NSU Horizons Spring 2013

32 HORIZONS When Maryann Tatum Tobin, Ph.D., professor at Nova Southeastern University’s Abraham S. Fischler School of Education, helps one student solve a problem, other students benefit. That’s because Tobin teaches teachers. As part of the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education Graduate Teacher Education Program, Tobin specializes in reading education—guiding professionals who are tackling real-world classroom issues, whether it’s changing technolo- gy or helping children learn. The strengths Tobin brings to the classroom led Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International to select Tobin as an Emerging Leader for 2012–2013. She’s one of 22 honorees younger than 40 who were recognized as top educators by the global association of education professionals. “Maryann Tobin exemplifies the qualities we look for in our PDK Emerging Leaders,” said Bill Bushaw, executive director of Phi Delta Kappa. “She is a passionate, visionary leader committed to improving education for all children.” The prestigious award shines a spotlight on an outstand- ing educator who works in the critical area of reading, said H. Wells Singleton, Ph.D., dean of NSU’s Fischler School. “What’s most impressive is that she spends a lot of time putting together material for her classroom,” Singleton said. “She really understands students and teachers.” Surrounded by family photos in her North Miami Beach office, Tobin said she cherishes those ties with stu- dents and teachers. “I was excited to get hired at Nova Southeastern Uni- versity because the university really focuses on the teacher practitioner,” said the Miami native, who joined NSU’s faculty in 2009 after completing a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from the University of Miami. “I get to do classroom visits,” added Tobin who also holds a Master of Fine Arts in Motion Pictures Screenwrit- ing from the University of Miami. “I go to watch my students teach. It’s really great to still have that connection, not only with the teachers, but also with local schools.” And in turn, teachers let her know what works. “They put the research into practice in the classroom the next day,” Tobin said. “There’s instant feedback.” Former student Kim Parra, who now teaches gifted third- and fifth-graders at Zora Neale Hurston Elementary School in Miami, said Tobin is “super energetic, keeping up with trends in education and new strategies and is able to deliver that to us. She’s up-to-date and down-to-earth—a great educator who really cares about her students.” According to Parra, Tobin goes the extra mile to accom- modate her students’ busy schedules. Tobin estimates about 75 percent of her classes are taught online to busy professionals juggling family and career. “The classes are small enough that I can say, ‘Look, is 8:00 p.m. on Thursday good for everybody?’ Every once in a while, I’ll get a group of students who would prefer to meet on a Saturday,” Tobin said. Whether she teaches online or in class, Tobin’s chief focus is on digital literacy and addressing the technology gap between teachers and students. “Right now, we have young children whose first expo- sure to text is digital, it’s on a screen,” Tobin said. “And that’s changing the way that children interact with text. It’s not just about the printed book anymore. We’ve seen that change as adults, but children won’t see that progression. To them, a book is a Kindle or an iPad. It’s changing the way we think of literacy, as not just reading and writing anymore. It’s all about navigating this world of symbols. “We’re still dealing with a group of teachers, who are approximately 35 years old or older and who are digital immigrants ,” said Teaching the Teachers: Maryann Tatum Tobin Recognized as a Top Educator BY ROCHELLE KOFF FACULTY PROFILE Maryann Tatum Tobin, professor at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler School of Education, was named an Emerging Leader for 2012–2013.