College of Education
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
The September/October edition of the Journal of Teacher Education contained and interesting study by Tracy W. Smith, winner of the 2001 AACTE Outstanding Dissertation Award, and her advisor David Strahan. The study used a prototype view of teaching to analyze the behaviors of three expert teachers. Results identified six central tendencies:
1) Teachers had a sense of confidence in themselves and in their profession
2) Teachers talked about and worked in their classrooms as communities of learners
3) Teachers maximized the importance of developing relationships with students
4) Teachers demonstrated a student-centered approach to instruction, taking responsibility for individual students' learning rather than expecting all students to learn in the same way
5) Teachers were involved in leadership and service to the profession and
6) Teachers were masters of content.
In reading the article I was struck by the proportion of characteristics that centered around dispositional variables. The point was again driven home in last week's Education Week, which cited a series of six studies by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Research in several fields outside education documented that students who feel connected to their teachers get better grades and are less likely to smoke, use drugs or alcohol, attempt suicide, join gangs or become sexually active during their teenage years. As we consider our own teaching, and the kinds of teaching, administering, and counseling, we espouse, it is important to find the balance between providing our students with the content and skills they must have, and giving them the vision of the types of human relationships they will need to promote. Nothing less will provide tomorrow's students with the education they need.
What we must decide is perhaps how we are valuable, rather than how valuable we are.-F. Scott Fitzgerald
INSTITUTIONAL VALUES AWARDS
Two of EMU's Institutional Values awards for 2004 will go to individuals whose work focuses on the preparation of teachers. The award for "Contributions to the Quality of Student Learning Experiences" will go to Chris Lancaster, post-baccalaureate advisor for elementary and secondary programs. The team award for a "Support Role in Teaching, Learning, Scholarship, Research and/or Creativity" will go to the Secondary Methods Group. The group includes faculty and administrators from COE, CAS and COT.
The awards will be presented by President Willis at the University Convocation Friday September 24, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon. The methods group pro-vides an example of cross-college collaboration at its finest. Congratulations to all involved:Chris Lancaster, Russ Olwell, Peggy Liggit, Joanne Caniglia, Guey-Meei Yang, Margaret Coffman, Ron Fulkert, Phil Carden, Larry Kolopajlo, Doug Baker, Cathy Fleischer, Rebecca Sipe, Bill Tucker, Anne Nerenz, Sandra Rutherford, Barbara Leapard, Bonnie Wylo, John Palladino, Ellen Hoffman, Georgea Langer, Pat Williams-Boyd, Wendy Burke ,Barb Gorenflo and Don Staub.
COE IN THE NEWS
Gilbert Stiefel recently was featured in the Ann Arbor News for using his woodworking talents to recycle a walnut tree from the Nichols Arboretum. The tree was cut down to make way for the Gateway Garden about two years ago. Dr. Steifel acquired the wood courtesy of his son Barry, a caretaker at the Arb. Thanks to Dr. Steifel's vision, persistence, and talent the wood was dried, milled, and transformed into an arts and crafts style cabinet that now graces the Arboretum offices.
ALUMNI NOTESStudent teaching supervisor John Bulmer was recently recommended for promotion to the rank of Lecturer II, one of the first on campus to receive this honor, as provided in the full time lecturer contract. The promotion should become official at the September 21 meeting of the Board of Regents. We look forward to congratulating you, John!
Jerry Robbins, former dean of the EMU College of Education, was a keynote speaker at the International Conference on Teacher Education sponsored by the University of the Philippines and held in Manila June 30-July 2. Robbins' paper was on "Best Practices in Teacher Preparation in the United States."
Sarah Ginsberg was invited to present "Research on Effective Classroom Communication" at the 10th Anniversary Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning, sponsored by the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center at Grand Valley State University.
Jon Margerum-Leys, along with colleagues Barry Fishman and Deborah Peek-Brown, recently published "Lab Partners: Research University and Urban District Join Forces To Promote Standards-Based Student Learning In Science" in the Journal of Staff Development.
John Palladino published two "best practices" pieces regarding foster care-special education collaboration, one for teachers and one for foster parents, on the Learning Disabilities Online website. Both articles are listed under a section titled, "Special Feature on Foster Care," and can be found at http://www.ldonline.org/
Educational Leadership faculty were well represented at the 2004 Annual Conference of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration in August. Papers included the following.
Jim Berry "Still in Search of An Educational Leadership Knowledge Base: 2004 and Counting"
Ron Williamson and Jaclynn Tracy, with doctoral students Minta Downing and Tamar Meirovitz "The First Decade: Barriers to Completing the Doctoral Program"
Elizabeth Broughton and Ron Williamson "Strengthening Connections Between School Counselors and Administrators"
Ella Burton "Women Superintendents: The Issues and Challenges Facing Women Who Aspire to the Top"
Ella Burton and Helen Ditzhazy "Defining Boundaries: mentoring for New or New to the District Principals"
Helen Ditzhazy "Spiritual Leadership, Ethics and Servant Leadership"
Jerry Robbins was in Kansas City, MO on September 2-4, part of a group that was invited by the Chancellor of the University of Missouri at Kansas City to advise concerning a proposed new Institute for Urban Education that UMKC is contemplating.
CORRECTION; In the last issue of Monday Report it was reported that Dr. Thomas Gwaltney was beginning his 40th year at Eastern Michigan University. In fact, Dr. Gwaltney recently completed his 40th year at Eastern and is now beginning year 41. This year also marks his 50th year as a professional educator.
Calling all alums in the Washington, D.C. area! There will be an EMU Alumni and Friends Social in Washington D. C. Thursday, October 7, 2005, 6-8 p.m. at Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc. For information contact EMU Alumni Relations at 734-487-0250 or alumni.relations@emich.edu
EMU alum and former defensive back with the Michigan Wolverines and the Green Bay Packers Michael Jolly has been named to head up athletic programs in the Troy School District. In his new position, Jolly will be responsible for programs that involve 4,800 students on 172 teams as well as the . district's K-12 physical education program.
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.
CALLS FOR PAPERS/PROPOSALS
(For a complete list, see http://www.emich.edu/coe/about/news/proposals.html)
National Association of Chicano/Chicana Studies Call for Papers Midwest, October 22-23 at Michigan State University. Proposals due October 15 via electronic submission.
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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