Welcome to the website of PI LAMBDA THETA Fort Wayne Area Chapter!

Our mission is to "to honor outstanding educators and inspire them to be effective leaders who address critical issues in education."

April 19, 2007: Pi Lambda Theta program: Transitions in International Education Achievement provided discussions on Elementary Education in China; Higher Education in Denmark; and Science Education & Monkeys in Kenya. Left to Right: Karin Hutsell (Kenya); Sheila Kiefer & Lee Spade (China); and Marje Treff (Denmark).

Traditions of Pi Lambda Theta
Name and Motto
The name Pi Lambda Theta is taken from the initials of the traditional motto: "Paideia Lampousa Thelutetos" (Pie-die-a Lam-poo-za Thay-lue-tay-toss) which means "Education Enlightening Womanhood.” After the association expanded to include men, the motto was used as "Education Enlightening Humanity" beginning in 1976.

Traditional Colors and Flower

The blue of education combined with gold, symbolizing the warm fellowship among members, have been the traditional colors of Pi Lambda Theta with the yellow rose as the traditional flower.

Egyptian Key of Life

The Egyptian Key of Life represents the life-giving influence of education on the lives of those whom we as educators have touched.

Egyptian Scepter

Carried by the Egyptian Kings, the Scepter represented their power. Education is the power by which educators give a more abundant life to learners.

“Our Key presents a challenge and a message – the message of our duty to make the POWER of education give that abundant LIFE more fully.” By Katharine Foulkes, PLT Co-Founder.

Traditional Charge
I charge you, as members of an association bound by dedication to a common aim, to be true to your Alma Mater that nourished wisdom in you and sends you forth to labor for mankind.

I charge you to support, fully and heartily, the institutions in which you find your place of duty. But above these, O you who labor for the spread of knowledge, I charge you to be true to all that heroic train of men and women who have gone before you, and who have bought, with the price of toil and sacrifice, the wisdom men garner now in books, and perpetrate in sanctioned customs. Let not any act of yours play traitor to the teachers from whose hands you receive and pass on the torch of knowledge. Take your place in the long procession of lightbringers, and never bring shame to those with whom you march.

See that your light burns brightly the while you guard it; let no puzzled seeker come to you in vain, and fail for the need of help you might lend. "Freely ye have received, freely give."

I charge you that in whatever place or time you live, your life show forth the spirit of a loving and understanding teacher — eager to serve, willing to learn, seeking the truth and making it known among men.

So shall your work be blessed, and evening find you unregretting and well satisfied.

The source of the name, the motto, colors and flower remained a part of the "Ceremony for Conferring the Right to Wear the Key" until 1984, as did the suggestion that the "Song of Service" be sung by the members to conclude the ceremony.

The traditional charge became an option in 1976, when a shorter version was developed. In 1986, only the shorter version is shown in the ceremony.