Guest Column
Prepare for Convo! 		Question of the Quarter
KDP asks the question—you get to answer!
What topics should be available via podcast?
New 4 You
Find out the latest KDP benefits and more.
Hotel discounts, Grad student resources, and Convo offerings 		Chapters 2 Watch
Read about various types of KDP chapters and their successful initiatives.
New Gulf Coast professional chapter
In the Know
Keep updated on general KDP happenings
that affect you.
New publishing partnership, Ideas for
your classroom 		Educational Foundation
Learn about giving and receiving the KDP Educational Foundation way.
Zeta Iota Chapter: Creating a Legacy
News from You
See what other members and chapters
are doing; send your activities.
First-year teachers honored		 Who’s Who
Learn about Headquarters staff, members, and big names in education.
New membership director, New consultant for the Southeast
Your Enrichment Connection
Find links to educational and professional
resources.
Hargreaves podcast, Summer reading
by Convo speakers
 FAQs
You ask, KDP answers.
We Get Mail
See what members are saying. 		 

Make the Most of Convo!
by Madeline Kovarik, Rollins College


Find out the latest KDP benefits and more.
Planning a Road Trip This Summer?
Save money on gas when you stay at Choice Hotels®. Take advantage of great promotions with Choice Privileges® and EA$Y CHOICE® rewards programs. Click here for details on how you can take advantage of your Kappa Delta Pi 15% discount at participating hotels and earn a $50 gas card.



Attention Graduate Students!
Have you been to the online Graduate Students page? You’ll find resources just for master’s and doctoral students, including information on getting published, resources on becoming a National Board certified teacher, and recommended Web sites related to statistical analysis. From the home page, go to the Membership menu and select Graduate Students.

Guess what’s new for you at Convocation 2007? November’s Convo offers a workshop strand and special networking opportunities specifically for graduate students! Join your colleagues in November in Louisville. Register now.

Keep updated on general KDP happenings that affect you.

KDP Announces Publishing Partnership with Routledge!
KDP is pleased to announce that, beginning this fall, The Educational Forum will be published in partnership with Routledge, a division of Taylor & Francis, the world’s foremost publisher of journals and books in education and educational research.

This partnership brings exciting possibilities. Contributors to The Forum will benefit from increased exposure, while readers will have access to more diverse educational concepts from both national and international authors.
• Learn more about the partnership
• View articles from a current issue of The Forum.
• Subscribe!
• Submit a manuscript for consideration.

Do you spend time in the summer gleaning ideas for next year’s classroom projects? If so, take a look at some of the projects generated by recipients of the Educational Foundation’s Classroom Teacher Grants. You’ll be amazed at what these innovative educators have accomplished with $150 or less.

See what other members and chapters are doing; send your activities.

Mississippi Chapter Honors Local Educators
Recognizing and honoring excellence in education isn’t limited to current members of Kappa Delta Pi. Mississippi State’s Theta Chi Chapter annually extends its reach into the community by honoring first-year teachers from area schools for their achievements during its spring initiation. This year, seven beginning educators were made honorary members of Theta Chi; and Dr. Phil Burchfield, Starkville City Schools Superintendent, spoke during the ceremony.

“Teachers recognized at this event are grateful for the recognition and Theta Chi initiates are pleased to meet professional educators in the community,” reported Co-Counselors of Theta Chi, Vince and Linda McGrath.

Pictured from left are: Dr. Linda Coats, Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education at Mississippi State; honorees Patricia Miller, Emily Cappleman, Niki Malrooney, Niya Smith, and Janessa Alexander; and Dr. Richard Blackburn, Dean of the College of Education. Not shown are Elizabeth Anderson and Chip Frazer, who also received certificates.

Find links to educational and professional resources.


Virtually There with Andy Hargreaves
The 2006–2007 academic year saw the launch of KDP’s e-Chapter, a virtual community for members across the country. May’s e-Chapter meeting featured KDP Laureate and renowned educator, Dr. Andy Hargreaves. Dr. Hargreaves shared results from his research on how to sustain success in schools, as well as practical applications for classroom teachers and school administrators based on his work. If you missed the live presentation, you can listen to the Sustainable School Improvement podcast.

This summer, put some books written by speakers who will be presenting at KDP’s upcoming Convocation on your reading list. That way, you’ll be ready to meet the authors, ask questions, and share ideas. Click here for the reading list.
Make your first year of teaching a successful and enjoyable one with this simple, practical guide. Order your copy of Ready, Set, Teach! from the KDP Store.

See what members are saying.
Many of you have told us that you want to connect with other KDP members beyond your collegiate chapter experience, but aren’t sure how. Well, there is KDP life after graduation! You can look for a professional chapter near you, volunteer for an ad hoc committee through Headquarters, and participate on the Discussion Board.

The best way to continue that personal connection, though, is to start an informal chapter in your area. You’d be amazed how easy it is to open a KDP Chalk Talk Café. All you need is a place to meet. We supply the rest. Find out more about this new noncollegiate and informal KDP chapter by emailing membership@kdp.org or calling KDP Headquarters at 800-284-3167.
“I wanted to be a part of Kappa Delta Pi because the people involved had the same drive and passion as I do. When you are part of a community of passionate people, you can accomplish so much. That’s what’s great about KDP.”

Lindsey Lash
Lambda Theta Chapter
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
First-year teacher (06–07)
  
“As we move forward as educators, I hope that we are all able to see this network of support which interweaves us. Kappa Delta Pi is just one of those support strands—a lifeline, so to speak. Use your membership as one of the cornerstones of your professional development and develop your network so that you are surrounded by caring, knowledgeable educators. Then, step foot in the classroom with confidence. You are just beginning a lifetime of positive influence!”

Shenandoah Herda
Rho Zeta Chapter
University of Alaska Anchorage

KDP asks the question—you get to answer!
KDP now offers podcasts. What additional online resources would you like us to offer? What topics should be available via podcast?

Please send your brief reply to membership@kdp.org, indicating your teaching level. Your feedback helps KDP shape its membership programs.

Your Answer to a Previous Question
How do you use your summer months to grow and renew yourself professionally?

“To grow and renew professionally, I believe I have to set time for myself as well. We have been antique hunting, canoeing, and going on picnics. I’ve also been reading voraciously and playing with the grandchildren. To grow professionally, I’ve been discussing curriculum and content with two of the teachers with whom I co-teach. I will be attending two Governor's Academies—one for Algebra and one for English—with co-teachers. As the Special Education representative on these teams, I feel I will become renewed for the coming year and be able to share professionally with our team.”

Dr. Patricia A. Papineau
Special Education Department
Colonel Richardson High School
Federalsburg, Maryland

Read about the various types of KDP chapters and their successful initiatives.
Gulf Coast Professional Educators Chapter
A voice of teachers, for teachers. That’s the mission of KDP’s newest professional chapter, Gulf Coast Professional Educators Chapter.

Educators in the Baldwin County School district near Mobile, Alabama, have discovered a unique opportunity to support and empower one another—by establishing a KDP professional chapter. Recognizing a need for additional support and professional growth possibilities outside the school structure, Dr. Thomas Sisk, Human Resources Supervisor for the district, contacted KDP Headquarters and learned what KDP could offer.

Though the Gulf Coast Professional Educators Chapter won’t be chartered until September 25, these excited educators are busy planning programs and events. Thirty-five teachers already have committed and Dr. Sisk is expecting 100 educators to become active members of the chapter.

“As Alabama’s 5th largest and fastest growing school system, Baldwin County Schools has the potential to build a chapter that can be a viable force in its county, the 38th fastest-growing county in the U.S.,” Dr. Sisk commented.

Would your educators enjoy and benefit from the experiences gained within a professional chapter? Through a professional chapter or the informal chapter, Chalk Talk Café, the possibilities are up to them! Learn more here or contact membership@kdp.org.

Learn about giving and receiving the KDP Educational Foundation way.
Zeta Iota Chapter: Creating a Legacy
Zeta Iota Chapter members recently created a legacy by funding a chapter grant through the Kappa Delta Pi Educational Foundation in honor of David Kent Miller. Though the David Kent Miller Scholarship Award originated in 1978, in honor of Dr. Miller and to recognize his dedication to the ideals of the Society, it is now part of the Educational Foundation’s Chapter Grant program.

“The Educational Foundation is a sound entity for investment of our funds. We trust the leadership and believe that they pledge their utmost integrity to ensure that all gifts are used wisely and carefully managed,” said Chapter Counselor Christine Loveday.

Memorial gifts aren’t unique to chapters. Individuals, whether KDP members or not, may make one-time gifts or endow a permanent grant in memory of a special educator—the one who inspired their desire to teach, a colleague, friend, or family member. Learn more about creating a legacy. Create one today.

Learn about Headquarters staff, members, and big names in education.


Roland Rydstrom
 “Education changed my life and I want to give back.”
Stepping into the role of Director of Membership at KDP Headquarters is Roland Rydstrom, whose career path has aligned with the education and professional association fields since his graduation from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, with a B.S. in K–12 music education. Ball State is also where he earned his M.A. in Student Personnel in Higher Education Administration. His professional experiences at BSU included serving as residence counselor and teacher at The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities during its first four years of operation, and positions in residence life and academic advising. These positions launched Roland’s longtime career in student life administration in higher education.

Through those roles, and his experiences at Western Illinois University, Marian College, and Ivy Tech Community College, Roland brings a wealth of diverse experiences in student leadership development, organization advising, conference and event planning, teaching, strategic planning, community outreach, marketing and communications, and administration to KDP—all of which seem a perfect fit for the multifaceted role of Director of Membership.

When not absorbing knowledge about the Society and planning for its future, you’re likely to find Roland working out at the gym, playing tennis and golf, and visiting family and friends. Contact him at roland@kdp.org.


Tonya Scott
“I am excited about meeting the Counselors of the Southeast and in helping support their chapters.”
Chapter Services is pleased to welcome Tonya Scott to KDP Headquarters as Consultant to the Southeast, an area a little closer to home than where she’s been in the last year. Before coming to KDP, Tonya taught English as a second language to middle school students in South Korea, and then traveled to the Philippines, a place she loved.

In addition to teaching overseas, Tonya taught business classes at ITT in Indianapolis and served as the Assistant to the President and Principal at an independent school in St. Louis after earning her MBA from the city’s Fontbonne University. She sees KDP as a good fit for her; she can stay connected to education and apply her business background and skills in her daily activities.

Tonya already lives the Society’s ideal of serving. She has been a volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and at the Indiana State Museum. When not working, traveling, or volunteering, Tonya loves to write—a skill she’ll get to exercise at KDP Headquarters. You can reach her at 317-829-1528 and tonya@kdp.org.

You ask, KDP answers.

Q. In addition to belonging to an honor society in my profession, what other benefits are there?
A. Your membership includes intrinsic and extrinsic benefits, from KDP-exclusive discounts on insurance, travel, and classroom supplies to networking and professional development opportunities. Be sure to view KDP opportunities by checking the menu on the home page at www.kdp.org. From discounts to publishing in a scholarly journal, KDP offers various benefits to its members. Look for money-saving discounts under the Membership menu at www.kdp.org!