Service Responsibility Trustworthiness Love for Children Willingness to make a difference

According to the terms of membership for Kappa Delta Pi, “ we are a dynamic community of exceptional educators committed to promoting excellence in the education profession by recognizing and advancing scholarships, leadership, and service,” (

What is service? The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines service as- “the act of serving: a helpful act; good turn,’” bin/student?book=student&va=service&x=13 &v=9.

The Pi Sigma Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi understands the importance of service. Each semester the Executive Committee meets to plan out a semester of activities that involve numerous opportunities for KDP members to serve.

1.Linkhorne Fall Festival at Linkhorne Elementary School – activities are coordinated between the staff and Linkhorne Elementary School and the KDP Members. Activities – petting zoo, pony rides, fun house, face painting, passing out lunches, etc

2.Operation Christmas Child – sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse- it affords the KDP members the opportunity to prepare gift boxes for children. Each participant must fill a shoe box with small toys, crayons, pens, pencils, stickers. These items are shipped across the world to arrive in time for Christmas.

3.Shipping School Supplies to the Philippines- school supplies were collected from KDP members, and then they were shipped to Lynwood Christian Academy Inc. and the Christian Missions in Manila, Philippines. We packed up boxes of school supplies and shipped them to the children at Lynwood Christian Academy.

4.Teacher Appreciation Day at Linkhorne Elementary School- Linkhorne Elementary School always welcomes KDP members to their school and we wanted to show our appreciation to them. Activity- KDP members placed boxes of chocolates in the mailboxes of the teachers at LES and the principal and the secretaries were also given gifts of appreciation.

5.Pi Sigma Informational Meeting – this meeting is held at the beginning of each semester. The potential members are informed of their duties and responsibilities of obtaining membership in this prestigious organization.

All of us can think of those individuals who have inspired us to be better people. Those individuals made a major impact in our lives. It wasn’t always something that was said, but rather it was something that they did.

Each semester we always have a host of activities to assist us as we try to inspire our teacher candidates to be the best that they can be.

College for a Weekend (CFAW) – this is an activity set up by our university. This is the time for hundreds and thousands of high school seniors to visit our university with their parents. The School of Education and Kappa Delta Pi come together to talk to these prospective students about the teacher education program, and instill in them the importance of getting a good education and inspire them to become teachers through stories and experiences.

Inviting special guest speakers – Prof. Steven McDonald gave a speech entitled –”Vision- A Preferred Future.” Student Teacher Panels – Student Teachers talk about their experiences as teachers and they tell inspiring stories to the teacher candidates. Teacher Panels – Teachers discuss inspiring stories to the teacher candidates.

Literacy Alive – KDP Members read to the children at Linkhorne Elementary School and they instill in them the importance of literacy. They talk to them about how reading everyday will make a major impact on their lives.

We’ve committed ourselves to service and we’ve inspired others to be successful. What’s next?

Teacher candidates are in the learning stages, and they want all of the information that they can receive about becoming responsible educators. Pi Sigma Plans activities and invites guest speakers who are administrators, professors, teachers, and role models within the world of education to talk about being responsible educators and being effective educators.

Dr. Michelle Goodwin, Associate Prof. of Education at Liberty University – spoke to our teacher candidates about the teacher education program and what they will need to enter the classroom. Mr. Nick Pontius and Mr. Jason Mack, Elementary School Principals talked about professional dress, the interviewing process, and what is expected of first time teachers.

Ms. Letitia Lowery, An Elementary School Teacher, talked about the importance of being an effective teacher. She talked about classroom management and what it takes to be an excellent teacher. Teacher candidates were also invited to a Writers Conference and this was held at Liberty University to instill in everyone the importance of writing.

As you prepare to enter the world of education and you wish to make a huge impact in the lives of others, please don’t forget to….

C-Commit to Service I- Inspire Others to be Successful A- Act Responsibly as an Educator.

C-Commit to Service I- Inspire Others to be Successful A- Act Responsibly as an Educator.

Kappa Delta Pi. Motto. Retrieved October 29, 2009, from Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary - bin/student?book=student&va=service&x=13 &v=9. bin/student?book=student&va=service&x=13 &v=9

Dr. Shante’ Moore-Austin, Assistant Professor of Education, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.