Music's Loss is Student Teaching's Gain; Poulter Named Department Chair at EIU
Jun-28-2004 
Patricia Poulter plans to leave her position as a faculty member in Eastern Illinois University 's music department. But she won't be going far.
As of July 1, Poulter will assume new duties as chair of the university's Department of Student Teaching.
"The College of Education and Professional Studies is very pleased that Dr. Poulter has accepted the position," said Dean Charles Rohn. "She brings a very positive background and strong leadership qualities to this position.
"The Department of Student Teaching is unique in the service that it provides to students from other departments across the EIU campus. The department is doing an excellent job of providing positive experiences to students in their capstone experience. I am confident that Dr. Poulter will work closely with faculty to continue the department's positive support to students," he added.
Poulter, who has been a professor of music education at Eastern since 1994, also served as the area coordinator of music education. She has taught a broad range of methods courses for music education majors of all emphases, as well as choral arranging, chamber singers and class voice. Many of these courses require observation and clinical teaching experiences in the public schools.
In addition, Poulter has advised students and fostered/furthered partnerships with public schools through clinics, workshops, guest conducting, adjudication and performing.
Her responsibilities as coordinator of music education included supervision of all aspects of the teacher certification process, curriculum review of all music education methods courses, accreditation compliance and supervision of student teaching coordinators.
"I look forward to working with the outstanding students and faculty engaged in EIU's teacher education programs," Poulter said. "We are fortunate to have excellent relationships with fine public schools throughout the state of Illinois , and our students are privileged to work with some of the finest teachers in the state.
"Continuing and building upon Eastern's strong reputation in teacher education are paramount to our success," she added.
Poulter holds a doctorate of education in music from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a master of arts in choral conducting and a bachelor of music with teacher certification (vocal - general music emphasis), both from Eastern. Before coming to Eastern, she taught public school music, particularly middle and high school choir and general music, for several years in St. Paul , Minn.
Her husband, Brian, is a professor of journalism at Eastern, and the couple has two children, Kori Cunningham and Annie Cunningham. She is the daughter of Vivian Gaines and the late Lloyd Gaines of Winnebago.
