UTeach Project Planning Grant Awarded to UCA
Dr. Gary Bunn, assistant professor in the Department of Teaching of Learning, and Dr. Stephen R. Addison, professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, recently received a planning grant to explore the replication of the UTeach Program at the University of Central Arkansas. Through the College Access Challenge Grant Program within the United States Department of Education, the Arkansas Department of Higher Education funded $26,705 of the award. and the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority funded an additional $12,000.
UCA hopes to join 25 other universities across the United States that are implementing the UTeach Program in the preparation of teacher candidates to teach mathematics and sciences. The UTeach Program, which began at the University of Texas at Austin in 1997, offers students majoring in mathematics and sciences unique opportunities to earn their teaching credentials while completing their bachelors of science degrees. The UTeach Programs in Arkansas are a part of Gov. Mike Beebe’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Works initiative that was announced in August of 2011. To date, more than $2 million have been committed to the Arkansas program.
Kappa Delta Pi Presents the 2011 Fall Semester Awards
The Pi Beta Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society for education majors in the UCA College of Education, proudly presents two awards every fall and spring semester. One award is given to the KDP Intern of the Semester, and one award is given to the KDP Mentor of the Semester. Nominations are submitted by teacher candidate interns, classroom teacher mentors, and university field placement supervisors; both undergraduate and MAT graduate teacher candidates are eligible for nomination. KDP officers and counselors select the award recipients. Kappa Delta Pi officers for the 2011-12 academic year include: Sarah Martin, President; Rachel Tyler, Vice-President; Catherine Bausom, Secretary; April Martin, Historian; and Starla Ritter, Membership Chair. Chapter Counselors are: Ms. Mara Cawein, clinical instructor , and Dr. Nancy P. Gallavan, professor, both in the Department of Teaching and Learning. Many deserving nominations for the 2011 fall semester were submitted and competition was intense.
The recipient of the KDP Intern of the Semester is Kerry Hawkins. Kerry was nominated by 
Ms. Debbie Headley, music specialist and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certified teacher at Baseline Elementary School, Little Rock. Ms. Headley stated that “Kerry taught me how to access various computer and smart board sites” and took on a “leadership role in the building by heading the Artist in Education Arkansas Arts Council project.” The principal at Baseline Elementary School is Dr. Eleanor Cox-Woodley; the UCA supervisor for Kerry Hawkins was Dr. Ryan Fisher.
The recipient of the KDP Mentor of the Semester is Ms. Peggy Paxton, fifth-grade 
teacher at Ruth Doyle Intermediate School, Conway, Ark. The UCA supervisor, Ms. Brenda Linn, who nominated Ms. Paxton, described her as “an administrator’s dream.” Ms Paxon’s intern, Violeta Canarillo, added that Peggy was “full of ideas, energetic, helpful, patient, kind, and thoughtful.” The principal at Ruth Doyle Intermediate School is Debi Avra.
Dr. Mary Ellen Oslick Shares Her Love of Children’s Literature
Dr. Mary Ellen Oslick, an assistant professor in the College of Education in the Department of Early Childhood/Special Education, brings a wealth of knowledge about 
children’s literature as shown in her recent array of publications and presentations. During the 2011 fall semester, Dr. Oslick authored the article “Criminal Justice in Children’s Literature” in the Florida English Journal. Additionally, she recently learned that two manuscripts have been accepted for publication. “Experiencing Diversity through Children’s Literature: Reflecting on the 2010-2011 Notable Books for a Global Society List” co-authored with R. M. Lowery, Q. Liu, P., M. Rodriguez, and L. Thibodeaux, will be published in the Florida Reading Journal. “’Gotta Love Technology!’” Preservice Teachers’ Transformation in a Blended Online Multicultural Literature Course,” co-authored with R. M. Lowery, will be published in Dragon Lode.
Dr. Oslick presented “’Gotta Love Technology!’” Preservice Teachers’ Transformation in a Blended Online Multicultural Literature Course with her co-authors at the annual conference of the Literacy Research Association in Jacksonville, Fla.; “’Good Books Please:’” Preservice Teachers’ Transformation in Multicultural Literature Discussions at the annual conference of the National Council of Teachers of English in Chicago, Ill.; and Notable Books for a Global Society at the annual conference of the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators in Savannah, Ga.
Letia Wyatt New Coordinator of Student Activities at Reinhardt University
Reinhardt University welcomed UCA graduate Letia Wyatt 
as its new coordinator of students activities this month. Reinhardt University is a comprehensive university with approximately 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students, grounded in the liberal arts, founded in 1883. It is located in Waleska, Ga., about 45 minutes northwest of Atlanta, Ga.
Letia earned her master of science degree in College Student Personnel Administration from the College of Education, Department of Leadership Studies. In the summer 2008, Letia earned her bachelor of science degree in Mass Communications and Print Journalism with a minor in Writing from the College of Fine Arts and Communication, Department of Mass Communication and Theatre. Not only has Letia earned two degrees from UCA, while a graduate student Letia worked as a Graduate Assistant in the College of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Tammy Benson, Chair of the TL is shown in the photograph with Letia.