Dennis McElroy, PhD
Professor Emeritus • Graceland University
Service
University • Community • Profession
Summary
Although service is only considered to be 10% of our job responsibility, I see it as a critical component of my giving to society. I can "limit" myself to influencing those that pass through my classroom or I can be engaged at a broader level. I choose the latter. I maintain a high level of engagement at the university, but have extended myself to involvements in the local community and nationally through my work with the International Society for Technology in Education and Educators Rising. This work is fulfilling, rewarding and always results in personal and professional growth for myself, and hopefully, those I come in contact with.
Scholars' Showcase 2017 - Poster Session.
University
Service to the university means committees, advising, and volunteering. I have twice been elected (2011-2017) by my peers to serve on the Standing Committee on Evaluation Promotion and Tenure (SCOEPAT). In 2017 I was elected to serve on the Faculty Advisory Council (FAC). I served on the Scholars' Showcase committee (2015-2018) which plans the annual university event. Within the Edmund J. Gleazer School of Education, I have served on the Assessment, Leadership, Governance, and Secondary Education committees. I advise 20+ students and volunteer to participate in a variety of activities such as field experience supervision and leading professional development across campus. I was asked to serve on the Innovation committee (2017-present). I am the state coordinator for Educators Rising (See link under Service menu).
Installing the Rose Hill Cemetery entrance sign. (2016)
Community
Being an active member of the community within which I live and work is essential. I have served on the local school board , helped develop a community development grant, and served as a consultant to local schools and other entities. I completed a four year term on the Lamoni Rose Hill Cemetery Board of Trustees in 2016, of which I was elected president all four years. I was elected to the Lamoni Schools Alumni Board of Directors in 2016. Spring 2018, I volunteered to serve on the newly formed Decatur County Child Abuse Prevention Council.
ISTE Teacher Education Network leadership team 2017-18.
Profession
Staying active in one's profession is the optimal way to continue to learn and to share my own knowledge and experiences. I am a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and its Iowa affiliate - the Iowa Technology and Education Connection. I'm currently on the leadership team for ISTE's Teacher Education Network. I serve as the professional learning network's newsletter editor, help facilitate monthly twitter chats, and provide leadership and guidance for the group's 4000+ members. I am currently a reviewer of professional articles and books for ISTE. I also serve on its awards evaluation team (2012-present). I have previously served on ISTE's Advocacy Board of Directors giving me the opportunity to lobby Congress in Washington, D.C. In March 2018, I was invited to participate in the ISTE Edtech Advisor pilot testing program. I helped to test a new system used to provide information and reviews about apps used in education.
President's Volunteer Service Award
I have been recognized in 2017 and 2018 with the President's Volunteer Service Award for the volunteer work I do as part of ISTE's Teacher Education Network leadership team. In 2017 I was awarded the "bronze" recognition for 100-249 hours of service. In 2018, I was awarded the "silver" recognition for 250-499 hours of service.
Service Details
Educators Rising is a national organization (formerly called Future Teachers of America) that cultivates highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path to becoming accomplished teachers, beginning in high school and extending through college and into the profession. I led the effort to allow Graceland to become the state hub for the organization. I have served as the state coordinator since 2016 and led planning and implementation efforts for Graceland to host the first annual Iowa Educators Rising conference on April 12, 2018.
• Promotional Video
• Student PSA Video
• Press Release
• Photographs
GUniverse is a major technology initiative of the Gleazer School of Education (GSOE). Launched in Fall 2014, the initiative includes a 1:1 iPad program, extensive professional development, and a digital badging program designed to provide students and faculty the opportunity to show a variety of competencies in technology integration. As the Director of Technology for the GSOE, I have led the design and implementation of this program from its inception.
As part of the leadership team for ISTE's Teacher Education Network I help facilitate monthly twitter chats. These chats draw participation from educators across the country and internationally. In March 2017, I worked with the Graceland Student Education Association to help them host that month's twitter chat, "Student Voices and Future Visions." In October 2018, my Secondary Methods class hosted the chat, "Integrating Technology and Pedagogy."
In addition to contributing to planning the year round Teacher Education Network activities, I also serve as the professional learning network's newsletter editor. As editor I am responsible for assembling, designing and publishing the newsletter. The newsletter is published monthly and distributed to over 4000 members.
Sample Newsletter - March 2018
Sample Newsletter (requires download and ebook reader) - October 2018
I serve on the Decatur County Child Abuse Prevention Council (2018-present). The council is one of the priorities of the Decatur County Empowerment program. The council is a new organization launched in the winter of 2017-18 and consists of members from across the county including educators, social workers, community enrichment, etc.
As a part of my ongoing work championing educational technology, I've been a presenter for several webinars including one nationally for ISTE and two for the State of Connecticut.
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