College of Education Featured Alumni

Master of Arts in Education, 2005

Richard Crawford is helping to develop the next generation of aeronautical and astronautical engineers. He has been teaching aerospace technology to high school students in Tampa, Florida since 2002 and manages the school’s highly-respected aerospace technology program. His work earned him the prestigious 2008 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation Achievement Award. He was one of seven teachers from the United States to receive the award.

The AIAA Foundation presents the Educator Achievement Award every two years to pre-college
educators who have demonstrated exemplary efforts in exciting K–12 students about the study of mathematics, science and related technical studies, and preparing them to use and contribute to tomorrow’s technologies.

Richard’s high school program has the unique distinction of being a chartered student branch of the AIAA. There are only three high schools in the world that have been granted a branch charter, all other branches are either college/university or business/professional branches.

Master of Arts in Education, 2004

Through her eight years as an elementary school teacher, Beatrice Hair learned her own tough lesson on the reality of the education system − some kids just fall through the cracks. The poorly-behaved kids and the top performers got all the attention and the kids in the middle could have had transformations if they had received more one-on-one time, shares Beatrice.

With her demanding class schedule and school duties, there wasn’t anything Beatrice could do for those students as a teacher. So she quit teaching and vowed to make a difference by opening the Salisbury Tutoring Academy, Ltd., (STA) in North Carolina. The academy provides one-on-one instruction for children ages four and up, students with learning disabilities and even some adults. STA students range from low performers to honor roll students and those who want to improve their study skills or prepare for tests such as the SATs.

The personalized attention and support STA provides has proven to make quite an impact on students. After four months of one-on-one tutoring, the average gain in grade level is 10 months in comparison to the four months students gain without intervention, according to Beatrice.

She turned STA into a franchise in 2007 and opened two more locations. Beatrice hopes to have 1,000 franchises across the country so that children everywhere have the opportunity for a transformation through STA.

Master of Arts in Education, 2006

Cheryl Landes earned the distinct rank of Associate Fellow in May 2009 by the Society for Technical Communication (STC) for her contributions in the field of technical communication.

Each year, STC honors one or more senior members who have attained distinction in the field of technical communication as an Associate Fellow. Senior STC members have been a member of the society for at least 10 years and have a minimum of 15 years of experience in the technical communication field.

Cheryl is active in the American Society of Indexing and the past president and program committee coordinator of the Pacific Northwest Chapter. She’s active in two chapters of STC and serves as an international judge for the annual technical communication competitions. She’s also a member of the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development and the Seattle Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications.

In addition to her master’s degree from University of Phoenix, Cheryl holds two bachelor’s degrees in general studies with minors in history, psychology and journalism.

Master of Arts in Education/Administration and Supervision, 1998

Carrie Larson was recognized as one of the top 70 elementary educators in 2008 by the Milken Foundation. She is an elementary school principal and her commitment to excellence increased the school’s standardized test scores by 20% from 2005 - 2008.

She also serves as the College of Education program chair for the University of Phoenix Las Vegas Campus, overseeing programs that shape future educators.

“When Carrie is not serving our working adult population as a role model and mentor for future educators, she is leading younger students as principal of C.T. Sewell Elementary School. Therefore, we are particularly grateful to have her on our team,” says Dr. Raymond Garubo, University of Phoenix Campus College Chair of Education in Las Vegas.

Carrie received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award to recognize her dedication to education. The annual award was established to honor up to 80 of the nation’s best elementary educators. In 2008, the field was narrowed to just 70 educators.

Masters of Arts in Education, 2008

Aryn McCoy has earned several honors in her young life. In addition to coaching the Topeka High School girls’ softball team to a State championship in 2008, she was the first University of Phoenix Paying it Forward^SM scholarship recipient to graduate.

“The education I received at University of Phoenix was truly life-changing,” Aryn explains. “I never could have afforded to continue my education, either financially or time-wise.”

Aryn received her degree in education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. She is currently a special-education teacher and head coach of the lady Trojans’ softball team at Topeka High School.

Nominated by Dr. Charlene Dunfee, a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership graduate, Dr. Dunfee knew that Aryn was a worthy recipient. “I have known Aryn since she was seven years old … I knew that Aryn would use the education to reach her fullest potential.”

Recipients are nominated by family members, friends, colleagues or community members for this full-tuition scholarship. This program was created in 2006 to celebrate the University’s 30^th anniversary and to provide access to a quality, higher education. Since that time, 90 ‘Paying It Forward’ scholarships have been rewarded.