June 4, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor SOE Hosts Second Year of STEM+ Camp for Fifth Graders [06/04/2024]

STEM+ Camp Launch campers learned about force and friction by launching balloon-powered cars after pumping the balloon full of air. (Kassidy Tsikitas/Baylor School of Education)

Baylor University School of Education is hosting the second year of STEM+ Camp Launch, a week-long day camp focused on rocket science, for rising fifth graders from three Transformation Waco schools. Co-founded last year by Suzanne Nesmith, Ph.D., associate professor of STEM education, and Sandi Cooper, Ph.D., professor of mathematics education, the program is funded by a grant from Waco’s Cooper Foundation and held at Baylor’s Mayborn Museum.

STEM+ Camp Launch includes two week-long camp sessions running Monday through Friday the weeks of June 3 and June 10. During the camp, students learn about scientific, mathematics and engineering principles through projects like engineering, which includes building rockets and racing model cars.

Read more on the BAYLOR MEDIA SITE HERE.

May 28, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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School of Education’s Jordan Nguyen Honored as Student Employee [05/28/2024]

Jordan Nguyen received the Student Employment Award from Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone.

Jordan Nguyen, BSEd ’24, received the Student Employment Award from Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone.

Newly minted Baylor School of Education graduate Jordan Nguyen was honored with the Student Employment Award by Baylor University for his time as a student employee in the School of Education. Nguyen worked as a Learning Resources Center (LRC) Assistant for the School of Education. Nguyen is returning as a graduate student in curriculum and instruction.

As an undergraduate student, Nguyen was heavily involved in both his academic pursuits and campus life. He was a student teaching intern for second grade students at Spring Valley Elementary where he created lesson plans, co-taught classroom activities, collaborated with other interns and teachers, and assisted in whole and small group instruction. Nguyen served as president of Baylor Chamber of Commerce for 2023-24, Chamber’s Homecoming Prep Coordinator from 2022-23, and as Family Weekend Chairman in 2021-22. He was a Student Ambassador for the School of Education’s Student Advisory Council.

Nguyen worked as an assistant in the SOE’s Learning Resources Center, a dedicated library unit for education studies that is located in Marrs McLean Science Building. His duties included checking in/out books and resources to patrons, checking printers, reshelving sources, assisting the librarian in taking inventory, and aiding students and faculty use of the Media Lab and any other resources. Continue Reading →

May 21, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor SOE Recognizes Two “Memorable Teachers” [05/21/2024]

Memorable Teachers Geoff and Shannon Brooks with Baylor senior Moriah Feng

by Kassidy Tsikitas

Two “memorable” teachers were honored at the annual Baylor University School of Education Senior Recognition Banquet on April 25. Following tradition, Baylor School of Education seniors had the opportunity to nominate a teacher who had been influential in their lives, and the awarded educators were chosen by a Baylor faculty committee.

This year, Shannon and Geoff Brooks, who both teach at Second Baptist School in Houston, were honored with the Baylor School of Education’s “Most Memorable Teacher” award. They were nominated by senior middle grades mathematics education major Moriah Feng, who read her nominating essay at the banquet.

Feng, who graduated from Baylor University in May, said that Shannon and Geoff Brooks often referred to their students as “their kids.” As members of Second Baptist Church, the married couple shaped their respective classrooms through Christ’s love, leaving a lasting impact on their students. Mr. Brooks said, “My wife and I work hard to give each student who crosses our paths an experience that is worthy of their time and the effort we are going to require of them.” Continue Reading →

May 20, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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School of Education Honors Outstanding Seniors [05/20/2024]

2024 outstanding senior award recipients.

2024 Baylor School of Education Outstanding Seniors — front row (L-R) Lexi Whitney, Genesis Santos, Cailyn Riordan; back row (L-R) Hannah Hensarling, Ashlyn Bergethon, Jessica Best; not pictured Vanessa Mendez

Baylor School of Education (SOE) recognized seven seniors as outstanding students at the 39^th annual Senior Recognition Banquet in late April. 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 2024 are:

Genesis Santos — EDICUT Preservice Educator of the Year Award
Hannah Hensarling — Dolores Coker Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Student in Education
Lexi Whitney — Lorena B. Stretch Award for Outstanding Student in Elementary Education
Jessica Best — Award for Outstanding Student in Middle Grades Education
Ashlyn Bergethon — M.L. Goetting Award for Outstanding Student in Secondary Education
Cailyn Riordan — Award for Outstanding Student in EC-12 Education
Vanessa Mendez — Award for Outstanding Student with Minor in Education Continue Reading →

May 14, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Dr. Lacy Crocker Papadakis Honored with The Baylor Distinguished Staff Leadership Award

by Lia Hood

Baylor School of Education staff member Dr. Lacy K. Crocker Papadakis received the 2024 Baylor Distinguished Staff Leadership Award. Papadakis serves as Director of the Research and Writing Development Center (RDWC) in the EdD in Learning and Organizational Change program and is also Affiliate Clinical Professor in the program. She serves the program and students through research, defense committee service, and defense preparation guidance.

The award was presented April 16 by Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone and recognizes supervisors who contribute to and demonstrate a commitment to the Baylor mission through strong leadership qualities, encouraging professional development, and creating a culture of excellence on their team. Continue Reading →

May 8, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Statewide Honor for SOE’s Safety and Wellness Summit for Future Teachers

Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff and Lisa Osborne with the SOE’s innovation award from EDICUT.

School of Education teacher-education graduates are heading into the work force better equipped because of a new School of Education (SOE) seminar for future teachers, and it received statewide recognition for its innovation. The SOE’s School Safety Summit originated in the spring of 2023 when seniors confided in Dr. Jenifer Johnson, Director of Recruitment and First-Year Experience, about their apprehensions regarding the increasing dangers in school environments. In response, Johnson invited SOE Dean, Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, to meet with the SOE Student Advisory Council to discuss the matter. After hearing from this group of student leaders and volunteers, Hagan-Burke quickly tasked Johnson and the school’s Office of Professional Practice (OPP) with identifying solutions to support these future educators.

Dr. Jenifer Johnson kicking off the inaugural Safety Summit for SOE seniors.

“Some student teachers had voiced concerns about what to do to keep their students safe,” said Lisa Osborne, Associate Director of Assessment and Professional Development in OPP. The inaugural summit was held in April 2023 and targeted seniors “about to embark on their careers in the classroom,” she said.

The event was well received and OPP, led by Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff, Director of Clinical Experiences and School-Based Partnerships, decided to make it a recurring part of the teacher preparation experience. The programming has expanded to include both juniors — who teach in a local school four mornings a week — and seniors — who teach full-time four days a week in a local school, and it occurs in the fall as they begin their clinical work in schools. Continue Reading →

March 27, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor Professors Inspire School of Education Students through “Faith in the K-12 Classroom” Seminar

L-R: Dr. Erik Carter, Dr. Kelly Johnston, Dr. Jon Eckert

School of Education professors Dr. Jon Eckert, Dr. Erik Carter, and Dr. Kelly Johnston led discussions with graduating seniors this spring, adding to the senior job prep seminar to share how seniors can live out their faith in the classroom. A key theme was the imperative to reach and support each student individually.

Dr. Eckert encouraged feedback, engagement, and well-being (FEW) as a cornerstone of effective teaching; Dr. Carter explored faith and disability and the importance of creating a sense of belonging for each student; and Dr. Johnston reminded seniors that every interaction with their students is an opportunity to exemplify faith, highlighting the impact of every word and action of a classroom teacher.

Read the FULL STORY on the Baylor Center for School Leadership (BCSL) website.

March 25, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Making the Most of the Total Solar Eclipse

Photo credit: Getty Images Baylor University

Baylor education expert Dr. Suzanne Nesmith offers tips on how to enjoy the eclipse with children.

On April 8, 2024, something miraculous will happen across the United States — a total solar eclipse with Waco right in a prime viewing location for the path of totality. SOE associate professor, Suzanne Nesmith, Ph.D., who specializes in elementary science education, shares some great ways to prepare your family, especially children, beforehand to get the most out of the experience.

Nesmith has been preparing Baylor education students for the total solar eclipse, with coursework that included teaching in local schools about educational activities to help school children understand and fully engage to enjoy the eclipse.

February 26, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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School of Education Event Offered Lessons in Eclipse Viewing [02/26/2024]

students posing in eclipse safety glasses

Baylor School of Education hosted hundreds of invited guests for SOEclipse Education, an educational event for Baylor students, staff, and faculty to prepare them to teach others, especially children, about the upcoming solar eclipse. Waco is in the direct path for optimal effect of the eclipse this spring.

SOE’s Kylah Kuehl (left) and Dr. Suzanne Nesmith planned the SOEclipse Education event!

Dr. Suzanne Nesmith, associate dean for undergraduate education in the School of Education and associate professor in science education, planned the event to prepare Baylor student teachers and others to create appropriate lesson plans and present the subject matter to prekindergarten through high school students before the eclipse. The event on Feb. 8 at Baylor University’s Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center offered educational tips and lesson demonstrations for those who will teach and prepare children prior to the phenomenon on Monday, April 8. Continue Reading →

February 16, 2024
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) Celebrates 10th Anniversary [02/16/2024]

L-R: Dr. Sarah Mire, Dr. Erik Carter, Dr. Nick Benson, and Dr. Kristen Padilla at the BCDD's university-wide reception for faculty and staff in January.

The BCDD held a university-wide reception for faculty and staff in January. L-R: Dr. Sara Mire, Dr. Erik Carter, Dr. Nick Benson, and Dr. Kristen Padilla

The Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD) is celebrating its tenth anniversary throughout 2024. The BCDD invests in research, training, outreach, and clinical services that promote the flourishing of people with disabilities, their families, and communities.

Housed in the Baylor School of Education (SOE), the BCDD opened at 2201 MacArthur Drive on the first day of Autism Awareness Month, April 1, 2014, with a standing-room-only crowd gathered. From its inception, the BCDD embraced important collaborations across campus and beyond, including a partnership with McLane Children’s Scott & White Hospital in Temple and other Baylor academic units.

The BCDD continues to offer services at the MacArthur location and now encompasses three growing clinics: the Baylor Autism Resource Clinic (ARC); the Clinic for Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE); and the Spring Literacy Clinic — each helmed by faculty members in the SOE’s Department of Educational Psychology. Continue Reading →