July 3, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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MELA (Math for Early Learners Academy) Launches this Week [07/03/2023]

The School of Education’s MELA program has measurably helped young students ages 4-6 achieve or exceed grade-level expectations in early math skills and number fluency.

Baylor University’s Mathematics for Early Learners Academy (MELA), sponsored by the Baylor School of Education (SOE), will be held at the Mayborn Museum on the Baylor campus July 5-28 for students ages 4 to 6.

The 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.

June 20, 2023
by lia_hood1
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Dr. Karon LeCompte Receives Research Grants for Expanded Civics Education Work [06/20/2023]

Dr. Karon LeCompte By Lia Hood

Dr. Karon LeCompte, associate professor of curriculum and instruction in the Baylor School of Education, received the 2023 Baylor Centennial Professors Award, along with another award from the Baylor Libraries — the Baylor Fundamentals of Data Research Fellowship, also for research this summer. LeCompte will use both awards to further her research in social studies education, particularly civics education through Baylor’s iEngage program. Continue Reading →

June 5, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Spring issue of Baylor Impact now online [06/05/2023]

Impact cover The newest issue of Baylor Impact newsletter (Spring 2023) 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, “A Wider Welcome,” shares the personal journey and professional impact of Dr. Erik Carter, who joined the faculty in January as the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities. Carter’s research and leadership promise an expansion of the disability programs, research, and impact of the School of Education and the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities.
If you aspire to be a school leader (or are looking to hire one), you’ll be thrilled to hear about Baylor’s First Graduates of the MA in School Leadership. The program provides two tracks — one for leaders seeking Texas principal certification and one for leaders of independent or non-Texas schools, with cohorts launching each June.
With three Baylor degrees on her résumé, alumna Dr. Majka Woods is leading educational efforts in a surprising venue — the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
What’s it like to host the winner of the nation’s largest award for great teaching? Read all about Dr. Hollylynne Lee’s semester in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in “Celebrating Great Teaching.” And don’t miss the Web Extra with links to her free online teaching resources for teachers of mathematics and data science.

Continue Reading →

June 2, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor SOE Partners with Transformation Waco Schools on STEM+ Camp Launch [06/02/2023]

STEM+ Camp Launch co-founders and co-directors, Dr. Suzanne Nesmith (l), and Dr. Sandi Cooper (r) (Photo by Lia Hood, Baylor School of Education)

Story by Lia Hood

Blasting off this summer is Baylor University’s STEM+ Camp Launch, designed for incoming fifth grade students from three Transformation Waco schools. Sponsored by the Baylor School of Education, with collaboration from the School of Engineering and Computer Science and funding from Waco’s Cooper Foundation, the program consists of three one-week sessions, taking place June 5-23 at the Mayborn Museum.

STEM+ Camp Launch introduces students to STEM subjects and gives them the “opportunity to engage with STEM in a positive way and see that it could be a potential career path,” said camp co-director and co-founder Sandi Cooper, Ph.D., professor of mathematics education at Baylor.

May 30, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Baylor SOE Recognizes Two “Memorable Teachers” [05/30/2023]

Baylor graduate Katie Bohannon Phillips (left) was nominated as a “Most Memorable Teacher” by 2023 graduate Marissa Chotiner.

Two teachers were honored at the annual Baylor University School of Education Senior Recognition Banquet in late April. Following tradition, Baylor School of Education seniors had the opportunity to nominate teachers who had been influential in their lives. Students submitted a nomination essay about their teacher, and the awarded educators were chosen by a Baylor faculty committee. During the awards banquet, the students honor their memorable educator by reading their essay.

For 2023, Katie Bohannon Phillips of Plano and Jenna Helduser Walling of Austin were honored with the Baylor School of Education’s “Most Memorable Teacher” award. Continue Reading →

May 26, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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School of Education Honors Outstanding Seniors [05/26/2023]

2023 Baylor SOE Outstanding Seniors with the Dean (l-r) — Front row: Faith Stuchly, Betsua Morales, Sara Easley; Back row: Megan Forshee, Julia Morrison, Savannah Webster, SOE Dean Dr. Shanna Hagan-Burke, Emily Kessler

Baylor School of Education (SOE) recognized seven seniors as outstanding students at the 38th Annual Senior Recognition Banquet in late April. Seniors were recognized for their excellence in academic and fieldwork in education programs and their readiness to impact the world. Baylor SOE senior award recipients (biographies below) for 2023 are:

Emily Kessler — EDICUT Preservice Educator of the Year Award
Sara Easley — Delores Coker Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Student in Education
Julia Morrison — Lorena B. Stretch Award for Outstanding Student in Elementary Education
Savannah Webster — Outstanding Student in Middle Grades Education
Faith Stuchly — M.L. Goetting Award for Outstanding Student in Secondary Education
Betsua Morales — Outstanding Student in EC-12 Education Programs
Megan Forshee — Outstanding Student with a Minor in Education Continue Reading →

May 8, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Educational Psychology PhD Students Honored for Teaching [05/08/2023]

L-R: Dr. Tonya Davis, professor of educational psychology, with graduate instructor award recipients Nori Ryland and Maryann Hebda, both PhD candidates in the Department of Educational Psychology.

By Collyn Sebastian

Maryann Hebda, a second-year PhD candidate doctoral student in the Department of Educational Psychology, and Nori Ryland, a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Educational Psychology, were both recipients of the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award for their teaching during the Spring 2022 semester.

This award is given by the Baylor Graduate School fo graduate students who work as Teachers of Record and who are recognized for their outstanding teaching by students, and faculty. Recipients are honored at a luncheon, given a plaque, and awarded an additional travel award to use to attend conferences that will further their teaching careers. Continue Reading →

April 29, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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New Baylor Initiative Promotes Ministry with and by People with Disabilities [04/29/2023]

As Autism Acceptance Month celebrates and encourages the acceptance of people on the autism spectrum and recognizes that they are valued members of society, a new Baylor initiative in launching to build inclusive practices within communities of faith. Dr. Erik W. Carter, the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities in the Baylor School of Education and executive director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities (BCDD), is helping launch a new initiative to support churches in creating more welcoming and accessible experiences for people with autism.

Read the Baylor News story to learn specific actions churches can take to expand inclusion and belonging.

READ MORE . . . .

April 19, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Honoring Excellence in Education [04/19/2023]

Gov. Greg Abbott (far right) was on hand with Dr. Bill Sterrett (right of check), who is a past Milken recipient, to present a Milken Award to an outstanding Texas teacher. (Photo by Beaumont Fox 4 News)

The presentation was dramatic. Everyone waited anxiously in a jam-packed but hushed elementary school gymnasium in Beaumont, Texas, as the governor spoke: “A teacher who has shown excellence, who has helped you learn more, and done a great job, and this teacher’s name is Jenna Dean.” The crowd erupted with applause, and the surprised teacher walked to the front of the assembly.

Dr. Bill Sterrett

Baylor professor Bill Sterrett stood behind a large check made out to Ms. Dean for $25,000. While he serves as the educational leadership department chair in Baylor’s School of Education, Sterrett is also part of a unique group of K12 educators, as a previous recipient of the Milken Educator Award, known as the “Oscars of Teaching.”

Founded in 1987, the Milken Educator Award recognizes mid-to-early-career educators for their impact in the classroom and provides an unrestricted gift award of $25,000. To date, nearly 3,000 exemplary teachers and principals have been recognized in surprise school assemblies that include state and local officials, teachers and staff, and students.

Sterrett received the award in 2008 as principal of Woodbrook Elementary School in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was commended for fostering a community of collaboration, motivation, and high expectations at the school. But the award was just the beginning. Milken Educators are given access to powerful networking and development tools throughout their careers in education. Continue Reading →

April 11, 2023
by Baylor Instant Impact
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Operation Warmth for Warriors Launched by SOE Students [04/11/2023]

Operaation Warmth for Warriors

Baylor School of Education’s master’s program in Sport Management has launched a project to help homeless veterans in Texas and set a Guinness World Record at the same time. And they need help from the Baylor family and beyond.

Operation Warmth for Warriors has set a goal of providing 1,000 sleeping bags for homeless Texas veterans. Organizers have a bulk source for quality bags for $20 each. To reach their goal, they need to raise $20,000, and contributions can be made at this Baylor page:

Baylor Operation Warmth for Warriors

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, quoted in the Texas Tribune earlier this year, Texas has about 2,000 homeless veterans. Texas and California have the largest veteran populations in the nation.

Dr. Mar Magnusen, associate professor of sport management in the Department of Educational Leadership, said the sleeping bag project will not only help veterans unable to find housing, but the distribution through veterans’ service providers will create a connection point for future services to veterans. Continue Reading →