School of Education

New Faculty Bring Diverse Talents to OC

From a gifted world pianist to a two-time Appalachian Trail hiker, Oklahoma Christian University’s new faculty bring diverse experiences and scholarship to the classroom this fall.

“We are incredibly honored to add these highly accomplished individuals to our university,” said Oklahoma Christian President Mike O’Neal. “Each of these faculty are dedicated to scholarship and service in the classroom. They will enhance our students’ abilities to positively affect the communities in which they live and work.”

Charles Rix is an assistant professor of Bible and holds a doctorate in Biblical studies from Drew Theological School. He also holds a master’s degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and has multiple Six Sigma certifications. Rix previously served as an associate dean and professor at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. In addition, he is a retired financial executive for Exxon and has served as a minister for 17 years. An accomplished pianist, Rix has performed around the world including St. Petersburg, Russia, and has been a finalist in international pianist competitions in Paris and New York City.

Grant Testut is an assistant professor of Bible. He received his doctorate in comparative semitics from the prestigious Hebrew Union College. He has also taught principles of Bible translation in Africa to Tanzanians, Zimbabwians and Malawians. Testut met his wife in Tanzania while on a mission trip. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Allison Cassady is an assistant professor of education and a former public school teacher in Texas. She graduates this year with her Ph.D in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas. Cassady is also a co-founding member of the Consortium for Research in Teacher Education. One of her areas of study is classroom management decision-making skills.

Dan Sorensen is an assistant professor of business who previously taught at Rochester College in Detroit, Mich. He is a doctoral student in the school of business at Anderson University and holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University. Sorensen has more than 20 years of business industry experience working in financial and information technology positions for companies such as Arthur Anderson and Toyota.

Sada Knowles is an instructor in the department of psychology and family studies. She is a doctoral student in Oklahoma State University’s department of human development and family science. An OC graduate, Knowles is a member of both the National and Oklahoma Councils on Family Relations. She is currently studying how family, neighborhood and school factors relate to adaptation in at-risk youth.

Kenneth Bell is an assistant professor of electrical engineering. For the last last 16 years he has been a systems engineer at BAE Systems, a global defense and security company with approximately 100,000 employees worldwide. Bell holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Connecticut, and he has also coached high school students in robotics competitions. In addition, Bell has travelled more than 10,000 miles on foot, including the Appalachian Trail twice and the Pacific Crest Trail once. 

OC Alum A Finalist For Teacher of the Year

The following story about OC alumnus Anthony Rose, written by Patty Miller, ran in the Aug. 2 edition of The Edmond Sun.
Edmond teacher moves up as state finalist

Edmond Public Schools’ 2011 Teacher of the Year Anthony Rose has been included in the list of the 12 teacher finalists from across Oklahoma to be chosen as the state’s Teacher of the Year.

“I was at the school working when Superintendent Janet Barresi called and told me I was now one of the 12 being considered for the state Teacher of the Year,” Rose said.

Rose will be stepping into the slot left open when Jody Bowie accepted the position of the new science director for the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Bowie, who taught 10th-12th grade physics, Earth science and physical science at Putnam City High School, had four years teaching experience.

“We’re excited that Jody Bowie is joining the department and will continue to share his passion for helping students succeed,” Barresi said. “I’m equally pleased to congratulate Anthony Rose as a new teacher of the year finalist. Both are outstanding teachers who have demonstrated excellence and professionalism.”

Rose is a fourth-year science and geography teacher at Cheyenne Middle School and credits the teachers he works with as the models from which he crafted his teaching abilities.

He received his bachelor’s degree in science education from Oklahoma Christian University and his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma.

“I was very surprised,” Rose said. “It is exciting to represent Edmond, because I think the district is pretty awesome. This is where I learned to teach and hopefully I can represent the district well and share how great the district is with everyone else.”

Not only does Rose teach middle school-aged students, he is also the youth minister at Wilshire Church of Christ where he says this unique opportunity has allowed him to work with teenagers from 11-18.

Community service and involvement are two areas Rose believes to be vital as an educator, and giving back to the community is the very core of what individuals should do each day.

“Teachers need to be examples in our community to show our students what is needed of them in the future,” Rose added.

Rose said in his classroom the focus is on student engagement and participation.

Memorial High School principal Debbie Bendick hired Rose for his first job in the Edmond school district at Cheyenne Middle School.

“A thirst for learning, growth and change are the hallmarks of Tony Rose’s professional life,” Bendick said. “In the four years since his graduation from Oklahoma Christian University, Tony has taught at all three middle school grades at Cheyenne — both science and geography. Concurrently, he completed a master’s in school administration; and recently, continuing his pattern to seek opportunity for his own growth and learning, Tony applied to teach high school biology.

“Quite frankly, Tony’s success is a wonderful commentary on the fertile field of professionalism that has evolved at Cheyenne Middle School. From his first days on campus, he has been nurtured by an exceptional staff of teachers whose work as a collegial, collaborative learning community allows for the experienced to share tips, practices and methods with the early career teachers and the young, just-out-of-college teachers, to offer their fresh approaches to pedagogy and technology.”

David Goin, superintendent of Edmond Public Schools, echoed Bendick’s beliefs.

“Mr. Rose in an outstanding teacher,” Goin said. “He relates well to students and colleagues and is a skilled professional. We are very pleased about his selection as a finalist. He will represent Edmond and all teachers in an exemplary manner.”

A state committee comprised of education, business and civic leaders will choose the winner. Barresi will announce the Teacher of the Year in September at the Oklahoma State Fair.

Other finalists for Teacher of the Year include: Amy Braun, Northmoore Elementary School in Moore Public Schools; Trina Evans, Liberty High School; Ebony Harris, Seminole High School; Betty Henderson, Bartlesville High School; Dawn Poyndexter, Cedar Ridge Elementary School, Union Public Schools; Kristin Shelby, Sallie Gillentine Elementary School in Hollis; Lori Sosenko, James Griffith Intermediate, Choctaw-Nicoma Park Public Schools; Jan Steeley, Central Elementary School, Coweta Public Schools; Tonya Stites, pre-kindergarten through second grade in Liberty Elementary in Sallisaw; Mark Thomas, Stillwater High School; and Lyndal Westmoreland, Okarche High School.

OC’s Virginia Smith Honored as Top Doctoral Education Student at OSU

Oklahoma Christian University’s Virginia Smith has been selected as the 2011-12 Kamm Distinguished Graduate Fellow by Oklahoma State University. The annual award recognizes the most outstanding student pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education. Smith is the director of Oklahoma Christian’s Bridge program for underprepared, new students. She also teaches Spanish.

“I am very humbled to be chosen for this award,” Smith said. “I really enjoy helping students overcome challenges and change their futures through successful college experiences. My studies at OSU have helped me in my work at OC, and it’s an honor to be recognized.”

OSU’s education faculty selected Smith for the award, which was established in honor of Dr. Robert and Mrs. Maxine Kamm. Dr. Kamm served in higher education as a teacher, counselor and administrator at OSU for 45 years, including as president from 1966 to 1977. The choice for Kamm Fellow is based on scholarship, research and leadership.

“Virginia is a tireless worker on behalf of a very important and dedicated group of students,” said Allison Garrett, vice president of academic affairs at Oklahoma Christian. “We are especially proud of her. Being selected as the top doctoral education student at OSU is very impressive.”

Smith received the award a few weeks ago at OSU’s 19th Robert B. Kamm Distinguished Lecture in Higher Education. The Kamm Fellow receives a medallion and a monetary prize.

Smith is pursuing an Ed.D. degree in higher education leadership with a concentration in curriculum and instruction. Some of her research interests include the transition and persistence of Third Culture Kids repatriating to attend college, developmentally-appropriate mathematics instruction, effective schools and Oklahoma history from the World War II-era.

OC Alum, Associates Speaker Wins UN Peace Award

Sherri Coale, a 1987 OC graduate, was selected for a United Nations peace award in the coaching category yesterday. Coale, who coaches the women’s basketball team at the University of Oklahoma, was nominated after taking her team to Haiti to assist with aid following the devastating earthquake that struck there last year.

On April 7 of this year, Coale will be the featured speaker at OC’s annual Associates Dinner. Below is an announcement of Coale’s nomination from Newsok.com by Jake Trotter.

Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale was selected the winner of a United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award, announced Tuesday by Celebrate Positive.

The award, viewed as a 21st century peace prize, honors and recognizes individuals, businesses, athletes, sports teams, entertainers and schools around the world for their positive contributions.

“This is really a program award,” Coale said in a statement. “I accept it on behalf of our current staff and players and all of our former coaches and players who continue to give back and lead through service in their respective communities. I so appreciate the recognition for our program but, as our players past and present can attest, the rewards come from the doing. It is truly an honor to have such a platform from which to serve.”

Coale was voted the winner of the inaugural award in the sports coach category. Nominated by Adam Barnett, college pastor of Journey Church in Norman, Coale was chosen from a pool that included Kansas men’s basketball head coach Bill Self and Kentucky’s John Calipari.

The award will be presented during a pregame ceremony before tonight’s game with Kansas State.

OC Receives $1,500 CVS Caremark Community Grant

Oklahoma Christian announced today that it has received a $1,500 CVS Caremark Community Grant. Grants were awarded to organizations that share a common vision with CVS Caremark’s All Kids Can program, which strives to make life easier for children with disabilities.

“This grant will be used to enhance education professor Max Dobson’s program for special needs children from Edmond Public Schools,” said Jo Griffin, OC’s director of foundation and corporate relations. “Specifically, it will go toward the purchase carpeting in Max’s athletic practice facility, affectionately known as “The Barn.”

Dobson, who served for many years as a baseball and basketball coach at OC, has taught a class each year since 1976 called Teaching the Exceptional Child. Special needs children from Edmond schools take part in physical activity alongside OC students in The Barn.

“This program could not have been possible without the help and encouragement of so many people and organizations just like CVS,” said Dobson. “This will be a great benefit to the Edmond students we serve.”

Dobson’s program was selected because it was a perfect match with the mission of the pharmacy chain’s grant program. The goal of CVS Caremark’s All Kids Can is to create more inclusive environments for children with and without disabilities to build self-esteem, lasting friendships and social skills, and to help children without disabilities learn diversity and tolerance.

“CVS Caremark Community Grants are an effective way for us to contribute to the success of communities where we do business,” said Jennifer Veilleux, director of CVS Caremark Corporation. “We are proud to support this work that Oklahoma Christian does in the community.”

Through numerous donations and through his own efforts, Dobson has acquired many things for the children to enjoy, including a trampoline, tricycles, basketballs, hula hoops and much more. More than 1,500 OC students have participated in the program through the years, helping touch and change the lives of many people.

“CVS Caremark is committed to helping children with disabilities learn, play and succeed in life,” said Dennis Palmer,” senior vice president, West Division, CVS/pharmacy. “Through this grant, we are proud to be able to help make an impact on the lives of children in the Edmond community.”

About CVS Caremark All Kids Can
All Kids Can, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark, is a five-year, $25 million commitment to support children with disabilities. The goals of All Kids Can are to support children with disabilities by raising awareness in schools and in local communities about the importance of inclusion, creating greater opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical rehabilitation and related services. CVS Caremark and its more than 190,000 employees plan to help children with disabilities learn, play and succeed through partnerships with leading local and national nonprofit organizations across the country. For more information, visit www.cvsallkidscan.com.

Education Alumni Recognized As Site Teachers of The Year

OC education graduates William J. Arbuckle, Jennifer Hankins, and Anthony Rose were named Site Teachers of the Year for the 2010-11 school year by their colleagues in the Edmond School District in Oklahoma. Arbuckle, Hankins, and Rose were three of only 24 teachers honored. Arbuckle teaches math at Edmond North High School. Rose teaches science and geography at Cheyenne Middle School, while Hankins teaches first grade at Washington Irving Elementary School.

According to newsok.com, each of the 24 will complete a 10-minute video by Dec. 1, to be considered as finalists for the district. The Teacher of the Year Selection Committee will review the videos from Feb. 14-25, with finalist interviews scheduled on March 8.

The winner will be announced during the Edmond Public Schools Foundation’s Celebration of Excellence in the spring. That person will then be in the running for the state’s teacher of the year award.