NECC 2003 Notes

A Better Delegation Bio

After thinking for a moment, I realized that I could have come up with a better delegation bio than the one that I came up with on Friday the 13th. So for those of you who want to know more about me here's the skinny...in third person because that's how we roll in music! (I realize this is the full version, as opposed to some cliff notes that I would put in a music program)

Theo Smith is a senior music education major at the Schwob School of Music in Columbus State University (CSU) where he has served as the principal and lead saxophonist for the CSU Wind Ensemble, Opera Orchestra, Jazz Band and Sax Quartet. Mr. Smith has also served the university as a utility clarinetist (Jazz Band, Opera Orchestra) and principal horn in the newly-created CSU Wind Orchestra. He can be heard as the principal saxophonist on the two newest commercial releases by the wind ensemble entitled "Journeys" and "Wind Legacy" to be released soon by Summit Records. As a saxophonist, Mr. Smith has performed with the Columbus and Lagrange Symphony Orchestras, the Bob Barr Community Band (volunteer adult band), the Columbus Cavaliers (adult 17-piece big band) and at several area churches including St. Luke United Methodist. He has also been involved in musical theatre productions including Annie (2002-Springer Opera House), Threepenny Opera (2002-CSU), Anything Goes (2001-CSU), and West Side Story (2003-Brookstone School).

Mr. Smith is highly lauded at CSU with numerous accolades including the Presser Scholar (2002-2003), Oustanding Soloist in the Downhome Jazz Festival in Dothan, AL (2003), 1st Place in the Altrusa International Music Scholarship Competition (2001, 2002), and the Pi Kappa Lambda (national music honor society) Outstanding Freshman Music Major (2000-2001).

He is dedicated to developing professionalism in music, music education, and general academia. He holds or has held membership in Phi Kappa Phi, North American Saxophone Alliance, Mathematical Association of America, Pyramid Student Services Team (dedicated to providing information about and suggestions for improving the CSU College of Education), and the Math Educator Student Association. He currently serves as the president of the Georgia chapter of the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference. He has served the university as a volunteer at various music venues and most recently as the student representative for the Director of the Schwob School of Music search committee.

Mr. Smith is currently employed by the university as a math tutor certified by the College Reading and Language Association (CRLA) in the Tutorial Services division of University College. He also serves as an instructor of saxophone for the Greater Columbus School of Music in East Columbus.

On a personal note: he enjoys chess, long walks in pretty places, beautiful sunsets, travelling, study, classical music, good conversations (especially about non-education items), and bowling!

Hope this clears up the mystery on what I'm about!

Theo

Lucille Harden - Bio

Lucille Harden - Bio

Dr. Audrey W. Beard, Albany State University

Dr. Audrey W. Beard is a  professor of Early Childhood Edcuation at Albany State University, and the Director of Clinical Experiences. She has twenty  plus years focusing on tapping into the untapped potential of all children. Currently she is working with several initiatives, GSTEP, GA TAPP, Destination Teaching, Teacher Support Specialist Trainer, and the NCATE commitee. As Director of Clinical Experiences all candidates are required to be INTECH trained prior to earning a degree in education at Albany State University.  Additionally, I am writing books and developing learning kits for children in Mali, Africa.  I will be traveling to Mali for a couple of weeks.  This trip is to ensure that the materials that we are developing are appropriate for the teachers and children in this country.

She provides workshops for public school teachers in states across the country and the immediate education counties surrounding Albany State University.  She developed and taught a course entitled Professional Development for Accomplished Educators.  This course was based on the National Board Standards.  The teachers were taught to become reflective practitioners. This course assisted veteran teachers with improving their quality of instruction with children of diverse backgrounds.

Finally, she seeks to be a change agent in the education arena. She is the proud mother of two wonderful children.  Sheveland Lillith Beard is a twenty year old biolgy major with a minor in cheminsty at Albany State University.  She has travel to Europe, and completed research projects at the University of Georgia and Vanderbilt/Meharry Medical Schools. She has presented research in Puerto Rico and Tuskegee University.  Jordan Carnell Beard is a junior at Monroe Comprehensive High School.  He was recently named Mr. Esquire 2003 for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  He is a member of the marching and concert bands, and president of the Youth Department at Bethel A.M.E. church.  He was recently named Who's Who Among American High School Students for  2002-2003.

Lucille Harden

My name is Lucille Harden, I teach Kindergarten in the Terrell County School System.
Attending the NECC is one of the most interesting workshop I have ever attended.
Thank you for letting me be a part of this project. I am proud to be a participant.

Kerrie Wills

My name is Kerrie Wills. I am a Math teacher at Terrell Middle School in Dawson, Ga. I enjoy teaching middle school students because of their endless energy and creative ideas. I am excited about learning how to use technology in my classroom in new and creative ways to help my students learn have greater success. I believe this year long project will be very helpful. I am already motivated to become more knowledgeable about the vast world of technology. I look forward to learning from my peers and at the NACC conference in Seattle, Washington. I am thankful for this opportunity.

LaShonda WIlliford, Albany State University

My name is LaShonda Williford and I attend Albany State University. My major is Early Childhood Education and I am an honor student. I came to Albany State University on a track scholarship!

JAMES E. SMITH - FVSU

Hello everyone, I James E. Smith of Fort Valley, GA have worked as an educator for 30+ years. I have taught at the middle/junior high school, high school, technical college, two year college, and four year college. I was in the area of math at each school. Keynote: All I have is Teaching and working with learners.

Sorry for creating this so late. I'm in the process of moving. I will complete the moving after the conference.

I'm looking forward to the conference, meeting and working with everyone.

Brenna Garcia - KSU

Hi, my name is Brenna Garcia.  I am a senior at KSU, earning my degree in Middle Grade Education, focusing on mathematics and social studies.  This fall I am looking forward to student teaching in a seventh grade math class.  Hopefully I will be able to use something I have learned from this conference in the classroom.  I am very excited about the opportunity to learn more about technology and its use in the classroom. 

Lisa Griffin (GCATT-OTP)

For those of you whom I have not met, I am the NSF-NECC 2003 Project Director.  Sorry it has taken me so long to post my bio.  But, as you will see when you click on my name and  link to my personal story  I am the square peg.   As the only non-educator attending, I will be the designated van driver responsible for shuttling you to and from the conference center.

 

Anne Davis - GSU

It's great to read everyone's bio!  I am really looking forward to this trip to NECC.  I work in the Instructional Technology Center at Georgia State University.  My job is to help professors and students integrate the use of technology across the curriculum.  I have been at Georgia State for almost two years.  Prior to that I worked in an elementary school in Rockdale County.  I was the Instructional Technology Specialist.  I've also taught almost all the grade levels at one time or another and served as the Instructional Lead Teacher.  You are going to find so many great resources at NECC.  Let me know how I can help because my job at NECC is to help you with your technology needs!