Athens State Education Professor Recognized for Course Development

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release
May 6, 2014
www.athens.edu

Athens State Education Professor Recognized for Course Development

ATHENS, Ala. - Athens State University Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Development Darlene Turner-White was recently awarded the 2014 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Courses for the development of her Professional Education Communication class. Turner-White joins a select group of educators and course designers from around the world whose courses have earned the Exemplary Course designation.

The Blackboard Catalyst Awards program annually recognizes and honors innovation and excellence in the Blackboard global community of practice, where teachers and learners work every day to redefine what is possible when leveraging technology.

“Dr. Turner-White’s work to develop this integral course is exceptional,” states Athens State President Bob Glenn. “I am pleased that it has been recognized by the Blackboard Corporation as a model for other schools to follow.”

Turner-White will be acknowledged for her achievement at Blackboard’s annual conference that will take place in Las Vegas in July.

“Our College of Education has a long history of preparing excellent teachers,” states Athens State Provost Dr. Ronald R. Cromwell. “This requires courses that have high standards and ensure students learn the best researched theories and practices. This includes learning through technology that is fast shaping the educational world. I congratulate Dr. Turner-white on her efforts to provide an exceptional course to our students that models very good distance learning practices.”

Blackboard is a global leader in enterprise technology and innovative solutions that improve the experience of millions of students and learners around the world every day. Blackboard’s solutions allow thousands of higher education, K-12, professional, corporate and government organizations to extend teaching and learning online.

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Athens State Alum in Education Received New Teacher Award

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

April 21, 2014

www.athens.edu

Athens State Alum in Education Received New Teacher Award

ATHENS, Ala. - Kiley Soule, a recent Athens State University Education graduate, received the Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers from the National Science Teachers Association (NTSA). Soule is in her first year of teaching science at New Century Technology High School in Huntsville.

The award consists of up to $1,000 to be used to attend the annual National Conference. This year’s conference was held in Boston. Recipients were invited to attend a variety of workshops and presentations that were of particular interest to new teachers at the annual National Conference.

“As a first year teacher, I already know that I have so much to learn still about many things involving the classroom, assessments, literacy, and integrating technology,” stated Soule. “Most of these things will come with time and exploration. Over the 3 days, I attended 7 sessions ranging from general education information to technology integration to literacy and assessments.”

This prestigious annual award is only received by 25 educators throughout the nation and provides selected K-12 teachers in their first five years of teaching with funds to attend the annual National Conference on Science Education. Award recipients will be mentored, tracked, and provided with continuing opportunities for meaningful involvement with NSTA and its activities.

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Attached picture: Kiley Soule, Right, with Chaffee Elementary Teacher Lori Nelson.

Recent Athens State Alum Receives New Teacher Grant from Alabama Power

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release
February 27, 2014
www.athens.edu

Recent Athens State Alum Receives
New Teacher Grant from Alabama Power

 

ATHENS, Ala. – Sara Arzman, a 2013 graduate of Athens State’s College of Education and a teacher at McDonnell Elementary in Huntsville, was one of twelve first-year teachers in Alabama schools have to receive a $1,000 grant for classroom materials and supplies from the Alabama Power Foundation. Arzman was nominated by the faculty of the College of Education, as one of the most promising graduates of 2013.

The Alabama Power Foundation awards more than 1,000 grants annually with non-ratepayer money and has assets of more than $120 million, making it one of the largest corporate foundations in the state. The foundation funds The Alabama Power Foundation has given more than $135 million through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships.

Grant candidates were submitted by the state’s public teacher colleges. Winners were selected by a committee that included education school deans. Each winner graduated from a state-approved teacher program at an Alabama public college or university.

Arzman was recommended for the grant award by Assistant Professor of Education Tedi Gordon. In

her recommendation letter Gordon states, “Although a good pedagogic background is imperative, Ms. Arszman has the ability to communicate a love of learning and make connections to daily life. She possesses organizational skills as well as the ability to access and effectively use available resources in her efforts to make learning accessible for students.”

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Attached picture: Sara Arzman

Athens State Offering Technical Instructional Design Option

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

May 17, 2013

www.athens.edu

Athens State Offering Technical Instructional Design Option

ATHENS, Ala. – At the beginning of the 2012/2013 academic year, Athens State University added an option to the Career and Technical Education major in the College of Education that prepares students to work as instructional designers and trainers. The Option in Technical Education: Instructional Design addresses a need for bachelor-degreed instructional designers in schools, community colleges, business and industry. 

“The individuals looking for these types of jobs will not require a Class B teaching certification,” states Christopher Inman, Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology.  “They will, however, require knowledge of how students learn as well as how technology can be utilized to facilitate learning.  The advent of widely available technological possibilities in the teaching cycle has caused a void in the number of skilled instructional designers who understand curriculum, instructional technique and how to design online and technology-based coursework at all levels.  This option is in an answer to this need.”

Instructional Designers engage students or employees in the learning process, encourage their participation, and address specific learning needs.  The program at Athens State will advance the student’s knowledge of instructional design and learning theories and provide practical application experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating training. Further career options in instructional design include: training consultant, technologist trainer, corporate trainer, and program designer. For more information, visit www.athens.edu/college_edu.   

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Athens State University College of Education Alum Wins Alabama Power Award

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

March 19, 2013

www.athens.edu

Athens State Alum Receives New Teacher Grant from Alabama Power

ATHENS, Ala. – Jackson Knox Schuster, a 2012 graduate of Athens State’s College of Education and a teacher at West Morgan High School, was one of twelve first-year teachers in Alabama schools have to receive a $1,000 grant for classroom materials and supplies from the Alabama Power Foundation.  Jackson was nominated by the faculty of the College of Education, as one of the most promising graduates of 2012.

The Alabama Power Foundation awards more than 1,000 grants annually with non-ratepayer money and has assets of more than $120 million, making it one of the largest corporate foundations in the state. The foundation funds The Alabama Power Foundation has given more than $135 million through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships.

Grant candidates were submitted by the state’s public teacher colleges.   Winners were selected by a committee that included education school deans. Each winner graduated from a state-approved teacher program at an Alabama public four-year college or university.

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Attached picture:  Jackson Knox Shuster