The Psi Omicron Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international professional association and honor society for educators, inducted 27 new members on November 9, 2025.
The ceremony began with a welcome by faculty co-sponsor, Dr. Shannon Meers-Gimon, who also introduced the 2025-26 Chapter Officers. She stated that the mission of the chapter is to reaffirm the ideals of the organization and initiate new members committed to a lifetime of educational excellence. The induction ceremony celebrates the achievements of new members and charges them with accepting the duties and responsibilities of this recognition.
Dr. Beth Kobett, Dean of the School of Education, introduced the keynote speaker, SOE and KDP alumna Kylah Hardy ’24, third grade teacher at Randallstown Elementary School in Baltimore County. Ms. Hardy described her journey to becoming an elementary teacher. She changed her major at the beginning of her sophomore year to follow her passion. It was a risk-taking decision, but she never allowed doubt or fear to overshadow her dream. She exhorted the inductees, current members, and officers to “dream big, teach big, and embrace your calling.”
Faculty co-sponsor, Dr. Khadeeja Shafi, provided an overview of the history of KDP. President Erica Goodwin described what the elements of the KDP seal represents. Gabby Green, Vice President, presented the new inductees. The pinning of the inductees was done by Dr. Meers-Gimon and Dr. Shafi.
The officers then shared the four core values of KDP – Community, Belonging, Leadership, Celebration – and the three principles – Knowledge, Duty, Power. The inductees affirmed their acceptance of these values and principles by saying, “I do.” The meaning of the elements of the KDP logo were described. Dr. Meers-Gimon lit a white candle to honor the past, a green candle to celebrate the present, and a purple candle to commit to the future. Dr. Meers-Gimon then declared each inductee a member of KDP, pledged to be faithful to KDP values, worthy to be bonded in fellowship with its members, and asked to take their place within the academic legacy that spans a century.
2025-26 Psi Omicron Chapter Officers (pictured left to right): Kylie Zimmerman, Treasurer; Gabrielle Green, Vice President; Erica Goodwin, President; Abby Slovikosky, Secretary; Anna Johnston, Recruitment Chair (not pictured, Emma Breznak, Historian)
2025-26 Inductees: Kailey Banvard, Sarah Bisson, Hope Bolanowski, Esther Buahen, Alyssa Burke, Carlee Darden, Courtney Foose, Hannah Hamill, Jamillya Henry, Lillianna Hornickle,
Sara Horton, Atlas Hutt, Olivia Jung, Amanda Karolkowski, Markita Kelly, Emmalyn Kohl, Angel Madison, Kathleen McCormick, Nia McCraw, Julia Owens, Gabbi Paulson, Elora Pryor, Emily Rose, Emily Smalt, Abby Smith, Heather Snyder, Gabrielle Wilson
