N3 Newsletter - Feb. 6

College of Education N3 Newsletter

This prestigious award represents the highest honor the COE can bestow upon its former students. From counselors leading mental health initiatives to superintendents transforming entire school districts, these outstanding educators extend their influence far beyond the classroom, shaping the future of educational leadership for generations to come.

On March 29, the 2025 Distinguished Educators of the Year will be honored in the Lowman Student Center Orange Ballroom.

The 2025 honorees are Mrs. Ashley Wright, Dr. Carnelius Gilder, Dr. Cedric Stewart, Dr. Kristin Craft, and Mrs. Mandy Epley. Individual tickets and tables are available for purchase online.

Adding Up to Success: STaR Program

We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Melissa Donham on being accepted into the prestigious Service Teaching and Research (STaR) program through the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators! This prestigious program supports early-career mathematics teacher educators in their professional growth, fostering connections and advancing research in the field. We’re excited to see the impact Dr. Donham will make—join us in celebrating this well-deserved achievement!

Representing COE at TASA Midwinter Conference

We had an incredible time at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), connecting with passionate educators and future leaders! A huge thank you to everyone who made this opportunity possible. We’re thrilled with the success of this event and look forward to continuing these meaningful conversations.

Awarded Grant: Using AI in Educator Preparation Programs

Congratulations to Dr. Ashley Brittain on being selected as the Grant Lead/Principal Investigator for the AI grant with the Charles Butt Foundation! The grant funds will be used to conduct specialized research with fellow colleagues across the state to learn about innovative approaches to using AI in educator preparation programs. The research team will create an AI protocol that educator preparation programs can use in their preparation and coaching of teacher candidates. We look forward to seeing the impact of this important work!

Immersive Learning: Teacher Candidates Explore History in Houston

Drs. Grice-Johnson, Foster, Valenzuela, and Coyne, along with their yearlong Social Studies and Science Teacher Candidates, embarked on an enriching educational experience in Houston. Their visit included the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, where they explored the legacy of African American soldiers and their contributions to U.S. history, and the Holocaust Museum Houston, where they engaged with powerful narratives of resilience, remembrance, and human rights. These immersive experiences provided valuable historical context and deepened their understanding of key historical events, reinforcing their commitment to impactful and informed teaching in the classroom.

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

- Nelson Mandela

Erica Castro's Dissertation Proposal, MAPPING EL CAMINO: UNDERSTANDING HOW GENDER SOCIALIZATION AND INTERSECTIONAL IDENTITIES, has been scheduled for February 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM at The Woodlands Center room 111.

Juan Puente’s Dissertation Proposal, Navigating the Dual Worlds: The Lived Experiences of Bilingual Hispanic Counselors, has been scheduled for February 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM via Zoom. The chair and candidate are set as alternative-hosts, and a waiting room has been enabled.

Jonathan Rea's Dissertation Proposal, The Relationship between Shame, Substance Use, and LGB Identity Development, has been scheduled for February 13, at 12:00 PM via Zoom. The chair and student are set as alternative-hosts, and a waiting has room has been enabled.

Adriana Gutierrez's Dissertation Proposal, EL SIGNIFICADO DE LA CULTURA EN SUPERVISIÓN A PHENOMENLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CULTURALLY COMPETENT SUPERVISOR OF BILINGUAL COUNSELORS , has been scheduled for March 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM via Zoom.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of COE Graduate Programs at COEGraduatePrograms@SHSU.EDU.