CONVENTION SPOTLIGHT: PEARL SPIES (90), ILLINOIS IOTA
Pearl Spies is one amazing AΔK member—a Diamond Sister who will celebrate 68 years in our organization on 12/30/21. She served twice as Illinois State President in two different decades. A past North Central Region International Vice President, Pearl planned and presided at the 1974 North Central Regional Conference in Chicago. She has attended many International conventions and regional conferences over the years. In 1953, Pearl met with our Founder, Agnes Shipman Robertson, in a hotel in Belleville, Illinois. She was a 23-year-oldelementary teacher who was employed after only two years of college. She accepted Agnes’ invitation and has felt so enriched by her membership. What has she valued the most? The friendships, especially in her own chapter, have been so invaluable, and she has “learned so much” from her sisters. She values “what AΔK tries to do and has accomplished.” She stressed that “we have held pretty steady, but we must continue to change as times change, which is not an easy thing to do.” When asked about her survival through COVID, Pearl said she quarantined at home except for two doctor appointments, “lost some physical strength,” had groceries delivered, used a cleaning service, was checked on by chapter members frequently and received her first Moderna shot on February 4. When asked about life in general, Pearl responded, “I try to always stay upbeat. What else can you do?” She became computer savvy in the early 2000s and is excited to be a part of our 32nd virtual International Convention. — Ellen Roderick, Maryland Beta
Ha Successfully Defends Dissertation November 1, 2021
Daughter, Laura, and I watched on Zoom as Ha successfully defended her dissertation - Intercultural Competence in English Language Education: Redefining the International Profile of Nonnative Teachers She was very composed and polite in her responses; we were so proud of her. Below is the short biography shared on the Zoom site.
Ha Nguyen is a PhD Candidate in Education at North Carolina State University (USA), Vietnam-based college lecturer, classroom teacher, instructional designer, professional learning specialist, and educational leader with a passion to improve educational access and quality for disadvantaged students in developing countries by advancing teacher professional development and building educational program capacity. Ha was granted the Fulbright scholarship to complete dual Master of Arts degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Teacher Leadership in 2 years at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (Illinois). She has been taking various leadership roles in numerous educational projects at national and international levels, in collaboration with governments and organizations, with further experience in improving organizations’ capacity and branding. For her commitment to education, she was invited to attend a UN Agency of Refugees' meeting on online learning strategies for refugees with 23 other universities and organizations in Copenhagen (Denmark) in 2019. Her top 5 Clifton strengths are: achiever, activator, futuristic, competition, and relator.
Congratulations to our Illinois Iota Sister, Joyce Strother
Joyce Strother and Kathleen Moseman are recipients of a Classroom Grant Award. Both have been invited to present at the North Central Region Conference. Below is an email sent from the IVPNCR, Ann Ainslie.
Dear Kathleen and Joyce, Congratulations on receiving a 2021 Alpha Delta Kappa Classroom Grant. It is exciting news for you, Illinois, and the North Central Region! This email is addressed to both of you hoping it will encourage some communication between the two of you after reading my request!
North Central Sisters would love to have the opportunity to meet you and learn about your projects at the North Central Region Conference. The conference is July 17-21, 2022 in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Will you present a learning session about your projects or participate with other classroom grant recipients who would be sharing their projects? I cannot be more specific at this time because I need to hear from the other 3 recipients.
Each learning session is 45 minutes (introduction to conclusion). After learning the number of grant recipients participating, and the nature of the projects, I will have a better idea of how to schedule. I also welcome your input and suggestions.
Thank you for considering my request and again, congratulations! Ann Ainslie International Vice President, North Central Region