September 2024
College of Education & Professional Studies Newsletter
HOMECOMING WEEK 2024
The CEPS had a fun and eventful week this month celebrating Homecoming 2024. There was door decorating, a potluck brunch, and the Gamecocks ended with a Victory in the 'Ville with a big win over Southern Miss!
We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!
We've Got Spirit, How 'Bout You?
The Jax State Child Development Center joined in on the Homecoming 2024 festivities with dress up days all week. They ended the week with a pep rally and surprise guests that included the Jax State Cheerleaders and Cocky.
PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS LOVE TEACHING SCIENCE, AND IT SHOWS!
Earlier in the month, students spent an action-packed morning designing and creating anemometers to measure wind speed and building structures to withstand flooding after a tsunami. They explored air resistance with parachutes, created a safety plan to prepare for severe weather, and enjoyed building circuits.
EARLY CHILDHOOD BLOCK
Early Childhood Block preservice teachers showcased their creativity and expertise by sharing mini sessions on math manipulatives! They selected Pre-K through third-grade math standards and demonstrated how tools like Ten Frames, Fraction Tiles, Rekenreks, Time Interval Rods, Base Ten Blocks, and Fraction Circles can enhance math lessons. They shared awesome ideas and resources to make math fun and engaging for young learners!
PREVIEW DAY
The CEPS Teacher Ed faculty enjoyed participating in Preview Day this month. The next event date for this will be October 23, 2024. You can join in to tour the campus, learn more about Jax State's top-notch academic programs, and discuss incredible scholarship and financial aid opportunities for both in-state and out-of-state students. Please see the link below if you are interested in registering for the October event.
(Pictured left to right: Ashley Turner, Barbie Norvell, Candice Byers, Brandon Gilliland, & Krista Gilliland)
MATH CONTENT BLOCK
CEPS students wrapped up Math Content Block by visiting the second graders at Kitty Stone Elementary School
STUDENTS IN ACTION
Students enjoyed the Resource Inequality Simulation/Differentiated Resource Activity in Dr. Turner’s ESE 329 Adolescent Development & Behavior course.
Through collaboration, the group with the fewest number of resources constructed the most creative mobile.
TRAINING WITH AMSTI
Jax State Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) hosted our preservice teachers. The math group learned about who AMSTI is and how they support teachers, the Mathematics Teaching Practices, the Student Mathematical Practices, the AMSTI PLC Structure, and how to plan next instructional steps! Students will put their learning into practice with Counting Collections and Number Talks. Students also enjoyed Science Foundational Training. They had a chance to dig into some celestial mechanics with Pre-Service teachers! Starlight measurements, shadows and moon phases, oh my!
PUBLICATION STATION
Dr. Nilufer Guler’s three papers are accepted for publication and two have been published online.
Jennens, C. & Guler, N. (Accepted). The Impact of International Baccalaureate (IB) Courses: Experience and outcome differences for full IB Diploma Earners vs. Non-diploma earners in an urban school in the US. Journal of Advanced Academics.
Guler, N. (2024). Teaching English Language Learners: Exploring the instructional modifications mainstream teachers use. Journal of English Language Education, 16(1), 1-26. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/jele/vol16/iss1/4
Guler, N. (2024). Global competency for teacher educators: Exploring the needs of teacher education faculty in a professional development project. Teacher Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2024.2399075
FEATURED FACULTY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Dr. Krista Gilliland
Dr. Krista Gilliland, assistant professor in the department of Teacher Education, came to JSU in a full-time capacity in August of 2024, but she spent the spring semester of this year as an adjunct professor in the College of Education and Professional Studies. She currently teaches courses that focus on reading instruction. The elementary classroom, methods of reading education, and educational research methods.
Originally from Hoover, AL, Gilliland earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Master of Elementary Education at the University of West Alabama, and Doctor of Education degree in Leadership at Creighton University, where she specialized in curriculum and instruction.
Gilliland’s area of expertise revolves around middle school education, specifically reading and literacy instruction. She spent 18 years as a public-school teacher serving the students of Leeds, AL. She develops vocabulary and comprehension lessons that encourage future teachers to focus on helping their students own the words they encounter and to read between the lines. Her teaching interests include integrating both science and social studies content into reading instruction, allowing her students to learn from the experiences of others, and providing opportunities for future teachers to teach and learn from their peers.
Dr. Gilliland’s research interests include the presence and effects of technology in the classroom. She is also interested in examining how preschool programs prepare students for school and the long-term effectiveness of those programs.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Kayley Stanley
Ms. Kayley Stanley, originally from Nashville, TN, completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology here at Jax State in 2023 and began her master's in clinical Mental Health Counseling that fall semester. She is a member of the track and field team where she is a pole vaulter. She is in her final year of both track and the master's program. Following graduation, she hopes to become an LPC as well as an RPT.
Kayley chose Jax State because of the way it felt like home to her as soon as she stepped foot on campus. In her opinion, Jax State lives up to its name of being "The Friendliest Campus in the South." She recalls everyone being incredibly welcoming and stated that throughout her time here at Jax State, the friendliness and hospitality around campus has continued to remain the same. She is grateful for all of the opportunities that the school has had to offer and the programs that she has been a part of.
Outside of school, work, and track, Ms. Stanley loves to read, play with her kitten, and enjoys being outdoors and hiking.
Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, Kayley!
CONGRATULATIONS TO CEPS OUTSTANDING FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS FOR SEPTEMBER
Outstanding Staff Member Nominations:
Alicia Parton
Krystal Cochran
Angie Roberts
Outstanding Faculty Nominations:
Jessica Cannon
Barbie Norvell
Aimee Weathers
Connie Stancil
Mindi Amberson
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Nominations:
Anna Grace England
Madison Atchley
Macauly Riddle
Caelyn Stedham
Kenzlie Radcliff
Elise Roberts
Erin Womack
Outstanding Graduate Student Nomination:
Kayley Stanley
CALLING ALL GRILLMASTERS
The Jacksonville State University Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Engagement are excited to host the Third Cocky Cookoff BBQ Competition. On October 12th, teams will compete for the Grand Champion Cocky Grill Master title or in the Backyard BBQ Division at the RV lot on Mountain Street adjacent to AmFirst Stadium. The community is invited to join the teams for a classic BBQ festival featuring samples, activities, and live entertainment.
Festival activities begin at 10:30 am. Judging for the BBQ Competition begins at 11:30 am, with an awards presentation around 2:00 pm. Jax State is still seeking Teams, Judges, Vendors, and Sponsors!
Learn more and register now using the link below:
ARE YOU READY FOR S'MORE LEARNING?
Jax State RIC Fall Librarian Meetup is right around the corner!
See link below for registration
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Roy Bliss
Linda Mitchell
Tammy Owen
Tommy Turner
Mindi Amberson
Donja Dryden
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Email: amroberts@jsu.edu
Website: https://www.jsu.edu/education/index.html
Location: 115 College Street Southwest, Jacksonville, AL, USA
Phone: 256-782-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSUEducation/
Twitter: @JSU_SoE