K-State College of Education wins national award for work with local school districts
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's College of Education received a 2014 LTG (Ret) H.G. "Pete" Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award for higher education from the Military Child Education Coalition at the coalition's recent 16th National Training Seminar in Washington, D.C.
The coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the transition and educational issues affecting the highly mobile military child.
Only three universities were honored with higher education awards, with Kansas State University recognized for the College of Education's collaboration with Geary County Schools USD 475, which includes Fort Riley; Manhattan-Ogden USD 383; Riley County USD 378; and Chapman USD 473.
"The military has been one of the college’s key areas of concentration, and the fact that we were selected from a field of outstanding educators speaks to our innovation and ongoing commitment the military and military-connected children," said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. "This award truly is a win for all involved, especially the vast majority of our preservice teachers who complete their clinical training in area school districts with high concentrations of military-connected children. We thank all of our partner schools for their expertise and support, as well as their commitment to their profession and the children in their classrooms."
The partnership with area schools started 25 years ago and these schools have provided real-world classroom experience and critical feedback for the college's preservice teachers, Mercer said.
Another major component of the college's recognition came from its documentary, "A Walk in My Shoes: Military Life," which can be viewed on the college's YouTube channel. The purpose of the documentary was to help educators better understand the unique and sometimes complex lives of military-connected students.
The awards are presented annually to encourage and applaud the outstanding partnerships formed between military installations and school districts that serve military children. The Military Child Education Coalition selects awardees from schools and military installations around the world.
