Lesli Marchese, Campus Carrier News Editor
Berry’s chapter of KDP, Rho Upsilon, was founded over 25 years ago, and initiates new members biannually. 19 new members were inducted at their most recent induction on Nov. 1.
“We’re inducting about 30 to 40 new people a year, and that includes graduate students,” Mary Clement, professor of teacher education, said.
This past week, KDP hosted their biannual book sale, which they use as a fundraiser for their “Literacy Alive!” service initiative.
According to KDP’s website, the initiative “invites members to create programs and events in their communities that bring empowering literacy skills to their participants.”
Berry’s chapter uses their book sale to raise money to donate books to local schools. They then use those books as part of their SCORE, or Success, Creativity, Opportunity, Reinforcement and Excel program. They pair an education major and student-athlete to go read to a class, they then gift that book to the class.
“We will donate at least 12 books this semester,” Clement said. “We will invite athletes to take books to local areas to read to children.”
While in the class, the Berry students explain to the children the importance of reading and present the students and teacher with a free admission ticket for themselves and one other adult to their athletic event of the week.
KDP also annually hosts the teacher of the year. Last Monday, they invited the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Ernest William Lee II, to speak to current students about the importance of teaching.
Senior Carrie Nobles, president of KDP, said that there were about 75 people in attendance at the event.
KDP is an organization that grants lifetime membership and provides professional resources to teachers.
“After graduation, Kappa Delta Pi is a professional association for educators,” Clement said. “People can remain members for life and get great professional development and access to resources like webinars and classroom materials.”
KDP accepts education majors starting their sophomore year who have at least 30 credit hours and a 3.5 GPA. Many students interested in pursuing a career in teaching join this honors society because it allows them access to a network of teachers for their lifetime.
“It is a great professional resource,” Nobles said. “I’ve gotten to explore skills I didn’t realize I had, and to discover unmet leadership potential.”