October 2024

The children of the Child Development Center enjoyed guest readers who participated in the second annual Sandra Stone Day of Reading.

Special guests included:

Dr. Christi Trucks - PreK 1

Mrs. Amy Crotts - PreK 2

Campus Resource Officer Adam Green - PreK 1, 2, & 3

Taylor Holder - PreK 3

Mrs. Kristi Smith - PreK 1

Vice Provost Staci Stone - PreK 2

Ms. Emily White - Infants

Amber Law - 1 Year Olds

Dr. Christie Calhoun - 2 Year Olds

Provost Christie Shelton - 3 Year Olds

Dr. Hammack, Dr. Gilliland, and Dr. Mitchell, along with a group of CEPS Secondary Social Studies Education candidates attended the annual conference of the Alabama Council for the Social Studies. Dr. Hammack and Dr. Gilliland presented at the conference while Dr. Mitchell represented Jax State.

At the opening session of the conference, Dr. Russell Hammack took over as the President of the Alabama Council for the Social Studies. Dr. Hammack has been involved in the council’s work for many years and will serve for two years as president of the organization. Jax State was well represented by these amazing leaders.

The little Gamecocks at the Jax State Child Development Center lit up the campus in PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Please complete the Wellness Culture and Environment Support Scale Survey for the Wellness Committee at Jax State. The committee is collecting data to plan programs and activities to improve wellness in Jax State community. We appreciate your support! Please scan the QR code or contact Dr. Kyoko Johns for more information.

Dr. Ashley Turner, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, was recently appointed to serve on the Pelham High School Advisory Board for the 2024-2025 academic year. As a dedicated science educator and secondary science education professor, she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for innovative science teaching across K-12 and higher education. Her expertise will help shape the future of science education at Pelham High, ensuring students have access to enriching and forward-thinking learning opportunities. The advisory board is excited to leverage their knowledge to enhance educational excellence throughout the Pelham City School System.

Earlier in the month, Dr. Gilliland and Mrs. Candice Byers, along with students in their reflective practices course held a Q&A with local administrators. Pictured below:

from left to right

Tim Young, Principal of Drew Middle School

Seth Taylor, Principal of Oxford High School

Heather Wright, Assistant Principal of Munford High School

Dr. Michele Edwards, Head of School, Faith Christian School

The Student Alabama Education Association (SAEA) is a professional organization comprised of college students preparing to be educators. When you join SAEA, you become part of the largest professional education association in the state of Alabama, Alabama Education Association (AEA).

Please scan the QR code below or contact Dr. Kyoko Johns for more information.

Jax State Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) and Regional Inservice Center (RIC) provides support and quality professional learning to schools in region 6. October was a fun month filled with learning and exploring.

Meet Valerie Curtis, Region 6 Inservice Center Director!

Valerie is celebrating one year in the director role. She is an amazing leader that guides everyone at the RIC. She also works to build relationships in our region with educational, industry, and community partners.

Congratulations, Valerie!

Dr. Hammack is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education. He obtained his B.S. in Secondary Education with a focus in History/Geography from The University of Alabama. He also earned an M.A. and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Social Science from The University of Alabama. Dr. Hammack teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Teacher Education. He currently serves as the Secondary Social Studies Program Chair for three academic programs and Practicum Coordinator for all secondary practicums and internships.

His research interests include educational policy, high-stakes testing, technology integration, and inquiry-based instruction. Since coming to Jax State in 2015, He has presented 15 times at the National Council for Social Studies and the National Council for History Education and 14 times at the Alabama Council for Social Studies. Dr. Hammack has also published multiple articles in Social Studies Teaching and Learning, Oregon Journal for Social Studies, Teaching Social Studies, and the Journal of Social Studies and History Education. He is also a reviewer for Social Studies Research and Practice.

At JSU, Dr. Hammack serves on the following committees: the Institutional Review Board, the Graduate Education Program Directors and Advisers, and the Continuous Improvement Committee. He currently serves as the President of the Alabama Council for Social Studies, a member of the Alabama Social Studies Course of Study committee and task force, the Alabama representative in the National Council for the Social Studies House of Delegates, and a member of both the Alabama Council for the Social Studies and the National Council for the Social Studies.

Before coming to JSU, Dr. Hammack taught for 13 years in the Tuscaloosa City School system. During his tenure in Tuscaloosa, he taught secondary social studies and science courses that included the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. He was nominated by his school twice for Alabama Teacher of the Year and was also nominated twice for the Jacksonville State Teacher Hall of Fame.

Dr. Russell Hammack is married to Natasha Hammack, and they have two daughters, Reagan and Riley.

Ms. Macie Bryant is pursuing a degree in elementary and early childhood education and plans to graduate in May 2025. She was born and raised in Jacksonville, AL, and graduated from Pleasant Valley High School. Jacksonville has always felt like home to her, making the decision to attend Jacksonville State University an easy choice for furthering her education. When Ms. Bryant is not in the classroom, she works as a Registered Behavior Technician at Act Behavior Counseling.

Macie chose Jacksonville State University because of its outstanding education program, which she believes will provide her with the best experience for her future career. She looks forward to graduating in 2025 and is excited about the opportunity to be a leader in the classroom rather than just a student.

Outside of school and work, Ms. Bryant enjoys attending concerts, traveling, and participating in outdoor activities.

Congratulations, Macie! The College of Education and Professional Studies wishes you the best in your endeavors!

Content Block kicked off its practicum orientation earlier in the month with an insightful presentation by Kim Mitchell from the Alabama State Department of Education. During the session, preservice teachers were guided on how to excel in professionalism, craft effective resumes, and prepare for successful job interviews. These aspiring educators gained valuable knowledge to enhance their readiness for their teaching careers.

Dr. Torsten Dryden

Dr. Russell Hammack

Dr. Krista Gilliland

Mrs. Aimee Weathers

Mrs. Candice Byers

Dr. Brandon Gilliland

Dr. Ashley Turner

Carly Wood

Madison A. White

Summer Gordon

Madalyn Holladay

Jayden Davidson

Cayden Frye

Kaylee Hill

Henry Lowman

Haleigh Molock

Abby Perkins

Dylan Randall

Riley Stone

Tori Wilkinson

Trinity Watts

Kayley Stanley

2024 ACTM (Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Fall Forum will be held on November 14-15 at Oxford Civic Center in Oxford, AL. Registration is now Open! https://acotom.wildapricot.org/page-1503662

***Preservice Teacher Candidates can register at a discounted rate. Please email Dr. Johns at kjohns@jsu.edu with your program name and category - freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors to receive a registration code.

To reach the forum link, click here: https://2024actmfallforum.sched.com/?_gl=1*u52qum*_gcl_au*MjU4ODQ2ODM5LjE3MjYwODc3MzA.*FPAU*MjU4ODQ2ODM5LjE3MjYwODc3MzA

Experience the Friendliest Campus in the South with Jax State's Professional Counseling & Leadership Department. Scan the QR codes below to find out more about what these programs have to offer.

Nilufer Guler

Christie Calhoun

Barbie Norvell

Lola Johnston

Maria Rogers

Jane Cobia

Autumn Smith

Carol McGinnis

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