Ribbons of Excellence

Ribbons of Excellence Program

Below, find a description of the Ribbons of Excellence (ROE) program at Adrian College, as well as some recent examples of teacher education students presenting at the annual conference.

Caring for humanity and the world

Making socially responsible decisions, providing service to local and global communities and interacting positively with persons of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

The Institute for Education will foster this caring disposition by:

  1. Providing service learning opportunities;
  2. Examining and respecting multiple perspectives and ways of thinking; and
  3. Demonstrating professional ethics.

Learning throughout a lifetime

Continuing to ask important questions, pursuing knowledge in each new age, remaining open to new learning experiences.

The Institute for Education will foster this life-long commitment by:

  1. Increase opportunities for students at Adrian College to learn about their profession through curricular and extracurricular experiences, including coursework, internships, and volunteerism;
  2. Conducting research and disseminating findings; and
  3. Setting and pursuing goals for continued growth.

Thinking critically

Developing critical habits of mind, exploring multiple points of view, raising thoughtful questions and identifying problems and solutions.

The Institute for Education will foster critical thinking by:

  1. Utilizing educational research and professional resources;
  2. Providing students with classes, seminars, guest lectures, experiential learning and activities; and
  3. Supporting their content areas and standards of excellence in their profession.

Crossing boundaries and disciplines

Developing literacy in multiple fields, personifying the liberal arts experience and making connections across disciplines.

The Institute for Education will foster crossing boundaries and disciplines by:

  1. Bridging the academy and professional life by bringing faculty, school administrators, teachers and students into a close relationship;
  2. Implementing interdisciplinary approaches; and
  3. Facilitating collaboration and forming partnerships

Developing creativity

Engaging in creative arts; developing creative talents and skills; recognizing and employing figurative expression.

The Institute for Education will foster creativity by:

  1. Developing a partnership with schools in Lenawee County to develop innovative instructional models;
  2. Equipping students with an education grounded in innovation, research and practice of professional excellence; and
  3. Developing a myriad of strategies to engage students in learning.

Educating those who will educate others.

Education is what Adrian College does best—it’s no surprise that those who graduate from our teacher education program are some of the most forward-thinking future teachers.

Connecting motherhood and masculinity was the goal of Andrew Miller’s 2013 Ribbons of Excellence presentation. Under the ribbon Caring for Humanity and the World, Miller’s presentation analyzed the positive and negative results of single mother households and how they impact educational success. In addition, the presentation analyzed masculine as it has evolved in popular culture—and how men are growing up in single mother homes.

Miller presenting
Miller presenting “Single Mother Household and Evolving Masculinity’s Relation to Educational Success.” His mentor was Professor Al Craven.

Part of education is keeping an eye on things that will teach others. Jammie Woods did this with her work with the Graves Farm, located within the property of the Michigan International Speedway. Her work, which was presented at the 2013 Ribbons of Excellence conference, focused on the rich history of the location and how it can be used for educational purposes at any grade level. She was a 2013 Outstanding Ribbons of Excellence Program Award Nominee for the presentation, which focused on the ribbon Caring for Humanity and the World.

Woods presenting
Woods presenting “The Graves Farm.” Her mentor was Professor Penny Cobau-Smith.

Brittanie Kuhr, winner of the 2103 Outstanding Ribbons of Excellence Program Award, presented a documentary comprised of real-life accounts and words of wisdom from woemn who hold positions in higher education administration. The raw interviews were compiled to shed light on their experiences in such an influential field. The presentation was centered around the ribbon Learning Throughout a Lifetime.

Kuhr presenting
Kuhr presenting “Women in Higher Education.” Her mentor was Professor Michelle Hiscock.

In conjunction with a new partnership with the Michigan International Speedway, Aubrey Quinlan prepared for her 2013 Ribbons of Excellence presentation by preparing real-life lesson plans. Throughout the summer of 2012, Quinlan worked on developing lesson plans from scratch on water testing, a guided trail walk, invasive species unit and an animal explore unit. The project helped her learn to be creative, adaptable and helped her understand what goes into making lesson plans. Quinlan’s lesson plans are now being utilized in the Adrian College/MIS partnership. Quinlan’s presentation focused on the ribbon Learning Throughout a Lifetime.

Quinlan presenting
Quinlan presenting “Project Development: Science Activities at Michigan International Speedway, a Pre-Teacher’s Learning Experience.” Her mentor was Professor Penny Cobau-Smith.