Teachers College Students' Achievements Honored

Seventeen Emporia State University students received special recognition at the 23rd Annual Teachers College Honors Banquet May 4. A total of 32 undergraduate students were also honored for achievement of a 3.75 grade point average or higher.

The following students received awards for excellence in their respective departments:

UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS

Elementary Teacher Education – Katie Hensley, Topeka, KS, was honored for both the depth and caliber of her scholarship and campus involvement. She consistently exceeded the standard of excellence in her coursework, and engaged in campus leadership, service, and athletics. Hensley has been hired by the Seaman School district in Topeka.

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation – Dustin Murray, Wichita, KS, was recognized for the positive impact he has on his students as he challenges them to make physical activity part of their daily routine. He successfully balanced academics with a high degree of involvement in professional and community service. Murray plans to continue his work with children as a physical education teacher and coach at Andover Middle School.

Middle & Secondary Teacher Education – Blair Falldine, Emporia, KS, was honored for demonstrating a commitment to teaching causing her to excel in the areas of scholarship, pedagogical skill and professionalism. Dedicated to student success, she engaged her students in learning and communicates content with enthusiasm. Falldine will be teaching English at Emporia Middle School.

Psychology – Christine Yates, El Dorado, KS, was, in the opinion of the nominating faculty “one of the most talented undergraduates the department has had.” Her accomplishments include a first place paper at a psychology students’ convention, an essay published in a research textbook, and completion of a rigorous statistical training program. Yates plans to begin a PhD program in experimental psychology at the University of South Carolina in the fall of 2007.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AWARDS

As a way of encouraging student interest in searching for new information, The Teachers College offers up to two annual awards to students at the undergraduate level who demonstrate an interest and competence in conducting research. The 2007 awards go to:

 

• Lindsey Jo Razafsky for “The Impact of the Science and Math Education Center at ESU on Elementary Education Majors,” Department of Early Childhood/Elementary Teacher Education, Matt Seimears, faculty sponsor.
  
• Christine L. Yates for “Effects of Prenatal Ethanol Exposure and Social/Isolated Housing on Rats’ Operant Reversal-Learning,” Department of Psychology and Special Education, Cathy Grover, faculty sponsor.

 

GRADUATE AWARDS

Art Therapy – Shannon Nattrass, Lebo, KS, was recognized for being an exceptional young professional, regarded by faculty as a thoughtful, creative, and proficient art therapist, and a credit to the university. Even after graduating, Shannon made the commitment to work with a graduate art therapy student to develop a model for art therapy programming with international students. Shannon plans to continue to utilize her interpersonal, clinical and creative skills within a therapeutic setting with individuals with special needs.

Teachers College Students' Achievements Honored continued

Early Childhood Education - Rosemary Kungu, Nairobi, Kenya, distinguished herself as a gifted student with a passion for children and families. Even though English is her third language, her oral and writing skills are of the highest level and all her coursework reflects both her intellectual curiosity and her significant understanding of the tenets of early childhood education.

Counselor Education - David Mesh, Shawnee, KS, was honored for his excellence in all of the areas and roles school counselors serve.  Described as patient and thorough, a supervisor wrote, “(Above all, Dave) is honest and trustworthy when interacting with students, teachers, and parents.”

Curriculum and Instruction - Kimberley Johnson, Olathe, KS, was selected because she is particularly insightful in finding workable solutions to problems associated with teaching and learning, and applies considerable reflection and attention to detail in the planning and implementation of academic programs. Kim currently teaches fifth grade at Northview Elementary in Olathe.

Educational Administration – Jack Koehn, Galva, KS, was recognized as a mature and dedicated student whose knowledge, experience and insights have proven to be instructive to his program colleagues. In addition to his coursework, Jack has participated with faculty in grant development and conference presentation activities. He is currently on staff at Canton-Galva High School.

Instructional Design and Technology - Howard West, Shaw, Mississippi, demonstrated his leadership as a graduate teaching assistant, and as president of the Instructional Technology Student Association. Howard’s master’s project involved the “massively multiplayer” online game “Second Life” with at-risk students the Hope Street Academy charter school in Topeka.

Mental Health Counseling - Louis Orr, IV, Emporia, KS, was recognized for exceeding the expected criteria in all his coursework. A 4.0 student, he applied himself diligently to developing his clinical counseling skills, especially during his three-semester internship at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Topeka. Louis will begin his doctoral program next year and his long-range goal is to work with veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

Psychology - Brianna Bennett, Arkansas City, KS, excelled as a graduate student attending 12 conferences and giving seven research presentations and she is an excellent graduate teaching assistant. Bri volunteers with SOS in Emporia and is currently completing her clinical internship at the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas; she plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology.

Rehabilitation Counseling – Randi Langley, Derby, KS showed a passion for assisting others in finding their career path. She shows great compassion for the individuals she works with and assists them to reach their highest potential.

Special Education / Gifted – Kathy Coughlin, Olathe, KS, modeled the knowledge, skills and dispositions of her field through academic excellence, professional accomplishments and personal character. As the mother of five, her buoyancy carries her through challenges, including a recent stroke, to reach her goals. These include plans to continue teaching gifted students until retirement when she wishes to write children’s literature featuring high ability children.

The following undergraduate students were also recognized for a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher. These students are due to graduate or have graduated in December 2006, May 2007 or August 2007:

Andover - Martha L. Martin

Bonner Springs - Whitney Erinn Mitchell

El Dorado - Christine Lynn Yates

Emporia - Sonila Holloman, Natasha M. Jenkins, Angela Jeanette Kahle, Gena DeAnn Langley, John Paul Meara, Christene Renae Smalley, Kathryn Nicole Stauffer, Elizabeth Anne Walz

Eureka  - Chelsea Romaine Ensign

Florence - Megan Renae O'Dell

Halstead - Karen Marie Wendling

Hutchinson - Amber Dawn Tylicki

Kensington - Beth Marie Boswell

Marion  - Kelsey Landon Craig

Neodesha - Shawna’de A. Smith

Olathe - Lindsay Michele Addington, Stephanie Nicole Brunker

Ottawa - Elisabeth Joyce Lyman

Peabody - Carla Dyan Tharp

Perry - Brandy Ann Jones

Sabetha - Cabriel Jean Renyer

Topeka - Kathleen May Hensley

Uniontown - Meaghan Annette Jackson

Wellington - Ann Lillian Young

Wichita - Jennifer M Carlton, Jennifer Rae Groves, Ashley Elizabeth Lang, Cameron Joy Lindow, Teresa Marie Sheahan

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>