Category Archives: education

KDP Initiation Ceremony

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Have you seen a KDP email in your inbox? 

KDP has sent out our official invites to your GSU email! We are so excited to welcome another year of great students and members. Show off all the hard work that got you here and RSVP for our Initiation Ceremony!

We are holding our Initiation Ceremony on October 2nd in the E-lounge from 4:30-6:30 pm

All steps on how to register for KDP online and submitting your dues to Student Leaders are included in the email. Have any questions? Contact your KDP Chapter President Keelin Crotty (kcrotty@student.govst.edu), stop a student leader in one of your classes, or come visit us in our office at G226 (office hours are posted outside).

Congratulations! This is something that speaks to your hard work, time, and effort you’ve put forth at GSU, be proud!

Farewell, Graduates.

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Congratulations to two of our leaders who have graduated this month!
Unfortunately, their time as leaders for SEA/KDP has come to an end.
However, they are undoubtedly embarking on a rewarding career path.

We wish them the best of luck as they pursue a job and start their life as teachers.
They will both be remembered as remarkable leaders and will surely be missed!

Michelle Westergaard (left) served as the Vice-President of Student Education Association (SEA) and President of Kappa Delta Phi International Honors Society (KDP). She has devoted so much of her time to make sure that SEA & KDP events ran smoothly and efficiently. Michelle was an extraordinary leader who’s compassion for others and dedication to education radiated from her every being. Among other accomplishments, Michelle was presented with the “Rising Star Award” from Student Life and wrote an IEA/NEA grant on behalf of SEA/KDP. On May 18, Michelle was given the honor to be the student commencement speaker at the 2019 GSU graduation ceremony. She spoke of her involvement in SEA/KDP as a leader and her experiences in the elementary education program.
Please click here to listen to Michelle’s wonderful, and tear-jerking, graduation speech.

Sireen Hamarshah (right) served as the Secretary of Student Education Association (SEA) and Media and Public Relations Officer for Kappa Delta Phi International Honors Society (KDP). Although she helped plan and assist countless of SEA/KDP events throughout her time as a leader, the majority of her involvement in these two organizations included maintaining this website and blog. Her work helped contribute to winning the Student Life “Social Media Rock Star Award” for both SEA and KDP. Sireen was dedicated to her roles and duties. She worked hard on every task she was given and ensured that SEA/KDP members were always kept informed. On May 18, Sireen graduated alongside Michelle and 4 other students in their cohort with a B.A in Elementary Education.

Congratulations to our two fabulous leaders!
We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours.
Farewell.

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Written by Sireen Hamarshah

S2S Conference Success!

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The Student Education Association (SEA) and Dr. Katy Hisrich’s EDEC 4570 Literacy Methods class participated in the S2S Conference on March 1st, 2019 at Governors State University.  This conference was offered to local high school students in the Crete-Monee area.  The high school students attended presentations given by GSU students. The presentations informed high school students on what to look forward to in college, helpful tips on how to be successful in college, and what they can prepare for currently in order to have a smoother transition from high school to college.

Katie Zalkowski and Keelin Crotty (SEA student leaders) presented “What’s Next?” along with EDEC students Tamara Coleman, Andrea Ivy, and Yasmin Ramos.  Karli Olszowka (EDEC student), Jaclyn Lukjanowicz (EDEC student), Amane Sbitan (EDEC student), Kia Taylor (student/ SEA leader), and Claudia Musa (EDEC student) presented “Navigating College and College Expectations.”  “Money, Money, Money” was presented by Guadalupe Mercado (EDEC student), Eman Ashkar (EDEC student), and Jamileh Shuaibi (EDEC student).  Lastly, Aimee York (student/ SEA leader), Hailey Czerwinski (student/ SEA leader), and Caitlin Kidd (EDEC student) presented “Campus Engagement and Involvement.”

The high schoolers left with an abundance of helpful tips, strategies, and advice that will benefit their future college careers.

Written by Keelin Crotty

Teacher Panel Clipart

Literacy Night was Super!

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The Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi Honors Society (KDP) took part in a Literacy Night on Wednesday February 27th, 2019 from 5:30- 7pm at Monee Elementary School- district 201.  The theme for literacy night was “Superheroes.”  Students from Monee Elementary and family members were able to partake in six different activities.  The literacy activities gave students the opportunity to engage in reading and writing in fun ways.  Students left with literacy crafts they made such as superhero masks, comic strips, and decorated cookies.  Volunteers worked with students at each center to ensure they had a positive experience.

The SEA/ KDP committee would like to thank Monee Elementary for allowing us to participate in their Literature Night Event.  We would also like to thank all the pre-service teachers and professors that volunteered for the event.

Written by Keelin Crotty

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Read Across America – March 1, 2019

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Please help us celebrate NEA’s Read Across America Day on March 1, 2019!
The purpose of this celebration is to recognize our nation of diverse readers.

Specifically on March 1, please emphasize the importance of reading and literacy in your classroom, library, and school by using a variety of diverse texts exploring different cultures! Give students the opportunity to become more culturally-aware of those around them.

For more information on this event, please click here.
To see the 2018-19 calendar of book recommendations, authors, and teaching resources, please click here.

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Sensational Teacher Conference!

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On Friday & Saturday, Feb 8-9, IEA hosted a conference for future teachers in Bloomington, IL. The two-day conference was meant to help attendees prepare for the teaching profession.

SEA/KDP leaders and members attended a multitude of sessions that covered various topics including student teaching, addressing controversial topics in the classroom, integrating the Arts, understanding the basics of a first year teacher’s contract, incorporating movement and brain breaks, student engagement, culturally responsive teaching, social emotional learning, etc. The sessions were led by current teachers and administrators.

In addition to the sessions, attendees had the opportunity to meet and talk with retired teachers from the IEA Retired Mentor Program. Throughout the conference, current education students were able to enter tickets into a raffle to win teacher-supply bundles/prizes donated generously by the retired teachers. IEA members who are graduating in May received their honorary cords.

As always, the IEA Student Conference was very beneficial and succeeded in providing future teachers with useful information and advice. SEA & KDP would like to thank IEA and the IEA officer team for a sensational experience that will truly be unforgettable!

Written by Sireen Hamarshah

For more photos from the IEA Student Conference 2019, click here.

Growing Up Wild Training

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The Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society (KDP) hosted the Growing Up Wild training workshop on Monday, February 4th, 2019 from 4:30- 8pm at Governor State University (GSU).  The training workshop was facilitated by GSU’s very own Associate Provost, Dr. Colleen Sexton. The seventeen attendees received the Growing Up Wild book that includes twenty-seven field-tested, hands-on, nature-based activities for children, ages 3-7. Dr. Sexton presented four of the activities from the Growing Up Wild guide and then participants used materials provided to make the activities. The activities were both fun and informative. The future educators who attended this workshop have an amazing science resource they will be able to use in their classrooms.

The leaders of SEA/ KDP would like to thank Dr. Sexton for her time and commitment to making this event a success!

Written by Keelin Crotty

Featured: Dr. Colleen Sexton explaining an activity.    

Featured: attendees working hard on their Project Wild crafts.

See more PLT photos here.

Superhero Literacy Night with Families

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superhero

The Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society (KDP) are taking part in a Literacy Night on Wednesday February 27th, 2019 from 5:30- 7pm at Monee Elementary School- district 201.  The theme for the literacy activities for the event is “Superheroes.”  The activities will give students the opportunity to use their reading and writing skills in an engaging and fun way.  Stations that will be set up for the students include: a cupcake station, creating a comic strip, writing a job description of a superhero, creating a book marker, creating your own super hero and writing about the hero using alliteration, etc. 

SEA & KDP are looking for volunteers to help at the event for set up, facilitating an activity table/station, and clean up. GSU students, faculty, and staff are welcome to volunteer.  For further questions and to RSVP, email Aimee York aminette@student.govst.edu.

Written by Keelin Crotty

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IEA Advisory Board Meeting – Lombard, IL

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On January 26, 2019, the SEA/KDP leader team including Jessica White, Michelle Westergaard, Aimee York, Hailey Czerwinski, Sireen Hamarshah, Keelin Crotty, Kia Taylor, and Kaitlyn Zalkowski met with all of the other IEA leaders from other universities throughout the state of Illinois in Lombard, IL. There was a panel of three guest teachers, group activities, and important discussions regarding race and diversity in the classroom. Thank you to IEA for hosting a wonderful meeting! We look forward to the IEA conference in February. 

Written by Sireen Hamarshah

Bloomington, IL – IEA Student Conference

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On February 8 & 9, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) will be hosting it’s annual student conference for educators which will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington, IL. On Friday, Feb 8, the sessions are from 3-9pm. On Saturday, Feb 9, the sessions run from 7:30am-3:30pm.

The registration deadline is Monday, February 4, 2019 which can be completed online. Students will have to pay a small fee. Registering between January 9-31 will cost $15. Depending on whether students are commuting or staying the night in the hotel, the total cost will vary. For a breakdown of the pricing, please click here.

For more information on the various sessions offered, please click here.
To register, please click here.

Official flyer: flyer, student iea conf. feb. 8-9

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