2nd Annual New Teacher Conference

On March 29, 2008 the Lambda Psi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society and the UTPA College of Education sponsored the 2nd Annual New Teacher Conference. This conference began in 2007 in order to support new teachers in the Rio Grande Valley through quality professional development.

Over 150 preservice and inservice teachers took part in this year’s conference. Participants were primarily UTPA students and alumni. They attended an opening keynote speech by Dr. Rebecca Palacios, Vice Chair for the Board of Professional Teaching Standards, then chose from 28 different breakout sessions during the day. A style show presented by the UTPA Career Services during lunch highlighted appropriate dress for teaching and interviewing. Many attendees also participated in the mock interviews, where they practiced interviewing skills with local school administrators. The day ended with a closing session featuring Michael Sandroussi, Superintendent of Edcouch-Elsa ISD.

The conference was organized by professors Janine M. Schall, Leticia De Leon, Alcione Ostorga, Anita Pankake, and Shirley Mills, and students Cynthia Saldivar and Emily Calderon.

Faculty who presented:
Dr. Jaime Curts, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Dr. Leticia De Leon, Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Donna Dugas, Health and Kinesiology
Dr. Veronica Estrada, Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Peter Farruggio, Curriculum and Instruction
Mary Gonzalez, Office of Field Experience
Dr. Rosalinda Hernandez, Educational Leadership
Dr. Alberto Jose Herrera, Educational Leadership
Dr. Peter Kranz, Educational Psychology
Dr. Hilda Medrano, Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Velma Menchaca, Educational Leadership
Dr. Shirley Mills, Educational Leadership
Dr. Luz Murillo, Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Deborah Myers, Health and Kinesiology
Julie Pecina, Educational Psychology
Dr. Carmen Peña, Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Jose Ruiz-Escalante, Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Laura Saenz, Educational Psychology
Dr. Gregory Scott Sparrow, Educational Psychology
Dr. Matilde Sarmiento, Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Wang, Health and Kinesiology

Students who presented:
Michael Sandroussi, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program
Adriana Bonilla, Masters in Early Childhood
Amanda Mauricio, Masters in Early Childhood
Anthony Garza, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program
Jovana Gonzalez, Curriculum and Instruction, All-Level Program
Daniel Galdeano, Masters in Educational Leadership