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
Happy Education Week! November 14-20, 2005 is designated as Education Week, an opportunity to honor all those who have a part in making our schools productive happy places for the nation's children. In addition to honoring professional educators, the week includes special days to honor support professionals such a bus drivers, paraprofessionals and cafeteria workers (November 17) as well as substitute teachers (November 19).
This year the National Education Association has designated the year's theme as "Celebrating the American Dream." The theme has caused me to reflect on how often education has been the means to accomplishing personal and family dreams-and the long way we have to go. In my own family, the education provided my father by the GI Bill was the link between my Irish coal miner grandfather and his college administrator granddaughter. Yet for many individuals and families-particularly those in impoverished situations—such dreams are difficult to imagine, and more difficult to accomplish. I believe that good educators in all roles provide more than content. Good educators-from the superintendent to the custodians—help young people find their dreams and make them real.
"The dream begins, most of the time, with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you on to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth." —Dan Rather
STATE BOARD RECOGNITION
On November 9, 2004 the Michigan State Board of Education recognized Eastern Michigan University for its extensive inclusion in the U.S. News and World Report book Becoming a Teacher. In a brief ceremony, Eastern was honored by Superintendent Tom Watson and the Board of Education for being an example of an outstanding teacher preparation program. President Craig Willis, Interim Dean Alane Starko, and Former Dean Jerry Robbins were on hand to represent Eastern.
INTERNATIONAL WEEK
The week of November 15-20 is International Week at Eastern Michigan University. The College of Education is sponsoring a series of noontime events each day from 12:30-2:00. The schedule is as follows.
Monday November 15, "Reflections on Directing International Exchange Projects" by Joe Bishop
Tuesday November 16, "Advising and Mentoring International Students" by Mary Rearick
Wednesday November 17, "Reflections on Serving as a Host Family for International Visitors" by Linda Lewis-White
Thursday November 18, "The Global Banquet, the Politics of Food" (film and discussion) by Rebecca Martusewicz. Also on Thursday will be a Foods Across the Globe event at 2:00, a presentation on incorporating culture in the classroom by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang and a slide show of an Indian village by Lisa Klopfer.
Friday, November 19 "Ancient Futures: Learning from Ladakh" (film and discussion) by Rebecca Martusewicz
CRIS IS APPROVED
CRIS, the Center for Research on the Internet and Schools, was recently approved as a center within the College of Education. Directed by Dr. Ellen Hoffman, the center is designed to:
- establish EMU as a leader in research on digital libraries, Internet resources in support of learning, and the leadership role of media specialists;
- continue development of partnerships with Michigan schools and state educational professional organizations; consolidate existing externally funded research grant activities to increase efficiencies in operations and implementation;
- leverage current grant efforts to improve the potential for obtaining new and continuing funds;
- promote cross-departmental activities and work that crosses college boundaries, allowing the center to attract faculty partners from multiple departments and colleges;
- increase student participation in research
FACULTY AND STAFF NOTES
Jon Margerum-Leys' article (with Ronald Marx) "The Nature and Sharing of Teacher Knowledge of Technology in a Student Teacher/Mentor Teacher Pair" was published in the November/December issue of the Journal of Teacher Education. The article was based on Dr. Margerum-Leys' dissertation which won AACTE's Outstanding Dissertation Award in 2002.
Earlier this fall Marcia Mardis (adjunct) and Joanne Caniglia (math education) with senior personnel Ellen Hoffman (PI), Nancy Copeland and Pat Williams-Boyd were awarded $287,618 for their grant Collaborative Research: DLConnect: Connecting Underserved Teachers and Students with NSDL Learning Resources and Tools. The grant is a collaborative project with Utah State University and involves professional development for middle school teachers and media specialists on digital library uses for science and math.
The EMU Counseling Program had an substantial presence at the Michigan Counseling Association's Annual Conference October 9-12, 2004. Professor Emeritus Louis Thayer was recognized for his exemplary service to the profession. Suzanne Hobson received both the MCA Legislative Service Award in recognition of state and national legislative and advocacy efforts, and the 2004 Outstanding Professional Service Award for her work in founding the organization.
Presentations included:
Irene Ametrano (with S. Schaeffer and D. Amidon), a pre-conference workshop "Supervision: A Vision for your Future?"
Suzanne Hobson "Credentialing Update for Counselors" and "Tenure Update for School Counselors."
On October 21, Ella M. Burton made two presentations to the Pinckney Community Schools Leadership Team, "Walk Through for the Classroom," and "The Cycle of the Inquiry."
Dibya Choudhuri presented at NAFSA: Association of International Education Region IX, November 9th, 2004. Her topic was "Global Competency Training for Organizational Change."
Suzanne Hobson attended the American Counseling Association's Midwest Region Leadership Development Conference in Council Bluffs, Iowa October 14-17, 2004. She serves as the Chair-Elect-Elect and delivered a presentation entitled "Preparing for Leadership."
Sarah Ginsberg presented a seminar for the faculty at University of Michigan sponsored by their Center for Research on Learning and Teaching on November 2, 2004. It was entitled "Effective Classroom Communication: Research on How and Why Faculty Develop It."
Dr. Mary Bigler has been named as one of the members of the Regents Advisory Committee charged with advising the Board of Regents in the selection of Eastern Michigan University's next president. Also on the committee is Michelle Williamson, a prospective secondary social studies teacher and Presidential Scholar.
Ron Williamson presented a pre-conference session at the Annual Conference of the National Middle School Association in Minneapolis. The title of the session was "Leadership Tools for High-Performing Middle Level Schools." Dr. Williamson also recently published a chapter in Reforming Middle Level Education, a volume of The Handbook of Research in Middle Level Education. The chapter was "Creating Academically Challenging Middle Level Schools" and was co-authored with Dr. J. Howard Johnston of the University of South Florida.
David Anderson presented " The Refractive Practitioner: Decision Making and Policy Analysis Around Brown v. Board of Education" at the American Educational Studies Association, 2004 Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO.
Eboni Zamani-Gallaher presented at the DFI-KCP Annual Fellows Conference, Lincolnshire, IL November 6, 2004 She also conducted a focus group dialogue on negotiating doctoral research in education. Dr. Zamani-Gallaher also attended the Association for the Study of Higher Education Annual conference and participated in the business meeting for the ASHE reader series editorial board.
Jim Berry attended the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration strategic planning retreat in Houston, TX. He is working with the NCPEA Board in developing a defined knowledge base for guiding program improvement.
In political news, Brian Filipiak was elected to the Ypsilanti City Council representing Ward 3.
STUDENT NOTES
Educational Leadership doctoral and specialist degree students Shaftone Dunklin, Tamara Stevenson, Jesus Hernandez and Cheryl Price participated in the 8th Annual Joint Fellows conference (Diversifying Faculty Initiatives in Higher Education - King, Chavez, Parks Future Faculty Fellowship)conference held in Lincolnshire, IL November 4th-7th.
The Michigan Council for History Education and Grand Valley's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies announced the winners of the Educator Electoral College Prediction Contest. Honorable mention went to an entry by Maria Gonzakz Allen, currently student teaching in Willow Run Middle School. A group of nine students of Ms. Allen's students prepared a report discussing how each state's vote would be determined.
ALUMNI NOTES
Several College of Education alumni were successful candidates in the recent elections. Melissa McLaughlin was elected Trustee in Canton Township, Marilyn Kelley was re-elected to state Supreme Court and Valerie M. Constance was re-elected as Parks Commissioner in Superior Township.
The Michigan Association of School Administrators recently announced the 2005 Regional Superintendents of the Year winners. At least four of the six awardees are Eastern Michigan University alumni. They include:
Region 3 - James Morse, Superintendent of East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Region 5 - Kenneth Micklash, Superintendent of Cass City Public Schools
Region 8 - William C. Miller, Superintendent of Washtenaw ISD.
Region 9 - Joan Sergent, Superintendent of Utica Community Schools.
OPPORTUNITIES
American Association Of University Administrators National Assembly, June 23 - 25, 2005 ▪ Galveston, Texas. Proposals due February 1, 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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