Date: Fri 05-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Virginia-King-school-PhD

Full Text:

with cut: NMS Assistant Principal Earns Her PhD

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

There's a doctor in the house at Newtown Middle School these days.

NMS Assistant Principal Virginia King recently completed her long journey

toward her doctorate in education.

For the past four years and four months, Dr King has working through

requirements at the Teachers' College at Columbia University in New York City.

She received her degree this past spring.

The Newtown resident admitted it was no walk in the park, but she said she

enjoyed it every step of the way.

"It was tough, but I really love going to school. I'm sure the dissertation

process would drive some people crazy, but I really enjoyed it. I miss it

already," she explained.

Dr King's 350-400 page dissertation entitled, Engaging Community Members in

Constructivist Learning: Parental Involvement in the Development of a Middle

School Science Program looked at involving parents to help teachers improve

science curriculums.

The doctor of education observed that while parents have been involved in

every school activity from bake sales to certain classroom activities over the

years, they've rarely been included in the planning of curriculum.

As part of the process, Dr King invited parents to help develop the middle

school's science program, recognizing that parents and teachers may have

varying opinions on what the curriculum should be since they see the kids in

different lights.

Parents were asked to give their perception of what the science program needs

to be and how it could be improved. From there, a project improvement team

made up of eight parents and four teachers was formed to address those needs.

In the past year, the middle school science project has undergone several

major changes.

While both teachers and parents were hesitant during the early stages of the

curriculum planning, Dr King observed a shift toward more positive attitudes

as their levels of involvement intensified.

Hoping to speed up her education, Dr King expedited the process by combining a

school project with her educational research. Otherwise, she said she never

would have gotten it done.

The former science teacher explained that while it took her more than four

years to earn her PhD, it was like "jet speed" compared to some candidates who

spend decades seeking their doctorate.

Dr King said she set goals for herself, actually planning backwards. Before

beginning her schooling, she set a date in which she hoped to graduate and

then scheduled everything else in from before than point.

Already busy enough during the week as an administrator, Dr King did the

majority of her own school work on the weekends.

"There were times I sat at my computer for 12 hours a day. I'd make myself a

cup of coffee and place it down next to me, but I'd be so busy and so focused

I wouldn't remember I had it," Dr King recalled. "It's a great feeling of

accomplishment."

Nevertheless, with all her hard work, Dr King said she still made time for her

most passionate hobby... ballroom dancing.

Dr King said she received lots of positive comments from teachers, parents and

students upon her graduation. A surprise party was originally planned in her

honor, but after coming down with a nasty cold, the event was postponed,

forcing staff members to inform the assistant principal of their plans.

As for how it feels to finally be called doctor, the administrator replied,

"most adults call me Virginia, anyway."