Instant Impact – News from Baylor School of Education

September 25, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor School of Education Graduate Celeste Sodergren Wins Top National Dissertation Award in Gifted Education

Dr. Celeste D.C. Sodergren

Dr. Celeste D.C. Sodergren, who earned her PhD in educational psychology with a specialization in Gifted and Talented Education from Baylor in 2024, claimed the 2025 National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Dissertation Award. The prestigious honor recognizes high-quality dissertations relevant in gifted education, creativity, and talent development; supports the development of emerging scholars; and provides a forum for the dissemination of research by leaders among emerging scholars.

Sodergren is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Connecticut’s National Research Center for Gifted Education, working with Project EAGLE, a federally funded Javits Grant initiative that identifies math talent in underrepresented student populations. Continue Reading →

July 16, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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iEngage Summer Civics Institute Emphasizes Active, Engaged Citizenship

Student plays iCivics video games on the computer to learn about government.

Middle schoolers at iEngage Civics Institute day camp learn about the structures and functions of government by playing computer games from iCivics, an organization founded by the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

More than 100 rising middle school students are attending Baylor University’s nationally recognized iEngage Summer Civics Institute July 14-18 on the Baylor campus.

Founded in 2013 and the recipient of the 2022 Sandra Day O’Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education, Baylor’s iEngage Summer Civics Institute is led by iEngage co-cofounder Karon LeCompte, Ph.D., associate professor of curriculum and instruction in the School of Education. iEngage is co-directed by associate professor Kevin Magill, Ph.D.

“iEngage focuses on the structure of government and what it means to be an active and engaged citizen and how to work with communities and organizations,” said LeCompte, who specializes in social studies education. “The iEngage program is designed to help middle school students learn how to make a difference in their schools, neighborhoods and communities, even as young people.”

Read more on the BAYLOR MEDIA WEBSITE.

July 9, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor Hosts Mathematics for Early Learners Academy (MELA) Throughout July

School of Education master’s candidate Sarah Bertelson instructs students from Bell’s Hill Elementary in Waco ISD in early math concepts at the Math for Early Learners Academy (MELA). A Baylor 2024 graduate with a BSEd in elementary education, Bertelson will be a teacher at Bell’s Hill after her master’s graduation in August. (Photo by Gaby Garcia)

Baylor University’s Mathematics for Early Learners Academy (MELA), sponsored by the Baylor School of Education (SOE), is underway now at the Mayborn Museum on the Baylor campus through July 24 for students ages 4 to 6.

Dr. Sandi Cooper

The four-week summer program, designed for students who have just finished PreK or Kindergarten and directed by Sandi Cooper, Ph.D., professor of mathematics education, aims to establish a solid foundation in “number sense,” especially for students who could benefit most from this summer experience in mathematics. According to Cooper, research shows early math skills are a better predictor of academic success than reading skills. However, many preschools don’t focus enough on math, and students often don’t receive interventions in math until later grades.

Faculty in addition to Cooper include SOE clinical assistant professor Tracey Jones, Ph.D., providing English as a Second Language (ESL)/bilingual support, and clinical assistant professor Mandy Dunphy, Ph.D., who is leading the MELA research team.

Read more on the BAYLOR MEDIA WEBSITE.

June 27, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor Hosts Gifted Students for Immersive Summer Camps

Baylor TIP gifted students in engineering class

High-ability students in grades 8-12 experienced college life, including challenging academic courses in engineering and other topics, in the second year of Baylor Talent Identification Program (TIP) residential camps. (Gabriella Garcia/Baylor School of Education)

More than 350 K-12 students from seven states, Mexico, and Colombia are on the Baylor campus this summer for enrichment courses and immersive learning experiences at summer camps through the Baylor University Talent Identification Program (TIP) in the School of Education.

Baylor TIP, a program of the Baylor Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, identifies pre-collegiate students with exceptional talent and provides them with world-class learning opportunities that match their exceptional potential.

“As the only Christian university that hosts a Talent Identification Program for adolescent students, Baylor TIP challenges students to fully develop the academic gifts that God has given them and to use those gifts for the greater good,” said Cheryl Taliaferro, Ph.D., director of pre-collegiate programs for Baylor TIP.

In addition to the TIP residential program, the Center is hosting three other camps – a TIP Intermediate day camp, Baylor’s long-running University for Young People, and as a site for Texas-based DECATS (DeBusk Enrichment Center for Academically Talented Scholars).

READ MORE AT THE BAYLOR MEDIA SITE…

June 25, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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School of Education Honors Outstanding Teacher-Education Students

Student award recipients with SOE Dean Shanna Hagan-Burke. Back row l-r: Amy Heick, Will McNierney, Dean Hagan-Burke, Navy Casady, Samantha Jones. Front l-r: Kaitlyn Genzer, Laura Workman, Ellie Ramsey, Anna Garner, Audrey Nolen

by Gabriela Garcia

Baylor School of Education (SOE) recognized nine new or soon-to-be graduates as outstanding students at the 40th annual Recognition Banquet on May 15, 2025. Seniors were honored for their excellence in academics and fieldwork in education programs and their readiness to impact the world.

Baylor SOE senior award recipients (biographies below) for 2025 are:

Navy Casady – EDICUT Preservice Educator of the Year Award
Kaitlyn Genzer – Dolores Coker Phi Delta Kappa Award: Outstanding Student in Education
Samantha Jones – Lorena B. Stretch Award: Outstanding Student in Elementary Education
Will McNierney – M. L. Goetting Award: Outstanding Student in Secondary Education
Amy Heick – Outstanding Student in Middle Grades Education
Laura Workman – Outstanding Student in EC-12 Special Education
Anna Garner – Outstanding Student in Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Ellie Ramsey – Outstanding Student in English as a Second Language (ESL)
Audrey Nolen – Outstanding Student in Gifted and Talented Education Continue Reading →

June 18, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Spring issue of Baylor Impact now online

Students in the Baylor TIP program work in engineering class The newest issue of Baylor Impact newsletter (Spring 2025) is now online. If you are an SOE graduate and did not receive a newsletter in the mail, please let us know by emailing BaylorImpact@baylor.edu. To make sure you don’t miss any future communications, you can also update your information online at this link: Update Your Information

This Impact issue features exciting news about SOE programs, faculty, students, and alumni who are making a difference.

The cover story, Promising Futures (photo above), shares how the School of Education’s scholarship program is removing barriers associated with income so that more high-ability students can participate in Baylor TIP (Talent Identification Program) through the Baylor Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.
Meet Dr. Mark Brown, a 2022 EdD graduate who is making history as the first Tuskegee University graduate to be named the institution’s president. A retired two-star Air Force major general, he was previously chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid. Read about his educational journey, how he managed to earn an EdD while working full-time, and his vision for the future of education. (Photo courtesy of Tuskegee University)
Beloved SOE professor and former interim dean Dr. Jimmy Williamson and his family have established a new scholarship fund to benefit graduate students preparing for leadership in K-12 schools. The James L. and Glenda Williamson Endowed Scholarship Fund in Educational Leadership was created in loving memory of and tribute to Glenda, a Baylor graduate and longtime educator like Jimmy. The family gathered for a signing ceremony (and family picture) at the Hurd Center.
The SOE’s Interns in England program is celebrating its 40th anniversary! Learn about the latest program updates from co-program director Dr. Kelly Johnston, who actually was a student participant. And yes, there’s a picture of her from 2004 — with some local English students and Dr. Tony Talbert — co-director then and now. You can also find out all of the other places where SOE students can study abroad.
Plus, we’ve got lots of photos from events in the SOE, a message from the Dean, news of faculty research, awards for faculty and students, and more! Continue Reading →

June 13, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Tracey R. Jones Receives ESC Region 12 Bilingual ESL Community Partner Award

by Gabriela Garcia

Dr. Tracey R. Jones, clinical assistant professor in the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum & Instruction, received the Bilingual ESL Support Award from Region 12 Education Service Center. The award was given to recognize her various contributions and partnerships with Baylor and Region 12 school districts. Jones specializes in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and bilingual education; she teaches the SOE’s ESL (English as a Second Language) certification courses.

Jones said the recognition, which she received on May 12, 2025, came as a total surprise. “They were sneaky,” Jones said with a laugh. “They just said, ‘Why don’t you come to our annual luncheon?’ and then they gave me an award.” Continue Reading →

June 4, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor School of Education Launches Innovative Online MS and Certificate Programs for Digital Learning Leaders

Pat Neff Hall at Baylor University by Elizabeth Pearson

Baylor University is launching fully online graduate (MS) and certificate programs to prepare professionals for careers in digital learning and instructional design. Applications are open now, and classes begin in the fall of 2025.

These three new programs will launch in the fall:

Master of Science in Learning Design and Technology (MS-LDT)
Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Technology (C-LDT)
Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning (C-OTL)

Programs are 100% virtual, offer accelerated pathways and hands-on lab experiences, and provide immersion in the latest emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.

Read the full story on the SOE’s Online Learning Website.

May 28, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Joshua Smith Receives Baylor Outstanding Staff Award

Dr. Joshua Smith

by Elizabeth Pearson

Dr. Joshua Smith, assistant director of the Research and Writing Development Center (RWDC) for Baylor School of Education’s EdD in Learning and Organizational Change (EdD-LOC) and associate graduate faculty member, was named one of the seven recipients of the Baylor 2025 Outstanding Staff Award. The EdD’s Research and Writing Development Center offers EdD-LOC students research and writing support as they compose dissertations, conference presentations, publications, and grant applications.

The award was presented by Baylor University President, Dr. Linda Livingstone, at the annual Staff Awards Ceremony on April 29. The prestigious university-wide honor recognizes Smith’s extraordinary contributions to the university’s academic mission and his unwavering dedication to student success. Continue Reading →

May 22, 2025
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Grace Casper Receives Baylor Outstanding Staff Award

Grace Casper

by Ivette Wilhelm

Grace Casper, program coordinator at the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, received a 2025 Baylor Outstanding Staff Award. This university-wide recognition honors a select group of staff members each year who go above and beyond in supporting Baylor’s mission through exceptional job performance, servant leadership, and contributions to both campus and community.

The award was presented April 29 by Baylor University President, Dr. Linda Livingstone, in a heartfelt ceremony held at Truett Seminary. Casper was selected from a competitive pool of employees who receive the Baylor PLUS recognition, demonstrating outstanding achievement, alignment with Baylor’s mission, and a spirit of dedication to others. The Outstanding Staff Award recognizes those whose work exemplifies excellence and leaves a lasting impact on the university and beyond — providing the PLUS in the Baylor experience. Continue Reading →