College of Education
Eastern Michigan University
Issue No: 612
September 7, 2004
We impact the way America
learns.
Previous issues of Monday Report are at http://www.emich.edu/coe/monday. Send items and comments to alane.starko@emich.edu.
NOTES FROM THE DEAN'S DESK
This week I had the chance to
attend Dr. Sarah Ginsberg's dissertation defense. Her study was titled Role of Classroom Communication in College
Faculty Transparency. Initially I was intrigued by the title, which had me
envisioning ghost-like or cellophane faculty, but the study proved much more
interesting than my imaginary professors. Dr. Ginsberg's study examined the
interactions of communication constructs clarity and immediacy (roughly
equivalent to approachability) with teacher reflection, beliefs, and
performance in college instruction. At the beginning of the academic year it
seems a particularly important time to reflect on the variables that affect our
success in college instruction.
If I were to grossly paraphrase
some of Dr. Ginsberg's findings, they would suggest that it is essential that
professors be clear in their communication. This would include a strong
knowledge base, good organization and clear focus-all of which can be present
across a variety of instructional approaches. It also is essential that
professors relate to their students as one human being to another, consistently
sending messages of understanding and support along with high standards. A
"transparent" professor is one who is known as a human being as well as a
content expert. Thinking about how these variables can play out in optimal ways
can be grist for interesting and important professional conversations. I'm
looking forward to thinking more about how we can collectively use this new
knowledge to support the learners in our classrooms.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing
another; it is the only means.-Albert Einstein.
EMU STUDENT NAMED
NATIONAL STUDENT TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Jonathon Marceau was recently named the National Student Teacher
of the Year by Kappa Delta Pi. Marceau, who taught at Eberwhite Elementary
School in Ann Arbor,
was honored for a science lesson that was part of an overall look at the
effects of oil drilling in Alaska's
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
MORE COE IN THE
NEWS
Several EMU faculty have been featured recently in the
local news. Lidia Lee was
the focus of an article in the "EMU & You" section of the Ann Arbor News August 30, 2004. The article focused on Dr. Lee's
recommendations for conserving hearing in young people. The "EMU & You" section also included an
article on rising enrollments in Eastern's teacher
preparation programs with quotes from Michael
Bretting, Alane Starko and student Scott
Green.
Pat Williams-Boyd
was a featured expert in a September 1 Ann
Arbor News story on starting middle school
YALE PARTNERSHIP
Eastern Michigan University has been invited to be one of five universities making up
the Higher Education Consortium for Comer Schools and Development Programs with the School Development
Program at Yale University. Eastern will be working with other universities who have
school partners using the Comer model to conduct research, write grants,
investigate student exchanges and support education for urban environments.
GRANTS NOTES
If you are interested in becoming a more successful
grants writer, one way to improve your skills is to become part of the review
processes. The U.S. Department of Education seeks qualified individuals
interested in reviewing applications for grant programs of the Office of
Postsecondary Education (OPE). These reviewers will independently read and
evaluate applications submitted to the Department requesting federal funds.
Additional information and the online field reader application process is available at http://webprod.cbmiweb.com/edfrs.
FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES
This year Tom Gwaltney begins his 40th
year of service at Eastern Michigan University Dr. Gwaltney
recently was recognized by the international honor society Kappa Delta Pi for
his outstanding leadership of the Kappa Delta Pi chapter on EMU's campus.
Alicia Li's article,
"Classroom Strategies for Improving and Enhancing Visual Skills in
Students with Disabilities" was published in the summer issue of Teaching Exceptional Children.
Ron Williamson
recently was appointed to the National Commission on Middle Schools sponsored
by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). NASSPhas external funding to research and write a
report titled "Breaking Ranks in the Middle," a national position
paper on the status of middle schools.
Beth Johnson has been
selected to serve as the Michigan representative for the "No Child Left Behind" Faith-Based effort. Beth will be
securing sites for upcoming visits by Secretary Rod
Paige and his staff. The visits are designed to recruit and empower parents of English language learners to be
actively involved in their children's education. Beth
also was the keynote speaker for Wayne County RESA's Summer Teachers' Academy, Atherton
Community Schools opening day, and mid-Michigan's annual Lutheran Schools Summer Conference.
Roger Manela, lecturer in the Department of Teacher
Education, recently was named Michigan's
School Social Worker of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Social
Workers. He will receive his award from Governor Granholm
at a ceremony to be held October 21.
Leah Adams, emeritus,
was in Melbourne, Australia recently for the World Assembly of the World Organization
for Early Childhood Education. Adams is a
Vice President of the organization and participated in meetings of the
Executive Board and the World Council.
She also gave a presentation at the conference.
ALUMNI NOTES
Robert Howorth Kerr, 82, died recently in Ypsilanti. He held two degrees from EMU and was one of the very early students to
receive an EMU master's degree. He taught for 33 years in the Ypsilanti
school system.
Ron Brooks, EMU alum
in the areas of speech and physical education,was featured in an Ann Arbor News article on the closing of the Bird of Paradise jazz
club. A self-taught bass player, Brooks was the club's owner.
Lois Richardson, an Ypsilanti city council member and EMU alum, is running for
re-election to represent Ward 1. She defeated Harvey Krage
in the August primary. Brian Filipiak was unopposed in the primary in his bid to
represent Ward 3.
AWARDS
The American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
(AACTE) is calling for nominations for a variety of awards in three categories:
Writing and Research, Best Practice, and Professional Achievement. A complete
listing is available at www.aacte.org. Nominations are due October 5, 2004.
RESOURCES
The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) in
conjunction with the Education Commission of the States have developed a new
online resource designed to deliver easy-to-use information about policy, data,
research and initiatives related to teacher quality. The Teacher Quality (TQ)
Source is available at www.tqsource.org.
I was particularly interested in the ease with which I was able to use the site
to compare data from different areas of the country.
Several institutions are offering support for beginning
teachers through online tools and resources. These include University
of Illinois' Novice Teacher Support Project http://ntsp.ed.uiuc.edu/,
Milwaukee Public Schools/Harvard University Professional
Support Portal http://www.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/pages/MPS/Teachers_Staff/Tech_Tools/Portal,
University of Texas
at Austin WINGS (Welcoming Interns
and Novices with Guidance and Support) http://wings.utexas.org/
These are interesting models as we consider ways to support
EMU graduates.
SHORT NOTES
On September 14, there
will be a career retirement reception honoring Jerry Robbins, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Eagle Crest Clubhouse. All COE faculty and staff members are
invited.
CALLS FOR PAPERS/PROPOSALS
(For a complete list, see http://www.emich.edu/coe/about/news/proposals.html)
2005 Professional Development Schools
National Conference, March 17-20, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. Proposals are due October 14, 2004.
Phi Delta Kappa
International Conference and Exhibit, November 10-13, 2005, in New Orleans. Proposals are due January 15, 2005.
THEME STATEMENTS
Caring professional educators for a diverse and democratic society.
(CPED2S) (Initial program)
Inquiry, advocacy, and leadership in education for diverse and
democratic society. (Advanced programs)
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