Hardin-Simmons University Irvin School of Education

05/15/2026

Our 2nd Dream-Makers Professional Development is happening soon. If you know of any K - 12 teachers, new to the career of teaching or someone needing a refresher about curriculum & instruction or special education, please pass along this info. We are grateful for the Community Foundation of Abilene grant money along with a generous donor from HSU alum.

Dream-Makers Professional Development
June 8 - 11, 2026 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Johnson Building at HSU

Fee: $10

Contact: Dr. Renee Collins, Associate Dean, Irvin SOE at [email protected]

05/14/2026

Last Thursday evening, we celebrated the new EdD Educational Leadership graduates! 🎓✨ Surrounded by family and faculty mentors, we honored four outstanding students with their doctoral hoods and Hardin-Simmons University rings, marking the successful completion of their journey and a future of leading with purpose.

Congratulations to Dr. Kelli Jenkins, Dr. Laura Lee Frazier, Dr. Wyatt Olson, and Dr. Michelle Savoie. We appreciate each of the dissertation committee chairs and members as well as a big thank you to Dr. Pam Hailey-Toker for continued dissertation support along the way. We appreciate the inspiring message delivered by Dr. Doug McIntyre, Dean of the Kelley College of Business & Professional Studies. 💍🦅

05/13/2026

Please register for this free conference.

Save the date for June 18. 💙 We’re coming together at HSU for our inaugural event focused on autism-inclusive classrooms and creating space where every learner can thrive.

Educators, students, families, and community members are invited to join the conversation. Guest speaker Emily Kircher-Morris will join us, followed by a book signing.

More details and registration coming soon.

05/05/2026

Congratulations to two of our amazing education majors for being nominated by their cooperating teachers, university supervisors, and selected by the Irvin School of Education as clinical teachers of the 2025-2026 year for two different awards. They were honored for demonstrating exceptional promise through their scholarship, passion for teaching, and the professional dispositions essential to quality education. We are proud to support these future leaders as they begin making a difference in the classroom. , , !

Jade Spangler, a December 2025 EC-6 graduate, received the Irvin SOE's 2026 Education Deans of Independent Colleges & Universities of Texas Award for Pre-Service Educator of the Year. The award includes a large cash award presented to an outstanding teacher education graduate.

Ariana Villanueva, a May 2026 EC-6 graduate, received the 2026 Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Irvin Award for Outstanding Student Teacher. The award includes a large cash award presented to an outstanding teacher education graduate.

04/27/2026

We are proud of one of our Teacher Preparation Program Advisory Committee members, Mrs. Nikki Grisham, principal of Hawley High School.

For the second time in Mrs. Grisham’s career she has been selected as the TASSP Region 14 High School Principal of the Year!! Congratulations!

04/27/2026

We are excited for one of our Theatre Education alumni, Mrs. Madison Subia, to be named the new Theatre Director for Cooper High School in Abilene ISD. Best wishes on your new chapter of your career.

We are excited to announce the new Theatre Director at Cooper High School, Mrs. Madison Subia!
Abilene ISD
Cooper High School-ABILENE ISD
Cooper HS Theatre

04/24/2026

We celebrate one of our 2009 alum, Emily Fanning’s recognition as a nominee for the 2026 Gallimaufry Teacher of the Year. She began her career as an EC-6 education teacher but later changed to EC-12 Art Education. She currently teaches at Craig Middle School. We are so proud of her dedication to her students and love of artistic expression.

04/24/2026

Fridays are great days to visit with our alumni. So happy Sarah Rebmann, a 2019 Physical Science Education alum, dropped by while her students were at a UIL competition here in Abilene. We are proud of all you are doing as you advance your education as well as providing real-world connections for your current high school students. What a blessing you are!

04/24/2026

Congratulations, Montie Lackey, one of our 2017 alum, for this outstanding award. We are so proud of your accomplishments and dedication to the profession of teaching.

01/15/2026

Our hearts are saddened with the recent loss of an amazing educator, Sherry Hirsch, who poured her life into our HSU education majors for 33 years (1983-2016) teaching Principals of Education, Current Issues in Special Education, and Current Issues in Special Education and Speech Pathology. Sherry, a dedicated mentor, was committed to guiding and supporting students through their academic and professional development. She was a supportive advocate who championed the well-being and success of all students, young and college aged. Sherry was an unwavering champion for all students no matter the challenges. There are two words to describe Sherry as a colleague and friend: collaborative and collegial. She continued to foster strong relationships with all of us in the Irvin SOE faculty as well as across the HSU campus. She was a trusted colleague and a true friend within our community. You never saw her without her sweet smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hirsch family and close friends as they celebrate their wife, mom, grandmother, and dear friend.

The photo posted was taken at Sherry's retirement luncheon in 2016.

We will forever cherish the memories and the impact on all our lives who knew and loved Sherry Hirsch.