In this issue: - College of Education - Purdue University

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Robert Foerster (BA ´72, MA´76) A C C O L A D E S A N N O U N C E M E N T S A W A R D S D E V E L O P M E N T S P R O M O T I O N S R E C O G N I T I O N Robert Foerster helping student Brad Krause emember those damp, smelly worksheets that were printed in purple? Remember when simple calculators were the cool, hi-tech tools for school? Robert Foerster began teaching during those days and now, as he is readying for retirement after 35 years, students carry jump drives with their assignments, iPods with music and photos, cell phones with internet access and video. They are completely connected to each other and the world. Robert Foerster, BA 1972 Elementary Education and MA 1976 Science Education, didn’t initially begin college as an education major—he came to Purdue for engineering. Engineering seemed like the logical choice since his strengths were math and sci- “I attribute my education at Purdue with propelling me to where I am today.” ence. That all changed once he met Lauralee, who would later become his wife. She was an education major and through her connections Foerster began tutoring students in math and science. He quickly learned that teaching was quite fulfilling and decided to earn his degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation Foerster began his 35 year career with the West Lafayette Community School Corporation, where he remains today. He was a sixth grade teacher for sixteen of those years and has been a principal for the remaining years. Throughout his career he has strived to utilize technology to its fullest potential and incorporate technology in the classroom. “I want to enable and empower teachers,” explains Foerster. He worked to modernize classrooms by installing phones, computers, networks, and eventually the internet. Even as early as the mid-eighties the students at his school could check out introductory hand-held computers. Selected as one of the ten national finalists out of over 44, 000 applications for the NASA Teacher in Space program in the mid-eighties, Foerster participated in basic training as an astronaut. The program’s goal was to bring education to the forefront. Foerster states, “We wanted our classrooms to reach out to more of a global awareness.” To achieve this goal he used his NASA experiences as a launch pad to illustrate math, science and technology concepts. His efforts gave the students more than just high test scores. Through the use of technology Foerster shared the world with them. Foerster states that his career in education has been a wonderful experience. “I attribute my education at Purdue with propelling me to where I am today.” On May 26, 2006 Foerster will leave the school building, knowing that he has inspired many teachers and students to be creative and inquisitive and to imagine where technology will go from here. 20
A C C O L A D E S A N N O U N C E M E N T S A W A R D S D E V E L O P M E N T S P R O M O T I O N S R E C O G N I T I O N Alumni News 1960s John, W. Richardson (BA ’61) and his son, Bill Richardson, (AG ’94), opened Mallow Run Winery in September 2005 near Bargersville, Indiana. Karen C. Elliott’s (BA ’62) eighteenth book will be published in May 2006. 1970s Stan Parker (BA ’76) will be recognized this spring in Freehold, New Jersey at the Freehold High School Quarter Century Club for 27 years of teaching. 1990s Kurt Kurtzhals (BA ’96) recently had a book published that he co-authored and edited entitled Great Lives, Vital Lessons. Jessica L. Crawford (BA ’99) is in her sixth year of teaching Special Education at Van Rensselaer Elementary School in Rensselaer, Indiana. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Ball State in the summer of 2005. Stay connected To add your news to this page, fill out the form below and mail to: Purdue University College of Education—Magazine Beering Hall, Room 6124 100 N. University St. West Lafayette, IN 47907-2098 Information may also be emailed to education-info@purdue.edu. Note “alumni news” in the subject line. 2000s Kathleen Mane Walker (BA ’00) is opening a private practice in Hudson, Massachusets and purchasing a group practice in Manchester, New Hampshire. Anthony D. Young (BA ’02) is working at Sycamore School, the only school in Indiana specifically dedicated to the education of gifted and talented students, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jennifer L. Alles (BA ’05) is a fourth grade teacher at Pine Tree Elementary in Avon, Indiana. Today’s date: Degree(s)/Year(s): Name: Maiden Name: Street: City: State: Zip: Phone: Email: Employer: Title: Employer City, State: Spouse’s Name: Purdue Alumnus/a? ® Yes ® No If yes, Degree(s)/Year(s): Children’s Names: News: ® This may be published in the College of Education Magazine. ® This is for alumni records only. www.education.purdue.edu 21
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Page 5 and 6: g l o b a l r e a c h Jim Lehman Tr
Page 7 and 8: Charles Kline—C onnecting with Ot
Page 9 and 10: g l o b a l r e a c h A Grad Studen
Page 11 and 12: g l o b a l r e a c h Alumna Travel
Page 13 and 14: VanFossen Awarded Ackerman Professo
Page 15 and 16: Retiring After Twenty Years A C C O
Page 17 and 18: An Inspirational Light is Extinguis
Page 19: New State-of-the-Art Psychometric L
Page 23 and 24: Aiding the Success of Current Stude
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Page 35 and 36: Photo credits - cover: globe by Kur

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