Accolades

    

We want to hear about you! This section provides news and notes from our faculty, staff, alumni and students. We want to hear from you! Please send in any family or career news and we’ll share with the College of Education family in an upcoming edition. Send your News and Notes to education@tcu.edu or mail to: TCU College of Education, TCU BOX 297900, Fort Worth, TX 76129.

 

Teachers of the Year - Have you been honored as a “Teacher of the Year” at your school? We want to share that wonderful news with our College of Education family. Please forward the information, including name, school, award and date to: Shawn Kornegay at s.kornegay@tcu.edu.

 

Faculty, staff, students and alumni – News and Notes

Frog alumna wins "The Amazing Race"

 

It's been an "Amazing Race" for TCU alumna Starr Spangler '08 and older brother Nick.

 

The siblings took first place and the reality show's $1 million prize in the finale, which aired in December on CBS. The duo charged through the last leg of the global race in Portland. They balanced on a beam high in the air, descended a zip line from 2,000 feet and solved a complex puzzle.

 

They then searched throughout the city for clues to where the finish line was before frantically hailing a taxi to reach it.

 

After crossing the finish line, the siblings hugged. Starr, 21, told her brother: "You're my best friend. I love you." Nick said he was proud of his sister, who is a year older.

 

"She's been unbelievable on this race," he said. "More than $1 million, more than being the winners of 'The Amazing Race,' "I love the experience that I've gone through with my sister, and I've loved seeing her succeed so greatly."

 

Contestants logged nearly 40,000 miles on a trip that took them through Brazil, Bolivia, New Zealand, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan and Russia. Team Spangler won the most rounds on the series thanks to their speed and determination despite the occasional clueless cab driver. Starr even showed her Horned Frog spirit on one episode, wearing a TCU-baseball hat as she spray-painted taxis in India.

 

While at TCU, Starr was an early standout too – making the Showgirls Dance Team her freshman year at age 17. In the spring of her freshman year, she auditioned for and made the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, where she appeared on another reality show – CMT’s “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Cut.”

 

According to her Web site bio, “Starr’s cousin was born with cerebral palsy, and after visiting this child, Starr saw her ultimate calling was working with children with special needs. Upon graduation (from high school), Starr looked at several different colleges, unsure of which place would be right. Starr decided to attend TCU, a school which had an incredible reputation for their education department,” continued the bio.

 

“As she and Nick prepared for the race it was clear that new doors were opening and her time in Texas was coming to a close. Starr graduated magna cum laude from TCU’s College of Education and is currently an analytical behavior analyst, working with autistic children.”

 

 

Senior student mentor: profile on Tim Pressley

 

Tim Pressley has a passion for education and it shows. The senior early education major’s desire to help students earned him a spot in a prestigious group in the College of Education, the Senior Mentor Program.

 

As a Senior Mentor, Pressley and a few select seniors serve as ambassadors to the college for visitors, prospective students and current students. This fall, the mentors held a welcoming party for new students to the college and they gave a tour of the education building to the Parents Council. Pressley said he enjoys being able to discuss the many opportunities education majors have at TCU.

 

“I’m very honored to be a part of the mentor program, especially because we’re recommended by faculty. Knowing that professors pick students who they think are the best leaders and do well in classes means a lot,” he said. “I’m glad that I’ve shown my passion for education in my classes and that faculty notice it.”

 

Pressley, a native of East Lansing, Michigan, said he reflected on his own experiences with education when he chose his major.

 

“My dad was a professor of education, so I’ve been around teachers my entire life,” he said. “I want to be able to help kids and be an influence on their lives just like my teachers have been on me.”

 

Pressley’s degree will have a specialization in special education. He said teaching kids with learning disabilities is a learning experience for him as well.

 

“It’s so inspiring to be around them. The little successes in their lives are so huge,” he said.

 

The opportunities the College of Education provides its students for teaching experience in actual classrooms before they graduate is something Pressley values.

 

“Most colleges of education don’t provide the real world experience that we’re getting,” he said. “It’s so important to be able to apply what we learn in the classroom before we’re thrown into the field.”

 

Pressley is only one of two males in the EC4 program in the College of Education. He said he rarely notices his gender minority status.

 

“We spend so much time with each other, it’s like they’re my sisters and we’re always there for each other,” he said. “But by the end of the week, I’m usually ready to take a break from females and hang out with my guy friends.”

 

Outside of the College of Education, Pressley is a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, which he joined his freshman year. He serves as the academic secretary and does risk management.

 

Pressley will graduate in May 2009 but will stay at TCU for another year for his master’s degree. After that, he plans to teach for a few years and then get his doctorate in policy or reading. Earning his doctorate will allow him to have a greater impact on education, Pressley said.

 

“I don’t want to limit my impact to just one classroom. I want to have the greatest reach possible,” he said.

 

 

Q&A: Mary Patton, interim dean of education

 

 

From her new office on the top floor of the recently renovated Bailey Building, Mary Patton sits as the interim dean of the College of Education. Formerly the associate dean, Patton assumed the role of interim dean at the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year, following the retirement of former dean Sam Deitz. Patton, who grew up in Austin, has earned three degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, including a doctorate in early childhood education. She worked for 17 years in the public school system as a teacher in special and regular education, and then taught at the University of New Mexico for three years before coming to TCU in 1994.

 

Q: What are your goals as interim dean?

A: In the annual report in June, I listed the goals that we have all agreed to, such as getting funding for our centers and institutes and also taking a look at our graduate programs. We are doing an audit of our graduate programs and need to make sure that we are being competitive and that we have enough funding for our students so that they can afford to come here. Then at our recent retreat, we did an activity where the entire faculty, in a short period of time, wrote as many goals as they had for their own profession and also a goal for the College of Education.

 

Q: What drew you to TCU?

A: I really liked the idea of working in a university that has the teacher-scholar model in place; I wanted to be in a place where that model is balanced and where excellent teaching is not only expected, but rewarded and acknowledged, so TCU was a good fit for me.

 

Q: What drew you to the field of education in the first place?

A: I have four brothers, and all four brothers had learning differences. So, as one of 12 children, I did a lot of teaching of my brothers who were of my age. I also went to Catholic school, and the older kids in Catholic school would go and work with the younger kids, and I was always drawn to that. So I really was involved in working with kids through volunteer work throughout high school. I also taught swimming lessons starting in high school all the way through college, and that is how I put myself through college, so it is just a part of who I am. I majored in special education because I felt I had a calling to work with kids who struggled with learning.

 

Q: What is in your iPod right now?

A: Well I have an iPhone, and right now I get all the Starbucks free downloads of the week, so I am always getting introduced to new artists. I haven't downloaded the new Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis yet, but that's the newest CD I picked up. I have three kids in their 20s and my daughter is often sending me music and making me CDs. I love jazz, and when I'm working I like to listen to classical. I also love country, like Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett.

(Source: TCU Daily Skiff)

 

 

 

Retired dean shows horned frog spirit in Germany

 

Dr. Sam Deitz, retired dean of the College of Education, and his wife Tricia thought it would be fun to show some horned frog spirit while in Europe. When they traveled to Germany, they met up with some "guards" at Checkpoint Charlie near what was the wall in Berlin, Germany. "We are all making the frog sign celebrating TCU," said Dr. Deitz.

 

 

 

 

 

A childhood interest turns into rewarding career

 

Dr. Jan Lacina’s passion for teaching English as a second language (ESL) mainly comes from her grandfather’s experiences learning English as his second language when he was young. Her own experiences of having a multilingual family member with a great love for cultures and languages rubbed off on her and got her interested in English language learners.

 

Through her grandfather’s stories, Lacina developed a sense of compassion for people who are learning languages. She recently published two books and is in the process of writing a third with colleague Dr. Cecilia Silva. All three books address English language learners and literacy instruction for students struggling with reading and writing.

 

In addition to writing books, Lacina has written a column, “Technology in the classroom,” for an international journal, Childhood Education, for the last six years.

 

“I try to find innovative teachers, spend time with them and then write about their teaching styles in the journal,” she said. “I really enjoy spending time with the teachers and documenting their effective practices and connecting that to research and my own teaching.”

 

Lacina uses the research she does for her books and articles to enrich the learning experience of her own students. “Everything I’m doing keeps me current and gives my students real world experience,” she said.

 

In addition to her research, Lacina uses examples from her twin four-year-old daughters’ development in her teaching efforts.

 

“When I talk about writing development in my classes, I show students examples of my daughters’ scribbles that evolved into writing,” she said. “I think it’s helpful to show actual examples in addition to research, and I think my students find it interesting.”

 

The College of Education’s collegial faculty and positive environment are just a few of the aspects of TCU that Lacina enjoys.

 

“I really like the philosophy of the university’s scholar-practitioner model and the balance between research and teaching,” she said. “My research enables me to be a better teacher and my teaching helps my research maintain practical elements.”

 

“Seeing former students succeed is a great reward,” she said.

 

In her 16th year of teaching, Lacina says her favorite and most memorable experiences come from assisting struggling students and helping them succeed as classroom teachers. Lacina, associate professor of literacy, earned tenure in her third year at TCU.

 

A graduate of Baylor University, Lacina received her master’s in education from Texas Woman’s University in elementary education. Her doctorate, focusing on teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), came from the University of Kansas. She is now in her fourth year at TCU.

 

 

Dr. Thomas: a profile on counseling education

 

Dr. Frank Thomas recalls one of his favorite aspects of teaching is seeing his students make connections with what they learned in the classroom when they are out in the real world.

 

“I love to see my students apply the ideas and theories they learned in the classroom because it gives them a better understanding of theories and really sharpens their abilities as teachers,” said Thomas, associate professor in TCU’s counselor education program.

 

Thomas also enjoys when his students apply their personal experiences as they prepare to become counselors.

 

“These students realize they can apply their experiences with death, divorce or child abuse to what we learn in the classroom,” Thomas said. “The classroom doesn’t have all of the answers, and they get that.”

 

Thomas encourages his students to do a lot of learning outside of the classroom at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, religious ceremonies and neighborhood gatherings, to name a few. He believes these “eye opening” experiences will better prepare his students for their careers after graduation.

 

“Our students will be teaching disenfranchised students in their student teaching and when they enter the work force,” said Thomas. “Exposing them to different family forms will really help them in the future.”

 

Thomas’ research areas focus on the experiences of people receiving counseling services. He said his research is directly applicable to his teaching.

 

“What I find in my research immediately impacts what I’m teaching. We can apply theories or new ideas to classroom instruction,” he said.

 

“I love the collegiality of TCU’s faculty as well as the support from administration about new ideas and research,” said Thomas. “The people at TCU are really sincere. It sounds trite, but it’s true.”

 

Thomas, who earned tenure in the College of Education last spring, obtained his Ph.D. in family therapy from Texas Tech University. His master’s in divinity is from Sioux Falls Seminary and his bachelor’s degree in sociology/social work is from the University of South Dakota.

 

In his spare time, Thomas enjoys digital photography, calling himself a “serious amateur.” He is working on his black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art. His wife Lori, is an attorney in Fort Worth and their daughter, Allison, is a wildlife biologist.

 

TCU’s College of Education welcomes the following new faculty and staff members

 

Mark Bloom has been at TCU since 2003, teaching Contemporary Issues in Biology for non-science majors. This year he began teaching in the Andrews Institute in the College of Education. Dr. Bloom graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a bachelor of science in biology, and earned his master’s in biology from Baylor University. He earned his doctorate in science education from TCU in 2008. Dr. Bloom has taught at the University of Texas at Dallas, Tyler Junior College, and Navarro Junior College. His primary research interests are environmental education and professional development of science teachers. Bloom has been involved with TCU’s Connections and Frog Camp programs since 2005.

 

 

 

Amber Esping joins TCU as an assistant professor of educational psychology after teaching at DePauw University as an adjunct professor of education studies. Other appointments include serving as a project associate for the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy in Indiana for two summers and teaching educational psychology at Indiana University. She earned her master’s degree and her doctorate from Indiana University in educational psychology. Esping graduated from California State University Northridge with a bachelor of music in clarinet performance. For 12 years she was a full-time self-employed clarinet teacher. Her research focuses on the relationship between personal biography and pedagogy.

 

 

 

 

Carolyn Kitchens graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a bachelor of science in elementary education and received a master’s degree in public school administration from Texas Women’s University. Over the last 30 years, she has been an elementary teacher, consultant and principal; a high school assistant principal; and an intermediate school principal. While most of her time was spent in the Birdville ISD, Kitchens began her career in Fort Worth ISD and finished her public school career in Northwest ISD. Since 2000, she has been in higher education, serving as a lecturer and adjunct at Texas Wesleyan University and at TCU. In 2005, Kitchens came to TCU to work with Dale Young supervising elementary student teachers and she now teaches two courses. Kitchens’ special research interest is in the area of gifted and talented education. Her husband is the director of TCU’s Instructional Services and all three of their children graduated from TCU.

 

 

Amie Tennyson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in secondary education from Texas Tech University in 1999. She earned her master’s degree in mathematics education from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2005. Her research interests are adult innumeracy and teaching mathematics in cooperative learning groups versus traditional methods. This is her first year at TCU. Tennyson teaches the math education courses for elementary school teachers as well as middle school/secondary teachers. In addition to teaching, she is mentoring three student teachers. She has taught all levels of high school math and coached cheerleading for nine years at L.D. Bell High school in Hurst. She and her husband Chad have two children: daughter, Taylor (3) and son, Reed (1).

 

 

 

 

Jeannie Bosillo has been appointed assistant to the dean. She’s been employed at TCU since July 1999 and is the mother of three children, all TCU graduates. Jeannie has extensive experience at TCU, having worked in the School of Music and College of Communication. As the first contact to those entering the Dean's office, she looks forward to meeting and helping the students, faculty, staff and visitors to the College of Education.

 

 

College of Education – WInter 08/09 Accolades

 

Kristen Adams (KinderFrogs) has written an article about a collection of children’s stories on special needs, which has been accepted in Gifts, Volume II.

 

Jennifer Giddings Brooks – (Center for Urban Education) received an award from the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association in Austin in January.

 

Cathy Block (education) received the International Reading Association’s 2008 Literacy Award and serves on the board of directors for the PBS Television series Word Girl. She received a grant from AWARD Publishing, Ltd. of Auckland, New Zealand and New York City to complete research in New York City Schools on Effects of Integration of Technology in Early Literacy Instruction. Dr. Block also led two keynote presentations addressing literacy at the first annual University of Wyoming Literacy Education Conference for K-12 educators.

 

M. Francyne Huckaby (education) received the Straight for Equality Award from the Fort Worth PFLAG chapter.

 

Mary Patton (education) was a finalist for the TCU Wassenich Award for Mentoring, in recognition for her student mentoring.

 

Charlie Phillips (KinderFrogs student) was selected to participate in the Texas Art Education Association’s Texas Association School Board and School Administrator Conference Exhibit. The exhibit will showcase K-12 works of art from across the state of Texas.

 

Cecilia Silva (education) is a member of the Commission on Reading for the National Council of Teachers in English (NCTE), and is also a board member of Centro Cultural de Americas.

 

Marilyn Tolbert (laboratory schools) was named 2008 Tarrant County Administrator of the Year, awarded by Camp Fire USA First Texas Council and Fort Worth Area for the Association of Young Children. She was also elected to a three-year term in the National Down Syndrome Congress.

 

Molly Weinburgh (education) and Mark Bloom (education) have received two $87,000 Dana Center Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for “Elementary Teachers Developing PCK in Outdoor Education” and “Developing PCK in Environmental Education.” Weinburgh was also nominated by the College of Education for the TCU Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar.