401 ARRAY OF ED LEADERSHIP PROFESSIONALS SPEAK AT MTSU IN JUNE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 13, 2007
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Lisa L. Rollins, 615-898-2919 or lrollins@mtsu.edu

ARRAY OF ED LEADERSHIP PROFESSIONALS SPEAK AT MTSU IN JUNE
Community, Media Welcomed to Attend Guest Speaker Talks, RSVP Required

(MURFREESBORO)—Educational leaders from throughout the region will return to the college classroom this month to take part in a helping prepare a group of MTSU graduate students for their futures within education.
Sponsored by the Department of Educational Leadership, the guest speakers will visit the campus as guests of Dr. Terry Goodin, assistant professor, and those enrolled in his summer course titled Organization and Administration of Public Schools.
“I am especially grateful to these professionals who are taking their time to come and speak to my students about the expectations that are placed upon them in their jobs in the field of education and about special topics or issues that they confront on a regular basis,” said Goodin, who adds that community members are welcomed to sit-in on the speakers’ visits on a space-available basis.
Thus far, a number of educational professionals have visited Goodin’s classroom since the series’ June 6 inception, including Jeff Helbig, former deputy director of schools for Sumner County; Harry Gill, superintendent for Rutherford County Schools; Dr. Dennis Bunch, director of the Tennessee Academy of School Leaders; and Dr. Ray Butrum, assistant principal of Murfreesboro’s Barfield Elementary School and a member of the Murfreesboro City Schools board.
“By addressing their own role in Tennessee’s system of education and current issues of importance to students, teachers and parents, these special speakers bring their own insights and problem-solving experience to MTSU graduate students who will someday fill school leadership roles,” remarked Goodin, who said he sought guests who represent a cross-section of Tennessee’s administrative personnel.
Rutherford County Schools‘ Paula Barnes, assistant superintendent of human resources and student services, and Dayna Nichols, human resources specialist, will be the next speakers in the series when they visit the MTSU campus Monday, June 18.
Dr. David Sevier, a research analyst and policy adviser for the Tennessee State Board of Education, will speak Wednesday, June 20, and Republican Sen. Jim Tracy of the state’s 16th District will address students Monday, June 25.
Goodin said that Shelbyville resident Tracy, who is a member of the state senate’s education committee, will discuss “the political forces that drive political change in Tennessee” during his upcoming stopover.
Dr. Pedro Garcia, director of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, will visit MTSU’s ed leadership students Wednesday, June 27, and Susan Wilson, Teacher of the Year and educator for McFadden School of Excellence in Murfreesboro, and Karen Blooding, the 2006 Tennessee Teacher of the Year and Homer Pittard Campus School teacher will speak Thursday, June 28.
Regarding the wealth of information that the educators will share during their respective MTSU talks, Dr. James Huffman, chairman of educational leadership, said, “This type of insight is only gained through experience, and as these speakers share what they have learned in the practice of their profession. I think our students will gain significant understanding of leadership concepts as they are applied in the field.”
Goodin said interested faculty or community members are invited to attend any of the upcoming talks by scheduled guests, but the courtesy of an RSVP is required to ensure that there is available space and seating. All talks will be held 8-9:30 a.m. in Kirksey Old Main’s Room 158.
• To RSVP to attend any of the slated speaker sessions, please e-mail Goodin at tgoodin@mtsu.edu.

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***ATTENTION, MEDIA: Members of the media are invited and encouraged to attend the guest speaker sessions, but advance notice of attendance is requested. To request an interview with Goodin or RSVP to attend a particular session, please contact Lisa L. Rollins in the Office of News and Public Affairs at MTSU at 615-898-2919 or via e-mail at lrollins@mtsu.edu