WVU Parkersburg signs new students into Education program

 Parkersburg, W.Va. (March 5, 2024) — The WVU Parkersburg Professional Studies Division hosted a ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 27 to honor students being admitted into the education program, as well as induct new members into the honor society Kappa Delta Pi.

Students Caleb Akers, Kyanah Baldwin, Justin Barker, Kashia Brown, Josie Diets, Emily Ebert, Aleeah Fletcher, Kaylee Hall, Cole Hanshaw, Madison Hatcher, Shaley Hughes, Taylor Leaptrot, Abigail Offenberger, Lillith Parsons, Abigail Roberts, Samuel Schuler, Conner Shaffer, Kaci Shanabarger, Josie Smith and Ashlynn Taylor were admitted into the Education Program.

“This is a great accomplishment. You should be very proud of what you’ve been able to do. We want to honor you this evening for all that you’ve been able to accomplish in the past few semesters.” said  Dr. Bobbi Marshall, Dean of the Professional Studies Division.

Marshall introduced the students and explained what it takes to be a teacher. She said teachers must be lifelong learners dedicated to their profession, who can commit to being a role model while demonstrating dispositions that support growth in themselves and their students.

In order to be admitted into the Education Program, Marshall said the candidates must have completed at least 30 hours of coursework, 60 hours of field placement, maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass or be exempt from three PRAXIS Core or Case exams and complete 50 hours of service learning.

During the ceremony each student signed their name as a commitment to the Architects of the Future Code of Honor and were presented with a personalized certificate of admission to the teacher education program, as well as a copy of the Architects of the Future Code of Honor and a lapel pin symbolizing their admission and commitment to the program.

“Teaching is not a glamorous profession, you are not going to get rich being a teacher. However, there is no other profession that can have such a drastic impact on the future. If it weren’t for teachers, we would have no doctors, no lawyers, no accountants, no architects, no business owners, no NFL quarterbacks, no talk show hosts. Teachers influence the lives of everyone. You are embarking on a career that can change the future, embrace it,” said Dr. Bobbi Marshall, Dean of the Professional Studies Division.

Zoe Butcher, Allison Ezell, Shaley Hughes, Tristan Lanham, Taylor Leaptrot, Haley Martin, Josie Reed and Alissa Saffell were all inducted into Kappa Delta Pi.

“The WVUP Sigma Omega chapter Kappa Delta Pi focuses their work on providing professional development opportunities to current students and graduates, service to the community, teacher education recognition, and receptions for the signing ceremony, KDP initiation, and celebration ceremonies for education graduates,” said KDP Chapter Advisor Danielle Shockey.

The Education Department had a small reception with food and drinks for guests after the ceremony.

For more information on the WVU Parkersburg education program, please visit wvup.edu/education.