PNC Nominates Local Schools and Educators for Awards

WESTVILLE – A local elementary school and two local educators who were nominated for awards by the Purdue University North Central Department of Education were recently honored by the Association of Teacher Educator’s – Indiana Unit (ATE-I).

Each year ATE-I recognizes outstanding schools and educators. Awards were presented to Mullen Elementary School in Michigan City for Outstanding School in Indiana, one of four schools honored by ATE-I. The award nomination was submitted by Jacquelyn Covault, director of field experiences, for the PNC Department of Education.

Also recognized as an Outstanding University Supervisor was Nancy Adkins of LaPorte, a retired teacher from the LaPorte Community Schools who has supervised student teachers for PNC since 2004.
Terri Parry of Springfield Elementary School in Michigan City was honored as Outstanding Cooperating Teacher, following a nomination by Nicole Mark, a 2007 PNC graduate, and Lila Hakim, PNC student teaching supervisor.

In her nomination of Mullen Elementary School, Covault noted that Mullen hosts the PNC Literacy II Corrective Reading class which has benefited hundreds of Mullen students as well as PNC Education students. PNC students gained a great deal of knowledge and experience with their interaction with the faculty, staff and students at Mullen.

“Connie Bachman, Mullen’s principal, and the entire staff continuously offer their support for our candidates and our program,” said Covault in her letter on nomination. “PNC candidates provide beneficial tutoring opportunities for Mullen’s struggling readers. Mullen has shown steady improvement in its ISTEP scores since 200-2001. I believe this is due to a dedicated administrative and teaching staff. I have nothing but highest respect and regard for these teachers. They return day after day to students who are facing sometimes heartbreaking situations and work tirelessly to love, nurture and educate them.”

The award of Outstanding University Supervisor was presented to Adkins, who was nominated by the PNC Education Department. She was described as a person who “provides endless support and mentoring for our students and goes above and beyond her duties as a university supervisor. She is an advocate for students and teachers alike and understands the different situations each face during their time in the classroom. She is a wonderful addition to our program at PNC.”

Former PNC student Mark and Hakim, credited Parry, the ATE-I Outstanding Cooperating Teacher, for helping to make Mark’s student teaching experience “successful, rewarding and fulfilling. She is an excellent mentor for student teachers.”

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