The Grambling State University Iota Tau Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi inducted six new members. Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society founded in 1911 and composed of more than 1, 200,000 educators. The Iota Tau Chapter was founded on May 21, 1961.Khristopher Cash, Kimbernique Coleman, Danielle Copeland, Marquesha Moore, Shaka Strong and Shelbi Whitcomb were the new initiates.
The guest speaker was Dr. Frederick Pinkney, assistant principal at Shreveport’s Westwood Elementary School.
Pinkney spoke about scholarship, leadership and service as they relate to educators and the field of education.
He said scholarship is not just about getting A’s. Leadership is not about being elected into a position. “The goal of leadership is not to get power but your goals and visions across,” he said.
“Service is an attitude. It is about the impact we have made. Purpose – you need to know why you do what you do,” said Pinkney.
Pinkney said as educators, the inductees hold the future of the entire nation in their hands. “You shape children’s futures. Do not step on dreams. How you act, what you say and what you do will have an impact on their lives.
“Being inducted is an honor and is respected in the field of education. The reward of a thing well done,” he said.
Khristopher Hobbs, president of the Iota Tau chapter, said Pinkney was chosen because he a member of the honor society, a leader in north Louisiana, an educator, Grambling graduate and leader of a choir.
Hobbs said, “He is very motivation and inspirational.”
Promoting excellence in education and throughout the community and being scholars were the main points stressed to the initiates.
The group’s line name was Multiple Intelligence. “They are a dynamic group. They worked hard, followed instructions, and were always willing to learn. Each one of them had a different personality, which reflected in their work. They always showed different strengths and all possessed leadership qualities,” said Hobbs.
Other executive board members include Genta Hayes, vice president; Lakeisha Dorsey, secretary; and Shayla Gipson, historian
Hayes facilitated evening sessions, set expectations, co-conducted interviews with the executive committee and created agendas for the candidates. Also, she served as counselor for the executive board, giving guidance on the best practices to employ to enhance the organization.
Hayes said, “The initiates had to learn about who came before them in order to be able to educate the whole child. They were by far the best line.”
Moore, the initiates’ line leader, joined the group to network and because of its many resources available to members.
“I have been made aware of workshops and conferences. There are tools available that I can use now and once I am teaching,” she said.
She said the initiation process was beneficial because each activity had meaning and a lesson well taught. Moore is a junior majoring in elementary education and special education.
Cash said he joined Kappa Delta Pi because it was a good opportunity to meet new people. He said, “Education majors like me, do not see many education majors on campus.”
Also, Cash wanted to learn more about education, how to be a better educator and develop leadership skills.
“Becoming a member was worth it. I learned how to develop leadership skills and gained knowledge of what being a good educator is. Joining this organization helps you to knock out the kinks,” said the math education major from Chatham.
After reciting Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son,” Pat Johnson, the interim head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, told the group, “This is just the beginning. Realize life in not a crystal stair. If you are going to be successful, you will need scholarship, leadership and service.