Midwest Region
National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.
Our Purpose & Philosophy
As a professional organization of well-trained and effective educators in all components of the learning spectrum, NSPDK is dedicated to training youth and adults to develop and enhance those skills, abilities, attitudes, and ethics that will prepare them to function successfully in a democratic society.
The Y. E. S. (Youth, Education, Service) program guides us in the work we perform. We provide workshops for teacher development and mentoring; parent workshops on the new trends in education and how to help children succeed with the Common Core Standards.
The Purpose of our sorority is:
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To stimulate personal growth among teachers
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To foster a true spirit of sisterhood
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To promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession
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To encourage the development of the potential of our youth
Our Mission
"To Foster a Spirit of Sisterhood Among Teachers and to Promote the Highest Ideals of the Teaching Profession"
Our Events
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Who we are
The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK) is a nonprofit, educational sorority founded by eight educators desiring to establish a sisterhood among teachers and promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession. NSPDK was the idea of Gladys Merritt Ross, who, on Good Friday, March 30, 1923, convened a group of young teachers from Jersey City Normal School in Jersey City, New Jersey to discuss the idea of forming a sorority.
Eight members of those present concurred, and Newark attorney, J. Mercer Burrell, incorporated the new organization on May 23, 1923 - which is now recognized as the official Founders Day. Because the original members were all minors, their parents or guardians, Dr. G.E. Cannon, Mr. J.L. Merritt, Mrs. Lottie Cooper and Mrs. Estelle Morris became trustees.
The Great 8 Founders
Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder), Julia Asbury Barnes, Ella Wells Butler, Marguerite Gross, Florence Steele Hunt, Edna McConnell, Gladys Cannon Nunery and Mildred Morris Williams.
Dr. Cynthia D Warren, Ph.D, Ed.D, Th.D.
Midwest Regional Director
“Settling for average is not an option; gain knowledge with maximum determination.”
Dr. Cynthia D. Warren was educated in the Saint Louis Public Schools District (SLPS). Dr. Warren’s educational career commenced receiving her Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. She began pre-teaching in the Hazelwood School District and later welcomed a teaching position with Saint Louis Public Schools District. During her tenure with SLPS district, she continued to study and soon accomplished her educational goals. Receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, two Master of Arts Degrees in Media Communication, and School Counseling, and a minor in Advanced School Administration and Special Education.
As time progressed, her thirst for knowledge grew stronger, achieving three Doctorate Degrees one in Christian Counseling, PhD, and another in Theology from Dwight McDaniel Theological Seminary which later closed. Soon, she earned her Ed.D Degree in Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Warren taught for over 10 years as an Adjunct professor and 5 years as the North County Coordinator-recruiting students for the Master Degree program in Advanced Administration. In June of 2004, she soon joined Local 44 of the St. Louis, Public Schools Administrators Association as a member and advanced to the position of President serving for eight years. During her tenure as Local 44’s President, she was invited to serve the American Federation of School Administrators in Washington D.C. as a General Executive Board member, for over 12 years. Her services included serving as one of the General Executive Board Vice Presidents-Education chairs, as the Constitution Committee Chair, and assisted in leading the efforts to reorganize the organizational structure of her local. She also served on the budget committee for 6 years and on the planning committee for the National Convention of School Administrators AFL-CIO for about 8 years. Upon retiring from SLPS, for a while she served as SLPS Vice President of the Pension Board, and began Mentoring Elementary School Principals through the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Jefferson City, MO. She assisted in writing the Principal’s Tool Kit, became the chairperson in charge of attaining Christian Accreditation for Dwight McDaniels Theological Seminary (DMTS), planned budgets and help write an Educational Curriculum for Behaviorally Challenged Students among other curriculums. Recently, Dr. Warren was certified by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as an Early Childhood Childcare Site Director.
We have a three-point program that serves our local communities.
Y.E.S. (Youth, Education, and Service.)
Chapters are committed to sponsoring a variety of community activities that will enable and inspire the youth to attain high ethical, educational, moral, and social standards. Students receive life skills support, academic assistance, test-taking procedures, study skills, tutoring, cultural enrichment, and socialization training.
Chapters with a KOT are committed to offering a variety of experiences that will enable the college guidance group to become competent, dedicated, and effective educators. The chapter provides guidance, career counseling, community service opportunities, educational advice, and training in leadership skills for female college students. All interested candidates must display good moral character and maintain at least a “C+” grade point average.
Our Programs
