News and Events 
Thanks in large part to an accomplished faculty and leading research on today’s high-profile educational issues, Regent University has a national presence and a growing influence in the world of education. The following is a small selection of the current news unfolding in the School of Education at Regent University.
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Adopt-A-Teacher Program—Regent Supports New Teachers
Each fall, the Graduate School of Education (SOE) reaches out to school divisions accross Virginia to support new teachers as they enter their first year of teaching. Through the Adopt-A-Teacher initiative two teachers from each school division receive a $100 gift certificate to a teacher supply store. Our hope is to provide much needed support to teachers who are continually asked to do more with less. Learn more >>
Student & Alumni News
M.Ed. Student Receives Awards for Service
Congrats to M.Ed. current student, Alicia M. Langley, who was recently awarded the School of Education Barnabas Award and the Dede Robertson Service Award.
Ed.D. Student Receives Fulbright DAT
Congrats to Ed.D. current student, Mark Gudgel, who was recently awarded a Fulbright DAT and will be doing research in Holocaust education at the University of London, Institute of Education, in their Holocaust Education and Development Programme in 2013.
Mark is beginning his third year in the Ed. D. Program as a student in the Character Education cognate. He is a young veteran English teacher at Lincoln Southwest High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mark will be on sabbatical from his teaching position during the 2012-13 academic year while doing his Fulbright studies in England.
Mark is also co-director of the Educators' Institute on Human Rights. He has studied genocide and human rights in such places as Israel, Poland, Rwanda, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom. A fellow of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Imperial War Museum of London, he is the author of two books, no/sixteenths and Accessing Darfur, a teachers' guide to addressing the ongoing genocide in Sudan. Mark is also the author of more than a dozen articles, published in Teaching Tolerance, Prairie Fire, Relevant Magazine and others, and ranging in topic from education and pedagogy to the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and social justice issues. Source: http://www.eihr.org/speaker-biographies.html
Ed.D. Student Presents at 2012 National Forum
Congratulations to Kalyn Mace-Guilloux, Ed.D. current student, who is presenting with Dr. Helen Stiff-Williams and Dr. Sheila Hill-Russ at the 2012 National Forum on Character Education on the topic of The Digital Age of Bullying: Preventing Bullying and Developing Leaders. Her session will focus on reducing bullying behaviors of students in the digital age. With the increase of technology, there is a new platform for bullying, which can have deadly or life-long consequences. Effective tools will be shared with participants to teach empathy and bullying prevention in middle and high school. School bullying policies will also be addressed with suggestions for improvement based on participant's examples.
M.Ed. Student Named Teacher of the Year
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership current student, Brandon Burdick, was named 2011 Teacher of the Year for Douglass Park Elementary School in Portsmouth, VA and later 2011 Portsmouth Elementary Teacher of the year for the entire district.
M.Ed. Student Named VBEA 2011 Outstanding New Business Teacher
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership student, Glenn Starnes II, was honored at the 2011 Virginia Business Education Association (VBEA) Summer Conference held in late July in Virginia Beach. Glenn, a business and information technology teacher at John Marshall High School and coordinator of the John Marshall 21st Century Community Learning Center, was named the VBEA 2011 Outstanding New Business Teacher.
M.Ed. Student Receives 2011 REB Award for Teaching Excellence
Danica Millner, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership student, received a $12,000 REB Award for Teaching Excellence for recognition as an outstanding educator. One of 15 educators to receive the award, Danica is a chemistry teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School. REB Awards present cash grants to teachers to enable them to pursue postgraduate studies, professional training or world travel. Regent faculty member, Dr. Smith-Jones, says Danica "is a true professional and a 21st century, reflective learner and teacher." Learn more >>
Ed.D. Students to Present at Women as Global Leaders (WAGL)
Conference in Abu Dhabi
Congratulations to Sara Lockett & Clarinda Cole who have had proposals accepted for the Women as Global Leaders (WAGL) Conference in Abu Dhabi. They will travel to the UAE in March 2012 to present their research on the topic of leadership & sustainability - Sara Lockett: Leading the Movement for Sustainability in 21st Century Educational Settings & Clarinda Cole: Sustainable Leadership Principles to Empower Vision Fulfillment.
Faculty/Student Collaboration on National CEP Conference Presentation
and Research Project
Ed.D. current students, Kalyn Mace-Guilloux and Patrice Troutman, recently attended the Character Education Partnership (CEP) Conference in San Francisco in October 2011 where they joined Dr. Helen Stiff-Williams, Regent faculty member and lead presenter, as presenters for the session — "Teacher Readiness for Teaching Character Education." In addition, they conducted interviews of the CEP conference attendees as part of a faculty research project on integrating 21st century skills in K-12 instruction. Patrice shared the following comments on her attendance. "I was able to learn from many renowned experts in Character Education, participate in hot topic discussions, and actually see how the Ed.D. in Character Education program is preparing me for entrance into this great field. Overall, I had a phenomenal experience, and it has made an indelible mark on my future career path." Kalyn added that the "conference was an amazing experience that was invaluable in [her] career!"
Ed.D. Student Named Teacher of the Year
Ed.D. current student, Kelly Kitchens, was named 2011 Teacher of the Year for Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, VA.
Regent Graduate Named Hopewell High School Basketball Coach
Graduate of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Shervi Barnes, is leading the Hopewell High School girls' basketball team to new heights. Shervi has an extensive background in high school and college sports and played four years of basketball and softball at Southampton High School and softball and volleyball at Virginia State. As a coach, she's led teams in multiple sports — including basketball, softball, volleyball and cheerleading. From her experience as a coach and an educator, Barnes has developed an academic-oriented coaching philosophy. She believes "that you are a student first and an athlete second. Academics come before athletics."
Regent Graduate Recipient of a STTA Grant
Congratulations to Regent Graduate, Kelli Caras, on being selected to receive a Science Teaching Tools Award (STTA) grant from the AFCEA Hampton Roads Chapter. Kelli and one guest were invited to attend a Chapter Luncheon on November 8th to celebrate the achievement.
Regent Graduate Impacts Students in Kabul
Within the boundaries of Kabul, populated by 3.9 million people, the capital and largest city in Afghanistan, is home to the International School of Kabul. That's where School of Education alumna Gail Goolsby, currently is serving as principal. Take an in-depth look at the mission field of Afghanistan through the eyes of one graduate with a calling to change the world.
Regent Students Attend NASA Pre-Service Teacher Institute
Regent University Graduate and Undergraduate students were among twenty-nine university students, selected in the United States to participate in the two-week NASA Langley Research Center Pre-Service Teacher Institute from July 18th -29th, 2011 at the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) in Hampton, Virginia. This year's class featured a number of people who have switched careers, including engineers and former military members. The institute's theme is "Press Release Science and Math"—how teachers can help turn current events into STEM lessons. Learn more>>
Regent Student Learns from the International Educational Experience
Regent University Graduate School of Education student, Donna Ivery Little, was among a select group of policy analysts, policy makers and academics who received an honorable invitation from Paul E. Peterson, Harvard University Director, Program on Education Policy and Governance to attend a conference entitled "Lessons from the International Experience: Lifting U.S. Students to World Class Levels of Performance." The conference was held at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts from August 17th—19th, 2011. Learn more>>
Regent Graduate Named Vice Chair of VBCPS Gifted Education Community Advisory Committee
In September 2011, Dr. Victoria Walker (Class of 2009) was nominated and then voted in as the Vice Chair of the Virginia Beach Schools Gifted Education Community Advisory Committee. Dr. Walker is going into her fourth year and second term in service after she was honored with a request to serve another term on the Virginia Beach Schools Gifted Education Community Advisory Committee this past spring.
Ed.D. Student Named Teacher of the Year for Petersburg City Schools
Shauna Mayo, Ed.D. student and fifth grade teacher at R.E. Lee Elementary School in Petersburg, VA, was declared in May to be the Petersburg City Public Schools’ 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year. Learn more>>
Ed.D. Graduate Fights Crisis with Innovative Fund-raising
Dr. Gary Maestas, Ed.D. graduate and Superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools in Plymouth, MA, is setting out on a 600-mile ride from Washington, DC to Plymouth, MA to help raise funds for his school division. In a time of rising education costs and reduced budgets, this SOE graduate is using innovative measures to ensure his school district has the funds they need to effect change. Learn more>>
Ed.D. Student Named vice President of Honour Society
Regent Ed.D. in Distance Education current student and University of Texas at Arlington professor, Harriet Watkins, was recently named Vice President of the Golden Key International Honour Society's International Leadership Council. She will also serve as Chair of the Society's Council of Advisors. The International Leadership Council (ILC) oversees the academic integrity of the Society, approves institutions for chartering of chapters and oversees all chapter activity for Golden Key members. The Council of Advisors (CoA) provide feedback to the Society's staff and leadership, foster collaboration among chapters in their region and judge a number of regional and international awards.
Current Student to Open University in Haiti
Current School of Education doctoral student Jean Marc Zamor '97, a native of Haiti, is leading a group in starting a Christian university located just an hour east of Port-au-Prince. Read his story>>
Ed.D. Graduate Honored by YWCA of Greater Johnstown, PA
Ed.D. graduate, Kathy Keafer, is the administrator of Johnstown Christian School and an adjunct professor at Liberty University and Regent University, where she teaches special education courses and supervises student teachers. She is also an instructor and member of the professional support team of the National Institute of Learning Development in Chesapeake, Va. Kathy was recently awarded the Education Award by the YWCA of Greater Johnstown, PA for her contributions to the community.
M.Ed. Graduate Honored by ACSD
Josh Arnold, M.Ed. Student Affairs graduate, received the Association for Christians in Student Development's (ACSD) Ruth Bamford Award honoring Arnold’s successful efforts to integrate faith and learning into his professional life. Arnold is Shorter University's director of residence life and student conduct. Learn more>
Regent Ed.D. Graduate Recognized
Congratulations to Dr. Laurie Matthias, Ed.D. Graduate, who on Friday, April 9th, was awarded the Regents' Prize for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship at Trinity International University. The award is offered by the Board of Regents to a non-tenured faculty member to encourage their achievement in advancing the mission of the university. Dr. Matthias said, "It's a huge honor, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to my friends and professors at Regent for everything they gave me in preparation for what I am doing now."
Regent Graduates Appointed Principal
Congratulations to M.Ed. Educational Leadership graduates Toriano Giddens, who was promoted to principal at William Henry Middle School in Dover, DE, and Christopher Vogelheim, who recently accepted a position as Principal at Carrington Middle School—a Durham, NC Public School.
Regent Alumni Receives Teacher of the Year Award
The School of Education would like to congratulate Chris Martinez—Regent graduate, teacher at Poplar Bluff High School in Poplar Bluff, MO and 2010/2011 Teacher of the Year at the high school level for Butler County.
Regent Alumni Appointed to Leadership Positions
The Regent University School of Education would like to congratulate the following alumni who have recently been appointed to leadership positions in the Virginia Beach Public School System.
- Jacqueline Sargent, M.Ed. Mathematics Specialist Graduate, was appointed as Assistant Principal of Alanton Elementary School.
- Russell Gatling, M.Ed. Educational Leadership Graduate, was appointed as Dean of the Renaissance Academy.
- Camille Harmon, M.Ed. Educational Leadership Graduate, was appointed as Assistant Principal of Tallwood High School.
- James Imbriale, M.Ed. Educational Leadership Graduate, was appointed Administrative Assistant of Frank W. Cox High School.
Regent Alumni Receive Teacher of the Year Awards
The Regent University School of Education would like to congratulate the following alumni who have recently been named Teacher of the Year.
- Susan Babb, Career Switcher alumnae in her first year of teaching, won the 2010 Teacher of the Year award at Churchland Middle School in Portsmouth, VA.
- Carolyn Lewis, M.Ed. Master Teacher Program Graduate of Amelia County Elementary, was named the Region 8 Teacher of the Year.
Regent Licensure Program Graduates Receive Teacher of the Year Awards
The Regent University School of Education would like to congratulate the following graduates of our teacher licensure programs who have been named Teacher of the Year between the years of 2008 and 2010 at their respective schools.
- M.Ed. Elementary Education - Jessica Murzynski
- M.Ed. Special Education - Kellie Henley, Rachel Copeland, Cynthia Pack Jordan, Nicole Harper, Lynette Johnson
- Career Switcher - Alfred Speller, Courtney Gavin
Graduate Appointed as Executive Director of Secondary Schools for Norfolk Public Schools
Dr. Sharon Byrdsong, graduate of the Ed.D. K-12 School Leadership Program, was recently appointed as Executive Director of Secondary Schools for Norfolk Public Schools. In 2006, Byrdsong was named national Principal of the Year. She was formerly the principal at Azalea Gardens Middle School, where through her leadership test scores improved significantly and students had the highest Standards of Learning scores in eastern Virginia at the time.
Career Switcher Interviewed by Military Affairs Director
Dave Boisselle, Regent Military Affairs Director, interviewed Career Switcher Program completer and Captain, USN, Retired, Barbara Paul, about her call to teach, why she chose Regent University's Career Switcher Program and what experienced military leaders can offer as educators. Read the Article.
Career Switcher Alumnus Honored by School Division
Sam Richards, currently completing his third year of teaching Technology in Norfolk Public Schools, was awarded the School Division’s Inspirational Award for outstanding service to the local community. Prior to joining Regent’s Career Switcher program, Sam was an electronics engineer.
Level II Career Switcher Honored by School Division
Beth Lambert, completing her first year of teaching Earth Science at Granby HS in Norfolk Public Schools, was presented with the School Division’s Most Inspirational First Year Teacher award. Ms. Lambert joined the Career Switcher program following distinguished service in the US Navy as a Command Master Chief.
Regent Graduate's School Receives 2010 Virginia State School of Character Award
Regent Graduate and Principal of Dreamkeepers Academy in Norfolk, VA, Dr. Doreatha White recently celebrated with her school as they were honored as the 2010 Virginia State School of Character. Regent faculty member and Coordinator of the Virginia State Schools of Character Program, Dr. Helen Stiff-Williams, presented the award. Click here to view the Norfolk Public Schools video of the Dreemkeepers Academy Award Ceremony.
Faculty News
SOE Faculty Appointed to Numerous Education Boards & Commissions
The 2010-2011 academic year finds the SOE faculty busier than ever taking part in the wide scope of the field of education. Faculty appointments range from Board Member to President and Vice-President of various educational journals, commissions and organizations. View faculty appointments>>
Faculty Member, Dr. Jeff Pittman, Receives the
Robert F. Newton Award for Distinguished Service
In recognition of his efforts in the Auxiliary Services profession, Dr. Jeff Pittman of Regent University has been honored by the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) with the Robert F. Newton Award for Distinguished Service.
Dr. Pittman has been an active member in NACAS for many years, serving on the Board of Directors, both regionally and nationally. "This award is a fitting tribute to Jeff's dedication to NACAS and to its members," says Dr. Bob Hassmiller, Chief Executive Officer, NACAS. Learn more>>
SOE Faculty Appointed to VDOE K-12 Science Textbook Approval Committee
Congratulations to Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan, SOE Faculty, on her appointment to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) K-12 Science Textbook Approval Committee.
SOE Professor Receives Gubernatorial Appointment
Dr. M. Gail Derrick, Associate dean for Regent University's School of Education, was recently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Adult Education and Literacy for the Virginia Board of Education. Derrick, who received her appointment from Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell '89 (Law and Government), will serve a three-year term of service beginning July 2011. The committee's purpose is to advise the Board of Education on policies, procedures and methods which help strengthen educational programs in Virginia. Learn more.
Center for Math & Science Addresses Need for Academic Achievement
The Martinson Center for Mathematics & Science (MCMS), run by Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan on Regent University's campus, is answering the need to engage children in active learning to promote math and science achievement. So what's the best way to teach kids science and math and get them excited about it? It can be as simple as teaching them to make ice cream. Learn more.
Norfolk/Regent Partnership Continues
For the fifth successive year the partnership between the School of Education's Career Switcher / Teach Now program and Norfolk Public Schools has been awarded a federal grant. $255,000 has been made available for academic year 2011/12 to help recruit, prepare and retain teachers of high-need subjects who may teach in Norfolk's middle and high schools. Program Chair, Dr. Mervyn Wighting, said he was delighted to receive the award again this year and noted that it was a glowing testimonial to all the hard work that staff and faculty have put into the program. Learn more >>
SOE Faculty Authored Books
The SOE faculty has released a listing of its faculty authored books as a resource for current students. View faculty authored books>>
Regent Faculty Keynote Speaker
At the invitation of the board of the Virginia Literacy Fair, Dr. Don Finn, Regent Ed.D. Adult Education Faculty Advisor, was the keynote speaker at their May 19 annual meeting at Southside Virginia Community College. The Literacy Fair is an annual event for administrators and teachers of low-level adult learners and highlights the work of programs (public and non-profit) and teachers statewide. The fair is open to adult students too, and is generally widely attended by programs, students, and adult education materials vendors. This year, a representative from the Governor's office also attended to present a proclamation declaring the week of May 22-28 as Lifelong Learning Week in Virginia.
In addition, Dr. Finn delivered two plenary sessions for the 400 faculty members at Forsyth Community Technical College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in May. The purpose of these sessions was to provide the faculty members with an overview of foundational adult education theories and tools for developing effective and meaningful instructional activities for adults.
SOE Professor Presents in Greece
School of Education professor, Dr. Mervyn Wighting, presented at the 13th ATINER International Conference on Education in Athens, held May 23-26, 2011. Dr. Wighting's paper, co-authored with SOE colleague Dr. Gail Derrick and including sections translated into both Greek and French, described research results obtained by the authors in the measurement of perceived learning in adult education.
SOE Professor Publishes Lead Article
Dr. Mervyn Wighting's manuscript that reports his research investigating how Career Switchers interact as they progress through their Level I coursework has been published as the lead article in the Spring edition (Vol. 6, No.1) of the Journal of the National Association for Alternative Certification (JNAAC).
Measuring Sense of Community and Perceived Learning Among Alternative Licensure Candidates is also accessible online at www.jnaac.org/jnaac/
Associate Dean Receives Fulbright Scholarship
Dr. Gail Derrick recently received a Fulbright Scholarship to serve in Budapest Hungary. The project will train teachers in American pedagogy and educational methods and refine the curricula to improve graduates skills for employment and continuing education. The project will take place at the Seal of Future Regional Integrated Training Center / Ministry of Culture and Education, Hungary.
Associate Dean Appointed as Peer Reviewer
Dr. Gail Derrick was recently appointed as a Peer Reviewer for two U.S. Department of Education Federal Grants. They are the Investing in Innovation (i3) & the Race to the Top.
Faculty Member Recognized as Emerging Leader
Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), a global association of education professionals founded in 1906.
The Emerging Leader program honors top educators under age 40 from across the world who qualify under PDK's standards of service, research and leadership. Flannagan was selected as one of 24 honorees from a competitive field of applicants, based on their outstanding professional accomplishments.
Faculty Member Serves As VAACE President
Dr. Don Finn is serving as President for the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education (VAACE), the state organization for teachers, administrators, and professors of adults. VAACE is an association of adult and continuing education practitioners dedicated to the professional interests and learning needs of its members. VAACE serves the practitioner who is active in city and county adult programs, extension services, government, industry, health services, higher education, and nonprofit organizations.
Faculty Members Serve as VACEC President & Vice-President for 2010
Dr.’s Hope Jordan and Elizabeth Hunter are serving as President and Vice-President, respectively of the Virginia Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Both positions are for one year. The Council of Exceptional Children is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
Career Switcher Team Co-author Lead Article
Dr. Mervyn Wighting and Mentor Coordinator Sarah McKown co-authored the lead article in the May/June edition of Tidewater Teacher, a professional magazine that is widely distributed to every school, every school division and to all teacher preparation organizations throughout Hampton Roads. The article's title is Following in the Family Footsteps, and it describes how family members dedicate themselves to the teaching profession even in times of economic challenge.
Regent Faculty Member Receives Tech Ed Award
Regent University School of Education Professor Dr. Mervyn J. Wighting was selected to receive the "2010 Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology" award at the 21st International Conference on College Teaching and Learning held in Jacksonville, Florida in April 2010. Dr. Wighting was selected for his innovative work with online program development and as chair of the University's Career Switcher program.
