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 Kelly
Selected as Iowa's Carnegie Professor of the Year
The
University of Iowa College of Education faculty member Mitchell
Kelly should find out by the end of October whether
he is the next Iowa—or possibly national—Carnegie
Foundation Professor of the Year.
Kelly, Ph.D., a native of Dubuque and an educational psychology
lecturer in the Department of Psychological and Quantitative
Foundations, was selected by the University Council on Teaching
to represent the UI in the award competition.
"The privilege I feel at being a teacher at the University
of Iowa is tinged with a bit of surprise; like a blessing
unexpected," Kelly said. "As a teacher of future
teachers, I recognize that my influence can multiply exponentially
and that any care that I take now can be perpetuated far into
the future. I am also acutely aware that I would not be where
I am today without the help of many people, most notably my
mother, Dan Gable and Roy Carver."
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
and the Carnegie Foundation created the Professor of the Year
Award in 1981 to recognize outstanding professors for their
dedication to teaching, commitment to students and innovative
instructional methods. It is the only national program to
recognize college and university professors for their undergraduate
teaching skills.
Kelly teaches a variety of courses, including each semester
four sections of the undergraduate course "Educational
Psychology & Measurement". In 2000 he received the
university's James N. Murray Teaching Award, which is given
each year to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding
teaching and assistance to students. And in December 2001
he was selected to give the keynote address at the College
of Education's Teacher Certification Ceremony.
Nearly a dozen people wrote letters in support of Kelly's
nomination, including former UI wrestling coach Dan Gable
(who coached Kelly after he walked on the wrestling team in
1982), current Hawkeye Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz (whose
son was a student of Kelly's, as were several of Ferentz's
players), former students (including former UI Student Body
President Nick Klenske), colleagues and others.
"Dr. Kelly considers his students, subject matter and
society when he designs, implements and improves upon his
lessons," wrote former student Rita McCord. "He
is an exemplary role model for his students to follow and
remember as they too become facilitators of learning."
Kelly, who received his Ph.D. in educational psychology from
the UI in 1995, has been a lecturer in the College of Education
since 1997. In 1991 he earned a master of social work degree
and in 1987 he completed a bachelor of arts degree in psychology,
both at the UI. Additionally he holds a teaching license for
Iowa and a coaching endorsement.
Winners of the Professor of the Year Award at the state level
receive a certificate of achievement, while national winners
receive $5,000. Four national award winners, none Iowa educators,
were selected from among 400 nominees last year. The 2002
state Professor of the Year Award for Iowa went to Herman
Blake, a professor of educational leadership and policy studies
at Iowa State University.
More information about the Professor of the Year program can
be found online at www.carnegiefoundation.org/POY/index.htm.
– by Stephen Pradarelli
 Herman
Serves Special Olympics
Each
year when January rolls around, Clinical Associate Professor
Ellie Herman (PhD ’90) not only helps
spring semester student teachers get off to a good start,
she offers her service as a Special Olympics Iowa Mid-Winter
Games planning team member. As a volunteer with a 15-year-track
record, Herman has helped organize and judge the organization’s
state-wide games, held in mid-March in The University of Iowa
Field House.
Herman has been volunteering with special populations since
she was a teenager. Her involvement with Special Olympics
began in 1972, when she started teaching elementary and junior
high school students in Davenport, Iowa.
“ Over the years, it has been so rewarding to see the
positive impact that participating in Special Olympics has
had on the individuals who compete,” Herman says. “The
athletes gain physical strength, develop their coordination
and confidence, and make wonderful friendships.”
For over the past decade, she has volunteered as the director
of gymnastics for the Mid-Winter Games—one of five Special
Olympics Iowa seasonal athletic events that each year offers
competition in 22 different sports for over 11,000 athletes.
She also serves as head judge for the almost 900 athletes
with special needs participating in the events.
“ We have been very fortunate to have Ellie serve in
this position,” says Pam Wagner, vice president of games
and competition for Special Olympics Iowa. “She is a
kind and positive professional with our athletes and their
coaches while also demanding the best from all.”
As the College’s coordinator of student field experiences,
Herman is convinced that students learn best by participating
in the life of the community. She encourages students to volunteer
with Special Olympics, thereby gaining experience with children
who possess a range of abilities. Each year, several College
of Education students serve as coaches for various events.
Herman says that the Special Olympics renew her faith in volunteerism
and her conviction that she benefits from serving as “a
small part of a wonderful organization.”
She adds, “My work with Special Olympics brings me many
smiles as well as a few tears of joy.” –by
Jean Florman
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