September 2025 Recap

The CEPS had a great time this past month participating in all of the Homecoming festivities. From winning first place in the door decorating contest to participating in the Homecoming parade, the CEPS had a blast!

What an incredible moment for Jacksonville State! For the first time in our history, more than 10,000 students call Jax State home.

Dr. Christie Calhoun's second edited book with IGI-Global Publishing was released. "Teacher Strategies for Addressing Social-Emotional Needs of P-12 Students" was the result of a growing passion for supporting educators and addressing mental health challenges faced by both P-12 educators and students.

This collaboration was conducted over the course of the past 11 months with faculty and professionals from across the globe.

Congratulations, Dr. Calhoun, on this huge accomplishment!

Dr. Weathers research was recently published in the September edition of the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education (JTATE), one of the top-ranked journals in teacher education and technology.

Her article, “The Role of Generative AI in Mathematics Instruction: Effects on Preservice Teachers’ Lesson Planning and Attitudes,” explores how AI is shaping future teachers’ confidence and effectiveness in math instruction.

Congratulations, Dr. Weathers!

Dr. McGahey recently celebrated 25 years as a volunteer for American Red Cross.

Dr. James (Todd) McGahey prepares to serve as the Disaster Mental Health (DMH)Team Lead for the American Red Cross. He has been a Red Cross volunteer for over 25 years, serving in communities primarily as a Mental Health Counselor as part of a Disaster Action Teams (DAT). These DAT team respond to emergency situations within a community or district, usually families impacted and displaced by a fire. Red Cross is one of the first agencies to respond, providing shelter and services for those affected by fires and other disasters. Dr. McGahey rotates as the DMH Lead about every two months, while constantly being on-call as a DMH resource or part of an Integrated Care and Condolence Team (ICCT). Some of the DMH leader or associate tasks include providing interventions for clients impacted by disasters, distributing assistance funds, and supporting other disaster responders. Other assignments can include national deployment as Dr. McGahey has been deployed to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, Colorado Fires and Louisiana Floods. He also enjoys teaching Jax State counseling students in the Psychological First Aid/Disaster Mental Health course. He is constantly recruiting and advocating for colleagues, students and others to volunteer for the American Red Cross.

Jacksonville State University preservice teachers participated in an interactive Dyslexia Simulation led by our director, Valerie Curtis & Athens State Inservice Director, Dr. Brad Lewis.

This powerful experience helped future educators experience the challenges that students with dyslexia face on a daily basis.

Dr. Cynthia Connor’s students also experienced hands-on simulations designed to deepen understanding and empathy for learners with dyslexia.

Dr. Aimee Weathers’ class had a great day this past month at the Jacksonville State Regional In-Service Center!

Students spent time with Ms. Andrea Taylor exploring VEX GO robotics and taking on exciting STEM challenges. They built an adaptation claw and competed to see who could construct the tallest tower.

Beyond the hands-on fun, they also learned about the many resources and opportunities the Regional In-Service Center offers to future educators.

We are grateful for this partnership and the chance for our preservice teachers to experience STEM learning in action!

Alabama State Department Literacy Specialist Charrissa Lambert visited Dr. Candice Byers' ESE 422/5522 English Language Arts Methods course, where she presented to the class about literacy and writing.

Dr. Connor’s Special Ed. Candidates in the Augmentative and Alternative Class (AAC) demonstrated unaided AAC. Using American Sign Language (ASL) for Nursery Rhymes and Signed English for a fairy tale, each group taught the other candidates key vocabulary from the nursery rhyme or story. The groups also created a hands-on activity to accompany utilizing volunteers from the class to demonstrate.

The Center for Evaluation, Research, and Innovation (CERI) had its first workshop of the academic year this past month. Mr. Adam Clark, Field & Clinical Experiences Director, presented a session entitled, "Standards-Referenced Grading & Proficiency Scales."

Participants explored ways to assess students in more meaningful ways, while engaging learners in their own assessment and demonstration of learning.

Participants were also entered into a drawing for a door prize. Congratulations to Dr. Weathers for winning a custom-made organization chart.

Aimee Weathers

Cynthia Connor

Wendy Stephens

Barbie Norvell

Krystal Cochran

Bryanna Davis

Jackson Clements

Amber Floyd

The CEPS student spotlight for September is Mr. Canon Williams. Canon is currently a junior majoring in Secondary Education with a focus in General Science. Teaching middle school science is his passion, and he absolutely loves to bring curiosity and energy into his future classroom.

This past summer, Mr. Williams served as a Gamecock Orientation Leader, and he is also a former Gamecock Guide. On campus, he serves as a Peer Learning Coach in the Student Success Center and as a CEPS EngageED Ambassador.

Whether it's helping students find their way, cheering them on academically, or sharing his love for science, Canon is all about creating connections and making learning fun.

Congratulations, Canon, on all of your accomplishments!

Donja Dryden

Roy Bliss

Linda Mitchell

Tommy Turner

Tammy Owen

Hannah Madrigal

Mindi Amberson

Email: amroberts@jsu.edu
Website: https://www.jsu.edu/education/index.html
Location: 115 College Street Southwest, Jacksonville, AL, USA
Phone: 256-782-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSUEducation/
Twitter: @JSU_SoE