By Scarlett Birge, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – “It was my pleasure to share my expertise and experience preparing the next generation of teachers. I love to share my love of learning and teaching with the next generation of teachers,” Dr. Robin Magruder, undergraduate chair and associate professor of education, said upon being appointed to the Prichard Committee Task Force for Teacher Preparation.
“Dr. Magruder’s appointment gives CU a seat at the table for very important conversations about the future of teacher education in Kentucky,” Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said.
“Her rich teaching and research experience in the area of elementary math and science methods allows her to contribute valuable insight to this group,” she said.
The Prichard Committee, established in 1983, is a Kentucky based organization comprised of teachers, students, postsecondary institutions, advocates and policy makers dedicated to studying issues in education, informing the public and policy makers about improving practices, and engaging citizens, business leaders, families, students and other stakeholders in a mission to move Kentucky to the top tier of education excellence and equity for all children.
The primary focus of the committee at this time is to elevate policies and practices to ensure proficient achievement of every student in reading and mathematics by the end of third grade. Through establishing the Task Force on Teacher Preparation and Professional Learning Literacy and Numeracy for Primary Grades, the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is studying Kentucky’s teacher preparation programs and professional development opportunities in order to accomplish this focused goal.
The committee will be facilitated by national and state experts on K-12 education and early learning. A report of the committee’s recommendations will be made to the Kentucky General Assembly after several meetings.
For more information on the Prichard Committee, visit the website at https://www.prichardcommittee.org/mission-vision-values/.
“This appointment means that CU has a voice in recommending public policy as it relates to preparing teachers for the demands of the profession. I am hopeful that this committee work will lead to stronger education outcomes for Kentucky students,” Magruder said.
Magruder taught in the Kentucky public school system for 10 years before becoming a faculty member of Campbellsville University in 2013.
She won the Distinguished Faculty Award of 2019, as well as the George Howell Earth Stewardship Award for 2017 and 2018, in which she used the awarded funds to purchase Project Learning Tree Curriculum for her elementary science methods candidates. Hosting workshops at the Clay Hill Memorial Forest, where education candidates are trained to utilized Clay Hill resources in their future classrooms, is also one of her service projects.
Other service projects include: being chief presenter at the KY Excellence in Educator Preparation conference on “Using Technology and Peer Assessment to Promote High Leverage Practices;” conducting sessions with first-generation college students and parents through the Diversity, Equity, & Poverty Programs Division of Jefferson County Public Schools; collaborating as a lead paper presenter at the Education 2030 Agenda International Education Conference in Nigeria; and publishing a journal in Science and Children on “Understanding Human Impact,” as well as past publications in the Journal of Technology Education and Teaching Children Mathematics.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education Math and Social Studies from the University of Louisville, her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University and her Doctorate of Education in Instruction and Administration with an emphasis in math and technology education from the University of Kentucky.
She is the daughter of Evelyn and Paul Fowler of Louisville, Ky., and is married to Jaime Magruder, and they have three children: Tyler, Evan and Lindsey Magruder.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.