Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education

A repeat 9th grader at “Southwestern High,” Jamal Harris is what the American educational system would describe as an “at risk” student. But the lead character in a play written by Jean Rohr in the School of Education shows that many factors influence student performance – and the first staged reading of her work, “Valued Voices,” met with praise Wednesday night in Whitley Auditorium.

After switching majors from business to elementary education, Ben Smith '09 realized he would be a minority in his field. The questions he would ask led to his senior thesis, “The Difference in the Experiences of Male and Female Beginning Elementary School Teachers,” to be presented April 28 at SURF. His work is the latest in a weeklong series of E-net profiles to spotlight Elon undergraduate research during CELEBRATE! 2009.

From the level of interest that many African-American male students show toward schooling, to a lack of adequate role models in high schools, leading voices from North Carolina historically black colleges and universities gathered Feb. 26 at Elon University for a panel discussion on how to address issues affecting minority participation in higher education.

Jean Rattigan-Rohr, an assistant professor of education, was interviewed by News 14 Carolina on Feb. 19 regarding the benefits to North Carolina schools as a result of the economic stimulus package passed into law this month by Congress and President Barack Obama.

David H. Cooper, associate dean for undergraduate programs and school partnerships in the College of Education at the University of Maryland, has been named dean of the School of Education at Elon University.

Richard Mihans' article "Can Teachers Lead Teachers?" was published in the January 2009 edition of The Education Digest.

A course for pre-service teachers enrolled at Elon University culminated Dec. 10 when students visited a local Barnes & Noble to assist local parents purchase books for their young children who struggle with reading in local schools.