
November 2024
College of Education & Professional Studies Newsletter
2024 Bobby Burns Honorary Scholarship Recipient
Secondary Education student, Kaylee Hill, was recently awarded the Bobby Burns Honorary Scholarship. Jennifer Williams, President of Alabama Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (AAFEPA), presented the award at the annual conference on November 4th. This honorary scholarship is awarded to students who plan to pursue teaching within the state of Alabama. Recipients must also demonstrate excellence in withholding an outstanding GPA.
Kaylee, a 2022 graduate of Hokes Bluff High School, will be graduating from Jax State University in Spring 2025 with a B.S. in secondary education general social studies. Throughout her time at Jax State, she has excelled academically and has developed as a well-rounded leader in many areas of her life. Expected to graduate a year early, Kaylee has stayed on top of her degree program and also holds a 4.0 GPA. She has thrived while in college, to say the least. When not in the classroom, she can be found leading Bible studies, serving in both her church and college ministry, working at her part-time job, spending quality time with others, or traveling to new places. Her college years have been by far her favorite years of life, as she has enjoyed getting to form meaningful relationships with many driven future educators. Kaylee has also loved getting to learn and gain insight from her professors, who she believes are arguably some of the best instructors in the state of Alabama. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her studies in a master’s program and start her career as an educator. She decided at 5 years old that she wanted to become a teacher. After many years of hard work, Kaylee looks forward to making that goal a reality as she steps into the classroom to make a positive impact on the next generation.
Kaylee was also recently nominated as College of Education & Professional Studies Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the month of October.
Congratulations, Kaylee, on all that you have accomplished. CEPS wishes you the best!
the lab.
The College of Education & Professional Studies would like to introduce The Lab. A new cutting-edge science lab dedicated to equipping secondary science pre-service teachers with high-impact science pedagogy and innovative teaching practices.
In this dynamic, hands-on environment, undergraduate and graduate students immerse themselves in authentic scientific research, developing the skills and confidence to bring inquiry-based, real-world science experiences into their future classrooms. The lab is more than a classroom; it’s a state-of-the-art playground where science and teaching intersect, preparing future educators to inspire the next generation of scientists and critical thinkers in middle and high school science labs.
The lab is led by Dr. Ashley Turner and is in the CEPS Complex. Join us to innovate, experiment, and lead in science education!
Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics Fall Forum
Dr. Kyoko Johns, Dr. Jennifer Troncale, and Dr. Michael Alvidrez presented at the Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics Fall Forum. It was a great day catching up with Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) colleagues and Jax State graduates!
Mrs. Weathers, along with early childhood block students Gracie Dearman, Briley Sims, Korie Williams, and Carly Wood, presented at the Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics Fall Forum. Their presentation highlighted innovative strategies for teaching mathematics to young learners.
Secondary Math Education Program
The Secondary Math Education Program at CEPS was well represented in all areas of presenting and attending at the ACTM Conference.
Secondary math pre-service teachers Elise Roberts, Kenzlie Radcliff, and Caelyn Stedham presented about constant-rate disease and modeling.
Also, Dr. Alhammouri presented about financial literacy and modeling.
National Apprenticeship Week
On Thursday, November 14, Governor Ivey signed a proclamation recognizing National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from November 18-22. Alabama’s first Registered Teacher Apprentices were invited to participate in the event. Dr. Calhoun, Executive Director of the Center for Evaluation, Research, and Innovation, and Jax State sponsor representative for the Future Ed Apprenticeship Program, stood alongside Jax State’s registered teacher apprentices—Jay Dennis, Susan Jones, Dalton Arnett, and Paula Thomas—and their journey workers (mentor teachers). Sylacauga City Schools Superintendent Dr. Michele Eller and Calhoun County Schools Superintendent Mr. Tony Willis were also present to support these educational pioneers.
RIC
Take a look at this amazing group of people to serve you at the Jax State Regional Inservice Center at McClellan.
They love working with educators in region 6! Please reach out and connect with Jax State Technology in Motion, Jacksonville State University AMSTI, and Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX) with any needs.
Alabama Literacy Association Conference
Dr. Cannon and Dr. Gilliland met phonics guru and author Wiley Blevins at the Alabama Literacy Association Conference! He spoke about effective phonics instruction and the use of decodable texts.
Cookies, Cookies, and Icing
Dr. Best and her students, along with CEPS faculty and staff, enjoyed a day of decorating cookies with the kindergarten class at Kitty Stone Elementary School. Decorating cookies with the students has become a yearly event filled with fun and excitement.
PLAY DAY
Mrs. Candice Byers' ESE 383 Content Literacy class participated in "Play Day." They enjoyed playing content strategy games that were created by their classmates.
Newspaper Famous
College of Education & Professional Studies student Haleigh Molock was recently featured in a news article with the Anniston Star. Please see the link below.
Congratulations, Haleigh. The CEPS is proud of all that you have accomplished!
Early Childhood Block
CEPS Early Childhood Block visited the STEAM classroom at the Jax State Regional Inservice Center (RIC) today. They participated in a range of fun, hands-on STEM activities all connected to literature. From programming BeeBots and Ozobots to creating with tangrams and the 3Doodler, they explored new ways to bring STEM and stories to life for their future students!
FEATURED STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Annaleigh Harris
Annaleigh Harris is a native of Talladega County and a graduate of Lincoln High School. She attended Jax State University, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in social work. She has over 19 years of experience in retail management, office organization/administration, and higher education. Most recently, you may have seen her as the Manager of the Campus Bookstore here at Jax State!
Annaleigh has a passion for working with children of all ages! She spent over 15 years as a church youth director and obtained her certification in student ministry from Birmingham Southern College. She also has been connected with the United Methodist Children's Home and the Alabama Baptist Children's Home.
Annaleigh began as the new Administrative Assistant for the Child Development Center in August of this year. She is excited for the opportunity to serve our smallest Gamecocks, as well as to be a part of the CEPS team!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Gracie Dearman
Ms. Gracie Dearman, from Ranburne, AL, is currently a junior at Jax State majoring in early childhood education. Becoming an educator has been a dream of hers since she was a little girl and knowing that she is living that dream is such a blessing!
Gracie chose Jax State because, while touring, she noticed how the campus truly lived up to its slogan, “The Friendliest Campus in the South”. Everyone was so kind and welcoming! From then on, she knew she wanted to be a part of the close-knit community of Jax State University.
During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and she loves reading.
CEPS is proud of all that you have accomplished and wishes you the best in all of your endeavors.
CONGRATS TO THE CEPS OUTSTANDING FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS FOR NOVEMBER
Outstanding Faculty Nomination
Mrs. Aimee Weathers
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Nominations
Gracie Dearman
Briley Sims
Carly Wood
Outstanding Graduate Student Nominations
Rebecca Turnbull
Jessica Davis
Alexa Williams
Brooklyn Hicks
Fernesha McConico
Tara Lindsey
Outstanding Staff Member Nomination
Annaleigh Harris
November Birthdays
Kelly Paynter
Kelly Murray
Barry Cooper
Priscilla Wilson
CEPS DUCKS
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