EKU News
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Becky Reister, a math interventionist, displayed aids that education students in Eastern Kentucky University’s Elementary Math Methods course could use in their own classrooms.
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EKU students learn how to better help own pupils
Brightly colored beads slide across metal dowels as the students add and subtract to calculate a solution to the math problem.
Just a typical elementary school classroom – except that it’s a classroom at Eastern Kentucky University and the students are education majors working on strategies to use with students who struggle in mathematics.
Becky Reister, a math interventionist employed with Madison County Schools at Kit Carson Elementary, is on hand to offer professional development to 84 students enrolled in Elementary Math Methods — working with them on intervention strategies they can use with students in their own classrooms and helping them actually create tools to take into those classrooms.
The students left the class with additional tools and knowledge on instruction strategies that meet RTI (Response to Intervention) guidelines for the needs of struggling students, but also with 10 frames, bead boards, numeral rolls and a variety of games to implement into their math instruction. During the class, they watched videotapes of children using these tools, called manipulatives, and strategies — allowing them see firsthand how they are used and how beneficial they are for students.
“Teachers are required to know how to meet all of the needs of every student in all content areas — especially math,” said Krista Althauser, who teaches the EKU course. “There is a tremendous amount of information and research on reading but not as much on mathematics. This professional development helps the students understand the urgency of being knowledgeable about teaching mathematics to all students and meeting their needs.
“While class time is structured around using the manipulatives, there is not time for them to be able to make them,” Althauser explained. “This professional development is designed so they not only learn how to use the manipulatives, but also get to make and take them when they leave.”
This was particularly helpful for the students.
“This meeting was enlightening and insightful,” said Sara Buckner, a sophomore special education major from Louisville. “I know math and I greatly understand it, but this makes me realize all kids don’t, and I gained from making the manipulatives to use to teach about the number 10.”
“The best thing was making my own supplies that I will be able to use in my classroom,” Elizabeth Howard of Richmond, a senior elementary education major, added.
“Test scores reflect the need for better qualified mathematics teachers,” Althauser said. “Forty percent of middle grade and elementary school mathematics teachers do not feel qualified to teach their content. Furthermore, elementary teachers do not have to be math specialists. Only 7 percent of elementary teachers have minored or majored in mathematics education or mathematics, according to recent research conducted by Stiff.”
In addition, current reform efforts advocate a shift from teacher-centered to student-centered instruction, noted Althauser. This shift emphasizes the need for alternative ways to teach and assess student learning.
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EKU group presents ‘Eastern Stars, a Night on Broadway’
Eastern Kentucky University’s student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association will present “Eastern Stars, a Night on Broadway,” on March 23, at 8 p.m. in O’Donnell Hall, the Student Services Building auditorium.
The program includes songs from Broadway shows such as “Phantom of the Opera,” “Hairspray” and “Wicked.”
The event is free and open to the public. -
Program offers professionals a chance to teach
After four successful years, Eastern Kentucky University’s “Try Teaching” program is again accepting applications from mid- and second-career professionals who are intrigued about their potential in front of a classroom.
The nationally innovative program is geared to those who have doubts about leaving their current job behind to return to college for a second degree. It allows participants to gauge their comfort level as a classroom teacher before making a life-changing career move. -
Students focused on energy
Students at Eastern Kentucky University, many of whom are planning careers as teachers or have already begun their teaching careers, are spending this semester learning about environmental issues.
Those taking Ecology for Teachers, an undergraduate class taught by Billy Bennett, and Environmental Science Issues, a graduate course taught by Melinda Wilder, have utilized a grant that allows students to actively pursue ways to teach their classmates and current and future students. -
Bridal showcase set for March 21
Eastern Kentucky University Catering, along with Conferencing and Events, will host the Bridal and Events Showcase on Sunday, March 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Keen Johnson Building on EKU’s campus.
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Foster Music Camp at EKU to celebrate its 75th season
The nation’s second oldest music camp will celebrate its 75th season this summer at Eastern Kentucky University.
Founded in the midst of the Great Depression, the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camps — with numerous camp options throughout June for middle school and high school students — continue to draw young musicians from throughout the nation and even internationally. -
EKU student president making plans to go back where she came from
Immediately following the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, a few of her fellow middle school students told Afsi Siahloohi she should “go back where you came from.”
That would not have been hard to do.
Like most of her classmates, she was born and raised in eastern Kentucky. On a farm at Spout Springs, to be exact.
Her father, Karim, is a native of Iran, and her mother, Kimberly, was born and reared in the Kentucky hill country.
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EKU arts center subject of presentation
The Center for the Performing Arts, now under construction at Eastern Kentucky University, will be the subject of a presentation at the fifth annual Best Practices in Building University/City Relations Conference, hosted by the International Town & Gown Association and Iowa State University.
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EKU arts center names executive director
The Center for the Performing Arts at Eastern Kentucky University formally introduced Katherine Eckstrand as its executive director Wednesday during a press conference on campus.
Since 2005, Eckstrand has been the director of community development for the Ohio Arts Council in Columbus.
She previously served as executive director of the Clark State Community College Performing Arts Center in Springfield, Ohio, from 1994 to 2005.
In all, Eckstrand has 23 years experience in arts administration and promotion.
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EKU sustainability project already showing savings
Going green has gotten Eastern Kentucky University a lot of attention, even making them a model for a similar University of Louisville project and a part of Gov. Steve Beshear’s comprehensive energy-savings plan.
Representatives from Siemens Industry Inc. were on EKU’s campus Monday to give an update on the state’s largest-ever performance contract, according to Dan Crowley, Appalachian zone manager for Siemens.
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EKU seeks to have tenure case moved
Attorneys for Eastern Kentucky University have filed to have a tenure discrimination suit against the school moved to a federal courtroom.
A notice of removal was filed in U.S. District Court in Lexington on Tuesday seeking to have marketing professor F. Mark Case’s suit against the university transferred out of Madison Circuit Court, where Case filed the suit Oct. 13.
The notice claims that because Case’s suit raises issues of whether the university violated his due process rights under the U.S. Constitution, the federal court should have jurisdiction.
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EKU group presents ‘Eastern Stars, a Night on Broadway’
