Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development will recognize several individuals during Homecoming festivities. The College will induct five new members into the Hall of Distinguished Educators and recognize an Outstanding Young Professional and a Friend of Education. An induction ceremony will take place beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Teacher Education Center auditorium.
Preceding the ceremony will be a reception and reunion from 1-1:30 p.m. in the Commons Area of the Teacher Education Center.
Honored as 2016 inductees into the Hall of Distinguished Educators are the late Dr. Raymond Gilbert, Mack Daniel Knotts of Bossier City, Edwina Lewis of Natchitoches, Robert Silvie of Shreveport and David Thrash of Bossier City. Micah Coleman of Natchitoches is the Outstanding Young Professional and Paula Hickman of Shreveport is this year’s Friend of Education.
Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Grambling State University in 1957 and a master’s degree in elementary teaching at Northwestern State in 1967. She also holds certification in supervision of student teachers, +30 professional development hours and additional graduate hours earned during her career. In her first years of teaching from 1950-1970, she taught home economics at Gooch School, fourth grade at Clarence Jr. High and language arts and math at North Natchitoches Elementary and spent a year as a math demonstration teacher at Northwestern State. From 1971-1992, she was at NSU Middle Lab teaching math and language arts, supervising pre-student teachers and was a substitute math instructor. From 1992-96, she worked as adjunct faculty, workshop planner and presenter for Red River, Avoyelles, DeSoto, Sabine, Winn and Natchitoches parishes.
Lewis’s post-retirement includes work with Natchitoches Parish LEAP test preparation, the Natchitoches Literacy Council, St. Anthony Catholic Church, the Natchitoches Parish Library Trustee Board and Natchitoches Parish Vocational/Technical College Board of Directors. She is also involved with the NSU Alumni Association, GSU Alumni Association, Natchitoches Parish Retired Educators Association and the Natchitoches Parish Council on Aging. She has received many honors, including being named the Middle/Junior High School Teacher of the Year for the parish and state, Iota Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Dedicated Service Award, Louisiana Delta Great Retired Teacher of the Year, Natchitoches Business and Professional Woman of the Year, the Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award and a Natchitoches Treasure distinction.
NSU’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development annually recognizes educators whose work has made an impact on the lives of others. For more information on the College visit nsula.edu/academics/education-human-development. A full schedule of Homecoming events is available at northwesternalumni.com/homecoming16.