Equity Center Radio

You can email your questions about school finance and equity for answer on the air to ECRadio@EquityCenter.org.

Wayne Pierce interviews two students from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Amber Lynn Diaz and Chris Everett, who are studying to earn their Doctor of Education degrees at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, under the auspices of Drs. Austin Vasek, the Director of Graduate Programs, and Marlene Zipperlen, the Dean of the College of Education, at Mary Hardin-Baylor, who also join him today in the broadcast booth.

Mary Hardin-Baylor’s College of Education offers students in its Doctor of Education degree in Leadership in Educational Administration (LEAD) a means of obtaining an advanced degree in a unique three year program. Educational leaders and practitioners in the LEAD doctoral degree program visit and study in, during the summer months, in order, for each of the three years in the program, Austin, Texas, learning about how state governments’ work in relation to public education; Washington, D.C., studying the federal government’s impact on public education; and, finally, in The Netherlands, comparing their techniques of governance and philosophies of educational financing to our system. The experience provides each doctoral student with knowledge of the world of education in a different environment than the one with which they are most familiar . The Institutes are one of the unique aspects of the design of this particular doctoral program. Through the opportunity to travel to The Netherlands, where they are supervised by Mr. van Hezel, doctoral students are immersed in another culture, organization, and ideas.

Educational administrators and board members, our public officials and others interested in the United States public education structure need a world view, as culture, society, and learning become increasingly complex and interrelated.

On today’s program, hosted by Wayne Pierce, our guests explain this distinctive doctoral program. Interesting and informative, to say the least. We are sure that this different perspective on public education and a dissimilar system of its delivery will enthrall the listener.

Mr. Everett is currently completing his 11th year as a public school educator. Raised in the booming metropolis of Salado, Texas, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology/Biology from Sam Houston State University. After completing 22 hours of masters degree work in Sport Management at Texas A&M University, he changed paths and completed his Masters of Education in Educational Administration at Tarleton State University. He has served as a teacher of Science, PE, and Health from grades 6 to 12, as well as a coach for football, basketball and track. For the past 4 years, he has been an administrator in the Alvarado Independent School District and is currently the principal of the Intermediate School.

Ms. Diaz received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming and her Masters of Education degree from Texas A&M Central Texas. Over the last 9 years she has been working as an English Language Learners teacher in Killeen ISD, where she is responsible for providing instruction to Limited English Proficient students. She is also a professional development consultant for Region l2, providing training for educators to become ESL certified; and, as if this were not enough, works as a Graduate Assistant at Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Drs. Austin Vasek & Marlene Zipperlen

Chris Everett

Amber Lynn Diaz

Dr. Austin Vasek was educated in the Waco Public Schools. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Texas Tech University; his Master of Education degree from Tarleton State University; and his Doctor of Education degree from Baylor University. Dr. Vasek worked 18 years in the P-12 education environment as teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and director of curriculum & instruction.

Dr. Marlene Zipperlen received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; her Master of Science degree from Baylor University; and her Doctor of Education degree from Baylor University. Dr. Zipperlen worked 37 years in the P-12 education environment as teacher, coach, counselor, principal, and Superintendent.

You can subscribe to our weekly show by pressing the RSS button here or hear the broadcast by pushing the button below:

Alternative Play Button

To find out more about the Equity Center and the important work that it performs for the school children of Texas and its member school districts, please click on www.equitycenter.org.
 

Alternative Play Button