March 2019 Newsletter
Welcome to the Compass, the College of Education's newsletter where we inform you how we are making a difference in the lives we encounter! This edition of Compass focuses on one of Troy's own alumni who is now one of the TROY faculty family, Troy's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program as well as new faculty and staff.
Alumni Spotlight:
Dr. Kerry Palmer, Former Sound of the South Drum Major, Recently Joined TROY Family
Dr. Kerry Palmer has joined the Troy University College of Education as associate dean for community engagement and advancement. Dr. Palmer comes to TROY from Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery where he served for over ten years as middle school principal and head of school. He holds a B.M.E from TROY, an M.Ed. from Auburn University at Montgomery, and a Ph.D. from Auburn University. Prior to joining the team at Trinity in 2008, Dr. Palmer taught band and served as a K-12 school administrator for thirteen years. His teaching career began with the Troy City Schools as an assistant with the band Charles Henderson Middle School. He is married to the former Robyn Self of Montgomery, and has two teenage children, one of whom will enroll as a freshman at TROY this fall.
While a student at TROY, Dr. Palmer was active with the university's nationally-acclaimed band program. He was euphonium section leader in the Symphony Band for four years, and served for three years as drum major of the Sound of the South marching band, both under the leadership of legendary bandmaster Dr. Johnny Long. He was also the first recipient of the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association's John M. Long band scholarship, as well as the David Mallach leadership scholarship, selected by music department faculty. During his junior year at TROY, the sisters of Tau Beta Sigma band sorority inducted Dr. Palmer as an honorary member in a ceremony that included former TROY music professor Ray Smith, and current Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.
New Faculty and Staff for 2018-2019
My name is Shannon Bales, a professor in the Department of Teacher Education. I come to Troy from Auburn University where I received my degree in Science Education.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama and a Nationally Certified Counselor. A former school counselor and private practitioner, I have worked with all ages in school settings, homes and private practice. I earned my Ph.D in Counselor Education and Supervision from Auburn University.
I am Valerie Brownlee, a graduate of Troy University, and I am from Opp, AL where I taught middle school math and science, using AMSTI kits in my own classroom. I now enjoy working for an organization that I not only feel so passionate about, but also have the means to support, mentor, and train other science teachers for success in their own classrooms.
I am director of Interpreter Training for Troy University. After coordinating two different two-year programs in interpreting, then teaching in a four-year interpreting program, I am now coordinating Alabama’s only four-year interpreting program and preparing to introduce a graduate program in interpreting in the next few years.
I am a secondary mathematics education teacher originally from Jack, Alabama. I began my teaching career in Tuscaloosa County and am starting my fifth year with Troy University. My experience within the College of Education has been through teaching ACCESS distance learning courses, then as an AMSTI Math Specialist, and currently as a part of the Teacher Education team.
I’m Dr. Duane Gunn. I started at Troy University as an adjunct instructor in Fall 2016 after serving 27 years in the United States Air Force where I served in nuclear operations; space operations; and academia.
Study Abroad Reminder:
Summer 2019 United Kingdom
The College of Education is sponsoring a Study Abroad trip to the United Kingdom in early June (departing between June 1-3 and returning between June 8-10) this year. Registration deadline for the trip is February 27. If you have questions about this wonderful opportunity, please contact Dr. Joe Johnson at jjohnson146840@troy.edu.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
A popular minor in the College of Education is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is a rapidly growing field that is a natural-science approach to helping people with real-world problems. The science of behavior analysis has made discoveries that have proven useful in addressing socially important behavior such as drug taking, healthy eating, workplace safety, education, and the treatment of developmental disabilities (e.g., autism). We offer courses in ABA at the Troy, Dothan, and Montgomery campuses as well as online. Because ABA is an applied science, many of our courses focus on teaching students to implement therapeutic techniques. Our classes have a combination of (a) lecture which covers written material, (b) professor’s demonstrating skills, (c) students practicing skills together, and (d) students applying skills to clients. In addition to the ABA minor courses, at both the Troy and Montgomery campuses we offer two practicum in ABA courses. These are elective courses, which give students the opportunity to apply their skills with real clients. For our Troy students, the practicum courses can be life changing, as it gives them a preview of what they will experience in their post-Troy adventures. The courses in ABA at Troy University are part of a verified course sequence, which means that our courses have been pre-approved as meeting the coursework standards towards certification. After completing the ABA minor and gaining supervised experience, students are eligible for taking the examination to become a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). According to a 2018 labor market analysis, from 2014 to 2017 there was a 995% increase in the number of BCaBA jobs. BCaBAs work under supervision as front-line therapists conducting 1:1 sessions to help clients acquire adaptive behavior or ameliorate problem behaviors, conduct behavioral assessments, and write treatment plans. While some of our ABA minors continue in the field after graduation at the bachelors level, we also have students who continue on to graduate training in ABA. Additionally, many others go on to related fields such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, or education. Students in the College of Education share a common desire to make a difference in the lives of others!
Foreground: ABA practicum student Michael Wylie celebrates a client’s success in math. Background, ABA practicum student Haleigh Thrasher using the behavioral technique of compressed teaching to teach early literacy skills.
Dr. Barbara Metzger supervises ABA practicum student Zoey Rowell implementing behavioral techniques to teach a client language skills in a public school classroom.
ABA minor students Kathryn Waller (L) and Amanda St. John (R) spend time in class practicing the behavioral technique of discrete trial teaching to teach the skill of identical matching.
ABA students (clockwise from left front) Morgan Williams, Trevon Reese, Cierra Taylor, and Ty’Ana Thomas help each other practice for un upcoming skill demonstration test.
Dr. James Kimbrough honored
Dr. James Kimbrough, the retired Dean of the College of Education, was honored on Tuesday, February 26, with the dedication of a statue outside of Hawkins Hall on the Troy Campus.
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Coin Presentation
Our current Dean, Dr. Rosser-Mims presents former Dean, Dr. Kimbrough with the College of Education's signature making a difference coin.
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AAUW of Alabama Student Leadership Conference
In honor of Women's History Month, the American Association of University Women (AAUM) of Alabama held their 15th Annual Student Leadership Conference held on the Troy University Montgomery Campus. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Gabrielle Mims, Elizabeth Whitman, and Erin N Woods.
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Dr. Juanita Johnson Bailey
Dr. Juanita Johnson Bailey was the keynote speaker for the event. Additionally, she was recognized by AAUW with the Eleanor Roosevelt award.
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