APRIL 2024

Congratulations to our CEPS 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees. We were honored to induct these outstanding alumni at the Alumni Hall of Fame banquet this month.

Dr. Calhoun attended the Gwinnett County Public Schools Future Teacher Signing Day in Suwanee, Georgia. High School seniors signed commitments to further their studies in education, then browsed a variety of pathways and options to further their education.

Dr. Calhoun shared with students about JSU’s FutureEd Apprenticeship Program for Early Childhood/Elementary, Secondary English Language Arts, and Secondary Social Studies Education, as well as other programs offered at Jax State.

The people at this table represent every system in our region. Together, we serve as a unified voice, championing professional growth in education. Excited for what we can accomplish together! ALSDE Office of School Improvement OMI ALSDE JSU Technology in Motion Jacksonville State University AMSTI JSU College of Education and Professional Studies ARI / The Alabama Reading Initiative

Mary John Tucker Williams attended JSU beginning in 1947 and graduated in 1954. (She took a break for a couple of years). She is 94 years old and wanted to see what has changed over the last 70 years. She said she wanted to see it before she got too old. The College of Education has gone full circle as The Kitty Stone building was the “education laboratory” back in the 40’s and 50’s and now Education is back in it’s early home.

Mrs. Williams enjoyed meeting several students and faculty as she toured the CEPS complex with Mr. Tull Wigley. It was a pleasure to welcome her back to JSU.

Mrs. Valerie Wheat's class presented at the Jacksonville Community Center yesterday for the local DKG chapter. They shared about Autism for Autism Awareness Month! It was great!

Thank you, Dr. Wendy Stephens, for celebrating International Children's Book Day here at the JSU Child Development Center.

Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, 2 April, International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books. #readrightfromthestart

Our students always receive the highest compliments at the career fair! Comments such as, "We would be happy to hire any of these candidates" make us proud!

Join the CEPS in congratulating Dr. Linda Mitchell on being named the Department Head for Teacher Education. Dr. Mitchell has been serving as interim in this role. Her dedication and institutional history are a great asset to this department!!!

ALSDE unanimously approved ALL of our EPP programs. "I know that this vote marks the end of years of hard work with the CIEP process. I am extremely happy that we can put this behind us. Thanks to everyone for your hard work!!!" Dean Kimberly White

Pictured with Dean White is Dr. Linda Mitchell, Department Head of the Teacher Education Department, and Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of Education

Lit Block ended the semester by showcasing their outstanding comprehension projects! So many creative and fun ideas to share with our local elementary school classrooms!

Thanks to Laura Catoe, one of our adjunct instructors in the Communication Dept for coming to teach us about creating videos tonight. Our class PSA for Autism Awareness Month!

This semester's theme, "Cooking Up Learning at the STEAM Cafe," inspired our Early Childhood Block preservice teachers to whip up a batch of engaging STEAM lessons for kindergarten students from Kitty Stone Elementary and Piedmont Elementary.

The hands-on stations blended math, science, technology, engineering, and the arts, allowing the young learners to explore and discover in a fun and interactive environment.

We also invited J-STEAM dual enrollment students who are currently taking ED104 to attend and experience the magic of STEAM day and tour the JSU College of Education and Professional Studies complex.

What a fantastic way to end the semester!

A few of our social studies interns and Dr. Russell Hammack went to Kitty Stone Elementary school for a virtual Washington DC trip for six graders. Students were able to virtually experience the White House, Ford's theater, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, portions of the Smithsonian, and Mount Vernon. Ms. Jill Harper of Kitty Stone Elementary arranged the visit with Dr. Hammack.

Pictured from left to right are:

Ryan Stouder, Kaitlyn Hosey, Dr. Russell Hammack, Laken Bush, and Wesley Harrell

The Content Block students hosted an Experiment Extravaganza at the CEPS. This event was a unique opportunity for elementary students from the Jacksonville area to dive into the world of science in a hands-on and engaging manner. The experiments presented were carefully selected to cover a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, ensuring that there was something of interest for every student.

Mrs. Tancie West's class enjoyed "Teach Like a Pirate Night".

Early Childhood Block explored the life and work of Alma Thomas, the pioneering African American abstract expressionist artist. Before pursuing art full-time, Alma Thomas was a dedicated teacher for 35 years. Her experiences in the classroom, particularly her love for nurturing young minds and fostering creativity, played a significant role in shaping her artistic vision.

Secondary Education master's program student, Jonathan Slaughter and Dr. Kyoko Johns represented JaxState at the 2024 SAEA (Student Alabama Education Association) State Conference in Montgomery, AL on Saturday, April 20th (pictured with the SAEA Coordinator, August Haygood).

SAEA provides many professional development events and workshops that support teacher candidates in the state of Alabama. It is a great organization to be part of. All JaxState students who are enrolled in education programs or interested in education programs are welcome to join any SAEA events on and off campus!

Mrs. Jill Marsh is an instructor of Child Development courses in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences and is the program chair for the Child Development concentration. Mrs. Marsh holds teacher certification in both Family and Consumer Sciences Education (secondary) and Collaborative Education (elementary). She has over 15 years experience in education which spans elementary, secondary, and post-secondary and over 32 years of experience in raising children. She has been employed at JSU for 12 years and served as the Director of the Cynthia H. Harper Child Study Center from 2012 to 2022.

Congratulations to Mrs. Candice Byers!

Mrs. Byers was selected by the UAB faculty and Provost as Outstanding UAB Graduate Student.

At the CEPS End of Semester Meeting, Dean White took the opportunity to award several individuals for exceeding expectations over the past year. Everyone has worked very hard and we've been through the endeavor of moving to a new campus. It's nice to be on this end of that process and the work of every CEPS employee is appreciated!

We appreciate our administrative professionals every day!

L-R: Deanna Bohannon, Angie Roberts, Krystal Cochran, Lynn Steward, Martha Dingler, Gloria Gidley, Emily Haynes

"No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another."

-Joseph Addison

Happy birthday to our CEPS employees who are celebrating April birthdays!

Tara Hood

Jennifer Ray

Diane Best

Janis Sides

Martha Dingler

CEPS ducks bring a smile to CEPS Complex.

Email: bohannon@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