American Education Week Showcases Diverse Lineup of Talented, Accomplished Educators
The showcase event of the year at Old Dominion University's Darden College of Education is ready to get under way, with a dynamic roster of guest lecturers lined up.
American Education Week was started at ODU to recognize the effort being made - by the school and by individual educators - to provide quality education to American children.
"ODU observes American Education Week as a tribute to teachers, principals and all professionals working in schools who prepare children to be successful in Virginia and the United States," said William Graves, dean of the Darden College.
"The child who began the first grade in fall 2009 will work in a world vastly different. This child will compete for jobs with children from around the United States and the world throughout a work life that will likely take the child through the first two-thirds of the 21st century."
Events are planned throughout the week of Nov. 16, but among the biggest highlights are the awards of recognition being given to alumni who have made significant contributions to their professions. As part of an annual tradition, a spotlight is shone on the accomplishments of alumni, through the Darden College Alumni Fellow Awards ceremony, which will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Big Blue Room at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. This event is co-sponsored by the ODU Alumni Association.
The following ODU graduates will be honored: Nancy Chandler '74, '95, principal of Kempsville Elementary School in Virginia Beach; Tim Forbes '95, '01, senior coordinator of physical education for Norfolk Public Schools; Patrick Konopnicki '71, '76, director of technical and career education for Virginia Beach Public Schools; Fred Rovai '91, '96, acting associate vice president of academic affairs for Regent University; Linda Shifflette '74, superintendent of Hampton City Schools; and Joanne Steen '02, president of Grief Solutions LLC.
As part of the program, these fellows will return to their alma mater to share their life experiences and provide inspiration to students and faculty alike.
"Old Dominion University understands how important the work of teachers and school professionals is to the future of Virginia's children," Graves said. "We use American Education Week to celebrate these stewards of our children's futures and to engage the university community and the Hampton Roads community in our celebration."
Among the events planned for Education Week is the headline Colgate and Constance Darden Lecture in Education, featuring famed scholar Michael Kimmel, author of the book "Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men."
Kimmel, who speaks around the world about the achievement gap between young boys and girls, will address the ODU audience at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Mills Goodwin Jr. Building auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public. Following his lecture, he will host a book signing sponsored by the ODU Bookstore.
In addition to Kimmel's lecture, the week of Nov. 16-19 is full of lectures and discussions on issues in and around education.
Another nationally recognized speaker, Monica Neagoy, will be on campus Monday, Nov. 16, and Tuesday, Nov. 17, sharing her expertise in inspiring young people to embrace mathematics.
On Monday, Neagoy will conduct an open session for youth, parents and teachers on the importance of math in the Big Blue Room of the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
She will also share her internationally acclaimed MathMagic show with the students in attendance. This exciting, entertaining and interactive show presents a series of thought-provoking magic tricks and paradoxes. The program runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Neagoy will conduct two hands-on training sessions for math teachers at WHRO, one in the morning for elementary school teachers, and the other in the afternoon for high school teachers.
All of Neagoy's presentations are free and open to the public.
Also on Tuesday, at 12:30 p.m. the department of educational foundations and leadership will host a webinar on academic integrity, featuring Dr. Donald McCabe, professor of management and global business at Rutgers University. The webinar will be broadcast nationwide. To join, please register at ccl@odu.edu.
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Tim Forbes will speak on best practices in physical education. His talk is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in room 1002 of the Student Recreation Center.
At 12:30 p.m., the department of STEM Education and Professional Studies will host Greg Pearson, senior program officer for the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He will provide an overview of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the United States. His lecture will be held in the Education Building, room 230.
At 1 p.m., ODU's counseling and human services department hosts "Advocates and Change Agents for ALL," a discussion with Vanessa Walker, supervisor of school counseling for the Newport News Public Schools, on the important role counselors play in the lives of young students. This seminar will be held in the Education Building, room 150.
During the session, participants will be asked to don social justice lenses and explore environmental and institutional barriers that may impede the success of students. Knowledge of these barriers, coupled with an arsenal of strategies and skills, can assist professional school counselors in maximizing the potential of all students, Walker says.
Just before the Darden Lecture, the College will host the Blue Apple Awards Dinner, which will honor Roger Fuller, an alum and long-time supporter and advocate for the Darden College of Education. The Dinner begins with a reception, starting at 5 p.m.
For more information about the Darden College of Education's American Education Week celebration, call 757-683-3938.