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 latest issue of English Education contains a brief but thoughtful piece entitled "Brave Spaces" by Dana Fox and Cathy Fleischer, journal editor and one of our English methods faculty. The authors use the term "brave spaces" to refer to the context necessary for collaboration and growth in language arts environments and in other areas of education. They describe brave spaces "places where we can speak openly, envision possibilities, ask authentic questions, listen to each other well, reflect, theorize, revise our thinking, and grow as literacy learners and educators." I would argue that such places are necessary for all of us who struggle with the complexities of professional education.
We are living in times when it is tempting to search for easy answers on a variety of fronts. I thought of brave spaces today when I listened to the soundtrack of the hit musical Wicked (a fascinating alternative view of the witches in Oz). One of the characters sings a song called "Dancing Through Life" in which he urges friends to stop studying and live "the unexamined life." Unfortunately, it can be awfully easy to live the unexamined profession as well. Simplistic ideas and solutions abound on both sides of many educational issues. It will require brave spaces-among our colleagues and in our self reflection-to look at the complexities of humans, learning, research, and practice in ways that will move us forward. What a daunting and wonderful adventure!
''I'm through accepting limits -Elphaba, "Wicked" Witch |
HOLIDAY GATHERING
The annual Holiday Gathering for the College of Education will be held Wednesday, December 15, 2004 in room 301b/c of the Porter building. The gathering will include good food, fine colleagues, and even some holiday door prizes!
Dibya Choudhuri recently presented a session titled "Global Competency Training for Organizational Change" at the Association of International Educators in Ann Arbor.
Emeritus faculty member Beverly Geltner was featured in a Detroit Free Press article about her new position as interim superintendent of Southfield Public Schools. She is replacing Cecil Rice who is on medical leave. The article cites Geltner's high standards and no-nonsense attitude. She is quoted as saying, "I know what good looks like. And I know what quality looks like, and that is what we are going to have." Among other initiatives, Geltner is partnering with historically black sororities to provide mentoring for struggling students.
Ron Williamson's article "Time and Organization as Tools to Improve Student Learning" was the feature article on the front page of the Principals' Partnership website---www.principalspartnership.com.
STUDENT NOTES
The Ann Arbor News recently featured a photo of student athlete and prospective math teacher Corey Nowitzke. At the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championship, Nowitzke was selected as an at-large individual selection to the NCAA Championships.
ALUMNI NOTES
Alum Joan Sergent was named Superintendent of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Administrators. Sergent is superintendent of Utica Community Schools. The surprise announcement was made at the Utica Board of Education Meeting on November 8, 2004. The award comes with a $10,000 scholarship for the high school from which the honoree graduated.
Alum Elise Sulick was recently featured in a Livingston County paper article describing how she blends her passions for children and horses in her career. A fifth-grade teacher in Linden Community schools and a wrangler at Wildwood Ranch, Ms. Sulick has the opportunity to promote learning in both venues.
Doris H. Graichen of Traverse City, age 93, died recently. She graduated from Michigan Normal College in 1934. Ms. Graichen was a teacher of physical education and the fourth and fifth grades at Erickson Elementary School.
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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