Student Profile:
Stefanie Rosenberg

Major/year: Junior secondary education major with endorsements in social studies and Spanish and a concentration in Latin American studies.

Hometown: Grimes, IA.

Work experience: Volunteers in schools and works at a local daycare. Lived in Mexico City for a year after high school and taught English at a bilingual school.

Notable achievements: Who's Who Among America's Students, President's National Volunteer Service Award, Iowa All-State Choir member, National Dean's List, Drake President's List, Iowa State Education Association Student Program executive board member, Iowa Literacy Council member, Drake Education Association President, Alpha Lambda Delta (National Academic Honor Society), Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honor Society).

Off-campus interests: As a volunteer with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Rosenberg investigates and assesses cases involving children in foster care and reports her assessment to a judge. She also enjoys reading, singing, genealogy research and traveling to Mexico whenever possible.

Career aspirations: "Simply to be a teacher and make a difference in the lives of young people."

"The field of education is constantly changing. The faculty in the School of Education have challenged me to grow as a critical thinker by asking me to not simply accept the changes taking place in education, but instead to question those changes."

Faculty Profile:
Jack Gerlovich
Professor of Science Education, Science Safety

Educational background: B.A. in biology and Spanish from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA; M.A. in biology and Ed.D in education, curriculum and instruction from Drake University. Before teaching at Drake, Gerlovich taught in public schools and worked as a state science consultant with the Iowa Department of Education.

Classes taught: Foundations of Education, Elementary Science Methods, Science Safety in Academic Labs and Issues in Education.

Research interests: Science safety in academic settings.

Notable achievements: Over the past 16 years, Gerlovich has co-authored 20 research studies on science safety in academic settings and had them published in most major national science/education journals throughout the U.S. Gerlovich is now working with Drake Professor of Statistics Dr. Rahul Parsa to organize key national education government agencies and professional organizations to initiate the first national science safety indexing project in an effort to assess the status of safety in all schools throughout the nation and to initiate targeted solutions.

Campus activities: Classroom Facilities Assessment Committee, University Animal Care and Use Committee, Safety and Security Committee, National Alumni Scholarship Program presenter. Academic advisor to approximately 45 undergraduates and 15 graduate students annually.

Off-the-job interests: Science safety research/training for teachers, administrators and state departments of education. Gerlovich also is a commercially licensed, multi-engine/instrument-rated airplane pilot.

Favorite aspect of teaching: Watching students grow and achieve.

"Some of my favorite moments as a professor have included conducting research studies with state departments of education that have resulted in comprehensive, customized statewide training and CD-ROM programs for teachers and reduced numbers of accidents; bragging about students to prospective employers; and watching my students teach an inquiry-based science lesson to their peers and then to students in the Des Moines schools."

Alumni Profile:
Mick Starcevich

Graduation year: 1990, Ed.D. in educational administration at Drake.

Title: Executive vice president of instruction, Kirkwood Community College.

Background: B.A. in math, M.A. in educational administration and superintendents endorsement from University of Northern Iowa. Has been an adjunct professor for Drake teaching Research Design I and II for 14 years.

Research Interests: Action research in the classroom.

Notable Achievements: Drake University School of Education 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award and 2002 Iowa Bandmaster Award for superintendent who promotes the fine arts.

Off-the-Job Interests: Golfing, boating and running. Ran first half-marathon in July 2002 and finished under two hours.

"Because of the many professors I had while at Drake, I found out that being successful didn't require a checklist, that there are many varieties of leaders. One style of leadership will not work all of the time. Flexibility is the key."