With the growing expectations and demands on teachers, consistent and rigorous educator preparation is vitally important. CEEDAR (Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform) challenges institutions of higher education to align instruction so that teacher candidates receive the same message. KEEP (Kentucky Excellence in Educator Preparation) was formed between the University of Kentucky (UK), University of Louisville (UofL), and Thomas More College to promote this work. The summit, which as held at May 20-21, 2018 provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate and share the work of this collaboration.
The University of Louisville College of Education and Human Development played a prominent presence during the Summit. Amy Lingo, associate dean for academic affairs and unit effectiveness, led the effort from UofL. She co-facilitated the conference and presented two breakout sessions that illustrated the relationships forged and knowledge gained through the support of CEEDAR. Terry Scott, professor and director of the Center for Academic and Behavioral Response to Intervention (ABRI), conducted a breakout session addressing how adult behavior affects student outcomes relative to high leverage practices.
In addition, Penny Howell, PhD, associate professor, and Shelley Thomas, PhD, associate professor, both in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education, spearheaded three presentations that included several CEHD students: Sophie Daneshmand (middle and secondary education), Hanna Hodgson (middle and secondary education), La’Que Newby (middle and secondary education), Mary Pippen, Kathryn Maurer (middle and secondary graduate and Fulbright winner), and Khristen Echols. Their team also included Shantel Crosby, PhD, from the Kent School of Social Work, Judi Vanderhaar, PhD, with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and graduate of the CEHD's educational leadership and organizational development program, Anetria Swanson (a doctoral student in the CEHD's curriculum and instruction program), and Alice Gnau of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). Drs. Thomas and Howell served in dual roles as they also assisted with poster presentations and co-facilitated with colleagues from UK, Northern Kentucky University (NKU), as well as Vanessa Posey and John Marshall, PhD, of JCPS. The topics included transforming learning communities, preparing middle level teachers through cross institutional collaborations, and re-imagining educator preparation by competency, awareness, and responsiveness to diverse students. Jessica Hardy, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Special Education, presented with Amanda Colville, a graduate of CEHD, on interdisciplinary early childhood education strategies. Finally, Ginevra Courtade, PhD, department chair and associate professor in Special Education (SPED), and Rob Pennington, PhD, associate professor in SPED, presented a poster session regarding building core content knowledge in Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD) teacher candidates. Beth Gurney, a CEHD doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, and Monica Delano, PhD, associate professor in SPED, attended the summit. Lauren Adams and Sarah Forister, CEHD graduate assistants served as session leaders, and Shannon Frey, Coordinator in the CEHD, was also present to assist with registration and logistics.
Dr. Lynn Gangone, PhD, president and chief executive officer of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), served as the keynote speaker. She emphasized the importance of preparing educators to meet the needs of each learner. Two panel sessions also addressed the importance of educator preparation. Ann Larson, PhD, dean and professor in the CEHD, Carmen Coleman of JCPS, Bob King of the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), and Wayne Lewis, interim commissioner of KDE, facilitated the morning discussion. Lydia Burns of Prichard Committee Student Voice Team, Representative Bam Carney, Brigitte Blom Ramsey of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, and Tom Shelton of Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA) outlined their perspectives in the afternoon session.
Nearly 160 people attended the summit and the work of the KEEP collaboration will continue under the leadership of Dr. Lingo, Dr. Kera Ackerman of UK, and Dr. Christy Petroze of Thomas More College. Please visit www.louisville.edu/education/keep to view the program and handouts from this successful endeavor!