Dixie State University
Endowed Chair for Elementary Arts Education
Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program
Dixie State University is the most recent higher education institution to receive an endowment from the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Foundation. With this gift, DSU has been able to hire Jeri Crosby as the Endowed Chair for Elementary Arts Education. Jeri comes to this position with experience in teaching Kindergarten through college, administration, teacher training, and curriculum design. She has worked under the BTSALP as both a music teacher and a district curriculum specialist. Jeri is delighted to have opportunities to teach elementary arts integration and music courses at DSU, and to provide professional development for in-service classroom and arts teachers. Jeri also serves on the BTSALP Advisory Board.
Since transitioning to DSU in July, Jeri has been very busy designing courses and workshops and getting to know the principals and teachers in her region. The DSU BTSALP Region includes Washington, Kane and San Juan Counties, with a total of 34 elementary schools (spread over 400 miles of roads). Washington County School District currently has BTSALP arts teachers in 19 schools, and Jeri enjoys working with them immensely. She looks forward to working with all schools in the region to provide faculty training in arts and arts-rich instruction, as well as administrator guidance in applying to participate in the the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program.
Dixie State University, with a student body of approximately 8,000, is located in St. George, Utah. This area is known for its mild winter climate, beautiful canyons, national parks, and great recreation areas. The campus is growing, and academic programs and enrollment are increasing. The DSU Teacher Education Program has a reputation for preparing exceptional teachers, and the faculty and administration are pleased and grateful to be partners and benefactors of the BTSALP.