August 29, 2008
Bowling
Green, Ky. - A cohort of 21 teachers in the Muhlenberg County and Central Kentucky area completed master’s degrees from Western Kentucky University this summer.
The WKU Department of Curriculum and Instruction customized the degree program for this group of teachers to meet their unique needs as they balance their professional careers with once again becoming students.
The Master of Arts in Education program offers currently employed teachers an opportunity to continue their education at the graduate level and to enhance their professional development without traveling to a WKU campus. Some students are able to use the sequenced coursework to obtain a Rank I.
That is the case for Teresa Stevens of Belton, a member of the Muhlenberg County Cohort. Stevens, who was encouraged by her principal to participate in the program, said she would probably not have pursued a Rank I program if this opportunity had not been made available close to home.
She added that being back in the classroom has “made me realize what it is like to be a student.” Stevens has been able to bring the things she is learning in her coursework into her special education classroom at Muhlenberg South High School.
She gave an example of learning to use the Photo Story 3 software program in her Educational Technology class this spring and then teaching her students to use the program to create their own unique digital storytelling project.
WKU began offering graduate education coursework at the Madisonville Community College (MCC) Muhlenberg County Campus in Fall 2006. It is a result of a partnership between MCC and WKU’s Department of Curriculum & Instruction as well as the Division of Extended Learning & Outreach. A program for teachers in the Muhlenberg County area had been a recurring need that Dr. Marilyn Brookman, former director of WKU-Owensboro, had heard from her stakeholders.
George Humphreys, MCC Extended Campus Director, said: “I am very pleased that our campus has been able to host this WKU program. I would like to see this effort evolve into additional educational opportunities for upper division and graduate education experiences for Muhlenberg County residents.”
Jennifer Whitehead, supervisor of instruction at Muhlenberg County Schools, said: “Having WKU offer graduate classes in Muhlenberg County has been a dream of mine for many years. As a result of the concerted efforts of WKU, Madisonville Community College and the Muhlenberg County Board of Education, this dream has become a reality.”
With the growing demands of the teaching profession, the convenience of being able to attend classes at the Madisonville Community College is a tremendous benefit for those teachers seeking advanced degrees, Whitehead said.
Teachers completing the program this summer included: Victoria L. Aaron of Russell Springs; Lauren C. Abbott of Elizabethtown; Shelley J. Ashby of Beaver Dam; Melinda G. Carver of Drakesboro; Katresa L. Collins of Albany; Jonathan E. Ezzell of Greenville; Rachel A. Genakos of Columbia; Brandi L. Graham of Campbellsville; Kevin S. Hurt of Island; Jessica D. Ingram of Beechmont; Chasity L. Malone of Campbellsville; Dorothy L. Parker of Central City; Lisa Pepper of Central City; Sheila A. Raley of Rosine; Audra A. Roberts of Jamestown; Marcy G. Ryan of Columbia; Kimberly M. Shofner of Campbellsville; Teresa G. Stevens of Belton; Justin D. Stinson of Scottsville; William A. Streeval of Columbia; Shayla A. Vaughn of Campbellsville.
Cohort Programs is a unit of the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO).
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Stacey Biggs at (270) 745-1926.
-WKU-
"A leading American university with international reach"
Office of Media Relations
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, Ky. 42101-3576
Phone: (270)745-4295 - Fax: (270)7455387 - E-Mail: western@wku.edu