Teacher Education
Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals
Spring/Summer 2008
Volume 2, Issue 1
Inside this Issue
Growing Your Own . . .
Special Education Teachers? . . . 1
Greetings from Dean
Smith-Skripps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Focused on the Challenge
Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Engaging Description . . . . . . . . . 3
Sometimes, We Just Have to
Step Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Look to the Future . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Water + Western + History =
Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Prepared and Now, Even
More Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Wide Scope of Expertise . . . . . . . 5
Growing Your Own . . . Special Education Teachers?
There are 19 very lucky and truly inspired
candidates participating in the West
Central Illinois Grow Your Own (GYO)
Teacher Education Initiative. The grantbased program supports a group of students
through a special education degree program
and prepares them for certification and
employment in their community schools.
There is an identified need for special
education teachers in the participating
public school districts.
The cohort of students began by taking
general education courses at Blackhawk
College and their first Western Illinois
University class (Quad Cities campus) in
fall 2007. They will complete the same
fieldwork and student teaching requirements
as other special education teachers, though
they are only allowed to take six credit
hours a semester. Students should begin to
graduate from the program in 2013.
The West Central Illinois GYO program
is comprised of a consortium of partners,
including Western Illinois University,
Blackhawk College, Rock Island County
Regional Office of Education (RIROE),
Rock Island/Milan School District #41,
Moline/Coal Valley School District #40,
and the Community Caring Conference
of Rock Island/Milan. This grant is unique
in that the participants are non-traditional
students who come from the communities
in which they will eventually teach. They
are also raising families as well as working
in full-time jobs while attending classes.
It is no longer a question of “Can school
districts grow their own special education
teachers?” The answer is evident: they can.
It Is Contagious! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Communication,
Communication,
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . 6
A True Calling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Dr. Rori Carson
Assistant Dean and
Director of CPEP
Melissa Phillips
Director of Academic Advising
and Certification Officer
Jacqlin Richmond
Coordinator of University
Field and Clinical Experiences
and Newsletter Editor
Members of the GYO Teacher Education cohort; Dr. Darlos Mummert, Professor, Special Education
Department and grant supervisor; Dr. Lynda Conover, Professor, Special Education Department.
2
Academic
Advisors
Sharon Butcher
SK-Butcher@wiu.edu
Angi Comrie
AD-Comrie2@wiu.edu
Jeanne Ellis Gates
JC-Ellis@wiu.edu
Kim Moreno (QC Campus)
KM-Moreno@wiu.edu
Phoebe Wilson
PV-Wilson@wiu.edu
Tammy Wilson
TS-Wilson@wiu.edu
Staff
Cheryl Hutchins
CK-Hutchins@wiu.edu
Lois Retherford (QC Campus)
LA-Retherford@wiu.edu
Julie Schoonover
JA-Schoonover@wiu.edu
Nancy Stoneking
NE-Stoneking@wiu.edu
Field Supervisors
Benjamin Bishop
BG-Bishop@wiu.edu
Charles Bolton
CF-Bolton@wiu.edu
Dennis Cromer
D-Cromer@wiu.edu
Keith Erickson
KG-Erickson@wiu.edu
Virginia Kessler
VA-Kessler@wiu.edu
Connie LaRue
CK-LaRue@wiu.edu
Kathryn Withenbury
KL-Withenbury@wiu.edu
Volume 2, Issue 1
Greetings from Dean Smith-Skripps
I hope everyone is having a great summer, which
includes both time for personal enjoyment of
family and friends, as well as for professional
growth—whether its reading a new book, taking
a class, or exploring a totally new interest.
In this newsletter, you’ll learn about new staff
in the Center and be introduced to Dr. Rori
Carson, Assistant Dean for Teacher Education,
who provides new leadership to the Center.
Also featured in this newsletter are some of the
activities and contributions of our students
to the educational community. We stress to
our students the importance of professional
networking, being involved in professional
education organizations, and advocating for
quality educational opportunities. It’s gratifying
to hear about their activities and the impact
they are making.
Enjoy and stay in touch with us. The Center
is here to assure quality services and a seamless
transition into the profession of education.
We seek your
feedback,
updates on
your activities,
and any ideas
you may want
to share. It’s
an exciting
time to be
educators and
a critical time
to advocate for
success for all
children. By
sharing promising practices and engaging in a
professional learning community, we can make
all of us the best that we can be.
Dr. Bonnie Smith-Skripps, Dean
Focused on the Challenge Ahead
Experience plus education plus a focused view
of the challenge ahead will result in success for
the College of Education and Human Services
(COEHS) and the Teacher Education Program
at Western. Dr. Rori Carson began her mission
as Assistant Dean for the COEHS last fall.
She has initiated the preparations for the next
NCATE accreditation visit for Fall 2010. Since
her responsibilities and duties are wide in scope
and often vital to the University, the learning
curve has been intense.
As Assistant Dean for the College, Dr. Carson
supervises all aspects of the undergraduate
degree programs within the 13-department
COEHS and is the Director of the Center for
the Preparation of Education Professionals.
She manages all aspects of teacher education
accreditation. Dr. Carson also supervises the
accreditation process with academic units as
well as pre-K through 12th grade partnerships.
She coordinates with undergraduate programs
for assistance and review of curriculum
development.
Dr. Carson began her professional education
career in the Macomb and Colchester School
Districts. She was a professor at Eastern Illinois
University and the University of Northern
Iowa (UNI). With experiences as Associate
Dean/Director of Teacher Education at UNI,
she brings additional vision and focus to
the Teacher
Education
Program at
Western. She
received her
Bachelor’s and
Master’s degrees
from WIU and
her PhD from
the University
of Iowa.
Dr. Carson was
a member of the
NCATE/State
Accreditation
Steering
Dr. Rori Carson,
Committee and
Assistant Dean
the Professional
Development
School Task Force. Organization and
planning with faculty groups as well as entire
departments will be a major component of the
challenge ahead.
Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals
Engaging Description
They were focused on her face and her
words. Fourteen pairs of eyes were alert to the
engaging description of what life is like to be
an Elementary Education major at Western
Illinois University. The presenter was Sarah
Turney, graduate assistant for the Curriculum
and Instruction department. The students
were members of a child development class at
Quincy Senior High School in Quincy, Illinois.
As part of their campus tour, they visited
the Curriculum Library and Daycare Center
in Horrabin Hall. Lunch at the Thompson
Residence Hall was a hit. They were amazed at
the wide variety of choices on the menu.
Sarah described what it was like to live in
the residence halls. She reviewed the varied
opportunities to participate in the many clubs
and organizations on campus. Her presentation
included a question and answer time where
students asked about coursework and study
time. Sara described the necessity for time
management and organization skills in one’s
Calendar of Events
life to be successful
at Western. She
focused on the
importance of
field experiences
for Elementary
Education majors.
Sarah graduated
from United
Township High
Sarah Turney
School in East
Moline, Illinois. After completing her BS
degree in Elementary Education in December,
2007, Sarah began her advanced coursework at
Western. Her student teaching experience was
at George O. Barr Elementary School in Silvis,
Illinois, with mentor teacher Cathy Bear. Only
time will tell if Sarah’s engaging description of
Western and enthusiasm for teaching assisted
any of the 14 student visitors to make a career
choice. Sarah wishes them success as she looks
to the fall semester in a classroom of her own.
Sometimes, We Just Have to Step Back . . .
It was important. It was very important. They had
practiced for days to obtain exact precision. Timing
was everything. They had been trained by a highly
specialized Military Honors Unit who had only one
mission: to train pall bearers and rifle detail groups
for military services. The service for SSG. Keith
Mathew Maupin, first POW from the Iraq War,
was held in the Great American Ballpark, home
of the Cincinnati Reds. SSG. Maupin, native of
Ohio, was transferred to the 724th Transportation
Company, Army Reserve, based in Bartonville,
Illinois, for deployment to Iraq.
Pall bearers were members of the 724th and with
Sgt. Maupin in Iraq. The rifle detail consisted
of other members of the 724th, including SSG.
Heidi Engel, kinesiology major and Western
student teacher. Heidi was in the middle of her
second student teaching experience at Havana High
School in Havana, Illinois, with mentor teacher
Erica Foster when the call came with the memorial
service information. She has been a member of the
Army Reserves for six years. Heidi is a graduate
of Princeton High School in Princeton, Illinois.
She graduated with a BS in Kinesiology Teacher
Education from Western in May.
3
Heidi was honored to be a part of the rifle detail
at the cemetery where private services were held
with family, invited friends, and members of the
724th Transportation Company. She identified
“tremendous support from community members
and Patriot Guard Riders with American flags flying
everywhere.” Although her company will be deployed
in April, 2009 (second Iraq experience for Heidi), she
will be working in Peoria-area schools this fall.
Sometimes, we just have to step back to focus on
what is really important.
Summer Semester, 2008
June 2
Classes Begin
July 4
Independence Day
University Closed
July 25
Classes End
Fall Semester, 2008
August 25
Classes Begin
September 1
Labor Day
University Closed
September 19-21
Family Weekend
September 26
Student Teacher Return Seminar
October 17-19
Homecoming Weekend
October 24
Student Teacher Certification
Seminar
November 24-28
Thanksgiving Break
No Classes
November 27-28
University Closed
December 15-19
Final Exam Week
December 20
Commencement – Macomb
December 21
Commencement – Quad Cities
After delivering supplies to a school, Heidi was
given flowers by Iraq children.
4
University
Programs
for Teacher
Certification
Early Childhood Education
(Birth-Grade 3)
Elementary Education
K-9
Dual with Special Education
Bilingual/Bicultural
Education
Secondary (6-12)
Agriculture Education
English
Mathematics
Science/Biology
Science/Chemistry
Science/Physics
Social Science/History
Special (K-12)
Art
French
Music
Physical Education
Spanish
Special Education–
Learning Behavior
Specialist I
Dual with Elementary
Education
Administrative
(Graduate Programs)
General Administrative
Superintendent
Chief School Business
Official
School Service Personnel
School Counseling
School Psychology
Communication Sciences
and Disorders
Volume 2, Issue 1
Look to the Future
In the end, there will be two winners. It will not
be easy for either participant. Matt Meyer will
be the new agriculture instructor at Stockton
High School in Stockton, Illinois, beginning
Fall 2008. Agriculture classes have not been
a part of the Stockton Senior High School
curriculum since the late 1980s. The task for
Matt and the district will be to build a model
agriculture program from the beginning.
Matt graduated from Sandwich High
School. His home district had a cooperative
agreement with Somonauk High School to
include Sandwich High School students in
a cooperative agriculture program. He was
enrolled in agriculture classes and was an active
member of FFA during high school (officer for
three years).
When asked why he chose to attend Western,
Matt identified “the positive reputation of the
agriculture teacher education program and the
outstanding guidance of Dr. Andy Baker.” At
Western, Matt was a member of the Collegiate
FFA Organization and was a charter member
of the Agriculture Teacher Education Club.
His student teaching experience was at Newark
Community High School in Newark, Illinois,
and the mentor teacher
was Joseph Steffen. His
connection with the
Newark school began
the summer before when
Matt enrolled in Summer
Experience in Agriculture
Education, AgEd 330.
That summer experience
Matt Meyer
at Newark included the
State FFA Convention, visiting students at their
homes to check on FFA projects, and working
with the instructor to facilitate summer FFA
student activities. The Newark FFA Chapter has
been ranked as one of the top five chapters in
the State of Illinois for the last six years. Matt
identified the Newark experience as working
with a “great program that involved students in
leadership roles as well as decision making.”
The new challenges ahead for Matt will require
the use of his past experiences and training
as well as his passion for teaching agriculture.
It will be a team effort as he begins his first
teaching position and as Stockton High School
offers new opportunities in agriculture to its
students. As they look to the future, it certainly
looks bright.
Water + Western + History = Success
Four years in the water at Thornton Fractional
South brought her to Western Illinois
University. Jennifer Madgiak was a member
of her high school swimming program. She
came to Western to be a part of the 20-member
Women’s Swim Team. She competed as a
sprinter in free style swim competition for three
and a half years, achieving the school record in
relays. The swim team practiced 18 to 20 hours
per week. In addition, she was on the WIU
Women’s Track and Field Team during her first
two years on campus where her event was the
high jump.
Jennifer used the dedication and passion
as well as the strong work ethic required to
achieve athletic goals as she journeyed to
become a teacher. Frequently enrolling in 18
semester hours of coursework, she excelled
in her pre-student teaching experiences at
Hamilton High School and Macomb Jr. High
School. Her enthusiasm for teaching history
was a highly valued asset during the student
teaching experience
at VIT High School
in Table Grove,
Illinois, with mentor
teacher Kristi Reller.
Jennifer identified
organizational skills
and good study
habits as necessary
when juggling class
work and athletics.
Jennifer Madgiak
Jennifer completed coursework and field
experiences which helped her acquire a BA
degree in History Education in May, 2008. She
graduated Cum Laude as a History Honors
Scholar. She will be teaching in the Chicago
suburbs this fall. From experience, she can relay
the importance of a formula for success to her
students. Each student will have Jennifer as a
mentor and as a classroom coach as they plan
for success.
Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals
Prepared and Now, Even More Ready
He was prepared, but still the excitement was
building. It was a rare opportunity as well as a
valuable experience. The location was Atlanta,
Georgia, and the event was the annual meeting
of the National Association of Biology Teachers.
Adam Elliott presented a research paper on his
chosen topic of “Designing Laboratory Activities
to Promote Learning Practices.” He selected this
topic because he wanted his investigation to be
related directly to the science education field.
As his topic selection narrowed, Adam discovered
an interest in an established research project being
conducted by two universities. His final research
topic was connected to his desire to assist students
in obtaining the most from the activities they
experienced in various laboratory settings. As part of
the research, Adam compared previously established
laboratory procedures to newly identified laboratory
procedures. He reviewed voice, video, and written
data, checking for significant
improvements by students.
Adam graduated from
Watseka High School in
Watseka, Illinois. Lewistown
Adam Elliot,
High School in Lewistown,
Biology Education
Illinois, was one of the student major, Spring
teaching sites for Adam with
2008 graduate.
Bradley Hatfill as the mentor
teacher. His second site was at
Cuba Middle School in Cuba, Illinois, where Julie
Vass was the mentor teacher. Adam identified both
sites as good experiences. “The kids were great and
the environment provided an opportunity for a
positive connection with students and teachers.”
Adam is now ready to use findings from the
research project to instruct students in his own
science classroom this fall.
Wide Scope of Expertise
As an academic education advisor for ten different
departments who have Teacher Education majors,
Angi Comrie has been on the fast track since
arriving at Western last fall. She is a graduate of
Illinois State University with a BS in Social Work
and a MS in Education–College Student Personnel.
Originally from Colchester, Illinois, she lived in
Alaska at Ft. Wainwright Army Base while her
husband was stationed there and then later when
he was deployed to Iraq. Angi actively assisted the
Family Readiness Group, working with spouses and
families while soldiers were deployed overseas. She
and her husband now live in Macomb, Illinois.
Her long time passion for
student advising on the
collegiate level has now been
achieved. “As an academic
advisor, I can assist students
who are secondary and K-12
Angela Comrie,
majors to navigate through
Academic Advisor
the Teacher Education
Program. It can at times be overwhelming for
students new to the program.” Indeed, a wide
scope of expertise is required to assist students
on the path to success.
As a native of Macomb, Virginia was a successful
classroom teacher for 28 years and an instructional
Western Illinois
University
Websites
Center for the Preparation of
Education Professionals
www.wiu.edu/cpep
Admissions
www.admissions.wiu.edu
Alumni Association
www.wiu.edu/alumni
Bookstore
www.wiu.edu/bookstore
Career Services
www.careers.wiu.edu
Center for International Studies,
Study Abroad
www.wiu.edu/international/
studyAbroad/index.jsp
Financial Aid
www.fa.wiu.edu
Foundation Office
www.wiu.edu/foundation
Graduate Studies
www.wiu.edu/grad
Library
www.wiu.edu/library
Registrar
www.wiu.edu/Registrar
Scholarships
www.wiu.edu/scholarships
It Is Contagious!
“Seeing new and fresh ideas from WIU teacher
education field students reinforces my continued
commitment to the educational process.” This was a
statement expressed recently by Virginia Kessler who
joined the University as a Field Supervisor this past
academic year. Her position is two-fold. She guides
and supervises Secondary Education majors during
their field experiences in the public schools prior to
student teaching. She also assists with the planning
and facilitating of the urban field trip experience for
all teacher education majors.
5
building administrator for nine
years in the Macomb Public
Schools. She was a University
District Liaison in McDonough
and Hancock Counties for three
years, working with school district Virginia Kessler,
personnel for student teacher
Field Supervisor
placement, assisting the student
teacher supervisor, and observing/
assisting student teachers in the field. Virginia
brings a tremendous enthusiasm for teaching to her
responsibilities at Western. Her students find this
dedication to children and learning in the schools to
be evident each day. Wow, it is contagious!
Student Activities
www.osa.wiu.edu
Student Services
www.student.services.wiu.edu
Quote
“Some people go into teaching
because it is a job. Some people go
into teaching to make a difference.”
Harry Wong
6
Western’s
Mission
Western Illinois University,
a community of individuals
dedicated to learning, will have a
profound and positive impact on
our changing world through the
unique interaction of instruction,
research, and public service as
we educate and prepare a diverse
student population to thrive in
and contribute to our global
society.
Western’s
Teacher
Education
Mission
To prepare versatile teachers who
appreciate the importance of our
diverse population; who adapt
to emerging social, economic,
and demographic patterns; and
who are skilled in the use of
technology tools to promote
teaching and learning in our
nation’s schools.
Contact
Information
Horrabin Hall 91
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
(309) 298-2117
Fax: (309) 298-3386
Rori Carson
RR-Carson@wiu.edu
Melissa Phillips
MM-Phillips@wiu.edu
Jacqlin Richmond
J-Richmond@wiu.edu
Volume 2, Issue 1
Communication, Communication, Communication
It was a challenge
and proved to be
fun as well. The
mentor teacher,
Patty Parn, was
impressed as was
the University
Supervisor, Charles
Bolton. The
newsletter was
Jennifer Lichter, elementary
a hit also with
education student teacher
parents of students
in the pre-school classroom at Brown County
Elementary School in Mt. Sterling, Illinois.
Jennifer Lichter, Early Childhood Education
major, designed and wrote a newsletter to
send home with her students each week. The
newsletter described what had happened during
the past week in the classroom. It highlighted
holidays and upcoming events such as Family
Night and Parent Teacher Meetings. Each issue
included information/ideas about books and
other types of reading for parents to use at home.
Certification for an early childhood teacher at
Western Illinois University requires 16 weeks of
student teaching with eight weeks at two different
levels. The second experience for Jennifer was with
a 2nd grade class and Mary Kerley was the mentor
teacher.
Jennifer graduated from Grant Community High
School in Fox Lake, Illinois. At Western, she
was a member of Early Childhood Organization
for Students (ECHOS). She has worked with
Kindercare daycare in McHenry during the past
several summers.
Jennifer identified that “communication with parents
is one of the important components to success in
the classroom.” She will continue her newsletter
practice as a means of communication with parents
of children in her own classroom this fall. Since
all parents do not
have easy access to
e-mail, Jennifer will
offer both electronic
and paper copies of
future newsletters as
she communicates,
Charles Bolton, Supervisor
communicates,
for student teachers
communicates.
A True Calling . . .
Some people might view anyone in this profession
as having “a true calling.” The special education
teaching profession is definitely a challenge and
not just anyone can be successful. The Western
Illinois University Council for Exceptional
Children (CEC) is an organization for Special
Education majors and students majoring in
other related fields. The mission of the group is
to improve educational outcomes for individuals
with exceptionalities. It is a service organization
and meets once a month during the academic
school year.
The organization hosted two meetings this past
year with guest speakers, and they invited guests
to attend. Michael Daly, retired Principal at
Black Hawk Special Education Center and Lyle
Goldensoph, Principal at Arrowhead Ranch
gave a presentation on the “real-life” aspects
of being a SPED teacher. At another meeting,
Susan Simcock, a physical therapist, discussed
the importance of special education teachers and
physical therapists collaborating to give the most
appropriate help to students with special needs.
Carol Haas,
Vice President
Melissa DuBurg,
Organized Autism
Awareness Fundraiser
Fund raisers included CEC T-shirt and book bag,
Valentine’s Day Candy, and Autism Awareness
Activities. CEC donated funds to the Autism
Awareness Program (Chicago). Officers for the
academic year were Elyse Simcock, President;
Carol Haas, Vice President; and Yvonne Hansen,
Secretary. The faculty advisor was Dr. Mary Jensen.
Organizations on campus like the CEC provide
opportunities for students within their majors to
network and participate in activities that will assist
them in their chosen professions. As students who
will successfully complete their degrees in Special
Education, they will have the needed passion and “a
true calling.”