Terri Durbin, PhD student in Learning Environments and Educational Studies, was awarded the Regional Cooperative for Professional Nurses Week (RCPNW) Clinical Excellence Award.

Durbin is a clinical assistant professor and associate program director of the Nurse Anesthesia concentration in the College of Nursing. The Clinical Excellence Award is given to a nominee selected by the Nursing Recognition Committee based on their dedication, exceptional clinical practice, and distinguished contributions to the nursing profession. Durbin has been with the College of Nursing for five years and was nominated for this award by her peers.

Nineteen members of EPC were commended at the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony on April 27, 2016.

To see photos from the event, please go to the “CEHHS Faculty & Staff Recognition Ceremony 4.27.16” album on our EPC Facebook page.

Awards

College Senate Departmental Staff Award
Recognizes a departmental-level non-exempt staff person who has provided exceptional contributions to his/her department (going above & beyond job expectations to accomodate students and faculty, contributing to a positive and supportive work culture and environment.

Synthia Clark
Administrative Specialist I

“I am so lucky to work in a department with such caring, supportive, and appreciative individuals!”

The Helen B. Watson Faculty/Student Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation
Awarded to a student and the faculty member who directed the outstanding doctoral dissertation within the departments of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Educational Psychology and Counseling; Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies; or Theory and Practice in Teacher Education.

CEHHS Board of Advisors Faculty Support Award
Awarded to recognize current/past accomplishments or future projects of one outstanding faculty member for teaching/research/service efforts in any area within CEHHS.

R. Steve McCallum
Professor in School Psychology

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the CEHHS Board of Advisors for their recognition and support of my work. Over the years I have worked closely with board members and know firsthand of their many contributions to the college!”

Recognition

 Casey A. Barrio Minton
Associate Professor in Counselor Education

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Editor of Journal of Counselor Leadership & Advocacy
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Evaluating Student Learning Outcomes in Counselor Education. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association
– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for Outstanding Research Award from Chi Sigma Iota International

Bonnie Bull
Administrative Support Assistant III

– Recognized under University of Tennessee Support Staff Service Awards for five years of service

Stephanie Cowherd
Associate Director of Corporate Connections for Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Tennessee DHS/Division of Rehabilitation Services/UT CLEE from the Tennessee Department of Human Services, $788,443

Joel F. Diambra
Associate Department Head & Director of Graduate Studies

– Recognized under Recipients of National/International Professional Awards for Outstanding Counselor Educator of the Year from the Tennessee Association for Counselor Education and Supervision

Patrick L. Dunn
Program Co-Coordinator for Rehabilitation Counseling

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Long-Term Training: Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf from the US Department of Education – Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, $148,492

Sandra Fugate
Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (2000-2015)

Melinda Gibbons
Program Coordinator for Counselor Education/School Counseling

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Associate Editor of Professional School Counseling Journal
– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the PIPES: Possibilities in Postsecondary Education and Science among Rural Appalachian Youth from the Office of Research Infrastructure Program, $209,136

Aaron Kohring
Director for Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the LINCS Regional Professional Development Centers Program from the US Department of Education, $284,750 and the Transition & Self Determination Support from the Tennessee Department of Education, $549,105

Robert Kronick
Professor for School Counseling & Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Alumni Public Service Award
– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the University-Assisted Community School from the Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, Inc., $100,000

R. Steve McCallum
Professor for School Psychology

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Co-Founder & Consulting Editor of Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Handbook of Reading Assessment: A One-Stop Resource for Prospective and Practicing Educators. Routledge: Taylor and Francis
– Recognized under Authors/Editors of Books and Assessments for Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test 2. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed Publishing Company
– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Research & Creative Achievement Award

Merilee McCurdy
Program Coordinator for School Psychology

– Recognized under Presidents of National/International Professional Organizations for being Chair of Council for Directors of School Psychology Programs

Jennifer Ann Morrow
Program Coordinator for Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

– Recognized under Chancellor’s Honors Awards for the Excellence in Teaching Award

Roma Powis
Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (2004-2015)

Stephanie Robinson
Institute for Assessment & Evaluation

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (1994-2015)

Connie Settle
Institute for Assessment & Evaluation

– Recognized under 2014-15 Faculty & Staff Retirements (1993-2015)

Barbara Thayer-Bacon
Program Coordinator for Learning Environments & Educational Studies/Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

– Recognized under Editors/Co-Editors of Peer Reviewed Publications for being Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Philosophy and Education

Connie White
Associate Director of School & Family Programs for Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

– Recognized under Grants and Contracts Recipients for the Tennessee Teachers’ Professional Development Event Support from the Tennessee Department of Education, $2,214,746 and the Tennessee Teachers’ Professional Development Event Support from the Tennessee Department of Education, $877,092

Three faculty members and five doctoral students from the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling were recognized at the Chancellor’s Honors Banquet on April 19, 2016.

See below for a description of each individual’s award.

Extraordinary Community Service
For students and student organizations that exhibit the Volunteer spirit in the community.

Janine Al-Aseer
PhD Student in Learning Environments & Educational Studies

“I am deeply honored to receive the award and credit the amazing team and cohort I have to work with. I thank John Peters for the nomination!”

UT Alumni Association Public Service
Honors a faculty or staff member whose work has made a significant impact on the Knoxville-area community.

Robert Kronick
Professor in School Counseling & Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

“This award represents the work of a lot of people.”

Extraordinary Professional Promise
Honors awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate professional promise in teaching, research or other contributions.

Wenshu Li
PhD Candidate in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

Research and Creative Achievement
Given to senior faculty in recognition of excellence in research, scholarship, and creative achievement.

R. Steve McCallum
Professor in School Psychology

“During my tenure at the University of Tennessee I have been blessed to work with many talented students and colleagues. The Research and Creative Achievement Award is a tribute to these collaborators; it is as much theirs as it is mine!!”

Excellence in Teaching
Bestowed by the Office of the Chancellor and the Teaching Council of the Faculty Senate to honor outstanding work in the classroom.

Jennifer Ann Morrow
Associate Professor in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

“I’m incredibly grateful to all of my awesome students who nominated me. Teaching is the best part of my job and I strive to get students as excited about statistics as much as I am.”

Extraordinary Professional Promise
Honors awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate professional promise in teaching, research or other contributions.

Everett Painter
PhD Student in Counselor Education

“I have a great deal of respect for our program faculty. The fact they were comfortable in nominating me is gratifying and means a lot to me. This is a result of their investment and support as much as anything else.”

Extraordinary Professional Promise
Honors awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate professional promise in teaching, research or other contributions.

Kala Taylor
PhD Student in School Psychology
“I am honored to receive this award.”

Extraordinary Professional Promise
Honors awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate professional promise in teaching, research or other contributions.

Lakmal Walpitage
PhD Candidate in Evaluation, Statistics & Measurement

To see photos of our recent award recipients, please go to the “EPC Award Winners” album on our EPC Facebook page.

*Award descriptions listed from Chancellor’s Honors Banquet program and website.

Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations

Franklin earned an MS with the Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations program in 2008 and went on to earn her PhD with the Learning Environments and Educational Studies program in 2012. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa she now lives in Lenoir City, TN. We asked her to reflect on past experiences with EPC and discuss where she’s at now. Read her responses below.

Current Occupation

Adjunct Faculty at two regional state universities:

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN – Lecturer for Learning Environments and Educational Studies Program
• Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN – Instructor for Department of Educational Research and Foundations

Awards and Accomplishments Earned as a Student

• Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research Methods in Education – A graduate certificate may be earned by successful completion of a series of specific courses. A candidate for a graduate certificate program must be a fully admitted graduate student who has satisfactorily completed the minimum requirements for a certificate as described in the Graduate Catalog. (2010, University of Tennessee)
• Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni – Officially called the “Kin Takahashi Award for Young Alumni of Maryville College,” the recognition is for “any alumnus/alumna who has, within 15 year of his/her graduation of Maryville College, lived a life characteristic of College legend Kin Takahashi, who, in his 36 years of living, worked tirelessly for the betterment of his alma mater, his church and his society.” (2009, Maryville College)

Accomplishments since Graduating

For me, the greatest professional and personal accomplishment since receiving my MS and PhD from UT has been continuing to be active in my field in a diversified way while balancing a rich family life and community service commitment. I have been thrilled to publish and present and just as excited to share my passion for education with graduate students, young learners, and schools and parents seeking educational guidance.

Recent Publications/Presentations

• Franklin, Y. P. (2014). Virtually (un)packing your backpack: Educational philosophy and pedagogical praxis, Educational Studies, 5(1), 65-86.
• Franklin, Y. P. (2011). Journey into critical consciousness, Encounter: Education for Meaning and Social Justice, 24(4), 46-49.
• American Education Studies Association Conference 2015 (panel presentation, San Antonio, TX)
• American Education Studies Association Conference 2013 (paper presentation, Baltimore, MD)
• American Education Studies Association Conference 2011 (panel presentation, St. Louis, MO)
• Ohio Valley Philosophy of Education Society Conference 2011 (paper presentation, Dayton, OH)
• Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference 2010 (poster presentation, Cedarville, OH)
• American Educational Research Association 2009 Conference (invited to present paper, San Diego, CA)
• Mid-South Educational Research Association 2008 Conference (paper presentation, Knoxville, TN)

Personal Interests

I volunteer tutor a wonderful fourth grade boy 12-15 hours a week and do pro bono curriculum and professional development for a local private school. I also teach a class at my church one morning a week.

My greatest delight is my family – a busy doctor husband, three children, four chickens, and a golden retriever! We enjoy traveling, working hard, and serving together!

What sold you on this program?

What sold me on the graduate program in Cultural Studies of Educational Foundations was the synergy found between the disciplines of anthropology, history, philosophy, psychology, and sociology, as well as multiculturalism, ethnography, and other critical theories that helped me find a way forward as a teacher. As a South African, and then transplanted southern-American, educator faced with student achievement gaps, diverse populations I felt ill-equipped to engage, and social justice concerns, the program helped develop me professionally by connecting social foundations theory to my practice life.  Now I teach in Cultural Studies and Social Foundations of Education within higher education helping other teachers apply vital theory to their own practice life.

What do you think was the most rewarding/challenging about this program?

The most rewarding part of this program is the personal attention and mentoring I received from my advisor, professor Barbara Thayer-Bacon. She helped me adjust to life as a graduate student juggling a family. An excellent teacher, I enjoyed her classes immensely and the community spirit that was fostered. Additionally, I was encouraged and supported to publish and present and this meant a great deal coming from a woman who has published many books, been all over the world to present her work, and is a well-respected scholar in our field.

Is there anything else you would like to say as an alumna of this program/department?

Whenever I come back to campus – after wishing there was more parking 😉 – I always feel like I am coming home as I walk the department hallways. This is a special place where educators, counselors, and researchers converge to share and grow. We alum are just basking in the reflected light of the scholars and educators gathered here to help us on our way. They are who deserve the real spotlight!

Erin Garty, PhD student in Learning Environments and Educational Studies, was given an Outstanding Graduate Student Award for Graduate Research and Service at the Second Annual Kickoff Breakfast for Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week.

“This award was unexpected but much appreciated, and I would like to thank Lisa Yamagata-Lynch and Kelly Ellenburg for giving me the opportunity to work with them on a Smart Communities Initiative service learning project.” – Garty

Garty was nominated by associate professor, Lisa Yamagata-Lynch, who highlighted her efforts with the Smart Communities Initiative (SCI). Garty and classmates worked to determine how to ethically obtain electronic and non-electronic citizen input for the city of Cleveland to use for planning purposes. Garty compiled individual team reports from peers and then spent many hours after the course was over to prepare and design the report for publication. For more information about this experience, please refer to the story “SCI Ethical Needs Report Published.”