SOE Awards & Honors
Quest for Quality
Five students and three programs in the School of Education received statewide recognition from Quest for Quality, a collaboration between CREATE (Center for Research, Education and Advancement of Teacher Education) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that identifies exemplary teacher candidates and exceptional practices in university teacher-preparation programs.
“I’m really pleased to say that all eight of Baylor School of Education’s nominations were selected as exemplary,” SOE Dean Jon Engelhardt said. “It’s a real sweep for recognizing Baylor students and efforts.”
Student teachers recognized were Elizabeth Bartels (EC-6 Generalist, ESL), Claire Kirkland (EC-6 Generalist), Benjamin Rabideau (EC-12 Special Education), Molly Walker (EC-12 Special Education), and Stephanie Wilson (EC-6 Generalist/Special Education).
Baylor’s Secondary Teacher Education Program, which incorporates significant faculty-guided field experience, received recognition as an exemplary field-based practice.
Dr. Suzanne Nesmith’s Elementary Science Methods Video Project was recognized as an exemplary faculty practice. The project requires Baylor education majors to produce a video and quiz on a science concept.
The Greater Waco Area Superintendents (GWAS) Collaborative (pictured) was recognized as an exemplary K-12 partnership. Founded in 2007, GWAS includes SOE Dean Jon Engelhardt and superintendents from local school districts. The group advises the dean and develops joint legislative priorities to support public education.
Faculty Accolades
Dr. Susan Johnsen, professor and director of the PhD program in Educational Psychology and of Gifted Programs, received two prestigious awards this year. She was named State Advocate for the Gifted by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented, and she received the 2014 Outstanding Leadership Award from the Council for Exceptional Children.
Dr. Tony Talbert, professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, received the McGraw Hill Distinguished Scholar Award in recognition of his career of scholarly contributions to qualitative and ethnographic research. The award was presented at the Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference.
Baylor’s GEAR UP Mathematics Initiative, developed by professors in Baylor’s School of Education and Math Department, received a national award in October. The School Science and Mathematics Association presented the Baylor collaborators with the Award for Excellence in Integrating Science and Mathematics. Dr. Trena Wilkerson, professor of Curriculum & Instruction and graduate program director in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, directed the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Math Initiative.
Baylor and the SOE have been involved in GEAR UP — a federal grant-funded program that prepares students for higher education — since 1999. The GEAR UP math team also included Dr. Rachelle Rogers, clinical assistant professor in Middle School Mathematics Education.
Dr. Brooke Blevins, assistant professor of Curriculum & Instruction, received the John Laska Dissertation Award in Teaching from the American Association of Curriculum & Teaching in Fall 2013.
Dr. Rishi Sriram, assistant professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs and the graduate program coordinator of Educational Administration, received the Faculty Member of the Year award from the Texas Association of College & University Student Personnel Administrators, recognizing outstanding contributions to teaching, research and the mentorship of graduate students.
Dr. Paul La Bounty, associate professor of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in the Baylor School of Education, was the recipient of the Collins Outstanding Professor Award for 2014. The Collins Professor is chosen annually by a vote of Baylor’s senior class.