Faculty Members Teach at Counter-Terrorist Seminar

Three RU faculty members trained the trainers of America's first responders at a conference this month hosted by the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education.

Gary Ellerman, Bob McCracken and Dennie Templeton developed and hosted a 90-minute session titled "Enhancing Teaching and Learning." Their goal was to help more than 200 trainers sharpen their teaching skills and techniques as they deliver courses to emergency personnel in counterterrorism training in biology, food and agriculture, and law enforcement.

"If you are a teacher, you are changing lives," said Ellerman, a retired professor emeritus of education and currently an instructional designer in RU's Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. "In this case, we were working with people who deal with life and death situations."

Templeton, RU's director of emergency preparedness, said, "It was an opportunity for us to use our educational expertise to help the experts deliver their material and experiences more effectively. It was a privilege to help them do their jobs better."

Ellerman, Templeton and McCracken, an adjunct faculty member in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership, were part of a two-day program in Baton Rouge, La., that included New York City police detectives who were first responders at the 9/11 World Trade Center bombings and members of teams that conducted inspections in Iraq for weapons of mass destruction.

The trainers with whom the RU team worked welcomed their presentation, which included self-assessment and interactive activities as well as lively discussions, said Templeton. "These instructors are held to high standards for material and instruction, so they are eager for whatever can help fulfill their missions."

The NCBRT provides curriculum development and training to state and local emergency responders who prevent, respond to or lead recovery from acts of domestic and international terrorism. NCBRT comprises national experts with backgrounds in law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, hazardous materials, health care and agriculture.