Author: y225e787@wichita.edu

Interested in becoming an elementary school teacher or just want to meet other students in the WSU elementary education program? Join the School of Education from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 in 301 Rhatigan Student, Gridley Room, to make friends and explore the world of becoming a teacher.

Dr. Karlos Hill will guide participants through a transformative approach to history — one rooted not in division or trauma alone, but in healing, deep relational understanding and the wisdom of cooperation that has defined humanity for millions of years, at 5 p.m. Nov. 12 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

Using the tragic legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as both a site of wounding and possibility, Hill illuminates “Healing History,” a revolutionary framework that merges evolutionary science, the wisdom of Ubuntu and the lived experience of Greenwood’s descendants to foster real-world dialogue, healing and justice.

Seats are limited for this interactive evening, so RSVP today.

Sarah Schlottman, a speech and drama teacher at Abilene High School, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Kansas Horizon Award. Sarah, a second-year teacher in the Wichita State Transition to Teaching Program (T2T), was recognized for her exceptional dedication and passion for teaching.

The Transition to Teaching program is a two-year alternative licensure program that combines graduate-level coursework (in-person, hybrid and online) with full-time, paid teaching as the teacher of record in a specific subject area. Participants will fulfill teacher licensure (KSDE) course requirements while enrolled in the T2T program with an option to complete a Master of Arts in teaching degree with an additional seven credit hours.

On Jan. 9, Dr. Randy Watson, the Kansas Commissioner of Education, called Schlottman to announce the exciting news.

“We have thousands of outstanding teachers in their second year,” Dr. Watson said. “Only 32 across the state are selected for this honor, and Sarah is one of them.”

The recognition places Sarah among the best new educators in Kansas and earns her a place in the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). As part of the award, Schlottman will be invited to the KEEN Conference and an honorary banquet in February, where she will be celebrated for her educational contributions.

Sarah’s commitment to her students and the Abilene community has not gone unnoticed. Known for her tireless work ethic, her dedication to providing students with a transformative experience in speech and drama, and her constant drive to inspire others, Sarah has become a true role model for her peers and students alike.

“We are incredibly proud of Sarah and the remarkable work she does each day to help her students succeed,” said Greg Brown, Abilene High School Principal. “This recognition is a testament to her dedication, and we are thrilled to see her being acknowledged on a state level.”

Sarah’s passion for teaching and her unwavering commitment to student success make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Come join the School of Education Fall Colloquium at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 in 110B Woolsey Hall with guest speaker Dr. Priya V. Prasad, associate professor of mathematics at the University of Texas to speak about humanizing grading practices.

Humanizing grading practices have become more popular lately, especially at the college level and in STEM courses. However, many faculty struggle to find ways to incorporate humanizing grading practices into courses with many students or that are governed by strict institutional guidelines. In this discussion, the speaker hopes to connect humanizing grading practices with other pedagogical commitments (such as the Rights of the Learner) to help faculty create their own roadmaps into humanizing their grading practices.