The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, November 25, 1998 7. Teacher (continued from page 1) Over the years Wilson has seen people's everyday lives get busier and traditional home lives change. “Today children try to be more grown up. But there are a lot of nice’kids and we are lucky to have a good school system,” she said. After she was praised for her good work by Misericordia, Wil- son and her husband, Lynn Rothrock, went to eat at Pickett’s Charge in Dallas. A former stu- dent, whom Wilson had not seen since she taught the woman in fifth grade, approached their table. “She‘told me that she was writing a paperabout me,” explained Wil- son. The former student had to write a paper on her most memo- rable teacher for a communica- tions class. : Wilson's husband was proud of his wife’s honor. “I think it's great. She deserves it. I think teachers would like to be more respected these days. They do a lot of work,” said Rothrock. Wilson said she is impressed by the future teachers she has seen. “They are very hard working and always willing to give extra time. I'm impressed with: their knowledge of technology,” she said. “Also, their enthusiasm is good for the profession. We need that. It's refreshing.” 2000 (continued from page 1) should know. Misericordia also checked with special-interest groups to get their opinions on what a well-rounded education program should in- clude. And real working teachers provided a great deal of advice and input. All this happened despite the fact-that Misericordia has a 100 percerit ‘passing average on the National Teachers Exam and by all accounts is already doing a good’ “job: “Good enough is never good enough,” explained Rogan. ‘Afteryears of research, analyz- ing fe¢dback and revising cur- riculutn; the education depart- merit presented Teachers 2000 primary improvements last week to a ‘classroom full of students, faculty and representatives from King’s College, Wilkes University, Penn State University and Luzerne County. .Community College. Rogan. asked for more feedback from. everyone and expressed Misericordia’ s desire to work with the ofhér colleges in the future. The most dramatic changes include requiring all education majors to also major in a specific content area. This has always been.required for secondary edu- cation majors. “It will give the teachers that much more expertise in one area,” said Rogan, who explained that core classes help students main- tain a level of expertise in other subjects. In the past, Misericordia’s edu- cation classes were set up more randomly. With the installation of Teachers 2000, the curriculum will be more integrated, articu- lated and without repetition. For example, Misericordia fac- ulty will play off the same set of goals. =~ They will build syllabi together so there is no repetition and one class leads into the next. A student will go from a learning ‘and development course, tolearn- ing how to create a curriculum, to practicing teaching. The work will become more rig- orous with tests and projects for each course. “We want all of the objectives taught to the mastery level,” Rogan told the group of 30 people. “Learners must respect what they learn.” Class management courses, which currently are general in nature, will become specific. If a studentislearning special elemen- tary education, their management course will look specifically at that area of study. There also will be a much greater emphasis on teaching with technology. As technology in schools increasingly becomes a more integrated part of learning, Misericordia believes new teach- ers should hit the ground run- ning. Technology will be taught beginning in the freshman year. Also, to ensure the education majors are serious about becom- ing teachers, there will be a checks and balances system. At the end of freshman year, students will take a retention test, talk with teachers, write an essay and in- terview with Rogan to help them decide whether they really want to make the commitment to be- coming a teacher. With Teachers 2000, students will end up with 700 hours of field experience. Students will com- plete group and independent projects to help them learn how to work on their own and to build portfolios. Also, a competency exam at the end of sophomore year and other exams will help prepare students for the National Teachers Exam. “Hopefully this is the begin- ning of a new teachers program,” said Rogan. “Our goalis to be the best teaching education program in the state. I know we're small, but I think we can pull this off.” Rolling strong at 90 Ruth Evans, formerly of Dallas, recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Mrs. Evans and her husband, also 90, currently live in Wilkes-Barre. She remains active as one of the top women bowlers on the Thursday Afternoon Girls, which meets every week at Back Mountain Bowl. POST PHOTO/KYLIE SHAFFERKOETTER No chains on us. The Dallas Post has been the Back Mountain's locally owned and operated newspaper since 1889. © Ls Batted Goods Sor all youre $y call : 1 oliday Needs Q@ © 251 North Memorial Highway \ Q Inys ( Eat in only. Blue Cheese, celery extr 37. Bo ES or sm Nepotism (continued from page 1) basis. In August, council hired Jason part-time at the salary of S6.25/hour. Francis Kopko opposed the hir- ing, which was based on the rec- ommendation of Charles Musial, road foreman. Kopko, supported by his wife Margaret, recounted that he would not hire even his own son, who at one time re- quested part-time employment. “I'm opposed to members of the: council having relatives work for the borough,” said Kopko. He then described the hiring of Jason Wilson, and said, “If this isn’t nepotism, I don’t know what is.” : A proposed Anti-Nepotism Policy, written by Charles McCormick, borough solicitor, failed to reach a vote after Betty Jane West revealed that Kopko- had supported relatives of cur- rent employees for other borough jobs. "Let's tell the truth,” she said. Wilson's demeanor did not change during Kopko’s mono- logue, and he did not comment during the discussion of an anti- nepotism ordinance. Kopko later. said that his intent was to show the public what went on during council meetings. Wilson later refused comment. ; The role of temporary toilet fa-, cilities, known as Job Johnnies, was undecided at the end of the meeting, despite heated argu- ments both for and against their use. Council voted unanimously to table a proposed ordinance to. limit their use to three days pend- ing further discussion. Vocal com- ments from borough residents decidedly effected that decision. “The alternative is something ugly,” said Dennis Shevlin. An- other resident argued, “We're try- ing to teach our kids not to pollute the lake.” Said yet another, “It's a damn shame.” “The point is to have everyone connected to the sewer,” said Martin Noon, council president. Kopko revealed that a borough ordinance says thatany improved lot, including a boathouse or home or dock, should be hooked up to the sewer. The council also proposed a liminary 1999 budget, which projected $627,295 in total in- come and $643,463 in total ex- penses. No tax increase is antici- pated for 1999. of Home this Holiday. A gift subscription to The Dallas Post will be enjoyed and remembered all year long. Your gift will bring weekly news, photos and advertising to a special friend or relative. If you wish, we'll send a card announcing your gift. Renewal notices will come to you, so you can decide whether or not to continue the gift each year. Just fill out and send the form. We'll do the rest. Send a Gift Subscription All other states Name City Name Mail address 4 i I I i ! ] ANE ¥ Mail address i i i i Cit : y i i Ordered by: 1year 2 years oo In Luzerne or Wyoming counties................ $18 i $32 I Other PA, New York or New Jersey............ 20 36 hc a EA 22 an Please enter a gift subscription to: i | f I ! State Zip | A i ' I I State Zip... — © ‘ Send with payment to: The Dallas Post TTY P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612 = fag ! I OQ Do Q Do not send a card announcing a7 2. i Ee pp —————————— |
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