SOE News Briefs: Winter 2015
Dean Honored
School of Education Dean Jon Engelhardt received the Robert B. Howsam Award, a lifetime achievement award given by the Texas Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (TACTE). The Howsam Award is presented only on occasion and recognizes individuals who have exhibited exceptional leadership at state and national levels. Engelhardt received the award at the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education (CSOTTE) Conference on Oct. 20 in Austin, Texas.
Perfect Score - 100%
Graduates in Baylor’s education programs for the 2013-14 year achieved a 100 percent pass rate on certification exams in Texas. The overall state average for degree completers was 94 percent. The rate includes all tests taken by Baylor graduating students.
“Baylor teacher candidates consistently outperform the state average on certification exams,” said Dr. Doug Rogers, associate dean. “That is a testimony to the candidates recruited by Baylor and to the faculty who prepare them for those exams.”
Quest for Quality
Two recent graduates, Lynette Atkinson and Stephanie Limes, received recognition from Quest for Quality as outstanding teacher candidates in the State of Texas. A collaboration between CREATE (Center for Research, Education and Advancement of Teacher Education) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Quest for Quality identifies exemplary teacher candidates and exceptional practices in university-based teacher-preparation programs in Texas. Both May 2014 graduates, Atkinson graduated magna cum laude in all-level physical education, and Limes graduated magna cum laude in elementary education.
Fall Lecture
Dr. Tyler Cooper, CEO of Cooper Aerobics, preached the power of prevention and personal responsibility in health care at the Fall 2014 Distinguished Lecture Series on Oct. 30. A graduate of the Hankamer School of Business, Cooper is on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Education. Cooper said that lifestyle choices are a significant part of the health care crisis, with estimated annual costs of obesity-related illnesses topping $190 billion and $14 billion of that attributed to children. “What if we could put that into the school system?”
Homecoming Tailgate
More than 220 alumni came to the SOE’s annual Homecoming Tailgate in the courtyard of Marrs McLean Science Building. It’s the second year for the SOE to host the event, and attendance doubled from 2013.
EDP Chair Retires
Dr. Marley Watkins, professor and chair of the Department of Educational Psychology since 2011, retired in December. A prolific researcher, Watkins authored more than 130 peer-reviewed journal articles and 20 books or book chapters. He was an elected member of the Society for the Study of School Psychology and a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology. In January, Dr. Terrill Saxon, associate professor in Educational Psychology whose research focuses on language acquisition, became chair of the department.
Living-Learning Center
The Education LLC is accepting applications from incoming freshmen to live in South Russell with other future educators and our Faculty- In-Residence, Dr. Mona Choucair. Upcoming deadlines on the rolling admission schedule are Feb. 9, March 16, April 13 and May 4. LLC scholarships are available based on need and merit. All information can be found at baylor.edu/educationLLC.