Educational leadership a focus at learning conference

Bloomsburg University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership (M.Ed.) program was the focus of an informational session this fall at Integrated Learning Conference in State College, specifically its leadership model.

“Participants were selected from a large group of applicants, and it’s with great pride that our group was selected,” said Kathy Specht, BU’s educational leadership intern supervisor.

Thomas Starmack, professor of teaching and learning, led the discussion with an audience of counselors and administrators and incorporated two student perspectives in the dialogue.

Kelsey Shannon, a recent graduate and current high school counselor in South Williamsport, explained the value of the PK-12 exposure and the leadership aspects of her training. The model she was training in parallels the expectations of a school counselor in the American School Counselors Association guidelines, Specht said.

Tiffany Bobeck, a current intern in Hazleton who will be graduating in December, gave insight on the flexibility of the practicum experience and commented on her ability to contribute as an intern, contributions that are noteworthy in her placement district.

Comments and feedback from the audience were quite positive regarding the strong training program that aligns with the PDE requirements set forth in 2014, according to Specht. The final evaluation for the interns mirrors the 2014 Educational Specialist evaluation that counselors in the field are experiencing.