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Academy Staff Get Head Start on Year with Training, Discussion

August 26, 2011 | News, People, Staff, Student Life | No Comments

by Charlotte Humes, Academy Avatar

The Academy certainly understands the value of a little free time.  “It helps take the professional edge off things, which is healthy,” said Ian Oliver, fourth floor male Residential Counselor, but added that “it’s definitely hard to transition back into work mode.”

To help ease this transition, staff activities resumed on August 1, almost a full month before any students return to Schneider Hall.  “The purpose of training is to spend three weeks preparing the RCs to work with this unique population,” explained Beth Hawke, Assistant Director for Student Life.  “We focus on the traits and characteristics of gifted students, particularly the social and emotional aspects, and it allows the new staff to learn from the old.”  Overall, the staff seemed to think it was a very positive experience.

Veteran staffers, such as Laura Huff, second floor female Residential Counselor, praised it for having improved from last year.  “It focused more on preparing us on relevant topics, and on information we really need to know,” she said.

All the staff members agreed that it certainly helped them be prepared for this year.  “It helps me get back in the mindset of the job, and remember things I need to do.  It gives me ideas for the new year, a chance to hear how everyone’s doing things, and a time to think of new strategies,” shared Rachel Stewart, fourth floor female Residential Counselor.

Beyond just discussion with each other, staff were also given a safety session by the fire marshal, spent quite a bit of time learning from Assistant Director for Counseling Services Pokey Bowen about crisis communication, suicide prevention, and had Dr. Tom Hebert–one of the leading experts in gifted studies–come speak.

“I was able to learn more about gifted students and what makes them tick,” Sue Meador, third floor female Residential Counselor, said of the speaker.  The other staff members, such as April Gaskey and Derick Strode, came to explain their jobs, and, as Strode put it, “create unity with all the staff.”

Brimah Vonjo, who joined the Academy this summer as a Residential Counselor, said that, “the guest speaker and staff really came in and gave pieces to the puzzle.  It absolutely prepared me for the job.”

Staff members agreed it had been a productive time, and many offered their take on the most important accomplishment.  “We definitely created a stronger bond among staff, and work more as a unit now,” said Scott Wolfe, who recently assumed the role of Lead RC.

Sam Earls, the other new RC addition who will work with second floor males, mentioned that “it’s a tight community, so those goofy, team-building things really helped with unity.”

According to Stewart, this extended even beyond the scheduled training.  “A lot of really important bonding happened outside of training, when we were just going to meals and hanging out, and that’s definitely an important part of summer development.”  Staff development this summer has helped the Academy enter the new year well-prepared.

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By Corey Alderdice

[New Year, New Staff] Meet Residential Counselor Laura Huff

September 1, 2010 | 5Q, News, People, Staff, Student Life | No Comments

With the start of a new year at the Gatton Academy comes several new personalities to the staff. We are excited about these passionate and dedicated individuals who have joined our team. They come to us from different parts of the country with a host of varied experiences. Over the last few weeks, the staff has had a chance to get to know each other. It’s now your chance to meet the new faces behind the Academy. Each day this week, we’ll profile a new staff member.

Academy Avatars sat down with each new staff member to post ten questions in hopes of getting to know them better. Avatars came up with five questions that we asked each person. Each Avatar also posed five unique questions of their own choosing to ask as well.

Up next is Residential Counselor Laura Huff.

Interview by Sydney Combs, Academy Avatar

1. Why did you decide to join the Gatton Academy staff?

I had been part of the Gatton Academy staff for two years as a night clerk before applying for a residential counselor position. I decided to go for the position because I wanted to stay with the Academy after graduating college. I love working here and love the atmosphere. It seemed like the perfect fit for me.

2. Where did you attend college and what subjects did you study?

I attended Western Kentucky University and studied English with a concentration in creative writing. I did droadcasting as a minor and did most of the Asian Studies courses as well as studied Japanese for the last three years of my college education.

3. What are you looking forward to the most about the coming school year?

I’m looking forward to getting started and getting into a routine first of all. I’m also looking forward to getting to know not only the girls on my floor but the other students as well.

4. What do you think makes the Gatton Academy a unique educational experience?

There is no other high school in Kentucky like Gatton Academy. It’s a place where students from all sorts of different places, backgrounds, and cultures can come together and work toward their dreams. They learn more about the world, especially being on a college campus, where the atmosphere is entirely different.

5. What contributions do you hope to make to life at the Gatton Academy?

I hope to bring together people from different groups and different floors and to introduce some new things to the students that they may not have otherwise tried.

6. Do you have any unique hobbies?

I watch a LOT of Japanese dramas. In the past three years, I’ve seen over 250. They’re just so addicting and so many new ones keep coming out.

7. If you had a couple of hours to waste in an airport, what would you be doing?

Since I rarely travel, airports are a novelty for me. Whenever I do somehow get to be in an airport, I love just walking around looking at the stores and the strangely expensive things they sell there. It fascinates me that you can buy so much stuff in an airport.

8. What clubs are you interested in starting or sponsoring this year?

I think I’m going to be the Japanese Culture Club sponsor this year, but other than that, I’m free. If anyone has a club for which they need a sponsor, then come see me.

9. Why did you choose to major in your field?

I chose Creative Writing because I got to write. Writing stories is something I’ve done since childhood when I learned how to write, and it was all I had ever wanted to do up until I got in college. Things have changed a bit, but I still love writing and loved being able to just sit in class and write a random story.

10. In a fierce battle, who would win: Unicorns or Zombies, and why?

Hmm…unicorns have the advantage of being alive and faster, but zombies are already dead and develop superhuman strength to rip things apart once they are undead. Definitely zombies that would rip apart the unicorns.

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By Corey Alderdice

Two Residential Counselor Positions Available (Start Date: August 2010)

May 24, 2010 | News, People, Staff, Student Life, WKU | No Comments

Western Kentucky University, The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky, is seeking applicants for two Residential Counselors.  These positions are 10-month.  These positions reports to the Residence Life Coordinator.  Anticipated start date is August 1, 2010.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for professionals who wish to make a true difference in the lives of young people who are gifted and talented and in the future of the Commonwealth.  In the fall of 2007, the Gatton Academy opened as the nation’s 14th state residential school with a focus on mathematics and science.  Located on the campus of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY, the program provides extraordinary academic and research opportunities for Kentucky High School juniors and seniors who are academically talented and interested in careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  One hundred and twenty-eight students will earn at least sixty hours of college credit while completing their High School Diploma in both a residential and peer-supported living/learning environment.

Responsibilities:

The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all-inclusive.  Duties may be added, deleted and assigned based on management discretion and institutional needs:

  • Creates a safe, healthy, and nurturing living/learning environment on assigned wing of the building
  • Lives on student wing in the Academy and serves as a role model in all areas of personal, relational, and academic life
  • Develops and implements educational, cultural, social and recreational programming to promote social growth and involvement in the community
  • Intervenes and/or refers student to appropriate source during emotional or physical crises
  • Monitors and documents student progress
  • Communicates frequently with parents
  • Staffs the front desk during assigned shifts
  • Serves as a student advisor for clubs/activities
  • Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Experience with residential life
  • Must reside at the Academy
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Desired/Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with gifted students

Salary Grade:  105

Expected Salary Range:  $22,500.00 -$25,000.00 annually, plus housing

Applications for employment will be accepted electronically only. Interested candidates must submit a cover letter describing qualifications and experience, a current resume, and names, addresses, and daytime phone numbers of three professional references using the on-line application process.  Transcripts may be requested at time of interview. Please refer to the following website to apply:  http://asaweb.wku.edu/wkujobs.  Reference requisition number S2603.   For further assistance contact (270) 745-5934.  To ensure full consideration please submit all application materials by May 31, 2010.  Position will remain open until filled.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply including women, minority men and women, persons with disabilities, and disabled veterans.

Western Kentucky University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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By Corey Alderdice