Posted on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Dr. SoYoung Kang, Westminster College associate professor of education and chapter adviser, was recognized with two awards at the Kappa Delta Pi convocation Nov. 3-5 in Indianapolis.
The Teacher of Honor award is given to individuals who exemplify the high professional, intellectual, and personal standards Kappa Delta Pi promotes and who demonstrate dedication to students and the education field. Kang's second award was for outstanding service and dedication as a chapter counselor.
Westminster College's Delta Mu chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, was founded in 1937. Membership is restricted to the top 15 percent of those students seeking teacher certification.
Kang and three Westminster College senior elementary education majors participated in the conference.
Kang and senior Emily Roenigk presented "Two Birds with One Stone: Teaching ELL Students Language and Academics in Science."
In the past, many ELLs (English language learners) learned English through separate programs before joining mainstream classrooms, resulting in inadequate on-grade-level academic instruction. Teachers must be able to assist ELLs in learning both the language and the academic contents simultaneously. The presentation included a video of a day in the life of an ELL and instruction on modifying lesson plans.
"This was my first time to attend and speak at a conference or convocation," Roenigk said. "I was pleasantly surprised by the information shared during the workshops and the overall professional-yet-friendly feel of the convocation. I feel stronger as a teacher and more comfortable as a presenter. I thank everyone who assisted me in getting to speak at this amazing professional development experience."
Roenigk is a daughter of Marci Balocik and David Roenigk, both of Cranberry Township, and a graduate of Seneca Valley High School. She received a travel/presentation grant from Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to attend the convocation.
Genevieve Sieckowski, president of the Westminster Kappa Delta Pi chapter, and Katie Tomko, vice president, also attended. They and Roenigk, who serves as treasurer, attended the business meeting and a variety of workshops, poster presentations, general sessions, and career fair.
Sieckowski is a daughter of Kathryn and John Sieckowski of McDonald and a graduate of South Fayette High School.
Tomko is a daughter of Ernest and Susan Tomko of Hermitage and a graduate of West Middlesex Area High School.
Kang, who has been with Westminster since 2007, earned an undergraduate degree from Korea University and master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee.
Contact Kang at (724) 946-6034 or email for additional information.
The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs including strengthening K-12 education. The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences. Click here for more information about the Drinko Center and its programs.
