Contact: Julie Tollefson, Center for Research on Learning, (785) 864-0624 or jtollefson@ku.edu
LAWRENCE--Educators and researchers will be honored for working with at-risk students during an international conference July 6 to 8 sponsored by the Center for Research on Learning at the University of Kansas.
About 100 people from more than 20 states, Canada and Singapore are expected to attend "The Rest of the Story," the annual International Strategic Instruction Model Trainers' Conference at the Lawrence Holidome.
The Strategic Instruction Model uses teaching materials that take into account different learning styles, ways teachers can address student needs, and steps at-risk students can take to improve their chances of academic success.
KU's Center for Research on Learning marks its 22nd year of service to at-risk learners--including those with disabilities--and to bridging the gap between research and practice. In addition to research, training and publication, the center operates the SIM International Training Network--one of the world's largest and fastest-growing programs for at-risk students. The network spans four continents.
During a recognition luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 7, Don Deshler, director of KU's Center for Research on Learning, and Jean Schumaker, associate director, will present awards to the following educators in the Holidome's Regency Ballroom.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Douglas Eicher, executive director of instruction and curriculum with the
Lawrence public school district, is one of two educators receiving the
Gordon R. Alley Partnership Award honoring the late Gordon R. Alley, a
founder and key investigator for the Center for Research on Learning.
Deshler said: "Eicher paved the way for us to gain access to school
settings and forged relationships between CRL researchers and district
personnel. He has helped further our goal of preparing graduate students to
become leaders by volunteering to serve on doctoral dissertation
committees. Finally, Eicher has brought a rich perspective of the realities
in today's classrooms."
IOWA
From Cedar Falls
Melissa Clarke, consultant, Area Education Agency 7, is one of three
recipients of the 2000 SIM Leadership Award.
From Bettendorf
Ann Valus, educational consultant, Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency
No. 9, received the 1999 SIM Leadership Award but was unable to attend the
conference that year to accept the award.
KENTUCKY
From Louisville
Nancy Sander, exceptional children consultant, Kentucky Department of
Education, is one of three recipients of the 2000 SIM Leadership Award.
MISSOURI
From Wentzville
Thurma DeLoach, assistant superintendent for special services, Wentzville
R-IV School District, receives the SIM Administrative Leadership Award.
DeLoach helped create a learning environment that has improved the
performance of many students.
NEVADA
From Las Vegas
Susan Peterson Miller, professor, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, is one of
three recipients of the 2000 SIM Leadership Award.
SOUTH DAKOTA
From Rapid City
Karen Mortimer, education specialist, Casey Family Program, receives the
SIM Impact Award. Mortimer used a best-practice professional development
model with general and special education teachers, administrators, Casey
Family Program social workers, tutors and home-school parents.
WASHINGTON
From Seattle
John Emerson, director of education, Casey Foundation in Seattle, is one of
two educators receiving the Gordon R. Alley Partnership Award, which honors
the late Gordon R. Alley, a founder and key investigator for the Center for
Research on Learning. Deshler said: "Emerson has been innovative in looking
for ways to merge the goals of the Casey Foundation, which works largely
with foster children and brings a social work perspective to the
partnership, and the goals of the center, which approaches the needs of the
same children from an education perspective."
WEST VIRGINIA
From Charleston
Ronald K. Wolf, Marshall University, is one of two winners of the SIM
Innovation Award. Wolf and Robert Daquilante receive the award for their
work with students in the West Virginia Industrial Home for Youth, a
maximum security facility for young offenders. Deshler said: "Wolf and
Daquilante have set high expectations for children and have insisted on
quality instruction. The results of their caring have been phenomenal, as
reflected in the doubling of their students' ACT scores."
From Industrial
Robert Daquilante, principal, West Virginia Industrial Home for Youth, is
one of two winners of the SIM Innovation Award. Daquilante and Ronald K.
Wolf receive the award for their work with students in the West Virginia
Industrial Home for Youth, a maximum security facility for young offenders.
Deshler said: "Wolf and Daquilante have set high expectations for children
and have insisted on quality instruction. The results of their caring have
been phenomenal, as reflected in the doubling of their students' ACT
scores."