Value added - USG serves Georgia [June 2008]

VALUE ADDED: USG Serves Georgia

June 2008

Georgia Southern Alumna Earns National Medal for Preservation of One-Room Schoolhouse

Jan Brown Anderson, an alumna of Georgia Southern University's College of Education, was recently presented with the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution's (NSDAR) National Historic Preservation Medal. Anderson received the medal for her preservation of Oak Grove School, one of Georgia's few remaining one-room schools.

Anderson, a member of the Archibald Bulloch Chapter of NSDAR, accepted the award from NSDAR State Regent Laura Reid at the convention of the Georgia State Society, NSDAR, held March 27-29 in Athens.
"I am thrilled that Jan Anderson has been recognized nationally for her work on Oak Grove School," said Cindi Chance, dean of the College of Education. "She took on a major project, and she has seen it through in a way that benefits regional students and teachers, the College of Education's pre-service teachers, our faculty, and members of the community. I am very proud to say that she is an alumna of Georgia Southern University's College of Education."

Jan Anderson sits at the teacher's desk.
To commemorate Georgia Southern's Centennial, Anderson searched for and found the one-room Oak Grove School and brought it to Bulloch County. Working with experts in history, education, and construction, Anderson has overseen the return of the school to its original condition. She regularly conducts tours and programs for teachers and for student groups, sharing her steadily increasing knowledge of what teaching and learning was like in the days of the one-room school.

"Georgia Southern has a 100-year history of teacher preparation, so it was a good thing to do for last year's Centennial celebration," said Anderson. "Now, as I work with Georgia Southern's College of Education faculty to let people know about the one-room school, I am beginning to understand how well it represents the seamless education teachers look for today."

The College of Education has placed information about Oak Grove School at http:// coe.georgiasouthern.edu/oneroomschool/.

The interior of the restored Oak Grove School.

VALUE ADDED USG Serves Georgia

Grooming Future Teachers Means Getting a Head Start in Waycross

Dr. Joy Williams, superintendent of Pierce County Schools, has always believed the most effective way to find qualified teachers is to "grow your own." Her belief will soon be implemented as the Pierce County Board of Education is collaborating with with Waycross College, to offer students at Pierce County High School (PCHS) a Certificate in Teaching program beginning in August.

Designed for PCHS juniors and seniors who have an interest in teacher education and meet Waycross College's admissions requirements, the program will enable students to take three college-level education courses on the PCHS campus that serve as the core content for teacher education programs within the University System of Georgia.
During the second semester, students will participate in a Teacher Internship within the school system. Based on the subject and grade level they wish to teach, students will be paired with a `mentor teacher' in an actual classroom. They will be responsible for teaching at least two lesson plans and assisting their mentor teacher with other routine activities teachers complete daily.
Students who complete the two semesters of work will earn nine credit hours toward an associate of science degree in teacher education before they arrive on campus. These students will be on track to earn a bachelor's degree in teacher education sooner than has been possible to date.

Program Coordinator Lala Thornton with two Pierce County High School students.
"This is an excellent way for students who really want to become teachers to get a head start while still in high school," said Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Waycross College's vice president for enrollment and student services.
"[The program] saves parents from spending money for four years of college only to have their child decide that teaching is not what they want to do," added Lala Thornton, program coordinator. "For the college, it sends out a welcome mat to students."
"Everybody wins," agreed Waycross College President David Palmer. "Students will be getting ahead, parents will be saving later college tuition and the teachers and school board will appreciate students with initiative."