Terry Marie (Peterson) Denny, 65, passed from this life to the next on November 18, 2014. She was born December 20, 1948, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa to Thomas Gunnar and Mary Geraldine Peterson. Terry met Craig, the love of her life, at Iowa State University where she received her BS in Elementary Education. To- gether, they raised three daughters, living first in Iowa and moving to Lenexa in 1985. Her life revolved around her family and their activi- ties: band, theater, girl scouts, PTA, swimming & diving, gymnastics, etc. She was everywhere flashing her smile and doing whatever needed to be done. Everything she did was for the betterment of others particularly when it came to her special needs students. She was Mom to four ex- change students and countless friends. Terry retired from Shawnee Mission Schools in 2009 to be Nana full-time. In addition to Craig, she is survived by Amanda (Keith) Whiteford, Melissa (Leland) Sindt, Melinda Denny, brother Thomas J. Peterson, and grandchildren: Hay- den, Reghan & Aislyn Whiteford, and Ella and Carter Sindt. She was pre- ceded in death by her parents. A Visitation has been scheduled for 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Tuesday November 25, 2014 at the Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas 66203. A Memorial Service has been scheduled for 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the Funeral Home. Memorial Contributions in Terry's name may be made to 6811 Shawnee Mission Park- way, Mission, Kansas 66202 or . Online con- dolences may be expressed at:www.amosfamily.com (The Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, 913-631- 5566) The Amos Family Funeral Home, Crematory, Chapels. 913-631-5566 amosfamily.com

Published in Kansas City Star from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23, 2014 -

Technology-rich classroom named for Terry Peterson Denny

April 19, 2016

By Cathy Curtis

A high-tech classroom for Iowa State University teacher education students now pays tribute to an alumna who coached countless children to overcome their learning disabilities.

The new Terry Peterson Denny Classroom in Lagomarcino Hall is designed to provide a state-of-the-art learning environment for students exploring teaching methods that improve literacy.

The late Terry Peterson Denny championed adaptive teaching.

“We are most honored to have Craig Denny fund this classroom in honor of his late wife, Terry,” said Pamela White, dean and Dean’s Chair of the College of Human Sciences.  “Terry was passionate about education for all, and the learning environment in the state-of-the-art classroom created by this gift will help fulfill her dreams.”

Terry Peterson Denny, an Iowa State elementary education graduate, devoted more than 20 years of her career to teaching children in the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas, first at Rising Star Elementary and later at Apache Elementary School.

Together, Terry and Craig Denny have established a number of scholarships at Iowa State, including the Terry Peterson Denny Scholarship in the School of Education, which gives preference to students who have a learning disability or intend to teach students who have learning disabilities.

The couple’s gifts that make the scholarships — and now the classroom — possible are particularly meaningful given Terry Denny’s death in 2014.

Classroom salutes educator, adaptive instruction

A proud Iowa State alumna, Terry Denny actively supported the School of Education, ISU Alumni Association, ISU Foundation, and Delta Zeta Sorority with her time and talent. Among her deepest convictions was the importance of helping youngsters with special needs reach their full potential.  

Craig Denny and daughters (from left) Amanda, Melissa, and Mindy were honored at the classroom dedication. Photo by Ryan Riley.

“Terry and I have always invested in K-12 education for all,” Craig Denny said. “And especially in public education, ‘all’ means ‘all.’”

An image of Terry Denny is displayed prominently near the entrance of the classroom named after her, along with word graphics that suggest her love of education. Also gracing the wall is her statement: “All children can learn, but not all children learn the same way. As teachers, we must continually adapt our teaching methods to meet the needs of every child.”

The words ring true to scholars who see the quote each time they enter and exit the room.

“As I teach in this classroom, I hope the activities and discussions we have concerning individual learning needs of students and how to help every child feel special and successful will honor the memory of Terry Peterson Denny and all that she held dear in her work,” said Jennifer Stover, a lecturer in the School of Education who teaches educational strategies in reading and language arts.

“I firmly believe that when you give someone an education, you give them everything,” Craig Denny said.

An Iowa State alumnus and senior principal and consultant in the Lenexa, Kansas, office of Terracon Consultants, Craig Denny has directed much of his time and talent to educational leadership.

He is serving his fifth, four-year term on the Shawnee Mission school board. He received the Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold Award last week, for providing long-term service and creative leadership to Iowa State by advancing philanthropy. His latest gift to Iowa State will better equip a generation of educators.

“We deeply appreciate Terry’s and Craig’s generosity and lifelong commitment to education,” said Marlene Strathe, director of the School of Education. “This classroom exemplifies the newly configured learning spaces that serve to elevate the outstanding work of our students, faculty, and staff. This room is the future of teacher education and learning through technology.”

Advanced technology enhances teacher education

Instead of traditional student desks, the new Terry Peterson Denny Classroom features media:scape stations that each consist of seating for six, a large table with six cable connections in the center, and a large liquid-crystal-display monitor.

Lisa Norris teaches and education class in the Terry Peterson Denny Classroom. Photo by Ryan Riley.

“The semicircle tables position students in a way that allows for natural dialogue and teamwork,” said Lisa Norris, a senior lecturer in the School of Education who teaches reading and language arts education in the room. “The technology allows the students to literally plug in their own laptops and share lesson plans as they are being created.”

Cameras and microphones are positioned throughout the room, enabling ready connections with other classrooms via online collaboration tools, such as Skype. Other built-in equipment makes it easy to video-record classroom conversations for later use. Modeling the use of the technology is particularly important to students who will soon stand at the helms of their own classrooms.

“The cutting-edge technology in this classroom demonstrates for the students a new way to present information and encourage collaboration in their future classrooms,” Norris said. “As technology evolves, so must our teaching. Our students will see changes in technology that we can only imagine, so modeling how we, as teachers, continually adapt our teaching is important.”

The technology also invigorates the instructional tactics professors develop and model.

“I am honored to be able to teach in such an amazing environment,” Stover said. “Students have the capability to share their work on the monitor, collaborate as a group, and see my presentations — all with the flip of a switch.”

The image of Terry Denny smiles warmly over the classroom as students and faculty delve headfirst into coursework and collaborations.

“In this room, we build a learning community,” said Hannah Bolen, a senior in elementary education from Clinton. “That learning community challenges us to grow daily, to become the very best of educators. Memories made in this room will be memories I keep close to my heart.”

The space serves as a source of pride and a hub of innovation.

“With the warmth and the light, it has become such a welcoming space,” Stover said. “The overall environment is beautiful; first impressions of this classroom are always positive. This classroom has been invigorating to our School of Education program.”