Thursday, April 07, 2005
Teacher Education Chair
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An educator with more than 30 years’ experience in teaching and teacher education, including the field of special education, has been named chair of the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Southern Indiana. The appointment of Dr. Ravic P. Ringlaben, currently dean of teacher education at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia, is effective August 22, 2005. In announcing the appointment, Dr. Tom Pickering, dean of USI’s Bower-Suhrheinrich School of Education and Human Services, said, “Dr. Ringlaben has a distinguished record of teaching and administration in higher education. His record of leadership in teacher education across major teaching areas and disciplines corresponds quite well with the leadership role he will assume here at USI. Further, Dr. Ringlaben’s work and extensive preparation in special education make his appointment especially timely, in view of the University’s response to the growing need for special education teachers in Indiana and the Tri-state area.” Ringlaben joined Fairmont State as dean of teacher education in 2002 and also serves as interim dean of graduate studies. His major accomplishments at Fairmont include the development of a five-year plan, restructuring of the undergraduate elementary and secondary program, initiation of graduate programs in middle childhood and special education as well as planning for other graduate programs, the establishment of professional development schools, and expansion of distance education offerings. Ringlaben’s major specialty areas of preparation and teacher certification are elementary and secondary education (K-8) and special education (K-12 with an emphasis on mild disabilities). The preparation of teachers in special education was identified as a need for Southwestern Indiana in the report of the USI President’s Task Force on Economic and Workforce Development, released in 2000. As chair of teacher education for USI, Ringlaben will manage teacher education academic programs, including scheduling, course and program evaluation, faculty and staff evaluation, curriculum planning, budget, coordination of long-range planning in the department, and oversight of student recruitment and retention. He also will facilitate interaction with other schools and departments related to issues and program requirements for teacher education. The USI Department of Teacher Education includes 19 full-time faculty, as well as part-time faculty and adjunct staff. The department offers undergraduate programs in early childhood, elementary, and special education and graduate programs in elementary education, secondary education, and educational leadership. Commenting on his new responsibilities at USI, Ringlaben said, “I am very pleased to be provided with this outstanding opportunity. USI is definitely a 21st century university and is poised to expand its impact in teacher education in the region, state, and nation. I look forward to doing my part in working with the students, faculty, administration, and public schools.” Prior to joining Fairmont State, Ringlaben served for a year as professor and chair of the Department of Communication Disorders and Special Education at Indiana State University. From 1997 to 2001, he was professor and chair of the Department of Professional Pedagogy at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. He has held other teaching posts at University of Arkansas at Little Rock, East Stroudsburg University, the University of Idaho, University of Wisconsin, and University of Northern Colorado. He also has been associated with the Madison Area Education Special Services Unit in Madison, Indiana, and with the Louisiana State Department of Education. Ringlaben holds a B.S. degree in elementary education and special education from Millersville University; an M.Ed. in special education from Slippery Rock University, and an Ed.D. in special education and administration from University of Northern Colorado. His professional affiliations include the Council for Exceptional Children, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Association on Higher Education and Disability. He has served as visiting scholar or professor at universities in China and Poland. Ringlaben succeeds Dr. Charles L. Price, chair of teacher education for USI since 1995. Pickering said, “Dr. Price has a long and distinguished record of leadership and service at USI. He has worked tirelessly and effectively as chair of the Teacher Education Department. “Under his leadership new programs were established in special education, early childhood education, and school administration. Dr. Price also was instrumental in expanding teacher education partnerships with area schools and involving many area educators in continuing education at USI. Despite his many duties and responsibilities Dr. Price was never too busy to help the many students who came to him for counsel and assistance. I know Dr. Price looks forward to resuming his faculty responsibilities in science education and educational technology. Students will continue to benefit from his knowledge, teaching expertise, and friendship.” Dr. Robert Boostrom, associate professor of education, served as interim chair of the Department of Teacher Education in spring semester. |
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