October 2025 Recap

Dr. Aimee Weathers, Dr. Jessica Cannon, and Dr. Barbie Norvell represented Jax State University at the Alabama Pre-K Conference in Birmingham. This statewide event brought together teachers from birth through Pre-K classrooms across Alabama. Their session, Approaching Content in a PLAYful Way Using the ASELDS to Learn, was interactive and hands-on. The team enjoyed connecting with former Jax State students who are now early childhood educators, and many current ECE Block practicum students also attended the conference. It was a day of collaboration and professional learning!

This is an exciting partnership with the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama! The Jacksonville State University STEAM Institute – Home of the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama will create extraordinary opportunities for students across our region to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in dynamic, hands-on ways.

The talented students in Dr. Troncale’s Science Methods class recently dove into an innovative project-based learning assignment. They crafted engaging and interactive lessons focused on engineering design practices, using the newly implemented Alabama Science Standards.

The CEPS had fun in Trunk or Treat Town with the little ones at the Child Development Center

We’re excited to share a special opportunity for your candidates. Pearson is offering a Free Retake for eligible test-takers!

Here’s how it works:

- Candidates must schedule (or reschedule) and complete testing by December 31, 2025.

- After completing their test, they’ll receive an email with a Free Retake Voucher—automatically.

- The voucher is valid for the same test and never expires.

That’s right, no deadlines, no pressure, just another opportunity for candidates to succeed.

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.

Preservice teachers from Jacksonville State University and UWA, along with our JSU Regional Inservice Center educators and administrators, explored what Project-Based Learning really looks like in action — connecting STEM, creativity, and workforce readiness.

Ashley Turner

Wendy Stephens

Brandon Gilliland

Torsten Dryden

Erica Hardy

Connie Stancil

Cynthia Connor

Angie Roberts

Lynn Steward

Taylor Carden

Brianna Pitts

Rylee Reagan

Mallory Gilbert

Mark Harris

Cheyenne Redditt

Caroline Jones Tinsley

Michael McDermott

Christina Clark

DeAnna Rogers

Amy Nyland

Megan Phillips

The CEPS faculty spotlight for October is Dr. Tammie Brown. Dr. Brown serves as Department Chair of Professional Counseling & Leadership. In this role, she works with graduate programs in counseling, instructional leadership, teacher leader, and educational leadership, focusing on curriculum design, program assessment, and continuous improvement. She supports CACREP, CAEP, and SACSCOC accreditation standards. Dr. Brown is committed to promoting academic excellence, faculty collaboration, and student achievement across all programs.

Nationally, Dr. Brown has served as President of the Southeastern Regional Association of Teacher Educators (SRATE) and as a Board Member of the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE). She is also an active member of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) and Phi Delta Kappa (PDK), where she contributes to initiatives that promote educational research, professional development, and leadership in teaching and learning.

Dr. Brown's professional interests include assessment and accreditation in higher education, leadership development, counselor and educator preparation, and the integration of ethical, research-based practices that promote transformative learning. She is passionate about building strong school–university–community partnerships that support lifelong professional growth and student success.

Autumn Smith

Barbie Norvell

Jane Cobia

Maria Rogers

Lola Johnston

Carol McGinnis

Christie Calhoun

Nilufer Guler

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