Founding Staff Members Nanci Stark and Ada Nix Remember the "Early Days"

At UCI's 50-year celebration, held February 5, 2016, the School of Education hosted a tribute to founding faculty, staff, and students. Nanci Jane Stark and Ada Nix were two of the founding staff members who contributed their memories of the early days. We are sharing their recollections at this time with a wider audience since we believe information from the past helps in our understanding of the current accomplishments of the School.

Nanci Jane Stark, UCI Staff Member from 1968-1991
Office of Teacher Education/Department of Education

In the Summer of 1968, I began working in the Office of Teacher Education at UCI. We were housed in two rooms in the Bio Sci building- one for the Director, Dr. Kenneth P. Bailey, and the other for the faculty, supervisors, and staff personnel. Not long after, we moved to quarters in the Physical Science building. Dr. Bailey’s office took up a portion of a large classroom, and we gained more offices for the increased number of faculty/supervisors and staff. 

The program had steady growth, and in the ‘70’s we moved to the 4th floor of the Social Science building, occupying almost all of that space. My duties evolved; and as Administrative Assistant, I assisted the Director, sat on the interviewing committee for staff hires, did the paperwork involving all personnel and maintained files on some, gave assistance to the MSO [Management Services Officer] as needed, made up class scheduling, prepared forms for teacher evaluations, and coordinated paperwork between Teacher Education and public schools regarding the student teachers. I also submitted paperwork to pay the supervisors for the mileage to the schools, plus payment for faculty and supervisors for trips taken to conferences and meetings. I attended campus meetings; was in charge of ordering, housing, and checking out departmental keys; and did the time-keeping and payrolls for all personnel. I was in charge of staff personnel plus handling any other function assigned by the Director. 

I retired in 1991 following 23 years at UCI and my previous 21 years of service in the public school system. 

​Ada Nix, UCI Staff Member from 1969-1990
Office of Teacher Education/Department of Education

The initial teacher education effort was headed by Dean Marsh in 1966 or 1967. Kenneth P. Bailey became the head in 1968. There were fewer than five students.

In 1969 Nanci [Stark] and I joined Dr. Bailey to help out in the office. We were housed in the Physical Science building on the 2nd floor in two small rooms and one large classroom. In 1969 we had fewer than 20 students with a mix of elementary and secondary teacher candidates. The faculty at that time consisted of Howard Appel (languages), John Dunn (art), and Paul ?? (elementary). Both Howard and John were supervisors of student teachers, as well as teachers of education classes. Paul supervised elementary student teachers and also taught education classes. 

Nanci and my duties were to answer the phones, keep books, do secretarial jobs, talk to students, and accept applications to the program. Our duties evolved as Nanci managed the offices jobs and mine became more student oriented. 

By 1970-71, we grew in both faculty and student populations. We had more elementary than secondary students, and Frances Craig and Rachael Mitchell joined the faculty, as well as Jack McCullough and Robert Letro. We also hired Cindy Gryzbek to help out in the office. We were housed in the Physical Sciences building for several years, and a few more offices were added for our growing faculty. In the mid 70’s we moved to the new Social Sciences building where we continued to grow in both faculty, supervisors, staff, and students. 

When I retired in 1990, we had somewhere around 300 students a year. My main job was to manage the credential office, handle the paperwork involved in admissions, serve on the admission committee, advise students regarding program and credential requirements, and serve as liaison with the Education Department in Sacramento. 
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