one year to gather the necessary credits, and graduate in the spring of 2017 with my Associates Degree in Psychology. The desire to keep pushing forward after graduation was sparked after watching my mother obtain her Bachelor s degree in social work. I chose to enroll at NSU and continue my journey on the road to success. I was determined to obtain my Bachelor s degree in psychology with hopes to become a licensed professional counselor in the near future. It was not by far an easy journey. Along the way I lost loved ones, undergone surgery, and had to tend to the needs of my beautiful baby girl. It was by God s grace, mercy, and favor that I was able to make it this far. Now that I have overcame what was supposed to be the impossible, I have to keep pushing forward towards my next goal. Hopefully the next time you hear from or about me, it will be as I am walking the stage to be awarded with my Masters of Science in Counseling. I want to thank each and every person who has poured into my life. My fianc e Eric Parks Jr., my parents Tony and Lasandra Steele, my second set of parents Todd and Danita Johnson, my grandparents Robert and Julia Mondaine, my siblings, pastors, mentors, teachers, and close friends and family members. I could not have made it this far without your support, love, and encouragement.

Alexandria Lewis is a Psychology major. There is no picture or biography available for Alexandria.

November 30, 2018

Dr. Stephan Sargent, Professor of Reading and Director of the Broken Arrow Reading Clinic received the AdvancED s Midwest Region 2018 Servant Leadership Recognition Award for Oklahoma.

In the News
NSU professor recognized for servant leadership - The Journal Record
November 26, 2018

Community members and supporters of the Race Academy of Critical Engagement (RACE) gathered Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of the Broken Arrow STEAM Maker Lab. The STEAM Maker Lab offers the use of low-tech and high-tech materials to the community, teachers, and teacher candidates to encourage Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Visit the Lab in BAED 239, or the Tahlequah STEAM Maker Lab in Bagley Hall 136

In the News
NSU Broken Arrow opens STEAM Maker Lab - Muskogee Phoenix
November 12, 2018

Northeastern State University Professor Dr. Jim Ferrell (School Administration) was awarded the Distinction of Quality Award at the AdvancED Midwest Regional Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois, for his work with AdvancED in Oklahoma and other states. AdvancED is a non-profit school accrediting agency committed to help schools improve .

October 2018

The College of Education (COE) is excited to announce that COE alumna Dr. Vanessa Anton was selected as the Dean. Anton earned a bachelor s degree in business education from NSU in 1995, and graduated with a master s degree in college teaching from NSU s College of Education in 1997. She earned a PhD in Kinesiology in 2001 from the University of Arkansas.

In the News
Anton chosen to serve as NSU College of Education dean - nsuok.edu
October 31, 2018

NSU alumnus Carrie Akins was one of three state-level finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for science teaching at the elementary level. PAEMST is the highest recognition a K-12 mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.

In the News
Hofmeister announces finalists for national mathematics, science teaching award

September 2018

Ms. Nikki Jones, a candidate in the Higher Education Leadership program, received the NASPA IV-W Rising Star Award - Graduate Student. One graduate student in each of the 10 states in the IV-West region of NASPA is selected to receive this award each year. The award recognizes graduate students who are actively involved in and intend to pursue careers in Student Affairs.

NASPA is the professional organization for student affairs administrators in higher education.

In the News
NASPA IV-W Rising Star Award - Graduate Student

August 14, 2018

The NSU College of Education hosted the annual SNAG Golf Fundraising tournament on September 7, 2018 at the Burnt Cabin SNAG Golf Course. 100% percent of player and sponsorship funding will go to a scholarship account through the NSU Foundation. Participants from the College of Education, university, and community volunteers enjoyed playing golf, eating, and spending time with colleagues, friends, and family.

Interim Dean, Dr. Vanessa Anton congratulates the winning team, Dr. Jim Ferrell, Jeanna Wing, and Gary Wing.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education released the names of the finalists for the 2019-2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Award. Four of the twelve finalists graduated from the NSU College of Education. Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister says the finalists are "some of Oklahoma s finest educators who are making a difference in the lives of our students every day. The Oklahoma Teacher of the Year was announced September 19, 2018 at the State Fair Park.

Natalie Fielden teaches kindergarten at Freedom Elementary School in Sapulpa. She earned her bachelor s degree in Early Childhood Education from NSU. Carol Hunsperger teaches third grade at Grove Lower Elementary School in Grove Public Schools. She graduated from NSU with a bachelor s degree in Early Childhood Education. Jenny Morphis teaches first grade at Hilldale Lower Elementary School in Hilldale Public Schools. She earned a bachelor s in Early Childhood and a master s in Reading from NSU. V. Jannean Thompson teaches fifth grade at Berryhill North Elementary School in Berryhill Public Schools. Thompson graduated from NSU with a bachelor s in Elementary Education as well as a master s in School Administration.

Interim COE Dean Dr. Vanessa Anton and COE Assistant Dean Dr. Lisa Bisogno were in attendance to support all finalists.

Natalie Fielden

Carol Hunsperger

Jenny Morphis

V. Jannean Thompson

The NSU faculty in the Library Media and Information Technology Master of Science Program, Dr. Alesha Baker and Dr. Kelli Carney, are currently providing consulting services to the United Keetoowah Band (UKB) through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant in the amount of $10,000. Students enrolled in Library Media graduate courses will work with faculty to catalog and evaluate the UKB educational library collection. Automation software, which will be utilized to improve the circulation process, was purchased through the grant. Faculty will assist in writing and developing policies including circulation and collection maintenance. In order to ensure sustainability, faculty will develop and deliver software training for the UKB library staff. The grant concludes in August 2019, at which time faculty will inventory the newly automated collection and recommend titles for future consideration. This partnership not only serves to benefit the members of the UKB but also provides NSU students a model for community collaboration and networking.

In this Academic Spotlight, Dr. Bea Keller-Dupree, Associate Professor of Psychology and Counseling, describes how her participation in the international faculty development seminar in Alicante, Spain impacts her work with students.

Northeastern State University s Educator Preparation Program is hosting an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) on November 4-6, 2018. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the site team. Please note that comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the party's relationship to the provider (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates).

We invite you to submit written testimony to:

CAEP
1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036

Or by email to: callforcomments@caepnet.org

• Such comments must be within the specified period and based on the core tenets of CAEP accreditation standards of excellence, which recognize that:
  In CAEP's performance-based system, accreditation is based on evidence that demonstrates that teacher candidates know the subject matter and can teach it effectively so that students learn. In the CAEP system, EPPs must prove that candidates can connect theory to practice and be effective in an actual P-12 classroom.
• A professional education provider that is accredited by CAEP is expected to be involved in ongoing planning and evaluation; engaged in continuous assessment and development; ensure that faculty and programs reflect new knowledge, practice, and technologies; and be involved in continuous development in response to the evolving world of education and educational reform.
• Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the respondent's relationship, if any, to the institution (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates). Copies of all correspondence received will be sent to the university for comment prior to the review. No anonymous testimony will be considered.