Alumni Spotlight: Leah Barnes
Leah Barnes
Leah Barnes grew up on the East side of the state, but fell in love with WMU when she toured it as a junior in high school. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education in 2014 from Western and took a position in Yuma, AZ, teaching first grade. She moved back to the Kalamazoo area two years later to teach Kindergarten with Kalamazoo Public Schools. After one year in KPS, she slid over to Portage Public Schools, where she taught one year of Young Fives and 4.5 years of Kindergarten. She then pursued a graduate degree and once again chose WMU to attain a MA in Educational Leadership, which she attained in 2021. Just a month ago, she interviewed, was offered, and accepted the Early Elementary Principal position at the Paw Paw Early Elementary Building, which is located in Van Buren county. She lives with her husband and live in Portage, Michigan with their two children and two dogs. They enjoy spending time outside and getting to explore things in their community.
She stated, “I am so thankful for the many professors at WMU who helped encourage me to apply for the Ed. Leadership program and learn new things! I was able to meet a great group of people within my MA cohort, too; experiencing the entire program together solidified our friendship and helped us all to grow as educators, because we could use each other as resources. I'm also appreciative of my professors' variety of experiences they shared with us. So many connections were made during my program to potential future opportunities and those WMU professors continue to check in on me in my new role!” Her advice to those considering administration, “If you're thinking about beginning a degree in Ed. Leadership, I'd say-JUMP IN! It is scary at first, but the supports put into place by WMU will help you navigate all of the information. Keep your mind open and be ready to try something new!”
Student Spotlight: Vee Murugan
Vee Murugan
I was born in a little town off the east coast of South Africa to parents who were educators, so I always knew that I was going to be an educator. After I obtained my Bachelor in Education from the University of KwaZulu Natal, I moved to Johannesburg and started my career as a teacher. My next stop was in London, UK. Here I developed my love for travel and for cultural diversity. My next degree that followed was a post-grad in Education with a specialization in Environmental education. This allowed me to make sure that I not only provided the best delivery of content but that I made sure that their environments supported optimal learning.
In 2005, I began working in North Carolina public schools as an international teacher. With this position, I not only worked as a regular teacher, but I also got the opportunity to work with staff and communities to provide a culturally diverse and global lens to the way students were taught.
After 22 years as a teacher and administrator, I moved to Calhoun ISD where I worked as an Educational Consultant. In this role, I supported both school leaders and teachers to become more effective in their roles. I am the current DEI Program Director or Saginaw ISD. The position has allowed me to collaborate with local business leaders, school districts, and DEI leaders from the State of Michigan.
The EDLD leadership courses have helped me, at the Master's level, to become a leader and support my actions with research-based theories and resources. At the doctorate level, I have learned how to build leaders and create leadership frameworks for effective leadership.
I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing a graduate degree, to consider enrolling in one of WMU’s degree. There is ongoing support from advisors who go over and beyond to make sure that students are successful. In my studies, I have always felt comfortable reaching out to my professors if I needed additional support. I loved the lens of the equitable researcher that the EDLD department uses. All student perspectives are considered and encouraged to share. My professors were consistently asking me to apply the learning to my situation/area of interest.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Wayne "Rusty" Stitt
Dr. Wayne "Rusty" Stitt
Dr. Wayne “Rusty” Stitt is in his first year as a faculty specialist in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology in the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University. He serves as the program coordinator for K-12 MA and Ed.S. programs, including being the faculty advisor for these students. Dr. Stitt is a Bronco through and through as he earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. His undergraduate degree came from Indiana University - South Bend in elementary education. He was also fortunate enough to play college basketball while at IUSB.
Rusty was an K-12 administrator for over 20 years serving as an athletic director, assistant principal, principal and superintendent. He was recognized as a W.M.U. Golden Apple recipient in 2019 for his positive impact as a practitioner in leading his districts through systemic reform and having a positive impact on students and staff. Some of Dr, Stitt’s accomplishments include serving as principal for a school recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best high schools in America. As a superintendent he led his district by developing a shared vision and enacted meaningful changes for students and teachers including standards-based grading, STEM education for all K-8 students, project-problem based education, student-led conferences, one-to-one technology integration, teacher collaboration through PLCs, and an early middle college program that has increased the average number of college credits earned per graduate to 17.
Dr. Stitt teaches courses and serves on specialist and doctoral committees and undergraduate honors theses related to K-12 educational leadership. Classes regularly taught include adaptive personnel, central office instructional leadership, and supervision of field experiences. Dr. Stitts’ research interests focus on research-based best practices in educational leadership.
Read January's Spotlight Series