Celebrate the new Attallah Academy of Teaching on March 2



woman smiling
Donna Ford Attallah '61

The folks at Chapman’s College of Educational Studies are greeting their newborn academy with all the excitement and affection of proud parents. “Our baby has high expectations, and we have high expectations for its development,” CES Dean Don Cardinal says of the Donna Ford Attallah Academy of Teaching and Learning. “The academy’s early characteristics are very cool and very promising.”

The coolest part? We’re all invited to a party, celebrating the new academy. On Tuesday, March 2, a reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the William and Willa Dean Lyon Conference Center on the second floor of Argyros Forum. It’s a chance to learn more about the new center of teaching and learning and to meet the woman who made it possible — Donna Ford Attallah ’61, who taught kindergarten and first grade in Orange County for 40 years. Attallah’s $3 million gift created the academy, which launched this semester but officially opens in the fall.

The academy’s focus is on developing future K-12 teachers as well as “studying education in the larger social context — how teaching must adapt to fit the needs of a changing society,” Dean Cardinal says. One innovation:  the faculty decided not to hire an academy director but to bring in a visiting professor who is a national or international expert in the field of teacher education and who “can assist the faculty to think-through what the academy could be and innovative ways to get there,” Dean Cardinal explains. A search for the Donna Ford Attallah Visiting Professor of Teacher Education is underway.

Clearly, there’s plenty of reason for excitement — and for a celebration. For more information or to RSVP for the reception, call 714-997-6692 or e-mail mmccoy@chapman.edu.

Dawn Bonker

4 comments

  • This is such an exciting opportunity for faculty and students in the CES now and for years to come! The potential to impact student learning in K-12 education locally and nationally is significant. Thank you Donna!!

    • You are most welcome, Mary. I look forward for exciting things to happen in the next few years and am honored to be a part of that future!

  • Donna Attallah is such an angel for so many at this university. She has been so helpful to our Church Relations program. I am so glad for this new initiative in education for Chapman!

  • Nancy, I was so happy you could attend the celebration. Thanks for your good comments. It is such a pleasure to be involved at Chapman!

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