MIDTESOL Matters
Fall 2006
A Publication of Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

MIDTESOL Retirees: Honoring Those Who Have Served


This past year, MIDTESOL saw the retirement of several key educators who have contributed a great deal to our profession. These professionals have seen many changes in our organization and in our field, in general; we are excited to hear more about their exceptional careers in this special section dedicated to them on pages 4-6. I also want to take this moment to thank those who interviewed and prepared the articles; without your help, this project could not have happened!

Kay Dickerson: Inspiration in the Classroom
By Susan Schindler


Kay Dickerson has spent twenty-four years in education; the last twenty years has been spent developing and teaching in the ELL program in the Park Hill School District in Kansas City, MO.She holds a Master's degree from Kansas State University and is still teaching graduate courses for various colleges and universities.


Whole language/thematic teaching is Kay's area of expertise.Over the years, she has produced over one-hundred units for students in grades K-12, as well as teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses to prospective teachers.


In MIDTESOL, Kay is perhaps best known for her excellent presentations at our conferences. All attendees need do is see Kay's name beside a presentation, and they know where to go for an informative, exciting experience. People all over Missouri know Kay for her presentations on using PowerPoint in the ESL classroom, as well as many other practical, pedagogically sound ideas.


After the 2005-06 school year, Kay retired from teaching and started her own consulting company, KaJay Consulting Services, with her partner, Jan Newland.The consulting company works with school districts to develop or enhance their ELL programs and to help regular classroom teachers to successfully offer instruction to all the students in their classrooms.Experience, enthusiasm, and expertise are the keys to Kay's years in education and in KaJay Consulting Services. Her students will miss her, but we look forward to seeing Kay out and about and still presenting at MIDTESOL!