College of Education Faculty Oral Histories

Dr. Colleen Kennedy

CK: When it comes to accomplishments, I always give credit to the faculty of the College. I view my role as dean to facilitate the work of the faculty. That is where I get the joy from the job. Our faculty members have so many wonderful ideas that part of what I try to do is to find the resources to enable them to keep heading in the right direction. One of the initiatives that I’m very proud of in our College is the emphasis we have placed on technology, because I believe that through technology we really can revolutionize education one classroom at a time. A couple of years ago, with Apple as our partner, we started the Laptop Initiative with just 25 students. With deep discounts from Apple and some available development funds, we were able to provide a small group of students with some Apple iBooks. The faculty members participating in the project were willing to gain additional knowledge and skills with respect to integrating technology in their teaching in order to offer these 25 students a technology-rich environment in which to learn to teach. The first group of students chose to call themselves the “Explorers.” They were phenomenal students and became phenomenal teachers. When I saw them in the schools, they engaged in all of the positive teaching behaviors that you’ve always wanted teachers to demonstrate. They involved their students in authentic tasks. They hooked up probes to their iBooks. Kids were out in the pond measuring pond water. Other kids were checking out tap water and comparing it to bottled water. Third graders were standing up proudly discussing their hypotheses about these different samples. The kids learned to create multi-media presentations that illustrated the scientific discoveries that they were making by analyzing their water samples. Learning how to use technology effectively in the classroom is a critical 21st century skill. Through the Laptop Initiative, USF has made an investment in our students. In helping them to learn how to integrate technology in their teaching, we are preparing teachers who are better prepared, fundamentally different, and fundamentally better than many other teachers. We know that from the positive feedback we receive from employers. Part of the reason I’m so proud of our College is that our faculty are willing to push the limits and to do things differently and to think outside of the box. Their efforts are reflected in the progress and accomplishments of our students. We take great pride in that.

LB: I understand we have 50,000 quality graduates in 50 years. I’m wondering if you can project in the next 10 years. Where do you see our College going? Is there a direction out there yet or is it emerging?

CK: We are currently engaged in a strategic planning process. One of the things we are trying to focus on is further enhancement of our graduate program. Last year we really turned the corner. For the first time we had more graduate students than undergraduate students in the College of Education. In this rapidly changing marketplace and all the alternative routes into teaching that are available, our fast-track Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program has certainly become very popular. There is an increased demand for the continuing professional development of teachers, because so many teachers enter the classroom through alternative kinds of preparation. Their retention rates are not as high as other teachers who go through nationally accredited, state-approved programs such as ours, so we must help them to succeed as teachers. We will continue striving to be in the forefront of research in urban education and are eager to demonstrate how the work of our faculty and graduates makes a difference in the lives of students, families, and adults. We have an incredible shortage of educational administrators in this state. I believe over the next five or six years some 40% or 60% of educational administrators in the state of Florida are going to be retiring from service. Consequently, part of our future will include an increasing emphasis upon graduate preparation. Our future also involves continued development of on-line programs. The demand for this alternative way of obtaining a degree is great. I know that in your field, the master’s degree in physical education has been put online. In addition, we have the on-line master’s degree program in gifted education, as well as the on-line Ed.S. program in instructional technology. Students in other states who belong to the Academic Common Market program can take our online master’s program for in-state credit. I see an elimination of the boundaries between states and a growing willingness to develop and use online learning. Our future embraces these new technologies, including video on demand, as part of our continued growth in the area of research. As you can see, we won’t lack for things to do.

LB: If you had the opportunity to pass on a sentiment to a student entering the College of Education at this time as to what the teaching profession is about for them, what would you share with them?

CK: That’s a good question. It brings me back to an experience I had just this week. One of our graduates very much wanted to show her current students what it was like to come to college. Many of these kids live in a lower socioeconomic status neighborhood and are at risk for school failure. Many of them had never thought of college for themselves. However, this teacher decided that she would dream some dreams for these children and plant the seed now to help them begin thinking about what they could become. So she made arrangements through two of her former professors, Mary Lou Morton and Roger Brindley, to come over to our College and the University for a visit. While these children were here, I met and chatted with them, asking them one by one what they wanted to be. One little boy wanted to be a pediatrician. Somebody else wanted to be an engineer. I did find one teacher in the group, so I was pleased about that, too. What I would say to someone who is thinking about a career in education is that I know of no more fulfilling career than to be an educator, because in this profession you can truly make a difference. You can help people realize their potential and to dream dreams that they never thought they could achieve. In the final analysis, I think that is the best path that one could choose in life is to encourage others and to help them be everything they can be.

LB: Are there any questions that I didn’t ask you that you thought I might ask you. You can make up the question and the answer.

CK: I might just cap it off by saying that I think it’s wonderful that our retired and emeritus faculty through your leadership decided to do a history commemorating the 50th year anniversary of the College. Thanks to all of you, the new faculty joining our College of Education will learn about and benefit from the incredible legacy of faculty in this College’s 50 years of history. Our new and continuing faculty will continue to build on the strong foundation that you and other dedicated faculty formed many years ago. I can’t thank you enough and all your colleagues for choosing to do this wonderful project.

LB: Well, thank you. Thank you for your support of the project for us to get it done and thanks for all you have done for our College of Education and for coming in this afternoon and sharing your experiences with us.

CK: You are welcome. I enjoyed it.

End of Interview