New Inductees and Graduates Honored

The twenty-eight new Phi Delta Kappa Profile Chapter inductees were encouraged by Bill Tirone, NH Principal of the Year, to follow the wisdom. 'Just like Yogi said, "When you get to the fork in the road, take it."' Tirone told the graduates that life is about understanding the challenges you face and seizing every opportunity to succeed, "even if that means taking all of the forks to see which one is right for you." Congratulations to Mr. Tirone on his Principal of the Year honors.

Photos forthcoming.

COGS-PDK Reception May 9, 2008

On behalf of the College of Graduate Studies and Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK) please accept our invitation to initiate and meet this year’s class of Phi Delta Kappa inductees.

If you are planning on attending this year’s ceremony please plan on arriving at the initiation ceremony on Friday, May 9, 2008 by 6 p.m. The ceremony will be held in the Newfound Room at Prospect Dining Hall. Following the initiation ceremony, you are cordially invited to attend the Plymouth State University Phi Delta Kappa graduate reception and dinner from 6-8:30 p.m.

Part of the evening’s festivities will be a short presentation by William (Bill) Tirone, New Hampshire Principal of the Year from Ashland.

Join us for great conversation and wonderful food. There is a nominal charge of $20 for each of your guests, payable at the door. You may also pre-pay by sending a check to: College of Graduate Studies, Attn: Graduate-PDK Reception, Plymouth State University, MSC 11, Plymouth, NH 03264-1595. Please RSVP by May 2 to Ellanna Tallent at (603) 535-3267 or e-mail emtallent@plymouth.edu.

Bill Marston Edies Recipient

PDK PROFILE CHAPTER ANNOUNCES AWARD RECIPIENT

Plymouth, NH – William (Bill) Marston, a longtime New Hampshire teacher and principal, has been awarded the Outstanding Educator Award by the New Hampshire Profile chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. The PDK award is bestowed upon an individual who has made a significant and continuous contribution to improving the lives of children and young adults in New Hampshire.

PDK chapter president Royce Robertson explains that “Bill Marston is an ideal recipient for the award because of his exemplary service to the schools of New Hampshire.” Mr. Marston graduated from Plymouth Teacher’s College in 1954, received his M.Ed. from Plymouth State College in 1964 and was awarded a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Northeastern University in 1979. He began his career as a teaching principal at Warren Elementary School. From 1955 to 1966, he held various teaching and leadership roles in Gorham and Ashland. Bill’s longest tenure as an administrator was from 1966 to 1981 where he was the headmaster at Pembroke Academy. After leaving Pembroke Academy in 1981, he was named principal of Goffstown High School where he remained until1996. In 1996, Bill began a 20-year period as a journeyman administrator, filling interim principal roles in Merrimack, Epping, Warren, Hinsdale, Gilford, Campbell, and Keene. During that span, he also taught at Plymouth State and Notre Dame College.

Throughout his career, Bill has provided leadership in a variety of ways for the University System of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Association of School Principals, and New England Association of School and Colleges. Bill lives in Concord with his wife, Nancy.

Mr. Marston will receive the award on June 7, 2008 at the annual New Hampshire Excellence in Education (Edies) Award Ceremony.

Kappan Wiswell Describes NH Literacy Plan

Fellow Kappan and NH DOE administrator, Deb Wiswell, spoke to the TGIF group on Friday, October 26, 2007, in Concord. The plan is intended to describe the conditions for successful literacy programs through the state. Wiswell acknowledged that, while teachers are important in the process, administrators are critical in the planning and implementation. Therefore, principals, superintendents, and coordinators are the primary audience for this handbook and planning guide. "If you want a place to start, this is it. These were the collective beliefs of the Task Force. Each District must come to an understanding of their shared beliefs." Wiswell encouraged the Kappans to peruse the documents and begin the conversation at the local level. "The entire document with appendices can be found at the link below along with a PowerPoint Presentation that explains the development process and a summary of what is included in the document," she said. The report can be found at the NHDOE website.

Our next TGIF is March 26, 2008, from 5:30 to 8 PM in Concord.

Trish Lindberg Receives EDies Award

On June 9, 2007, a contingency of Phi Delta Kappa members and Plymouth State University administration attended the annual New Hampshire Education Awards (EDies) at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Trish Lindberg, this year's PDK - Profile Chapter Education Award. Dr. Lindberg is a faculty member at Plymouth State University. In attendance to celebrate her accomplishment were PDK - Profile members: Dr. Ken Heuser, Past President; Ann Marie Jones, Board Member; Natalie Murphy, Secretary; and, Irene Wright, Board Member. PSU President, Dr. Sara Jayne Steen, and Interim Provost, Dr. Julie Bernier, were also in attendance. The official PSU press release can be found at the following address.

PDK Inducts Thirty-three

On May 11, 2007, the PDK-Profile Chapter inducted thirty-three new members at the annual Plymouth State University College of Graduate Studies Graduation Celebration. Wally Stevens, former executive at Slade Glade, Inc., encouraged the group continue their education and pursue their passions. Stevens is a world expert in aquaculture, a passion that he has spent more than 30 years pursuing.

Dr. Gerard Buteau (below), VP for Membership, speaks to new inductees. VP Buteau and President Robertson (below) bestow the PDK cords to the initiates.

Profile Chapter Honors Steve Kelley

On Friday, March 9, 2007, approximately thirty PDK-Profile members came together in Concord to commiserate and recognize Dr. Steven Kelley, Principal of Inter-Lakes Elementary School and this year's New Hampshire Elementary Principal of the Year. Members of the Inter-Lakes Elementary "Blue Wave" staff were also in attendance to share in the recognition. Dr. Kelley gave a stirring speech - with both laughs and tears - about what he has learned from being an administrator. "To be a successful administrator you don't carry a bullhorn and a baseball bat like the movies depict. You can be friendly and be successful."

Dr. Steven Kelley (left), Principal of the Year, and PDK Member Ann Marie Jones, take some time to socialize at our last PDK TGIF.