June 2022

Dr. Larry Beard, Curriculum & Instruction faculty member, is the head instructor for the JSU Judo & Jiu Jitsu club. The class meets in the new College of Education & Professional Studies building located at 115 College St SW, Jacksonville, AL in the cheerleader gym. Classes are on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-8. There is no charge for the club. Classes began May 16 with the first day of summer semester classes, but new students are welcome to drop in and start anytime.

This is our first cross-department summer camp! "Full STEAM Ahead" was offered for children ages 9-11 this month. Children spent five hours each day in engaging activities including robotics, literature, nutrition, drones, food science, and creative arts. The goal of the camp was to enhance the campers’ motivation toward school, college, and real-world STEAM.

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to guide student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.

*permission for use of student photos granted

Dr. Diane Best, faculty member in Family & Consumer Sciences, serves as the FCS Culinary Council Advisor. The club recently completed a student competition entitled Cupcake Wars. Three teams competed for best cupcakes. All are winners to us!

Congratulations to Mrs. Aimee Weathers instructor in the Curriculum and Instruction department. Mrs. Weathers has completed the National certification for STEM Education!

The National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST) recognizes STEM professionals for their expertise in education. Once enrolled, participants are guided through the development of a portfolio that demonstrates proficiency across 15 fundamental Teacher Actions essential to STEM learning.

Ms. Kimberly Mitchell was recognized at the annual FCCLA Leadership Conference in San Diego, CA this month for being inducted into the National FCCLA Hall of Fame for 2020 and as an ACTE National Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year Top 5 Finalist 2020-2021.

THANK YOU TO THE MARCHING BALLERINAS FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE FOLLOWING SPOTLIGHTS!

Mrs. Kelly Murray is the Coordinator in the Teacher Education Services office in the CEPS. Learn more about Mrs. Murray below in her own words:

After graduating from Jacksonville State University in 1985 with a BS in Management/Marketing, I found my way back to Jacksonville several years later and have since made it my home. My husband and I were married at the JSU Alumni House, and Jacksonville is where we raised our daughter. Both are proud graduates of JSU. It is where Steve and I plan to retire.

Ten years ago, I knew I was ready for a career change and found that JSU was the perfect place for that new adventure. After working two years in the Registrar’s Office as the Coordinator of Student Records, I moved to the College of Education and Professional Studies as a Certification Advisor. I now serve as the Coordinator of Teacher Education Services and, although my degree was not in education, I feel I have truly found my niche. My team is amazing, and it is a joy to come to work every day! And working with our students and helping them fulfill their life dream is something I very much enjoy!

With no plans to retire anytime soon, and many changes in the pipeline for the College of Education and Professional Studies, I am excited to see what the future holds!

Go Gamecocks!

Email: bohannon@jsu.edu
Website: https://jsu.edu/education/index.html
Location: 92 Trustee Street, Jacksonville, AL, USA
Phone: 256-782-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSUEducation
Twitter: @JSU_SoE