Teacher education students bestowed Community Support Award

North Fayette (NF) Elementary in West Union and Fayette, Iowa, recently awarded Upper Iowa University teacher education students and Dr. Gina Kuker, associate professor of education, with the school’s TigerHawk Community Support Award.

The honorees were recognized for assisting North Fayette Elementary faculty and students during Iowa Assessment Week. The participating UIU students helped in various classrooms during the annual assessment tests. In addition, the future educators listened to elementary students read as well as read the tests to the younger students when needed.

“UIU is doing a great job of preparing future teachers. They (UIU students) were all so professional and very knowledgeable in their assistance. I am proud to be a Peacock,” said NF second grade teacher Shelly Crandall ‘00.

Kuker noted Upper Iowa University’s partnership with NF during the assessment week is a “win-win situation” for everyone involved. She explained that the UIU students witness the struggles some younger readers have during testing periods. At the same time, the University students provide some relief to the teachers by assisting individual elementary students during the challenging tests.