June 21, 2017
College of Education Alumni Fellow interviewed for 'EduCATion Today'
Foundational literacy skills and the connection between critical thinking and problem-solving are just a few of the topics covered in an interview with College of Education Alumni Fellow Shelbie Witte for the college's web series, "EduCATion Today."
Debbie Mercer, dean of the college, and Witte discussed her love for school growing up and love for K-State. Witte said her alma mater played an invaluable role in helping her become the educator she is today.
"Being a K-State student and a K-State grad has shown me what community is and what it feels like to be part of people who generally care about your success and care about how you are doing," Witte said.
She expressed high praise for the college's teacher preparation program.
"The best teachers I know come from K-State," she said. "If I were to start a school anywhere, I would fill it with K-State grads because I just know they not only have the knowledge and the pedagogy and the research to back their practice, but they have the hearts that it takes to be a teacher."
Witte earned her master's and doctoral degrees in curriculum and instruction from K-State in 2006 and 2008 respectively. She is an associate professor at Oklahoma State University where she holds the Kim and Chuck Watson endowed chair, serves as the director of the Oklahoma State University Writing Project and is the director of the Initiative for 21st Century Literacies Research.