September 18th, 2024
Midweek Round-Up
The Weekly Faculty and Staff Newsletter
College of Education and Human Services at Murray State University
UPCOMING EVENTS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Dean's Office is working on curating a series of student testimonials to use for promotional use.
Please share with your students, so they can provide us with their experience as a student in the COEHS!
STUDY ABROAD INFORMATION
Students wanting to study abroad next year, should check out these THREE awesome opportunities!
Any student that is interested in a program, can reach out to one of the faculty members leading a trip for more information.
CLASSROOM UPDATES
Dr. Kim Vigil and several of her HPE students visited Jennifer Smith's IDC100T, a transitions course for undeclared students, on Monday, September 16.
They discussed the HPE program and led students in several mindfulness activities to demonstrate how easy it can be to practice mindfulness.
Students in Dr. Bloodworth's REA 406 (Literacy Development in the Elementary School) recently visited Noraa Ransey‘s class to assess her students’ phonemic awareness skills.
Photo provided by Dr. Holly Bloodworth
Practicum II Students in the Elementary Education Program took the stage and participated in Murray State University's campus-wide Constitution Day (9/17/24). Teacher candidates shared strategies for sharing history and civics with young learners in their presentation, "Teaching the Constitution to Elementary Students: How to Engage Young Learners in Early American History."
Several strategies highlighted included the use of GenAI chatbots, digital escape rooms, leveraging primary sources, the use of student-friendly language, and historical simulations among others. Audience members participated in the activities and were able to access example materials created by the pre-service teachers. It was a great experience. Special thanks to Dr. Alkhatib for including ECE in the program.
Photo provided by Dr. Jessica Pryor
The Kentucky Education Assoc-Student Program hosted their first meeting of the year Sept 5.
Calloway. County music teacher, Mr. Todd Terry, talked about Joyful Teaching. He even brought some of his puppets and talked about how he uses them in his elementary classroom.
Photos provided by Dr. Holly Bloodworth
FACULTY UPDATES
Dr. Abbie Morris and Dr. Stephanie Sullivan had an article published in the Educational Research Quarterly titled "Impacts of Flexible Learning Environments." The publication examines how a district can be flexible with learning options but also strategic with how to best achieve student learning gains. According to the article, " When leaders can convey a message of best practices applicable in a variety of modalities, they are supporting ...resilient pedagogy. Masland emphasized the need for schools to design technology-enhanced lessons and courses that are mode-agnostic and student-centered."
Dr. Stephanie Sullivan
Dr. Abbie Morris
SHOUT-OUTS
Shout-out to Samir Patel, Jay Simmons, Randal Wilson, Shelby Bailey, Cooper Levering, Katherine Farmer, and Jill Smith from Claire Layne
A huge shout-out to Samir, Cooper, Shelby, Jay, Randy, Kathy, and Jill for their help with the Student Picnic prep and setup!
Samir and Jay dove right in to help me with setting up tables and chairs outside while Cooper and Shelby nailed the tech setup all in the blazing heat. Meanwhile, Randy and his wife Liz managed the catering like pros. Kathy jumped in to help me with last-minute updates to the "Student Passports" and kept track of the Sign-In sheets throughout the event. Jill stepped up to photograph the event even before her first day on the job. I appreciate everyone’s patience and support in ensuring the event went smoothly despite the extreme temps.
You all made it a huge success—thank you so much! 🎉🙌
Dr. Randal Wilson
Dr. Samir Patel
Cooper Levering
Shelby Bailey
Jay Simmons
Jill Smith
Katherine Farmer
To send your own shout-out, click on the button below to fill out the form. It's a great way to show colleagues how awesome they are!
It will appear in the Midweek Round-Up as well as on the Faculty and Staff Shout-Out Board by the Dean's Office! Be sure to check it out when you're walking by!
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Dean's Coffee Hour
September 12, 2024
The Dean's Office hosted its first dean's coffee hour of the semester. While there is no set agenda for these events, Dean Whaley prepared notes over the latest changes with summer school and student credit hours taught.
Substitute Teaching Workshop
Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) hosted a substitute teaching workshop on Monday, September 17.
Students in attendance met with representatives from local school districts to learn about substitute teaching and how it can be flexible with their class schedule.
West Kentucky College Fair
500 students from local school districts visited the Curris Center on Tuesday, September 17 to explore college options.
Students who visited the COEHS table, learned about the many majors and programs the college offers.
COEHS CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Fall Semester - 2024
August 29 - COEHS Student Picnic
September 2 - Holiday
September 5 - KEAAE Meeting
September 13 - 15 - Family Weekend
October 1 - Scholarship Banquet
October 9 - 1 HALF ENDS
October 10 - 11 - Fall Break
October 14 - 2 HALF BEGINS
November 5 - Presidential Election
November 9- Racer Day
November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving
December 6 - Classes End
December 7 - 13 - Finals
December 14- Commencement
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE
Want to add something to the next Midweek Round-Up?
Click the button below to let Jillian Smith in the Dean's Office know!
Remember to be as detailed as possible! Contact Jill with any questions.
Want to add something to the next Monday Saddle-Up (student newsletter)?
Click the button below to let Jillian Smith in the Dean's Office know!
Remember to be as detailed as possible! Contact Jill with any questions.
SCAVENGER HUNT
The duck is still hiding somewhere in Alexander Hall!
Find it and win a free swag item!
Snap a photo and send to jsmith194@murraystate.edu then hide it somewhere new.
Good luck!
Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is the only Department of Defense special observance to span multiple months, coinciding with Independence Day celebrations for multiple Latin American countries.
The mission of the College of Education and Human Services is to prepare future leaders, advocates, and practitioners through authentic, engaging, and student-centered academic programs for successful careers that positively impact communities.