Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honors society, officially chartered their Saint Anselm chapter on December sixth. Forty students were inducted out of the forty eight eligible in the Teacher Education Program.

In order to be enrolled in the Teacher Education Program itself students must have a 2.5 GPA, and KDP requires a 3.0 GPA for membership.

Dr. Dianna Terrell, advisor of the Saint Anselm KDP chapter, says that it is “A way to recognize that students are doing their coursework and clinical placement (often with double majors).”

She also added that it is a way to build spirit, but also a form of professional recognition, giving students the chance to show that they are committed to stay active and up to date in their fields.

Members are able to apply for exclusive scholarships, are given access to research and teaching resources, as well as very important networking opportunities.

As a national organization, members are able to join at any time in their teaching career and retain membership for as long as they choose.

Another important reason for Saint Anselm to have formed a KDP chapter is that the Teacher Education program is increasing rapidly.

Three years ago, nine students graduated as members of the program. This year, there will be almost fifty receiving their certification in May. In 2009, the Education department consisted of a single professor. In 2014, there were five.

Dr. Terrell cited that in recent years, research has been showing that students who graduate with a major or minor in education are much more marketable for teaching jobs than students who majored in their content area alone.

She also added that students who experience field work and education courses prior to beginning their careers are more likely to remain teachers.

All of these reasons are enough when it comes to the necessity for a Kappa Delta Pi chapter at Saint Anselm, but Dr. Terrell also pointed out enhanced cohesiveness of the Teacher Education program.

Because the program pulls from so many different majors and areas of study, having such a society allows students to get to know the people that they will be entering classrooms with as fellow teachers.