Alabama elementary school educator Betsy Rogers presents her views, successes and inspirational thoughts on teaching at 7 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. The talk is free and open to the public.

Rogers' philosophy is reflected in the statement on her classroom door: "You Are Entering the World of a Child." Some of her first- and second-grade students at Leeds Elementary School in Jefferson County, Ala., face poverty, abuse and neglect at home. School, she has learned, is the best place for them.

Therefore, Rogers is committed to helping students feel safe and providing joy to those with unfortunate lives. A lively theme-based curriculum that allows the day to flow and helps make connections for children is just one of her approaches. 

Believing her school's students could benefit from staying with a teacher for two consecutive years, Rogers implemented the concept known as looping in 1997 after undertaking a year-long study. Now teachers throughout Jefferson County, including four others at Leeds Elementary, are using the approach.

Rogers holds bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education, an educational specialist in elementary education degree and a doctorate in educational leadership, all from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.

She was chosen National Teacher of the Year from among the 2003 State Teachers of the Year. Selected to focus public attention on excellence in teaching, Rogers began a year as a full-time educational spokesperson in June, 2003. The National Teacher of the Year Program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers, is sponsored by Scholastic Inc.

For additional information, contact Terry Wiedmer in Ball State's educational studies department, twiedmer@bsu.edu.