raePlTSt
. 'I}
Friday. May 2,2003
News
Page 3
Growing in numbers
Teacher education program sees growth
Megan Berry
Pilot staff
Gardner-Webb’s teacher education
program has recently seen an increase
in students admitted. Whereas the pro
gram admitted about 30 applicants last
year, 44 new students were admitted
into the program this year.
Donna Simmons, head of the
teacher education program, attributes
this year’s growth to several factors.
“This year’s candidates were out
standing,” said Simmons. “More and
more are passing the Praxis I exam,
and we have seen an increase in stu
dents’ GPAs.”
Simmons also noted the faculty of
the School of Education as a reason for
growth, calling the faculty the “heart
and strength of the program.”
Simmons stated that the faculty of
the program brings with it a wealth of
preparation, interests, experiences and
styles. The professors of the school are
dedicated to prepare the best teachers
and administrators of the future, said
Simmons.
While Simmons admitted the
‘T/iz5 year ’5 candidates
were outstanding. More
and more are passing
the Praxis I exam, and
we have seen an
increase in students^
GPAs. ”
— Donna Simmons
growth of the School of Education, she
also noted that each year the program
experiences an “ebb and flow” of
applicants.
“We admit anywhere from 25 to 50
new students each year,” said
Simmons.
Above all, Simmons sees this
year’s growth as an indication of stu
dents’ interests in education.
“There is an upsurge in people
interested in teacher education,” said
Simmons. “More people are following
their hearts there.”
Photo by Scott Holstein
Jana Trader (GWU student) teaches a Language Arts class at Shelby Middle School on April 11.
Lessons for the day included detail and cause and effect.
^ i
Professor resigns
Plonk departs after events from fall semester
Jennifer Menster
Pilot design editor
Psychology professor Kevin
Jenkins Plonk announced her resigna-
tion^^April |4^.^^The n as a
teachers I’ve ever Plonk
had, and that includes
all of high school, middle school and
elementary school.”
Gouge had Plonk for two classes
and interpreted in one. Gouge
described Plonk as a teacher who really
cares for her students and would “bend
over backwards” when a student need
ed help.
“The school is definitely at a loss,”
Gouge said.
Plonk’s colleagues agree.
“4 think the school will miss her a
great deal,” said David Carscaddon,
chair for the Psychology department.
“She was highly regarded by her col
leagues and was an excellent teacher.”
Carscaddon described Plonk as an
innovative, creative teacher, who made
ideas come to life in the classroom.
When Carscaddon, who attended the
University of South Carolina with
Plonk, heard of her resignation, he
immediately felt the loss and had a
sense of sadness.
Plonk is also sad about her deci
sion, which was not easy for her to
make.
She was considering resigning in
October during the controversy sur
rounding the university. However, her
loyalty to the school, her students and
her colleagues were a few reasons why
she stayed.
“I decided that I wouldn’t exit the
system because of the loyalty to
Gardner-Webb, unless I could feel at
peace that I had said what 1 needed to
say,” Plonk said. “At that time, I was at
a place where I had the energy to stay
in the system I was loyal to, use my
voice and hopefully make a differ
ence.”
However, Plonk is not at peace
with the situation still surrounding
Gardner-Webb. She said the maiit rea
son she resigned was because she feels
disappointed with the lack of attention
given to the matters of integrity after
last semester’s incident.
Plonk said she is an open person
and has voiced her opinions to
President Campbell, who has been
available to hear her concerns.
However, Plonk feels that Campbell
has a big mountain to climb.
“I had been hopeful that we could
see more progress toward admitting our
mistakes, forgiveness and healing,”
Plonk said.
Plonk,said there were other reasons
for her resignation, such as spending
time with h^r daughter, but getting
another job was not one.
At the moment, Plonk does not
have a new job lined up, but she has a ■
few ideas of what she would like to do,
such as teaching children with special
needs or working for a school system as
a school counselor. '
While Plonk said she would like to
do these jobs, she never thought she
would be considering working any- 5
where else but GWU. j
“I never thought I’d leave Gardner- j
Webb,” Plonk said. “I think the hardest I
part will be leaving the so many great s
people that 1 love. They are the ones i
who kept me here after October.” d
Plonk came to GWU in 1997 as an e
adjunct professor. In the fall of 1999, c
she became a full-time assistant profes- c
sor for Psychology. In her years here, li
Plonk has taught about 12 different
classes, including graduate-level class- h
es, and has served as coordinator for e
school counseling in the graduate pro
gram. 1.
“1 am at peace with my decision, J
but I am grieving,” Plonk said. “I am •
really going to miss my colleagues, my
students and the university.”