WKU News

Governor Andy Beshear recently issued an executive order that appointed College of Education and Behavioral Science (CEBS) Dean, Dr. Corinne Murphy and WKU education alumnus and current teacher, Justin Mitchell, to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). Dr. Murphy is serving as the postsecondary institutions representative and Mitchell will represent the middle school teachers of Kentucky for a second term.

The EPSB establishes standards of performance both for preparation programs and practitioners; accredits educator preparation providers and approves educator preparation programs at colleges, universities, local school districts, and private contractors; selects assessments for teachers and administrators; oversees internship programs for new teachers and new principals; administers Kentucky's National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification; and issues, renews, suspends, and revokes Kentucky certificates for professional school personnel. The board’s mission is to “…promote[s] high levels of student achievement by establishing and enforcing rigorous professional standards for preparation, certification, and responsible and ethical behavior of all professional educators in Kentucky.” They meet bi-monthly. Their website has more information and resources for future and current teachers and school administrators. 

Recently, the EPSB has been addressing the teacher shortage that is happening in Kentucky and nationwide. There were 567,000 fewer teachers in American classrooms this year compared to 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With just weeks until the 2022-2023 school year starts, the Kentucky Educator Placement Servicehas about 4,000 current openings. Commission Jason Glass logged comments to the Interim Joint Committee on Education in June advocating a focused agenda on teacher recruitment and retention including additional support for University programs leading to initial teaching certification. 

CEBS is leading the nation in addressing the teacher shortage with the WKU Grow Your Own and WKU GameChangers scholarship programs. WKU partners with school districts to allow undergraduate students and school district staff to earn teaching credentials which will lead to employment in their home district. 

Dr. Murphy has served as the Dean of CEBS since 2018. During her tenure, CEBS achieved 10-point gain in first-year retention measures, increased enrollment of K-12 personnel in graduate education courses, instituted a degree-completion program in partnership with multiple divisions (Strategy, Operations, & Finance and Enrollment & Student Experiences), marked enrollment growth milestones, and established pipeline programs supporting enrollment of students from diverse backgrounds. She is also a professor of Special Education. Dr. Murphy will serve on the EPSB until June 30, 2024. 

Mitchell is a Social Studies teacher and Gifted and Talented coordinator at Franklin-Simpson Middle School in Franklin, KY. He also sponsors several student organizations. He was named Kentucky History Teacher of the Year in 2021. Mitchell received his BA in Social Studies and History and later an MA in Education at WKU, and he is currently a Doctor of Education candidate. Mitchell will serve on the EPSB until June 30, 2025.

For more information about the School of Teacher Education at WKU, please visit their website.