Celebrate the PR Educator
In my December 21st blog post, I announced that #PRStudChat would move forward with themed Twitter discussions. I also discussed that this week’s chat would “Focus on the Educator.” It’s our way of thanking educators for their hard work and for bringing real world learning into the classroom for students to experience public relations.
When I was in grade school, I used to think that having a teaching job was really easy. After all, you get the summer off. Both of my parents were teachers at the time. My mom taught for many years before she became an educational consultant, and my dad started out as a teacher, became principal and the Superintendant of my school system before he retired. I guess I never paid attention to how they worked and the long hours they kept. Today, I know differently, having taught for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s (FDU) Global Business Management program for more than six years. Teaching is a passion, with countless hours of preparation.
I was interested to see how Americans celebrate the teaching profession, so I looked up American Education Week. According to the NEA website, “NEA’s American Education Week (AEW) spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great.”
However, I didn’t see any type of celebration specifically focused on the college/university professor who teaches the youth leaders of the future. When I “Googled” Professor Appreciation, I came up with links to Teacher’s Day, and Teacher Appreciation Week and National College Week. Please feel free to share any other ways that we appreciate the educator!
Because it is so important to celebrate the College/University professor, we have created our #PRStudChat session in appreciation of the educator. The discussion on Wednesday, January 13th will honor all of our participating educators, and some of our very special guests will include:
Terri Bailey (@tabfla , Florida Gulf Coast University)
Suzanne Carbonaro (@suzieprof , Rider University)
Kalene Elizabeth (@Kaleneelizabeth, Humber College)
Mary Ann Ferguson( @Fergi22 , University of Florida)
Melanie James ( @melanie_james ) University of Newcastle
Emily Kinsky (@ekinsky, Pepperdine University)
Brooke Fisher Liu (@bfliu , University of Maryland)
Ellen Mrja (@ellenm53 , Minnesota State University)
Barbara Nixon (@BarbaraNixon, Georgia Southern University)
Dara Quackenbush (@Dquack, Texas State)
Karen Russell (@KarenRussell, University of Georgia )
It’s wonderful that @Journchat is also celebrating the educator this week. Tonight’s #journchat has a very special guest, NYU Professor Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu). Don’t miss this exciting event, which takes place every Monday night from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
I hope you will join us on the 13th for a very dynamic Twitter discussion. We also have our student guest moderator, Mikinzie (@mikinzie) who will guide the conversation. Valerie (@valeriesimon) and I will be hosting the event and look forward to chatting with you then!
January 11, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
Hello, Deirdre — I really enjoyed this post and it made me even more excited to return to school tonight for the first night of my PR Strategy class for the spring semester at Florida Gulf Coast University. Is it okay for me to reference this post in my blog tomorrow (PublicRelationsSolutions.com)?
Thanks — and I look forward to being part of the PR student chat at some point — I am an adjunct on the same faculty as Terri Bailey.
Regards,
Phyllis
January 11, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Hi Phyllis, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and that you’re excited to return to your PR Strategy class at Florida Gulf Coast University. I’d be honored if you reference my post! I look forward to chatting with you during Wednesday’s #PRStudChat discussion. I think it’s going to be fantastic!
January 12, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
Deirdre,
We met in San Diego at the PRSA conference, and it’s just great to see you following through on education this way. Taking the time and effort to recognize educators is wonderful (makes me happy!). We’re the profession’s biggest proponents as many of us have come from corporate and agency.
Hoping to make the chat tomorrow and letting my new students know all about it!
January 12, 2010 @ 7:39 pm
Hi Rosanna! Thank you! I’m very passionate about the PR profession and any chance I can to thank an educator, I will! I agree, educators are our profession’s biggest advocates and their dedication and contribution should be recognized. I hope that you can make #PRStudChat tomorrow, and I appreciate you informing your students about it. I think they will really enjoy the discussion.
January 12, 2010 @ 11:26 pm
It’s interesting that the newly elected President of the Public Relations Institute of Australia is a full time public relations academic, Robina Xavier. http://www.bus.qut.edu.au/faculty/schools/ampr/staffcontact/robinaxavier.jsp
It’s one way to celebrate the contributions of public relations educators – have them in positions of real influence in our national organisations.
Thanks, Melanie