CONTACT: Clara Mae Marcotte

512-593-4143

KING RANCH FAMILY TRUST EARLY EDUCATION

CENTER AWARDS GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS

KINGSVILLE (October 27, 1998) -- The King Ranch Family Trust Early Education Center, a collaborative relationship with Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Harrel Elementary and Epiphany Episcopal, has selected four applicants to receive two-year tuition, fees and books fellowships for full-time study in a master's level early childhood education program.

Theresa Todsen Eilskov, a Kingsville preschool teacher and early childhood coordinator at Epiphany Episcopal School, received her bachelor of science in elementary education from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), then taught in North Carolina where she received Montessori training. Eilskov said the graduate courses would help her as a teacher and early childhood coordinator at Epiphany.

"This fellowship will enable me to bring my new knowledge to the children even sooner than I had planned," Eilskov said.

Jessica Smith, a third grade teacher at Epiphany Episcopal School, received her bachelor's in secondary education with an endorsement for elementary education from Texas A&I University and her master's in religious education from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. Smith said an early childhood master's degree would allow her to become more proficient in understanding and directing developmental activities in the classroom.

"I feel that a major responsibility of the classroom teacher is to excite students about

learning in order to create life-long learners," Smith said. "Furthering my education while practicing my profession would model my philosophy of being a life-long learner."

Patricia D. Stowe, the assistant director and lead teacher at Texas A&M-Kingsville's university child development laboratory, received her bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies with a specialization in early childhood from Texas A&M-Kingsville. Stowe said the scholarship will give her the opportunity to make a difference in the education of Kingsville children. Stowe said, "By continuing my education, I will not only influence the children in the lab school but also will provide a model program for the university students participating in the lab school."

Patricia L. Traylor received her bachelor of arts degree in child development and liberal studies from California State University. She is teaching first grade at Epiphany Episcopal School. Her goal in pursuing a master's degree is to take what she learns back to her classroom. "It is my hope that with a greater understanding of the learning processes of the early learner, I will be better equipped to serve my students," Traylor said.

Recipients of the fellowships must maintain a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and must teach in

Kleberg County for a period of two years, if a position is available, upon completion of a master's degree in early childhood education.

-TAMUK-