College of Education

One of the neat things about convocation and graduation week is the opportunity to meet and talk with our graduates from all over the country, in a setting that allows a free exchange of thoughts and ideas. One such exchange occurred for me in one of the COE building classrooms during the open house we held on May 5.

The executive director of the Arizona K-12 Center told prospective College of Education graduates on Thursday morning to expect “defining moments” involving unlikely sources as their teaching careers take shape. In her keynote address to the COE convocation at Phoenix First Assembly of God Church, Dr. Kathy Weibke told of small things that ultimately had a profound impact on her course in life.

For evidence that good teachers make a difference, Exhibit A might be Joy Weiss. Weiss, 35, was recognized as the 2010 Arizona Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Educational Foundation for her work in her first-grade classroom at Balsz Elementary School, near 44th Street and Loop 202 in Phoenix. All of her students are English Language Learners, most of them the children of Hispanic and Somali immigrants.

The University has tapped one of its own exemplary graduates, Dr. Kimberly LaPrade, to the position of Dean of the College of Education.

Grand Canyon University’s College of Education is recognized for producing outstanding teachers. Hear from faculty and students about the value of a degree from the Grand Canyon University College of Education.

Grand Canyon University’s College of Education, in collaboration with the Center for Learning and Advancement, presented a full-length screening of “The Principal Story,” a documentary about two elementary-school principals in low-income Illinois school districts.

In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, Grand Canyon University showed its appreciation to a group of Phoenix-area teachers by springing for their caps and gowns for graduation.

GCU will be implementing a progressive approach to the use of APA writing style for the benefit of all students. Lower-division courses will use a modified set of APA requirements called “GCU Style” that enables students to focus their attention on content development and proper citations. Upper-division courses will incorporate additional elements to support the more advanced work that is reflective of the discipline and will generally follow the 5th edition of APA style, eventually transitioning to the 6th. Upper division English courses will use MLA style.  Both the APA and MLA manuals have recently updated. GCU will be transitioning its resources to the new materials in Fall of 2010. Until then, GCU will be using: APA 5th edition MLA 6th edition GCU has provided students and faculty with electronic resources for these styles in the Student Success Center tab of ANGEL. Purchase of the APA or MLA manuals is optional. However, students in the doctoral programs and students entering the graduate Nursing programs as of 2010 will need the level of detail presented in the APA manual and should purchase the 6th edition. These programs will be using the 6th edition immediately. For reference, the tutorials and templates available […]