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The People of IAIE

FOUNDING LEADERS

Dr. William Watson Purkey

Founding Leader

Dr. William Watson Purkey is Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is internationally recognized for his research and writing on self-concept theory and human motivation. His most recent research is on defusing difficult challenges in education. Author of 10 books on school climate, His major works include Self Concept and School Achievement (Prentice-Hall) and Developing Inviting Schools: A Beneficial Framework for Teaching and Leading (Teachers College Press). Dr. Purkey created Invitational Theory and Practice and was the co-founder of the International Alliance for Invitational Education.

Betty L. Siegel

Founding Leader

Betty L. Siegel was a dynamic speaker, author and unforgettable educational leader. She was the first female president and Distinguished Chair of Leadership, Ethics and Character at Kennesaw State University, where she served for 25 years, making her the longest serving female president of a state university in the United States. In addition to co-founding the International Alliance for Invitational Education, Dr. Siegel served as the Convener of the Oxford Conclaves on Global Ethical Leadership and a member of the Board of Directors, Character Education Partnership. She was a great story teller. Please enjoy “Sonny’s Story” in our IAIE Articles section.

Dr. John Michael Novak

Founding Leader

Dr. John Michael Novak is Professor Emeritus of Education at Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. An invited speaker on six continents, he is also a past President of the Society of Professors of Education, and a former member of the Executive of the John Dewey Society. He has written a dozen books and monographs, including Leading for Educational Lives (Sense Publishers), Inviting Educational Leadership (Pearson), and Developing Inviting Schools: A Beneficial Framework for Teaching and Leading (Teachers College Press).

Dr. Peter Wong

Founding Leader

Dr. Peter Wong is the founder of the IAIE Hong Kong Center and Coordinator of IE initiatives in Asia. As a leader in School Curriculum and Development for the Education Department of the Hong Kong Government, Dr. Wong developed a comprehensive guidance program for HK schools based on Invitational Education. In 2002 he created a pilot project with 9 HK schools to implement Invitational Education. The success of the project attracted many more schools to join the IE movement which led to the establishment of the HK IE center in 2004 and the hosting of 2 large World IE Conferences. In 2018, Dr. Wong initiated an IE project program for schools that serve students with special needs. Presently there are over 200 schools that have adopted IE in the HK school system. IE has spread to Mainland China with the most significant growth in the Canton province, the cities of Nanjing and Changchun.

OUR STAFF

Debra Coffey

Executive Director

Debra is an associate professor in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State University. Her chapters, articles, manuals, and seven textbooks resulted from extensive professional collaboration, and they highlight innovations with digital literacy, multicultural literature, and research-based strategies for literacy development. She shared her experiences in teaching students from preschool to the university level when she provided professional development for teachers in Belize, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. Dr. Coffey, recipient of the 2018 ALER A.B. Herr Award honoring outstanding contributions to literacy education, has established national collaborative networks as Chair of the Clinical Division, Chair of the College and Adult Literacy Division, and Secretary of the Teacher Education Division of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers.

Scott Robinson

Board of Trustees Chair

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the International Alliance for Invitational Education (IAIE). The Alliance exists to promote kindness and caring in schools and other places of learning where individuals achieve their fullest potential. As a teacher educator at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I have found that Invitational Education has helped me improve my communication and teaching in my work with teacher candidates, K-12 teachers, and university faculty and staff throughout Hawaii. Whether you are a former, current, or prospective member, I invite you and your colleagues and friends to attend IAIE conferences, webinars, and read IAIE journal articles and newsletters.

Tammy Baker

Business Manager

Tammy has worked in a variety of business roles since 1983 and founded her own tax business in 2005. She became involved in IAIE in 2003 while working at the Providence School in Jessamine County Schools, KY. While there she served on the school culture committee and oversaw many school wide events and activities. She understands the importance of making a school inviting to students and their families; as well as the school staff family.

Donna Jackson

IAIE Treasurer

BOARD

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Tanjian Liang

Board Member

2nd Term 2023-2024

John Novak

Board Member

Lifetime Term

Scott Robinson

Board Chair

2nd Term 2023-2024

Chris Anderson

Board Member

2nd Term 2024-2025

Jenny Edwards

Board Member

2nd Term 2024-2025

Katherine Roe

Board Member

2nd Term 2024-2025

Stephen Chu

Board Member

1st Term 2023-2024

Barbara Martin

Board Member

1st Term 2023-2024

Donna Jackson

Board Member

Temp for 2024

Jane Ziebarth-Bovill

Board Member

1st Term 2023-2024

Tracy Hudson

Board Member

1st Term 2024-2025

Commmittees

OUR COMMITTEES

Membership

The IAIE Membership Committee assists in the development of recruitment materials, promotes scholarships as available, and supports the various awards, including the Inviting School Award, the Fidelity Award, and the William Stafford Leadership Award. The committee also undertakes special projects, such as keeping in touch with student members, sending thanks to new and renewing members, organizing Senior Active and promoting creative ways to encourage membership.

Chair:

Dr. William Purkey

wwpurkey@aol.com

336-855-7034

Research

The Research Committee is responsible for setting the research agenda for the Alliance. The committee works closely with the AERA SIG, the FORUM, the Journal of Invitational Theory and Practice editors, the Inviting School Award, and the Paula Helen Stanley Fidelity Award committees to gather and publish strong data supporting Invitational Theory and Practice. This committee is also responsible for the Outstanding Research Award presented at the Annual Conference.

Chair:

Jenny Edwards

jedwards@fielding.edu

303-674-0645

Inviting School Awards

The Inviting School Awards Committee is responsible for seeking nominations, reviewing applications and recognizing schools, districts and universities that have successfully used Invitational Education as a framework for creating an intentionally positive climate. Awards are presented at the Annual World Conference during even-numbered years.

Chair:

James Botts

james.botts@jessamine.kyschools.us

Fidelity School Awards

The Fidelity School Awards Sub-Committee is responsible for maintaining contact with past recipients for the Inviting School Award and for encouraging schools to continue their efforts to build upon and be recognized for sustaining the Inviting Schools principles. Awards are presented at the Annual World Conference during odd number years.

Chair:

Ken Wright

kenwright2@bellsouth.net

502-863-4716

Stafford Leadership Awards

The William Leadership Award Sub-Committee is responsible for seeking nominations and selecting award-winners to recognize exceptional service and leadership within the Alliance. This is the highest award presented by IAIE. Awards are presented at the World Conference during even number years.

Chair:

Stephen Chu

stephen9007@gmail.com