THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604020162
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Kathryn Darling
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Donna Evans, the new dean at Old Dominion University's Darden School of Education, says she is passionate about urban education.
``Most of our country is urban, and that is where are future is,'' she says. ``All of our heartbeat is in urban areas.''
Evans says the energy and potential in urban kids is exciting and that she doesn't think of them as children at risk. Rather, she says she thinks of them as resilient.
When Evans came to ODU last fall, she brought lots of experience in addition to her passion for urban education. While dean of the College of Education at the University of North Florida, Evans established several professional development schools, a public school in which university-based faculty administrators, prospective educators, family and business partners work together to build a better learning community.
She has that same vision for Norfolk, but she says, collaboration is an essential element. Evans maintains that school districts and universities must work together to enhance education for urban children.
She says that teachers need to be prepared for the urban classroom. At ODU, she says, teachers will get the preparation they need to teach in an urban classroom, which may have children who are hungry and who live in less than ideal conditions. Some of those children only know how to respond in anger or violence. At ODU, she says, we want to train teachers to succeed in that kind of environment.
She said she likes ODU for its bright, energetic and fun people, and, she says, it's an urban school.
Name: Donna Evans.
Nickname: Only childhood friends ``know for sure'' - I'll never tell!
What brought you to Norfolk?: An invitation to serve as dean of the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University - and because I fell in love with Virginia - especially Norfolk.
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio.
Birthdate: ``A woman who will not lie about her age, will lie about anything.'' (Oscar Wilde)
Occupation: Dean of the Darden College of Education, Old Dominion University.
Marital status: Divorced.
Children: Daughter and son-in-law, Jocelyn and Michael Smith.
Last book read: ``Emotional Intelligence'' and a wonderful ``trashy'' English novel that I bought in Bristol, England: ``An Outrageous Affair.''
Favorite movie: ``Grumpy Old Men'' and ``Forrest Gump.''
Favorite magazine: The New Yorker.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? I wouldn't trade places with anyone! I've been blessed with good health, a loving and supportive family, wonderful friends and an exciting and satisfying career. I am a happy, lucky lady!
Biggest accomplishment: Rearing a well-adjusted, lovely and loving daughter whom I adore.
Most embarrassing moment: Too embarrassing to tell!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?: I would be an ectomorph and love lettuce more than chocolate!
Perfect way to spend the day: Wandering the countryside on a beautiful fall day, shopping at little out-of-the-way antique stores and stopping for dinner at a quaint country inn.
Favorite vacation spot: Desert Island, Maine.
Pet peeve: People who treat others badly.
First job: Behind the soda fountain at Tyler's drugstore in Columbus, Ohio.
Worst job: Telephone soliciting.
Hobbies: Skiing (Alpine and cross country), snowshoeing, cooking, theater, opera, the symphony, reading, needlepoint and antiqueing.
Favorite restaurant: Most anyplace where one ``dines'' by candlelight and also most any Asian restaurant.
What do you like most about Norfolk?: I've met so many warm and kind people who have made me feel instantly welcomed and at home!
What do you like least about Norfolk?: There is absolutely nothing about Norfolk or Virginia that I do not like. It is a delightful place to live, work and play. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
KEYWORDS: PROFILE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES by CNB