Nathan Bond
President (2010–2012)
By virtue of offices already held, Dr. Pamela Kramer Ertel will assume the office of Past President and Dr. Nathan Bond will serve as President for the 2010–2012 Biennium.

President-Elect    

Mary C. Clement
Rho Upsilon Chapter
(Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign) Professor, School of Education, Berry College, GA; Director, Center for Teaching Excellence. Formerly, directed beginning teacher program, supervised student teachers, and taught high school.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Current Vice President on the Executive Council, 2008–2010

International Committee member, 2009–present

Presenter at every Convocation since 1995

Foundation donor

Academic editor, New Teacher Advocate, five years

Advisory panel/consulting editor, New Teacher Advocate, five years

Scholarship reviewer, graduate scholarships and EF Tours, 2000–present

Reviewer for the Kappa Delta Pi Record, 2006–present

Author, published in the New Teacher Advocate, KDP Record, and The Educational Forum

Author, two monographs for KDP Connect

Author, Web pages for Life Cycle project

Chapter counselor, one semester (served during other counselor’s medical leave)

Professional Activities and Awards:

1990, Recipient, William Chandler Bagley Fellowship, University of Illinois

1997, Recipient, “Best Practice” Award, Eastern Illinois University, for directing the Beginning Teacher Program

1998–present, Board member, Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching

2003, Teaching Excellence Award, Berry College

2004, Finalist for Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Publishing for my 2003 KDP book, The ABC’s of Job-Hunting for Teachers, from the Association of Educational Publishers

2006–2007, Chair, Promotion and Tenure Committee, Berry College

2007, Recipient, $5,500 grant for study at the University of Salamanca

2007–2008, Chair, Faculty Assembly, Berry College (first woman to chair)

Susan Trostle Brand
Iota Sigma Chapter
(EdD in Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, and Administrative Certification, Pennsylvania State University). Professor of Education, University of Rhode Island. Formerly, reading specialist, instructor of education, and primary grade teacher.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: Kappa Delta Pi has merged smoothly and well with my career goals, enabling me to present at several Convocations, publish an article in the KDP Record, network with so many wonderful leaders and professionals over the years, and offer a caring, professional campus community in the School of Education that makes a positive difference in the lives of our university students. Professional and leadership opportunities are plentiful in Kappa Delta Pi, as our fraternity is forward thinking, growing, and ever-changing in keeping with the many changes in our educational climate and in our world.

Statement of Direction: Kappa Delta Pi is particularly impressive as an entity that boasts a strong foundation and legacy with the past while, simultaneously, staying abreast of current trends in technology, teaching, and research. KDP always has maintained the highest ethical standards and expectations for its members. Over time, these expectations and values have not faltered; rather, the bar is set increasingly higher for today’s students. Opportunities for achieving and honoring educational excellence and advancement, therefore, are a definite strength of KDP.

     Maintaining viability and relevance for post-graduate students is a challenge faced by many chapters. As a member of the Executive Council, I will work closely with officers and members to develop incentives to extend membership and involvement in KDP for a lifetime. I will welcome the opportunity to correspond with officers, meet and talk with them personally, set goals, coordinate conferences, help install new chapters, ensure that membership goals are maintained, and ascertain that the membership needs of all are met.

     With many forms of alternative certification on the educational horizon, I will work closely with the Executive Council and the members, nationwide, to prepare standards that states might consider adopting, whereby only the best-qualified and best-prepared candidates become teachers.

Peggy L. Moch
Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter
(PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, University of Central Florida) Associate Professor, Mathematics and Computer Science Department, Valdosta State University, GA. Formerly, graduate teaching assistant and high school mathematics teacher.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments: My most significant professional leadership accomplishment would have to be chairing the 46th and 47th Biennial National Constitution and Bylaws Committee of Kappa Delta Pi from 2006 to 2010. What an amazing opportunity to obtain and develop a clearer understanding of the internal duties and functions of the Society! Leading the Goodlad Ad Hoc Committee as it prepared to give a pre-Convocation workshop (2005) with members around the country was an honor as well as a most enjoyable and successful experience. Lastly, chairing the Council on Undergraduate Research (2005–2006 and 2008–2009) has been a marvelous experience in helping faculty, students, and the community share in faculty-sponsored student research in a wide variety of disciplines.

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: The encouragement and professional mentoring I have received from the staff and leadership of KDP has provided me with opportunities to publish, speak, organize groups and, most importantly, to work and associate with some of the best and brightest educators in America. Personally, membership has helped me to gain confidence in my abilities as a writer, speaker, and leader. By associating with the KDP membership and being able to listen to and see the Laureate members at Convocations, I have gained a wealth of ideas, a depth of knowledge, and friendships with some of the most amazing people in education.

Statement of Direction: The challenges facing KDP members and leaders in education in the 21st century are many and complex. We face challenges on a variety of fronts, including finances, services, and membership. Meeting the needs of educators engulfed in the current economic and political climate in education is no easy task, but one which the leadership of KDP has and must continue to carefully move in a direction that will sustain and increase the quality of information available for members in a variety of venues. We are and must continue to be a beacon and a voice of reason in support of the members and education in our time.

     As we embark on discussions to become a more global Society, we face a number of challenges with regard to finances, culture, and political dispositions. Nonetheless, we shall rise to these challenges, as only Kaldelpians can, and overcome whatever obstacles there are through service, dedication, and persistence. We will need to face many questions in the years to come; I am confident that as a Society we will prevail and increasingly become a dominant resource and sounding board across all bands of education and throughout the teaching life cycle of our membership.

Bonnie Seiler
Alpha Delta Epsilon Chapter
(EdD in Educational Leadership, Northcentral University) Educational Administrator, placement of special education students in nonpublic schools, New York City Department of Education. Formerly, educational evaluator, resource room teacher, and special education teacher.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Ludmila Smirnova
Sigma Tau Chapter
(PhD in Education: Theory of Education, Academy of Pedagogical Sciences, Moscow, Russia) Associate Professor, Division of Education, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY. Formerly, dean, professor of education, and professor of English.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Kappa Delta Pi member since 2004

Chair, National Centennial (2011) Events Committee

Member, Web Site Committee

Initiated effort to develop KDP chapters abroad, specifically Russian chapters

Wrote Fulbright Grant, “Bridging Minds, Hearts and Cultures,” to bring foreign scholar to MSMC to work on issues of multicultural education and train the Russian colleague as a counselor for a prospective Russian KDP chapter

Developing KDP Leadership Summit and Professional Development “EXCITE” program for the Northeast region of the U.S.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: When I became a faculty member at the MSMC, I was newly isolated from a long-term association with a program and community in which I was both leader and participant. Initially, all of my effort went into just teaching. I missed the scope of my former involvement with faculty, student activities, and events. When I joined KDP and became a counselor, it brought my excitement back. I revived an inactive chapter to build a leading chapter in the Northeastern part of the U.S. My professional dreams of educating teacher candidates to make a difference in their schools through innovative initiatives, 21st century skills, and a leadership perspective became a reality.

Statement of Direction: Opportunities for KDP to grow and flourish abound in education’s emerging challenges. KDP should actively promote educational innovation. Working as it does with the finest teachers in the nation, the organization can define the cutting edge, promote new trends, support research and scholarship, help educators become change agents, and build global and community bridges. How will this be done?

     As Vice President, I will work to revive professional development conferencing using highly effective and readily available Web 2.0 collaborative tools. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) will employ such educational networks as Ning, WiZiQ, and LearnCentral/Elluminate to initiate discussions, publish podcasts, run leadership and professional development Webinars, and provide opportunities for KDP members to present projects, exchange videos, and share lessons and creative ideas. Educational grant opportunities will be shared, explored, and disseminated. These exchanges will help KDP select content and topics for upcoming Convocations. But, more directly, it will support our members’ ability to share experience as well as innovation and creativity, allowing teachers to make an immediate difference in their classrooms. I will pursue the international expansion of KDP, identifying and encouraging enthusiastic educators through our Web networking, to promote the KDP mission and ideals in their native countries.

Member-at-Large

Suzanne Banas
Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter
(PhD in Science Curriculum/Educational Leadership, Union Institute) Science teacher, South Miami Middle Community School; Adjunct Professor, Miami Dade College, Department of Education. Formerly, middle school teacher in advanced, gifted, general, and physical science.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: Working with preservice teachers and new teachers keeps me involved in how education is really going. I have been teaching for 25 years, and even though I keep abreast and use best practices, it is wonderful to see teaching through new eyes. Their wonder and needs keep me truly involved in education and the learning of students.

Statement of Direction: Assisting new teachers in their support and primary needs for success. Finding ways to get teachers with a lot of experience to see the need for innovation. Working with new chapters and members to be an effective agent of change.

Heidi Marie Magoon Connor
Alpha Epsilon Xi Chapter
(MA in Education, Bridgewater State College, MA) PhD candidate in Higher Education, Walden University; education consultant. Formerly, adjunct professor, course designer, special education teacher, Title I Reading teacher.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Kathleen S. Cooter
Alpha Gamma Epsilon Chapter
(PhD in Special Education, Texas Women’s University) Professor of Early Childhood/Special Education, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY. Formerly, taught at university level, coordinated outreach for new teacher center, and served as public school teacher and administrator.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: Ten years of membership.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments: Opened a new laboratory school at Texas Christian University for preschool children with Down syndrome. A building addition was built and named in my honor at Texas Christian University. Starting at Bellarmine a new doctoral program in Poverty, Learning and Social Justice.

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: I have been a member for many years, usually acting as a mentor to students and practicing teachers about at-risk kids. I so enjoy working with teachers in training and practitioners in KDP. Their minds are our future. I have learned so much from my colleagues in KDP.

Statement of Direction: The “Gap.” Addressing the educational and life gap between rich and poor is a critical issue of our times. I agree with Nobel winning economist James Heckman, who is an advocate for early childhood and parenting training for populations historically undereducated.

     The soft bias of low expectations. How do we, as a profession, design and implement instruction for ALL learners with expectations of high quality? Inclusion and RTI. How can we realistically utilize these emerging knowledge and practice sets in teacher professional development and preservice teaching?

     I believe that all of these are related. Equity is more than a buzzword. Our schools and thus our nation’s future is at stake as we study and implement poliicies and practices for all kids. The voice of the teacher is the critical piece to the success of any measure of change. KDP is part of that voice. No more “do unto teachers policies”—intelligent caring teachers together have a power collectively to move forward and change lives.

Danielle Donelson
Kappa Rho Chapter
(BS in Early Childhood Education, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK) Second Grade Teacher, Manitou Springs Elementary, CO. Formerly, taught first grade at charter school.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: Co-Vice President, Kappa Rho Chapter, 2003–2004.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: As a college student, I was encouraged by the educational community spirit of the group. I also found great support for teachers out in the local community as well, as I sought out donations for chapter door prizes. Finally, Kappa Delta Pi gave me a great opportunity to hone leadership skills when I served as Co-Vice President.
     I look forward to learning more about my local alumni chapter now that I live in a new area of the country. I expect to find the same standards of excellence and support for teachers as I once did as a collegiate.

Statement of Direction: I believe one challenge facing Kappa Delta Pi is that of a struggling economy; the trickle-down effects of our national struggles are affecting the availability of scholarships and grants for classroom teachers. These may be the only resource some teachers have when it comes to bringing technology or even basic materials into their classrooms. The lack of funds may significantly impact whether or not a teacher can return to school to further his or her own education. I would want to ensure that any money coming into KDP is meticulously allocated, hopefully in ways that would allow for maximum impact in the classrooms. I would work with the chapters, the rest of the Executive Council, and community members to encourage and facilitate fund-raising and giving to help remedy this troubling area.

     Another challenge I see within KDP is the transition from collegiate to alumni status. I personally did not feel I received enough facilitation or information in this process. I would work to connect collegiate members with alumni chapters so that they can receive KDP’s support and educational outlets as soon as they begin teaching.

Elizabeth V. Eccles
Alpha Chapter
(Master of Music, Virginia Commonwealth University; Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Music Education, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign) Retired. Formerly, music education coordinator at university level and music educator in public school system.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: Has been a member for 20 years.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments: My major accomplishments have been my successes in teaching at the elementary, junior high/middle, and high in urban public schools, which resulted in my selection by my peers as Music Educator of the Year 1996–1997 at the annual VA music educators conference. As music education coordinator at the college level, a music education center/lab was established in 2005 from a $100,000 grant award. In 2007, the Bank Street Gospel Choir was selected to sing in Vienna, Austria.

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: My involvement has been based on my desire to enhance and gain further knowledge in the field of education. This was done through periodicals and the Web. Having membership in the organization has not been as functional as it could have been, and that is one of the reasons I would like to become part of the planning process; particularly, as a seasoned and experienced educator at all levels.

Statement of Direction: As a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Executive Council, there would be an opportunity to assist in developing new strategies for attracting new members as well as assisting in developing existing programs for improving education approaches, especially as they relate to teacher preparation and professional development.

Elizabeth M. Elliott
Omega Epsilon Chapter
(PhD in Human Ecology/Child Development, University of Tennessee) Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education, Florida Gulf Coast University. Formerly, taught at other higher education institutions, directed family resource center, and taught special education in public schools.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Allison M. Huie
Mu Chi Chapter
(MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, Texas A&M University) PhD candidate, Culture and Curriculum, Texas A&M University; and graduate assistant, Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture. Formerly, teacher, coach, department head at public high school.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: (no response provided)

Statement of Direction: As a graduate student, my research focuses on media literacy and teaching and learning with digital technologies. I am particularly impassioned to embrace the opportunities presented by the increasingly digital world in which we live. Rather than limiting our vision by focusing on the challenges this presents, I would seek to take advantage of the power of existing and emerging information technologies. For example, some form of virtual participation with regard to Convocation in the form of presentation and attendance could serve to connect chapters and members whose participation may normally be limited due to financial issues. This format is currently being successfully used by several technology and educational technology societies that could serve as exemplar models for implementation.

     As the Laureate interviews from the Centennial Oral History Project confirm, Convocation experiences are pivotal to the membership experience of active and engaged members who will grow to become leaders. Increasing the accessibility of these experiences will serve multiple beneficial purposes. Increased participation in Convocation will lead to an increase in membership retention and satisfaction (at all levels). This will lead to increased participation in Society activities and the development of quality future leadership.

Alexander “Sandy” Pope IV
Kappa Chapter
(MA in Secondary Education, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX) PhD candidate in Teaching of Social Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University. Formerly, graduate instructional assistant.

Past and Present Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Professional Activities, Awards, Other Recognitions:

Dicxiana A. Carbonell
Xi Gamma Chapter
(EdS in Educational Leadership: Administration & Supervision, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ) Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction for Essex County Vocational/Technical Schools, Newark, NJ. Formerly, ESL/World Language supervisor and Workforce Investment Act program supervisor.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Professional Activities and Awards:

Activities:
2006–2008, NJTESOL/NJBE Secondary Education Executive Board Member
2005–2008, Essex County Youth Advisory Leadership Council
2005–present, The Newark Museum Latino Program & Marketing Committee
2005–2006, Office of English Language Acquisition ‘Rising Stars’ Conference
2005–2006, Essex County Teacher of the Year Selection Committee
2004–2005, Professional Development Committee
2004–2005, Seton Hall Educational Leadership Mentoring Program
2004–present, Collegial Coaching/Mentoring Committee
2001–2005, Junior/ Senior Class Advisor

Awards:
Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women
Multiple Year Honoree of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
“All Stars” Project, “Phat Friend” award nominee
North 13th Center, Teacher of the Month of November
Rutgers “Hispanic Images” Award

Professional Accomplishments:

As ESL/World Language Supervisor, I worked with staff and students to raise student achievement from an 11 percent passing rate for ELLs on the state graduation assessment to the current 90 percent (over a four-year period).

As an NJTESOL/NJBE executive board member, I contributed to the literature on how to assist ELLs and presented workshops about initiatives in this area to teachers throughout New Jersey.

I serve on the ECVTS Collegial Coaching Committee as an administrator. As a committee member, teachers and administrators work as a team to provide novice teachers with support and training they need to be successful in our school district. In addition to planning sessions, I also have presented various workshops.

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: Being a part of the Kappa Delta Pi family is not only an honor but also a great opportunity to stay connected with the world. Through the various local workshops provided, Web site, and articles and resources published, I always have an edge on educational opportunities, initiatives, and research currently available. These resources allow me a greater lens through which to derive my perspectives on a number of personal and professional issues.

Statement of Direction: As a district supervisor, I am charged with keeping up with what is happening in education locally, nationally, and internationally. If elected, I would try to focus on outreach and partnerships that can further assist in keeping KDP competitive. For example, perhaps as part of community service projects to earn credits for the cord, students can reach out to local schools and provide professional development for staff. I also would recommend setting up booths at other conferences to advertise KDP. Other initiatives would be based on the goals of the KDP Executive Council.

Marilyn Cook
Xi Omicron Chapter
(MS in Educational Administration, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi; MS in Curriculum and Instruction, Corpus Christi State University) District Dyslexia Specialist and K–5 Reading teacher, Port Aransas Independent School District. Formerly, adjunct professor and elementary teacher.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: I was excited to be the first practicing K–12 teacher to serve on the Executive Council as the professional member, 2006–2008. I have served on the Web Site Committee and have been chairperson of the Ad Hoc Membership Committee to discuss what professional members would like from KDP. I am also a donor to the KDP Foundation. I became a KDP Teacher of Honor in April 2009 and have received two KDP Classroom Teacher Grants.

Professional Accomplishments: Several of my former students are studying to be teachers. I consider this one of my significant professional accomplishments. One of my accommplishments for the district has been building the dyslexia program for K–12 from scratch to involve students in their own learning. This includes working with high school students to get dual credit for a biology and English assignment by writing a paper and making a PowerPoint® on dyslexia. Middle school students have participated in my neuroscience for students “lunch and learn” program about dyslexia and other learning challenges, and then presented their information to other students during Brain Awareness Week. Elementary students helped write a student dyslexia handbook.

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: As a member, continously since 1991, I have used the message of the pledge “so to teach, so to serve, so to live” as a focus in my life. This pledge encompasses both the professional and personal in teaching. I am proud to be in this honored community of service and scholarship and to be able to learn from the educational research the KDP Laureates are engaged in and then be able to apply the research in practice in the classroom. I have been the recipient of two KDP Classroom Teaching Grants that enabled me to develop a home-school connection with parents.

Statement of Direction: KDP has some opportunities and challenges in the next biennium. One opportunity is to champion “new literacies” as students do more and more academic work on the Internet. KDP can play an active role in promoting research about how students interact and learn as they use these new literacies. This would help pre- and in-service teachers navigate this area to benefit their students. As an officer, I would want to promote discussions and find ways to have research put in practice by showing examples on the Web and possibly offering a series of virtual examples. KDP also has an opportunity to promote scholarship among colleagues and model it for Pre-K–12 students. Another opportunity for KDP is to encourage international collaboration among colleagues through virtual meetings and to continue to promote the participation of international colleagues in the eChapter meetings.

     Challenges include operating as a nonprofit and the involvement of the professional members. An eMentoring program could offer help to preservice and in-service KDP members. As an officer, I would practice good stewardship of the financial resources, promote the use of the professional eChapter, and work to expand the KDP’s use of technology to keep KDP a viable organization and model.

Karen Elaine Finder
Phi Phi Chapter
(EdD in Educational Leadership, University of Hartford) Faculty Supervisor, University of Phoenix. Formerly, Campus College Chair, College of Education, University of Phoenix; principal and founder, Sport and Medical Sciences Academy, Hartford Public Schools.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: Paid member since 1998.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: My involvement in Kappa Delta Pi has enhanced my personal and professional growth in the following ways:

Statement of Direction: I believe Kappa Delta Pi needs greater exposure on the east and west coast of the United States. Membership appears to be strong in the midwest and the south. Many Colleges of Education are aware of Phi Delta Kappa, but training institutions on the east and west coasts have little knowledge of KDP. I, for one, did not hear about the KDP organization until I became a member in 1998.

     One way to increase KDP visibility in these regions is to obtain greater exposure at national conventions. I would be willing to be a presenter or facilitator in order to increase the organization’s exposure, especially within the urban and charter school communities.

     KDP offers excellent tools for new teachers and principals. I believe the organization needs to work harder in making materials available to new teachers, especially those pursuing teaching as a second career through the various alternative certification or online venues.

Crystal Mallett
Gamma Phi Chapter
(MEd in Special Education–Gifted, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA) Teacher of gifted English I and II, and Independent Research at Pineville High School. Formerly, taught seventh and eighth grade English, Reading, Science, and Computers.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: I served as president, vice president, and alumni representative for my chapter.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: KDP made it possible for me to go to graduate school through the Counselor’s Scholarship, gives me tons of teaching advice with its publications and Web site, and has allowed me to meet and work with teachers in all stages of the teaching career.

Statement of Direction: One of the biggest challenges facing KDP right now is helping to keep teachers in the classroom. Many people refuse to consider teaching as a career, and many others leave the classroom after only a short time teaching. As a member of the KDP Executive Council, I will work to encourage undergraduates to consider becoming teachers and to show professionals the benefits (both professional and personal) of working with students.

     One opportunity facing KDP today is helping current teachers do the best jobs they can with today’s youth. One way to do this is to make KDP publications and resources more widely known and available to teachers who do not belong to KDP. One way to do this might be to expand our number of professional chapters.

Student Representative

Stephanie Schaefer
Rho Pi Chapter
Undergraduate student; Candidate for BS in Elementary Education with Concentrations in Music and Mathematics, Minor in History, Marywood University, Scranton, PA.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: I was elected President and Historian in Marywood University’s Rho Pi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi for the year 2009. During my term, we inducted over 50 new members, twice as many as the previous year. I organized two induction ceremonies and a Game Night for the Marywood community, maintained contact with university department heads so that many different education majors were aware of our organization, increased publicity around campus, and led members to participate in Kidstuff, a campus-wide carnival for students in need in the Scranton, PA community. I participated in fund-raising activities, will be leading a fund-raiser in the spring, and hope to help with organizing a conference at Marywood University.

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments: My most significant leadership accomplishment was my Gold Award Project for Girl Scouting, completed in 2004 when I was a Junior in High School. I led a group of people to raise funds and renovate a park in my neighborhood. Through Girl Scouting, I have been a public speaker and co-leader, advocating against bullying and encouraging girls to become strong women. I have been a Peer Educator at Marywood University through the organization Peers on Wellness. I have co-taught university classes and seminars on wellness topics such as Substance Abuse, Healthy Relationships, Sexual Assault, Eating Issues, and Stress Management. I have participated in campus-wide events about these topics.

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: Kappa Delta Pi has greatly impacted my personal and professional growth by allowing me to explore my leadership potential. After becoming President and Historian of the Rho Pi Chapter, I learned how to effectively organize volunteers, as well as collaborate with various other academic departments on Marywood University’s campus.

Statement of Direction: As education has become more technologically advanced, I believe that Kappa Delta Pi can continue to offer more online training seminars for all member demographics. I believe that there should be more student leadership on a national level and more representatives from all the different regions of the United States, as well as from the various continents of this organization. Because Kappa Delta Pi is an international society, it could create a journal that would compile stories of educators from around the world. Also, Kappa Delta Pi could sponsor more online national and international forums pertinent to current educational issues.

     Though there have been financial challenges with the global economy, I would strongly support the creation of new grants and scholarship opportunities for all educators. By creating professional development seminars for a nominal fee that would fulfill state and national standards, this would add to our endowment and allot for grant and scholarship expenditures. It is essential that Kappa Delta Pi continues to be a leader in education by providing more educators with professional training opportunities and collaboration within the global community.

Jennifer Teeters
Gamma Theta Chapter
Undergraduate student; Candidate for BS in Elementary Education, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, with a concentration in Home/School/Community Relationships, and a minor in Development of Human Psychology.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi: I am currently the Vice President of my collegiate chapter at Ball State University. I attended Convo in October 2009 and brought back several ideas on how to make improvements to our chapter on campus.

Professional Activities and Awards: I was the President of the Student United Way at Ball State University for approximately one and a half years.

Professional Accomplishments: As I am completing my undergraduate work, I do not hold any professional leadership accomplishments. I look forward to begin teaching in my own classroom and to get deeply involved with my school district. I also hope to further myself in Kappa Delta Pi and continue to promote the ideals of KDP.

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: My personal and professional growth has been greatly enhanced through my work with Kappa Delta Pi. I had the opportunity to attend Convo and not only share ideas with my chapter but also information with the staff at the school that I am student teaching in. I have become a more well-rounded educator that is confident and excited to try new ideas.

Statement of Direction: I believe that Kappa Delta Pi will face many challenges, but also great opportunities in the years to come. The challenges will be to create an organization that can move into the new ideas that are affecting education. Another challenge that Kappa Delta Pi faces is continuing to promote the organization as a whole. I have found that it is not as popular or heard of at smaller universities. I would work with smaller universities to make Kappa Delta Pi a strong organization.

     The opportunities are endless as individuals are looking to set themselves apart from the crowd in the difficult economy. I feel that Kappa Delta Pi will continue to recruit high-quality individuals that are excited to become active in a great organization. I would take advantage of this opportunity by keeping the ideals and requirements at a high level for new members. In all, I feel that the opportunities will outweigh the challenges in the years to come.

Tina Elaine Tolliver
Eta Zeta Chapter
(MEd in Special Education, Texas State University, San Marcos) Candidate for MEd in Educational Leadership, Texas State University, San Marcos. Teacher, Judson Achievement Center, Judson ISD, Converse, TX. Formerly, executive assistant.

Service to Kappa Delta Pi:

Professional Activities and Awards:

Professional Accomplishments:

Benefits of Kappa Delta Pi Membership: On a personal note, Kappa Delta Pi has allowed me to network with other students, professors, teachers, and professional staff at KDP all over the United States. Professionally, the organization has given me the opportunity to share my leadership abilities with others and to learn from those who have been where I am now. Knowing that I have an avenue to impact the future of education makes me feel there is hope for a better future for our students.

     Statement of Direction: One of the challenges of Kappa Delta Pi is setting up chapters and getting the members to participate beyond just using the experience as a line on their résumé. At the Convocation in Orlando, I gave my e-mail address to at least 100 people and asked that they contact me with questions and strategies on successful chapter activities. They were very excited and, as Student Representative, I will make myself available to anyone who is in need of guidance. I believe in Kappa Delta Pi and what it stands for. We have the opportunity to direct the way our nation feels in regard to educating students. At the Convocation, I made international contacts with the newest delegates, as we went to dinner with them and welcomed them to KDP.

     Kappa Delta Pi has the opportunity to provide professional development opportunities for its members, whether that be for future teachers, current teachers, professors, or members of the business community. As Student Representative, I would work hard to find out what the needs are for these various groups and work with the Executive Council to ensure we are providing beneficial resources at minimal cost to the organization.

Laureate Representative

David C. Berliner
Regents’ Professor of Education, Arizona State University
(Invited to Laureate Chapter in 1997)

David C. Berliner’s research interests include school vouchers, high-stakes testing, classroom teaching and learning, teacher education, and educational policy. He has authored more than 200 articles, books, and chapters in the fields of educational psychology, teacher education, and educational policy, including the best-seller The Manufactured Crisis (with B. J. Biddle) and six editions of the textbook Educational Psychology (with N. L. Gage). His newest book, Collateral Damage (with Sharon Nichols), is about the corruption of professional educators through high-stakes testing.