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Fall 2005 Volume 9 Number 1 |
Home » MSC Today Magazine » Fall 2005 » Education Degree
Bachelor of Science By Sheron Smith For 22-year-old Brandi Thompson of Macon, working in an after-school program demonstrated that she really had a way with children. Barbara Baldtree, 40, of Byron had noticed over the years that no matter what sort of job she held, she was good at teaching co-workers how to do things, whether it was operating the photocopier or wiring an alarm system. And Debra Brown, “let's just say I'm well over 25,” of Forsyth, wanted to finish college and begin a new career after raising three daughters. The reasons the three women from very different backgrounds chose to become schoolteachers may vary, but their paths converged this fall when they became part of the 64-member charter class pursuing bachelor's degrees in early childhood education from Macon State College. That number is significantly higher than what College officials were expecting when they announced the development of the bachelor's degree early this year. They set a goal of admitting 50 students into the charter class, only to be nearly overwhelmed by the number of applicants to the brand new program. “Since Macon State is an important part of the University System's effort to produce quality new teachers for the state's school systems, we were excited about the enthusiastic response to the new degree program,” said Dr. Martha L. Venn, chair of Macon State's new Division of Education. “Not only did we have a number of applications from people ready for upper-division coursework, but there are many more freshman and sophomores who say they plan to major in education.” Like most everything else associated with the education degree program, Venn is new to Macon State. When she came on board last July, she assumed the lead in shaping the curriculum, hiring faculty members for the new division and selecting the charter class members, all of whom had to have at least an overall 2.5 GPA in their freshman and sophomore classes and be ready for junior-level coursework to even apply. “I get jazzed about new challenges, so this was a perfect opportunity for me,” said Venn, whose most recent position was as chair of the special education department at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. “It's not often that you get a chance in higher education to create a new program from scratch, and that helped us attract some well-qualified and creative faculty for the education division.”
In January 2005, the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents authorized Macon State to develop an early childhood bachelor's degree as part of a major initiative to help increase the number of Georgia schoolteachers. The state could face serious shortages of teachers in the coming years if the University System does not boost the number of education graduates. Macon State's program, offered on both the Macon and Warner Robins campuses, is innovative because it will enable students to earn dual certification in early childhood education and special education. The program will emphasize methods of diagnosing the learning needs of individual students and tailoring instruction toward those needs, giving teachers additional skills to reach the diverse learners in Georgia's elementary schools. Graduates may apply for both early childhood certification and special education certification, a move that would greatly enhance their job marketability. “Macon State will be producing some of the most well-rounded teachers in the state,” Venn said. “They will have the skills and knowledge to reach children who fall anywhere on the learning continuum.” As was expected with an early childhood major, most members of Macon State's charter education class are women. But there are some men in the initial group, and the education division plans to target males - and minorities - in upcoming recruitment efforts. Charter class students range in age from early 20s to 50s. Most are from Bibb, Houston, Jones and Monroe counties. Many of the students of traditional college age planned to major in education all along and are delighted they won't have to transfer to complete the degree. And many of the older students were not in a position to commute to other institutions. “Macon State is close to home, so I can remain available to my family,” said Ruth Ann Worley Ryals, 45, of Warner Robins. “It was through my own children that I found my passion for teaching. The Macon State program is like an answer to a prayer.”
Meet the Education Division Faculty Macon State College has assembled a well-qualified and enthusiastic faculty for the new Division of Education. Shown in the photo from top to bottom are: • Dr. W. Allen Richman, Assistant Professor of Education; B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.A., Ph.D., University of Kansas • Dr. Kathy L. Stanley, Assistant Professor of Education; B.S., University of South Alabama; M.Ed., Georgia College & State University; Ed. S., Ed. D., University of Georgia • Loleta D. Sartin, Assistant Professor of Education; B.A., Southern University at New Orleans; M.Ed., Drury University; ABD, Saint Louis University • Dr. Laila J. Richman, Assistant Professor of Education; B.S., M.S.Ed., Ph.D., University of Kansas • Durrett Childs-Wills, Assistant Professor of Education; B. S., M.Ed., Valdosta State University • Dr. Martha L. Venn, Professor of Education and Chair of the Division of Education; B.S., Western Illinois University; M. Ed., University of Kentucky; Ph.D., University of Illinois
They Said It Here's what some members of the charter class have to say about Macon State's bachelor's degree in early childhood education and their goals to become schoolteachers in Central Georgia: “The instructors are awesome. It's their first year in the program, too, so we are all in this together.” - Donna Moore Shepard, 21, of Forsyth. “I love working with children. As a teacher, I want to help children reach their potential.” - Lara Christine McKay, 22, of Warner Robins. “I've known since I was five that I wanted to be a teacher. I'm excited to be able to get my teaching degree at Macon State College.” - Natalie Masey, 21, of Jenkinsburg. “Almost every job I've ever had has been working with children. Nothing brings me more happiness.” - Lolita Moore, 23, of Monroe County. “I have met some really nice people (in the degree program) that I see myself being friends with for life. All of my professors are great, and the classes are enjoyable.” - Hayley Register, 23, of Byron. “Macon State is offering a wonderful chance for teachers to earn dual certification in regular education and special education. It will help us in our work with children in the regular classroom with special needs, and it will make us more marketable when it comes time to look for a job.” - Sandra Lynn Pacchioli of Jackson. “I want to pursue an education degree because I feel there is a need for men to be elementary schoolteachers. A lot of kids nowadays need good male role models.” - Christopher Ford, 21, of Warner Robins. “It is very important to me that I complete the education program at Macon State. I have enjoyed my experience at MSC so far, and I really appreciate all of my professors. They are friendly, helpful and experienced. -- Jessica D. Richardson of Kathleen. “I love kids, and I think as a teacher you can be more creative at the elementary school level. I want to make the learning experience enjoyable for students.” - Justin Treisch, 25, of Macon.
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