ABOUT PHI DELTA KAPPA
Phi Delta Kappa is an international association of professional educators. The Sinnissippi Chapter serves to promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education. As members of Phi Delta Kappa, we work to help each other achieve the goals of effective research, service and leadership. Our members are distinguished teachers, administrators, college and university professors, and educational specialists who support each other in achieving professional ideals of excellence.

PDK'S LOGO
The Phi Delta Kappa crest incorporates the following symbolism. The three organizations: Pi Kappa Mu, Phi Delta Kappa, and Nu Rho Beta, which united in 1910 to form Phi Delta Kappa, are represented by the three keystones. The three stars represent the student, the home, and the school. Research is symbolized by the burning lamp and the book, service by the flaming torch, and leadership by the upraised hand and the sword. Surrounding the shield are acanthus leaves which signify learning.

Phi Delta Kappa is an international professional association for men and women in education. The membership is composed of professionals in the field of education, of graduate students preparing for careers in education, and undergraduates who are enrolled in or have successfully completed their student teaching. Members of Phi Delta Kappa who are already employed in the profession range from classroom teachers and school administrators to college and university professors and to educational specialists of many types. In Phi Delta Kappa, this diverse membership finds a fellowship based on common interests and a common focus on the promotion and improvement of education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education.

There are currently about 650 Phi Delta Kappa chapters in the United States,Canada,and abroad. There are chapters in Puerto Rico, the Isthmus of Panama, the Virgin Islands, and Guam — as well as international chapters in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Korea, Belgium, Thailand, Italy, Okinawa, the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, Spain, and Bermuda. Approximately half of the chapters are based on college or university campuses that have graduate departments of education. The other half are community-based. Phi Delta Kappa membership in good standing is approximately 90,000.
 
Membership is open to all eligible educators and is obtained by chapter invitation or through self-nomination. The eligibility requirements are listed below. Individuals are eligible for membership who are of good character, declare a commitment to PDK’s goals and objectives, have a scholastic record sufficient for an advanced degree, and one of the following:
-persons who have a baccalaureate degree and/or are credentialed for teaching and who are active in a position requiring teacher certification or in educational work in adult and continuing education,educational research, early childhood education, elementary education, school administration or supervision, secondary education, teacher education,higher education,or any other education-related field as identified by the chapter;
-undergraduate education majors who are enrolled in or have successfully completed student teaching; and
-students admitted to a graduate program in education.

Student Membership.
Student membership is open to undergraduates on a course leading toward licensure/certification. Student membership is an annual membership that terminates with teacher certification. It does not include initiation into Phi Delta Kappa International. Dues are one-half the amount of regular PDK dues.

Direct Membership.
Membership in Phi Delta Kappa without chapter affiliation is also available to professional educators, student teachers, and individuals in educationally-related fields. This category of membership includes all membership benefits and services except the right to vote and the right to hold office. Direct membership may be converted to a chapter-affiliated membership at any time upon request.

The Phi Delta Kappan, the official journal of the association, is considered by many to be the outstanding professional journal in the field of education. It is published 10 times a year, September through June. The September issue contains findings from the annual PDK/Gallup poll of public attitudes toward the public schools. The journal is available to nonmembers and to libraries and other institutions by subscription.

News, Notes, and Quotes (NN&Q), the association newsletter, is posted on the PDK website three times a year. It carries general news about Phi Delta Kappa, highlights outstanding chapter programs and projects, and includes editorials by PDK’s international president or executive director.