Tag: ELPS

Big Orange College Tour

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Has anyone ever told you to “never judge a book by its cover”? Well, I’m adding to the phrase: never judge an institution by its type.

College Student Personnel Universities VisitLast week, my graduate program of College Student Personnel spent three full days visiting Belmont University, Fisk University, the University of Tennessee at Martin, and West Kentucky Community Technical College to learn about how these institutions worked. While I will probably wait a while before hopping on a bus again, I am definitely thankful for the chance to see my learning in action. Meeting with student affairs professionals, asking questions, and looking behind-the-scenes at how students are served at each location allowed me to build a better picture of this field I’m learning about at the University of Tennessee.

The biggest lesson of the trip, though, was that my preconceived notions of what I thought I’d see were so wrong. My assumption that a small, rural community college wouldn’t be as impactful for students as a large, urban institution was shattered. I realized that, sometimes, tradition and a tight-knit community makes for a group of amazing student leaders. And I’m going to take this lesson into the rest of my career. As I continue my education at the University of Tennessee, I’m going to look for the gems within the University that make this institution amazing. I can’t wait to find them.

Story written by Madison Merrifield, graduate student in the College Student Personnel program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. 

Chris Ndiritu

CSP Student Receive SACSA Graduate Student Award

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The College Student Personnel Program located in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is proud to share that our 2018 Cohort student, Chris Ndiritu, has been awarded the Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA) award for Outstanding Graduate Student for 2017.

Chris Ndiritu, Recipient of the SACSA Graduate Student AwardChris has demonstrated “academic achievement, campus involvement and potential for significant contributions to the Student Affairs profession” per the qualification guidelines for the award.  While working towards his degree, Chris is also an Assistant Hall Director for Hess Hall.

The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences congratulates you Chris!  Read more about the SACSA; an organization “providing cooperative assocation and professional development for professionals engaged in college student affairs work.”

April Partin

Meet April Partin, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to April Partin.  April is an assistant principal at Green Magnet Academy. Previously, April served as an assistant principal at A. L. Lotts Elementary School. She also taught third- and fifth-grade students as a classroom teacher at A. L. Lotts and served as a lead teacher. April has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in elementary education from UT, as well as an Education Specialist degree in educational administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

April is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, April will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership.  Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership.  Upon successful completion of the program, April will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations April for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!

Oscar Osorio

Meet Oscar Osorio, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to Oscar Osorio.  Oscar is the assistant principal at Union Grove Middle School in Blount County. Prior to this appointment, he taught seventh and eighth grade science and served on the leadership team at Heritage Middle School. Before joining Blount County Schools in 2000, Osorio began his teaching career in Miami, Florida. Osorio has a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University as well as master’s degrees in science education and educational administration, supervision, and leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Oscar is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, Oscar will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership.  Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership.  Upon successful completion of the program, Oscar will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations Oscar for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!

Spencer Long

Meet Spencer Long, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to Spencer Long.  Spencer is an assistant principal and athletic director at Karns High School. Spencer previously taught AP biology and anatomy and physiology at Halls High School, where he also served as a lead teacher. He began his teaching career at Jefferson County High School. Spencer has a bachelor’s degree in biology for health sciences from Carson-Newman University.

Spencer is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, Spencer will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership.  Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership.  Upon successful completion of the program, Spencer will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations Spencer for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!

Anita Johnson

Meet Anita Johnson, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to Anita Johnson.  Anita serves Austin-East High School as an administrative assistant. She served for many years as a secondary English teacher and teacher mentor at Bearden High School, and before that at Oak Ridge High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida State University.

Anita is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, Anita will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership.  Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership.  Upon successful completion of the program, Anita will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations Anita for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!

Rachel Hodges

Meet Rachel Hodges, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to Rachel Hodges. Rachel is a secondary English teacher and classroom support coach at Union County High School, where she has taught since 2013. She has served as a professional learning committee leader for the past few years, and sits on the school leadership committee. Hodges has a bachelor’s degree in political science from UT and earned her teacher licensure through a post-baccalaureate program at Lincoln Memorial University.

Rachel is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, Rachel will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership.  Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership.  Upon successful completion of the program, Rachel will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations Rachel for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!

Shaunna Foster

Meet Shaunna Foster, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to Shaunna Foster.  Shaunna is an instructional coach who has served Green Magnet Academy and Chilhowee Intermediate School. Shaunna was previously a teacher at Belle Morris Elementary School for several years after a professional job in the private sector. She has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Austin Peay State University as well as master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and an Education Specialist degree in educational administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Shaunna is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, Shaunna will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership.  Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership.  Upon successful completion of the program, Shaunna will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations Shaunna for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!

Rukiya Foster

Meet Rukiya Foster, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to Rukiya Foster. Rukiya is a Spanish teacher and World Languages Department head at Austin-East Magnet High School. Previously, Rukiya taught Spanish at Farragut High School. She has been involved with the Project GRAD summer institute and serves as the administrative coordinator for Austin-East Roadrunner football. Rukiya has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in secondary education from UT.

Rukiya is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, Rukiya will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership. Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership. Upon successful completion of the program, Rukiya will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations Rukiya for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!

Michelle Clayton

Meet Michelle Clayton, 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellow

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The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies would like to introduce you to Michelle Clayton. Michelle serves West High School as an administrative assistant. She has significant school leadership experience, having served as the correctional principal at the Mountain View Youth Development Center and as teaching principal for the New Pathways Academy at the Florence Crittenton Agency. Michelle also taught at Richard Yoakley Alternative School. She has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and history from the University of South Alabama and a master’s degree in educational administration from UT.

Michelle is one of 15 fellows chosen for the 2017-18 Center for Educational Leadership’s Leadership Academy based in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. During this full-time, intensive 15-month fellowship program, Michelle will spend four days a week at a school with an experienced mentor principal and a fifth day in coursework and seminars with professors and expert practitioner partners learning the research and theory behind great school leadership.  Next, all the fellows will lead an action research capstone project that integrates their learning across the many curricular areas of the academy, and complete an electronic portfolio documenting proficiency in school leadership.  Upon successful completion of the program, Michelle will be awarded a master’s or educational specialist degree and will be eligible to earn a license to be a school principal in Tennessee.

Congratulations Michelle for being selected as one of the 2017-18 Leadership Academy Fellows!