It’s Summertime…Break Time!

As the 2023-2024 school year draws to a close, students, educators and families across this country eagerly anticipate, like many of you, their summer break.  The summer break means an extended breather that can recharge and re-energized our bodies, as well as, refresh tired minds.  Some see summer breaks as an opportunity to relax, unwind, and to slow down life in a very unforced and effortless manner. In many ways, a summer vacation or break can provide an open and relaxed classroom every bit as important as the one that includes desks, books, computers, homework and teachers!

Clearly, a summer break is a season brimming with countless possibilities.   Whether it’s embracing the great outdoors, diving into creative projects, exploring new ideas that have peaked your natural curiosity or simply unwinding, the long days of summer offer endless opportunities for students and others regardless of age.  Your summertime is truly a blank canvas waiting for you to add your own unique tint of brush strokes.  Whether it be through travel, discovery, or simply relaxing at home, do plan to spend quality time this summer to explore something new and different while at the same time rejuvenating and enjoying your time off!

Wishing all of you a delightful, restful, and yes…a fun-filled summer break!

Your ADSOEF Board of Directors

Farewell…to Our Outgoing ASDOEF Directors

Millie Holzer, Beta Zeta (2020-2024); Debbie Frazier, Beta Rho (2020-2024); and Barbara Smith, Zeta (2023), will end their terms as directors on June 30.  Many thanks to each of you for giving of your valuable time and patience, willingness to share your various talents, and for using thorough and careful consideration in making important committee and Board decisions. These three ADSOEF/OSO members together have a combined total of 9 years serving on the Board of Directors.  We commend, as well as applaud you for your passion and dedication to the Mission and Purposes of ADSOEF.  We are indeed grateful for your service!

It Takes a Village…

A huge THANK YOU to:

OSO President Melodie McGee, OSO President for 2023-2025, for her service as a liaison between ADSOEF and OSO. 

Our webmaster, Eileen McNally, and our editor, Cathy Tenney, do outstanding work to provide up-to-date communications to our membership. 

ADSOEF Committees…Committee Chairmen and Members as they direct and move us forward in meeting the ADSOEF purposes.  

Chapter Representatives for disseminating information to their chapter members.

Numerous individuals…a village in fact, who serve in various capacities to keep ADSOEF working toward its mission.  

Thank you for continuing to build our pathway to the future of excellence in education!  The ASDOEF Directors value and appreciate YOU!

Congratulations to the ADSOEF Officers

and Directors for 2024-2025!

Serving as a Director is more than an honor. It includes the legal duties to care, to show loyalty, to adhere to governing regulations and to maintain accounts for ADSOEF. 

Best wishes to all for the coming 2024-2025 fiscal year!

Chairman - Diana Kirkpatrick, Alpha Delta

Vice Chairman - Sue Loader, Alpha Psi

Secretary - *Christine (Chris) Snoddy, Alpha Lambda

Treasurer - *Dr. Lois Harkins, Alpha Lambda

The ADSOEF Board of Directors is composed of the officers joined by Brenda Armstrong, OSO State Member; Linda Diltz, Beta Rho; *Hannah Fairchild, Gamma Tau; *Candace Haudenschild, Alpha Psi; *Sue Samoviski, Chi; Tammy Schroeder, Beta Eta.  OSO President Melodie McGee, Gamma Nu, is the Ohio State Organization Liaison, serving as an ex-officio member.  Marilyn Slusser, Beta Kappa, is the OSO Scholarship Chairman/ ADSOEF Scholarship Liaison, serving as an ex-officio member. 

* Reelected Directors for 2024-2026

* Newly elected Directors for 2024-2026

Educational Services Committee Awards Grants

The Educational Services Committee is happy to continue ADSOEF’s mission “to provide funding to serve charitable purposes relating to professional and personal growth of educators and educational excellence” by announcing two awards approved by the Board of Directors at the May BOD meeting. 

Congratulations to Niki Shaner Applegate, Beta Rho! She was approved for an Individual/Classroom/Community Project grant of $500.00 to purchase stuffed puppies and rubber bracelet “dog collars” called Grief Group Companions. These will be given to the students in her grief counseling group next school year at Walnut Elementary School, Teays Valley District. 

Congratulations to Cathy Tenney, Beta Kappa! She was approved for a Leadership Fund grant of $1,000.00 to attend the 2024 DKG International Convention at National Harbor, Maryland. She will learn leadership skills from the plenary sessions, keynote speakers, workshops, and breakout sessions. She also plans to network with other state newsletter editors. 

Please look for photos and final reports in future newsletter editions.

Our Garden is in Full Bloom! 

At the OSO State Meeting and the ADSOEF Annual Meeting on April 6, 2024, at Grove City, there were many reasons to celebrate your generous giving.  Marilyn Slusser, ADSOEF Liaison and OSO Scholarship Chairman, announced the names of the 16 recipients of the Esther H. Strickland Student Teaching Grants. Additionally, one student was awarded the Jane Brundige Stein Student Teaching Grant for students residing in Marion County Ohio and attending the OSU Marion Branch. The names of all the 17 recipients were reported in the May ADSOEF Foundation Matters. In 2024-2025 ADSOEF will sponsor two first year recipients for the A. Margaret Boyd Fellowship Grant and a second year extension of the A. Margaret Boyd Fellowship, was awarded to Mukadas Tashieva from Kyrgyzstan for her studies at Kent State University.  For 2023-2024, two recipients received approval for a Classroom Project award, plus one Leadership Award was recently approved.

It is amazing to see how all of you have continued Planting Seeds for the Future of education in our state and our world.  Numerous students have benefitted from your generous donations.  The ADSOEF Fundraising Committee extends a sincere and humble Thank You to our DKG/OSO members for your support of the grants, fellowships, classroom/community programs, and scholarships of Delta Kappa Gamma. The amount donated for this year’s fundraising campaign stands at $18,565.38. Together we have not only met the original goal of $8600.00, but have continued Planting Seeds for the Future!!

The ADSOEF Fundraising Committee

Joan Avery, Chi

Holly Buente, Gamma Pi

Nancy Russell, Beta Kappa

Linda Diltz, Beta Rho, Co-chairman

Barb Zirke, Alpha Psi, Co-chairman

ADSOEF Contribution Form

Fall 2023 Student Teaching Experience

Skylar Corder

I have known I wanted to be a teacher since I was 5 years old. I loved the idea of having my own classroom, working with like minded- individuals, and, most importantly making the children I am lucky enough to serve feel supported, encouraged, and loved. With all, finally getting to experience my student teaching was something I was elated about. My 16 weeks in the classroom in the Fall of 2023 was nothing short of memorable and I am so beyond thankful for the Strickland Grant team for believing in me and giving me the resources to do my very best over the course of the semester.

I spent the first 8 weeks of my student teaching experience in a 1st grade classroom in Hamilton, Ohio, and I have never had a school, host teacher, and students impact me in the way they did. Not only do I feel like I grew during this experience as an educator but as a person as well. It was the hardest goodbye at the end of my time, but I am delighted to say I am spending each Tuesday with them for the rest of the school year. I felt so grateful to see the growth each student had in my time there and it only seemed right for me to see it through until they finish 1st grade.

I was lucky to get accepted to the STEP program which allowed me to the last 8 weeks of my student teaching in Luxembourg. This experience gave me a more worldly perspective on education and how it differs in different parts of the world. No classroom, school, or system is perfect, but I really love that I can go into my career bringing what is great about American education while also incorporating what makes European education great too. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am so beyond lucky to have experienced and I am so excited to share and apply it in the future. Had it not been for the Strickland Grant I would not have had near the experience I had during my time in Luxembourg. During my time in Europe, I was able to see 10 countries which helped me learn so much about people, backgrounds, and cultures that differ from my own. Outside of my school in Luxembourg, I got to see the role children play in different cultures and societies and I truly believe I am a better teacher and person because of it.

Student teaching has truly been the experience of a lifetime and while I am sad it is over; I am so excited to apply everything I have learned in the future. I am so thankful for those who believe in me and supported me through this process- it was an experience I will never forget!

Into the Future…Important Dates to Remember!

June 17, 2024 - 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM            

Scholarship Committee Meeting 

June 17, 2024 - 7:00 PM

ADSOEF Board of Directors Meeting 

June 18, 2024 - 1:00 PM

Fundraising Committee Meeting

July 1, 2024

ADSOEF 2024-2025 Year Begins

July 16, 2024 - 1:00 PM

Fundraising Committee

July 15, 2024

Foundation Matters arrives in your mailbox