Junior High: teaching the teachers

Chris Pepple | 12/21/2006

Dr. High & Dr. Jones collating Student Teaching notebooks

Tomorrow’s astronauts, preachers, engineers, financial analysts, mothers, fathers, artists, corporate leaders and political representatives are in today’s classrooms. Today’s classrooms need excellent teachers who know how to bring out the best in each student so each one can be prepared to fill these roles. Junior High (’70), associate professor of education and director of graduate studies, wants to make sure Lipscomb’s education majors help meet that need. “Our graduates are highly prized as prospective teachers,” he states. “Our primary purpose is to serve and inspire our students so that they master the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed to become caring and competent educators in a diverse and technological society.”

High came to Lipscomb University well qualified to guide future teachers through their educational pursuits. He spent 31 years with the Nashville school system teaching and serving as principal of area schools such as Hattie Cotton Elementary. He taught middle school for 11 of those years and served in administrative positions for the remaining 20. High knows the challenges of serving in a school system with close to 74,000 students each with different educational, family, health and personal needs. He understands the accountability to federal program administrators, local directors and parents as well as city and county residents. Teachers and administrators must have a vision that includes each student in their care and have a plan that enables each student to acquire the knowledge necessary to become a productive, responsible citizen.

“To help teachers be fully prepared to begin their careers,” High states, “I am heavily involved with our student teaching program. I work with the placement of our students and their supervision while student teaching. Having been in the system as long as I was, I know how to prepare our students for what’s ahead. I want to make student teaching a successful venture for each of our students. I also want to emphasize that all teachers can make a difference with a career in the private or public school system.”

Student teaching remains a critical part of the overall educational experience for future teachers. The Metropolitan Nashville Public School System opens their doors each year for Lipscomb students to hone their own teaching skills. There are 127 schools in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System, the 41st largest urban school district in the nation. Included in the 127 schools are 9 magnet schools and 11 United States Schools of Excellence, which is the highest award given to any public or independent K-12 school. Metro schools continue to emphasize technology as an instructional tool, with a total of 466 21st Century Classrooms. English Language Learners programs serve over 3,400 students who represent 79 different languages. Metro schools provide the primary source of practicum and student teaching placements. Williamson County is also very prominent in providing supervision for Lipscomb student teachers.

Enhanced student teaching is the culminating experience in the Teacher Education Program at Lipscomb. Every teacher education student teaches in two different classrooms located in area schools for a total of 15 weeks of student
teaching. The students are paired with K-12 cooperating teachers who are selected to work with student teachers. Student teachers are also teamed with a faculty member from the university who serves as a supervisor during student teaching. Supervisors maintain close contact with student teachers as they evaluate, encourage and support growth. At the conclusion of student teaching, Lipscomb students are asked to evaluate the experience and their assigned supervisor. High and other faculty members use this information to make improvements as Lipscomb prepares teachers to effectively practice their craft, develop appropriate attitudes and values, cultivate relationships, and gain essential knowledge in an atmosphere of C.A.R.E.

“Overseeing the student teaching,” High comments, “is a big part of my job scope. I’ve really enjoyed the chance to come back to Lipscomb and serve. I came here in 1967 as a student myself and graduated in 1970 as an elementary education major. Lipscomb means a lot to me. I met my wife here and my three sons are Lipscomb alumni. Two of my sons met and married a wonderful mate at Lipscomb. We are also blessed with three wonderful grandsons. I feel blessed to have a wonderful family and to be a part of the Lipscomb family. I feel like my work at Lipscomb is a ministry.” High strives to maintain a quality relationship with the education students.

High not only serves within the Lipscomb family, but also serves the broader Nashville community. He is a 12-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross. “I think this is a great way to contribute to the community,” High comments. “There is always a need for blood. It can save lives.”

High has also served as a board member for Lighthouse Family Ministries. The purpose of this ministry is to serve families in times of tragedy, trauma and trouble. When families experience the death of a loved one through accidents, suicides or homicides, they need spiritual support and comfort. Many families, however, don’t have a home church or a network of Christian friends they can turn to. Lighthouse Family Ministries, Inc., reaches out to these families in their time of need. They also provide or make referrals for Christian counseling, family workshops, spiritual retreats, Christian camps and printed resource material. “I support this program because it provides a support system to those who may not have one,” High states. “This ministry reaches out to families that may lack the resources or the support group necessary to face a tragic loss. The organization can offer services such as providing a speaker for a funeral service among other things. They are meeting a real need in our community.”
--Chris Pepple