NEWS
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Contact: Bruce Conley
Associate Director of College Relations
Phone: (605) 274-5526
Fax: (605) 274-4903
www.augie.edu
April 13, 2007
Augustana Student Education Association Chapter Honored
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SIOUX FALLS – The Augustana College Education Association (ACEA) was cited as the Most Active/Outstanding chapter in the state for 2006-2007 at the spring conference of the South Dakota Education Association held at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell.
Kyle Knips, a junior elementary education major from Adrian, Minn., is the president of the Augustana chapter.
In balloting for state officers, Augustana’s Jason Whiting, a sophomore elementary education major from Sioux Falls, was selected president-elect of the SDEA Student Program and will assume office for the 2008-2009 school year. Augustana’s Colleen McIntosh from White Bear Lake, MInn., a junior majoring in elementary education and special education, was elected secretary/treasurer and will serve in 2007-2008.
Activities conducted by the Augie chapter this year included the creation of more than 120 door decorations for youngsters at Children’s Care Hospital & School, and Sanford Hospital. “Augie education majors came together and created personalized holiday decorations for kids who were not able to be at home for the holiday season,” Knips said.
In March, chapter members taught mini-courses on peace to children in grades 1-3 at Garfield Elementary School. These lessons were created by Augustana education majors and compiled into a curriculum entitled “Pieces of Peace.” The activity was held in conjunction with the 19th annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum hosted by Augustana, and the College’s proclamation of the 2007 spring semester as The Semester of Peace.
“We have also been involved with a “Pay it Forward” activity with Whittier Middle School,” said Knips. In December, ACEA members met with the Whittier Student Council and discussed ways to pay it forward in their school. The students designed a plan of action that would help to create a positive school environment where students respect one another. In November, critically acclaimed novelist Catherine Hyde, author of “Pay it Forward,” spoke at Augustana and to Whittier students about the concept of her book. It is the story of a young boy’s attempt to make the world a better place after his teacher gave him that chance.