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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Governor reappoints department head of university teaching and learning to state board

    University professor of education and department head for the department of teaching and learning, Colleen Klein-Ezell, was recently reappointed to the state board by Gov. John Bel Edwards, after being previously appointed in 2008 by Gov. Bobby Jindal and again in 2014. Klein-Ezell is involved in several community service organizations and projects such as the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce and the Kids Hope mentoring program. Her dedication to education and motivating children through mentoring has fueled her passion as an educator.

    University professor of education and department head for the department of teaching and learning, Colleen Klein-Ezell, was recently reappointed to the state board by Gov. John Bel Edwards, after being previously appointed in 2008 by Gov. Bobby Jindal and again in 2014. Klein-Ezell is involved in several community service organizations and projects such as the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce and the Kids Hope mentoring program. Her dedication to education and motivating children through mentoring has fueled her passion as an educator.
    Courtesy of Robby Klein

    Colleen Klein-Ezell, university professor of education and department head of teaching and learning, was recently reappointed to the Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Steps, a program targeted towards children up to three years old who have developmental disabilities.

    “The Statewide Interagency Coordinating Council Board works collaboratively with the Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities in an advisory capacity to design and oversee the implementation of a family-centered, community-based and comprehensive, interagency system for infants and toddlers, birth through two years of age, who are eligible for Early Steps and their families,” said Klein-Ezell.

    According to Klein-Ezell, the reappointment was an honor after being appointed by Governor Bobby Jindal in 2008 and again in 2014. She describes herself as the “personnel prep liaison” on the board that represents the early intervention certification piece to Early Steps. In order to be considered credentialed, Early Interventionist in Louisiana requires a specialized program of instruction and courses.  

    “The board appointment compliments my professional field of early intervention,” said Klein-Ezell. “The appointment allows me to work with others in the field of early intervention across the state. Our goal is to advise and assist in the monitoring and evaluation of this system to ensure that families are supported and the potential of each child is maximized.”

    Klein-Ezell considered the appointment by the board an honor because of Gov. John Bel Edward’s involvement with Tangipahoa Parish and the governor’s personal connection with the university.

    “It’s an honor to be appointed to the SICC by Gov. Edwards,” said Klein-Ezell.  “It is particularly special since he is from Tangipahoa Parish and has a vested interest in Southeastern since his daughter attends school here. Education is a key focus in his administration.”

    After being a member for over 25 years, Klein-Ezell serves as the current president of the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children. While in Florida, she served on the state board and has continued to serve in Louisiana after moving here in 2007.

    “The Council for Exceptional Children is the premiere international organization for the field of special education,” said Klein-Ezell. “I was honored to be awarded the Higher Education Professional Award in Special Education by LA CEC in 2015. I have worked in the field of special education since 1982 and it meant the world to me to be honored by such a wonderful organization.”

    Klein-Ezell values mentoring children because she believes that spending quality time with them helps them feel loved and valued, which eventually will help them learn, grow and succeed. For this reason, she worked with the Kids Hope mentoring program at Westside Elementary School through her church Woodland Park Baptist between 2008 and 2013.

    “It was such a rewarding experience making a difference one child at a time,” said Klein-Ezell.  “I looked forward to our weekly mentoring sessions.  Mentoring is so important. Providing guidance and acknowledging their importance in this world. They are our future.”   

    Throughout all of her involvement in government and local projects, Klein-Ezell has managed to obtain more than 1.3 million dollars in grants from the Louisiana Board of Regents. She credits the grant to writing for projects that she showed an interest in pursuing and connecting the outcome to a goal of giving the money.

    Several Board of Regent grants provided Lekotek, a toy lending library complete with play sessions for families with children with disabilities and Snoezelen rooms, multi-sensory environments for individuals with sensory needs, was created with the help of Dr. Camille Yates, associate professor in the department of teaching and learning.

    “Both efforts bring national attention to Southeastern in that we are the only university in the nation that has both a Lekotek and Snoezelen facility on a campus with a focus on the birth to 21 population, teacher candidate preparation and family/community involvement,” said Klein-Ezell.
    Klein-Ezell remains proud of choosing a career path early in life that she enjoys. She credits her career in special education with her ability to use her knowledge, skills and position at the university to help families and children in the community who have special needs.

    “My belief is that regardless if teacher candidates are ‘saying/thinking’ they only want to teach general education, they will still have children with special needs in their general education classroom,” said Klein-Ezell. “So, wouldn’t it be important to have the skill set to meet all of their students’ needs.  Therefore, it is in their best interest to pursue a dual degree of General Education and Special Education. It is a win/win.”

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