SUMMER 2023 23 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION RANKED “A” IN PREPARING FUTURE READING TEACHERS The undergraduate teacher preparation program at Dallas Baptist University has recently been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its rigorous preparation of future teachers in how to teach reading, earning an “A” grade in NCTQ’s new report. The program is among just 23% nationwide to earn an “A” from NCTQ for meeting standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction—often called the “science of reading.” To earn an “A,” programs need to meet NCTQ’s targets for coverage of the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction—phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—and not teach more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction. NCTQ evaluated 693 traditional undergraduate and graduate programs across the country, including 50 in Texas. Overall, just 112 programs earned an “A.” “The DBU Dorothy M. Bush College of Education’s (COE) initial certification team strives to ensure all elementary education students are fully prepared for P-12 students and the classroom environment in which they will serve,” said Dr. DeAnna Jenkins, Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education. “The Early Childhood through Grade 6 (EC-6) initial teacher candidates graduate with 21 hours based on the science of reading, and the initial certification team is very proud that NCTQ has recognized the efforts of the DBU COE’s faculty, staff, and students to pursue excellence in the area of reading.” With national data showing that more than one-third of fourth grade students—over 1.3 million children— cannot read at a basic level, DBU strives to be among the programs ensuring that future elementary teachers enter the classroom equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to help students become strong readers. “I believe God called me here. I love my job and love serving other people,” says Don Kabetzke, who has served as Director of Security at DBU since 2001. He was honored this year as the 2023 Staff Member of the Year for his decades of faithful leadership to ensure that the campus is a safe place for the thousands of students, faculty, staff, and guests who visit University Hill. A pastoral ministry graduate of Arlington Baptist College, Don served as a youth minister at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in DON KABETZKE 2023 STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR his hometown of Amarillo before returning to the DFW area in 1989. Before coming to DBU, he served in three area churches as an associate pastor and youth minister, as well as the first Director of Security at Parker College of Chiropractic. Don and his wife, Vira, have been married for 22 years. They have two grown sons, Ben and Danny, and a daughter, Dr. Shaida Khan. They have five grandchildren, with one on the way.
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