TAMIU Professor Presents At Conference

Texas A&M; International University Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education Dr. Linda Medearis presented a lecture on story telling as a culturally beneficial early childhood teaching technique at the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC) in Dallas recently.

Dr. Medearis' presentation focuses directly on the Indian culture and provided insight into how all young children learn through the language of their culture.

She explored the connection between the legend of the "dreamcatcher" and ethnocognition, learning according to our culture. Medearis also offered the traditional Seminole story, "The Woodpecker, the Buzzard, and the Raccoon," adapted for use with young children.

Volunteers from the audience served as the animal characters in the story.

"Everyone seems to enjoy listening to a good story. It is a pleasant and positive way to learn, especially when that story reflects the experience and beliefs of your people," she said.

Dr. Medearis, who joined TAMIU in 1993, holds her BS from Texas Woman's University. Her M.Ed. and Ph.D. were earned from TWU and the University of North Texas, respectively.

Prior to joining TAMIU, she was a faculty member at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. Additional posts have been held at the University of North Texas, the Region XVI Education Service Center and a number of Texas public schools as teacher, consultant, and principal.

For more information on Dr. Medearis' presentation at the TAEYC, call the TAMIU Office of Public Affairs at 326-2180.

TAMIU office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

This story by Oralia Roach.

29 November 1995