**For Immediate Release**
Teaching AND Inspiring at OPSU
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 07-26-05
by Scott Puryear
Goodwell, OK - The School of Education at Oklahoma Panhandle
State University has traditionally ranked at or near the
top of the teacher placement rates among colleges in the
state of Oklahoma. OPSU is a great place to learn and a
great place to learn to be a teacher.
Dr. Wayne Stewart is the Dean of Education and points
out that the Department of Education continues to move
ahead in its dedicated direction of developing new teachers
as well as continuing to train those who are established
in the field. As but one example, staff members Dr. Pauline
Hodges and Elaina Stewart will be presenting professional
development seminars for schools in Beaver, Oklahoma and
Plainview, Texas in the month of August.
OPSU is working with area schools in several areas, one
of which is the Oklahoma 21st Century Learning Center (21st
CCLC) Program. According to Sandy Garrett, State Superintendent
of Public Instruction, “The purpose of this program
(21st CCLC) is to create Community Learning Centers throughout
Oklahoma that provide academic enrichment opportunities
for students, particularly students who attend high-poverty
and low-performing schools, during nonschool hours or periods
when school is not in session.”
The School of Education also has a new Field Placement
Director, Gerald Mihelic, who will be relocating from Arizona
to begin his duties on August 1.
Many faculty and staff members are involved in community
activities and Dr. Stewart is quite active. In addition
to winning acting awards for his performances in both “Fiddler
on the Roof” and “Annie” with the Guymon
Community Theater, he is the chairperson of the new Arts
and Humanities Commission for the City of Guymon.
Dr. Stewart and his staff work continuously with both
the State of Oklahoma Department of Public Instruction
as well as the National Council Accreditation of Teacher
Education (NCATE) as the Education Department at OPSU strives
to continue its mission of producing quality educators.
The education of students receives the highest priority
at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and the School of
Education staff and faculty well understand that teachers
ARE the future.
William Arthur Ward (scholar, author and pastor) once
said, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher
explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great
teacher inspires.”
There have been many great teachers who have come out
of Oklahoma Panhandle State University . . . and there
will be many more. |
