A student-led initiative has established a chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education, at the . Forty students were initiated as charter members of Alpha Delta Iota chapter at the installation ceremony in November.
Professor Ben Dotger, School of Education students Patricia Maciolek and Josephine Ryder and Dean Joanna Masingila, from left, present the Kappa Delta Pi Charter at the installation ceremony of the new Alpha Delta Iota chapter of the honor society.
“We all are deeply excited at the prospect of having such a strong communal bond to tie together the entirety of our School of Education,’’ says chapter President Josephine Ryder ’19. “We do not have any other programs like this that are open to the entire school, nor do we have anything that encourages such a sense of family and connectivity within our school.”
Using a variety of programs, services and resources, KDP supports and advances educators throughout the phases and levels of their teaching careers. Founded at the University of Illinois in 1911 to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching, the society’s membership exceeds 1.2 million.
Students are anticipating their outreach activities, says Ryder, who is dually enrolled in the as well as the School of Education and is a triple major in secondary science education, physics and psychology. Students plan to work with SOE faculty on the Teach ϲ initiative that aims to get youth of color interested in education professions. Teach ϲ was a pilot program in three city high schools last year: Corcoran, PSLA @ Fowler and the Institute of Technology at Central.
“We are all excited to have the opportunity to work with these future educators on Literacy Alive projects,” says Ryder about the program run by KDP. Chapter members will schedule an events planning meeting at the beginning of the spring semester. They will discuss fundraising ideas that can support their outreach goals.
“Having a Kappa Delta Pi chapter allows our students to be honored for their academic achievements and provides opportunities for our students to join together to support learners through chapter activities. Additionally, our students can be supported in their professional development throughout their career,” says School of Education Dean Joanna O. Masingila.
A discussion with friends sparked Ryder’s interest in KDP.
“The more I learned about the organization and the amazing work all of the chapters are doing, as well as the resources the society provides to its members, the more excited I became,” she says.
Faculty took notice when students rented a room for an organizational meeting and posted fliers. Ryder credits Amie Redmond, senior assistant dean for academic and student services, for logistical help and contact with a KDP representative.
“I am grateful for all of the work that everyone has put in to make this happen,” Ryder says. “It has been such a long time coming. I am overjoyed that it is now official.”
The criteria for student membership are a GPA of at least 3.0, completion of 24 credit hours of collegiate work and completion of six credit hours in the SOE.
Ryder encourages people to like the chapter’s Facebook page () and follow the chapter on Instagram at KDP_SU.
