Leadership Council
January 17, 2019
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Hill 339
Notes
In attendance:
David Hough, Russ Brock, Denise Cunningham, Kim Dubree, Janice Duncan, Karen Engler, Judy Gregg, Stephen Kleinsmith, Travis Marler, Juli Panza, James Satterfield, Emmett Sawyer, Ximena Uribe-Zarain
Guests: Jim Taylor, Kayla Lewis, Minor Baker, Terry Jamieson-Superintendent-Spokane School District, Allison Pilley-Director of Learning Support-SPS, Mike Dawson- Chief Learning Officer-SPS, Rebecca Sears, Neosho School District Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Assessment, and Student Services
Dean Hough welcomed the guests. Everyone introduced themselves.
Our fulltime distributed user support person retired this month. Jim Taylor, who manages technology personnel, worked with the Dean on hiring two part-time graduate students as user support assistants to cover the workload. Both have the requirements and experience needed. We are going to try this for a while and then see if it is going well, or if we need to look at hiring a fulltime replacement.
The Dean will discuss the Student Computer User Fee (SCUF) request process, the PES Database Program and Program Support Requests with department heads following this meeting.
Mike Dawson, Chief Learning Officer, SPS, discussed five things they are doing that are important:
1. Early Childhood Expansion: There are currently over 1,000 students and they plan to expand by 200 next year.
2. Middle School Expansion: They are doing a holistic expansion and getting students engaged. They have numerous activities after school.
3. Expanded Summer Program: For all students. They went from 3,000 students in a half day program to 12,000 in a full day program. They have field trips which are embedded with learning. The program includes breakfast and lunch.
4. LAUNCH: This is online classes/learning offered for all students in Missouri. As of right now, 120 school districts have partnered with them.
5. Equity in their system: There are significant gaps in their district. Each building has an Equity Champion to work on this and includes surveying students, parents, and faculty. They also work on improving engagement.
Mike is working with Minor Baker on a possible project. This is Minor’s first semester and he teaches Home School and Community for our college. In the past, students have not had much experience observing activities at schools in person. Minor would like to embed his students observing/participating in one of the Springfield schools. Students would be able to attend events, meetings, etc. He would like to work with Robberson Elementary starting in the fall. Minor would also like to get Early Childhood classes involved. His department head is supportive of this. He currently has initial experiences for his students at Cowden Elementary. Springfield School District is interested in partnering with him.
Springfield Public Schools are embarking on a pilot project with Glendale and Hillcrest in the Fall. Allison Pilley said it would be titled Freshman Academy. Ninth grade students would have common teachers who would have common plan times, work on communication and assistance for the students. The students will take Freshman 101 which would include learning about resources and careers and help them develop pathways. Their following year as sophomores they would start with the first of three SPS College and Career Pathways, which are:
– Teaching as a Profession I – grade 10
– Human Development – grade 11
– Teaching as a Profession II – grade 12
Students would earn credits toward graduation requirements. They would also earn a certificate along with their diploma. Allison would like to talk to us about having a dual credit class for each career path offered. Dean Hough will have conversations with the department heads and faculty.
A draft MOU between our university and Nixa Public Schools to support continuing education for Nixa teachers was handed out. Stephen has been working on this with the Dean. It would be a way to increase the number of individuals who choose teaching as a career. Teachers would earn credits instead of receiving compensation for having practicum students, student teachers, or interns. More details will follow after Friday’s meeting with Nixa personnel.
Dean Hough’s Student Advisory Council and School & Community Advisory Council will both meet in February. They will discuss the status of teacher shortages and ideas/plans that could help increase the numbers. They will talk about why we have a teacher shortage, why we love teaching, why do students not want to be teachers, what can we do about it, and how. The College of Education and Care to Learn Foundation are hosting a Professional Education Think Tank on February 7, 2019. Stephen and Julie will assist Dean Hough with the facilitation of discussions. Rose is assisting the Dean and Dr. K on invitations and logistics. The purpose is to generate ideas for recruiting individuals into the field of education. There will be community leaders from public schools, DESE, higher education, area business, community organizations, COE faculty and students.
Regarding the five themes to increase enrollment in the college, Dean Hough has scheduled a meeting with Lori Fan and members of Theme #4 to take place on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, from 8:00 – 9:00 AM in Hill Hall 339. All Theme Chairs should schedule meetings soon and provide updates each week at LC.
Applications for the Rural Missouri Scholarship Fund are now being collected. This is for West Plains students.
Abilities First will be honoring Rachel Heinz and Bear POWER at the 2019 Silver Strands event on March 22nd. The Dean has paid for a table and has a few seats open. Let him or Sharon know if interested in attending.
The COE Transfer VIP Day is February 22nd. Juli is working on this. The event will be in the first floor computer lab/student lounge in Hill Hall. She would like to have faculty representatives from each program. This event is for students.
Elijah Kleinsmith has been hired to work on the COE brochure. He will be letting us know how many words we need for each section. Elijah asked for updated photos. Dean Hough suggested using a photo of the plaque in the Hill Hall entry area for the section on the history of the college.
The CAEP team is working on completing the Self-Study report. They should have a final draft ready for Dean Hough’s approval early next week. The report could be submitted at any time, as it is complete with appendices and links to evidence.
Around the Table
James Satterfield
A candidate for the RFT department head opening is here today and tomorrow for interviews.
Denise Cunningham
All of the guests have been invited for the St. Louis MarooNation Ball in St. Louis.
Russ Brock
There are a number of schools that have already changed or are changing to a four-day school week. Some of those schools will have a day scheduled for professional development. They are looking at zoom classes that could be presented on those days.
Janice Duncan
The elementary hallway has been painted. They are close to getting the funds they need in order to proceed with the new basketball arena. Their kindergarten teacher, Jill Martin, is going to teach fifth grade next year.
Karen Engler
Their final MEES training for the year is January 31st. As of right now, the RSVPs are low. Earlier this month they did this at Nixa and everything went well.
Juli Panza
Presidential Scholarship Interview Day is Saturday, January 26th. The minimum ACT score is 31. They will have a table there. Admitted Students Day is in March. She would like to have faculty attend. More information will come out soon. They are working on a new event, High Achievement Day.
Judy Gregg
As far as the AIMS report, new information can no longer be added, but please send her information on current activities. This can be admitted to show ongoing activities.
Kim Dubree
All Spring 2019 student teachers are placed. All of them attempted the MOCA. They are currently placing practicum students.
Emmett Sawyer
He took the associate dean candidate to the airport. The Search Committee will be meeting soon to check references.
Meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
The department heads were asked to stay.
Submitted by Sharon Lopinot, Executive Assistant II