College of Education
Previous issues of Monday Report are at http://www.emich.edu/coe/monday. Send items and comments to vpolite@emich.edu.
FROM THE DESK OF THE DEAN
One of the delights of coming to the College of Education is seeing the commitments to equity and social justice as hallmarks of the work we do. Throughout the years, the College of Education has played critical roles in responding to the societal issues of the time. As a result the College and the University are lifelines for critical thinking, social justice, and strong school and community relationships.
The challenge has been to determine how best to respond to the devastation brought on by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Region of the nation. In response to the Hurricanes in the Gulf, we have collected and delivered more than 3,500 backpacks and 150 boxes of school supplies to the students and teachers in Terre Bonne, Houma, Orleans Parish Schools. Although we are no longer accepting backpack and school supplies, please refer to our web site for other ways you might support the College of Education in this venue. Attached is an “open letter” from the Gulf Region by
Dr. Pat Williams-Boyd that is well worth reading.At the College level we are preparing several proposals for consideration by University Relations for possible federal earmark funding. The first is in collaboration with the Illinois State University to establish an extension to the MARS Program (Minority Achievement, Retention, and Success) following the ISU Chicago Pipeline Project. A second proposal will involve the collaboration of the Dean, Vernon Polite; the former Dean (Jerry Robbins); and the Superintendent, Dr. William Miller of Washtenaw Intermediate School District to recruit, train, and retain men for teaching positions in the region. The first proposal is in collaboration with the College of Health and Human Services to establish comprehensive school-linked services in the region.
FACULTY NOTES
Dr. Ella Burton, the Department of Leadership and Counseling, will receive the Eastern Michigan University’s Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Award Ceremony is planned for Saturday, October 22, 2005, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the McKenny Ballroom.
Dr. Toni Stokes Jones co-authored an instructional design case in the ID Casebook (2003), of which a recent study published in Educational Technology placed the book 4th on a list of books reported as being required by graduate programs in instructional design and technology. In addition, a Chinese edition is on track for publication by the end of 2005, and a Korean edition is also in the works. The book received the “Outstanding Book in the Field of Instructional Design” award from the Association for Educational Technology and Communications in 2002.
Drs. Anne Bednar, Georgea Langer, Pat Pokay and Carolyn Burns have received approval to present at the forthcoming Annual Meeting of AACTE. The title of the presentation is, “Are Student Teachers able to demonstrate that they have made a difference in the learning of P-12 students?”
Dr. Lori Parks and Dr. Karen Schulte recently co-authored an article "Improving Your Child's Achievement by Building Stronger Home-School Connections" that was published in the Bridges for Kids Digest. The electronic link to the publication is www.bridges4kids.org/ld/articles/EMU9-05.htm
The Department of Special Education held the first meeting of a newly formed book group on September 28. A group of department faculty members decided to read books related to the over-representation of minority groups in special education programs and to meet monthly to discuss these common readings. The book group, organized by Dr. Karen Schulte, met in the spring to decide on its first two books and to determine a meeting schedule. In September the group discussed the book A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Dr. Ruby K. Payne. The book group will meet again in October to discuss its next book By the Color of Our Skin:The Illusion of Integration and the Reality of Race by Leonard Steinhorn & Barbara Diggs-Brown.
Dr. Don Bennion conducts a series of workshops for faculty professional development throughout the academic year. The most recent one was Wednesday, October 5, 2005 and Thursday, October 6, 2005 on the topic “Planning, Writing, and Grading Good Essay Tests.”
Dr. John Palladino made the following presentations recently:
1. “Making Sense of Math” --An invited presentation for the Archdiocese of Omaha Annual Teacher Conference – October 7, 2005
2. 19th Annual Conference on Educational Leadership (peer reviewed), Lincoln, NE – October 9-10:
a. The Empowerment of Arab-American Women to Resolve Domestic Violence within their Culture.
b. Transitioning from Principal to Superintendent: Voices from the Heartland (w/Jean Haar: MN State University-Mankato)
c. Collaborative Leadership for the Empowerment of Foster Parent Involvement in High School Special Education Programs (w/Jean Haar: MN State University- Mankato).The College of Education acknowledges the service of Drs. Anne Bednar, Willie P. Cupples, Lidia Lee, and Suzanne Hobson on the Program Task Force during the past academic year.
Dr. James Berry, Department of Leadership and Counseling, is working with the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) to provide relief efforts for school districts affected by the recent hurricanes. He will be working in St. Tammany Parish, which is north of New Orleans.
Dr. Ron Williamson, Department of Leadership and Counseling, is working with high school principals from the Houston Metropolitan Area on issues related to the integration of students evacuated due to Hurricane Katrina. He will be facilitating several discussion groups with the goal of helping the principals identify strategies that they can use to support the students and their families, support their school faculty, and support themselves during this time of immense uncertainty. The trip is coordinated by The Principals’ Partnership sponsored by Union Pacific Railroad.
Dr. Yvonne Callaway, Department of Leadership and Counseling, presented with Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson at the American Council on Education in Phoenix, Arizona on October 7, 2005. The presentation was titled “Counseling in the Classroom: Pedagogical Innovations Using Group Work to Develop Academic Self-Efficacy for African American Ninth Grade Girls.”
The following faculty members are representing the Department of Leadership & Counseling programs at the Continuing Education sponsored College of Education Information Sessions in our six EMU Regional Centers this month: Dr. Irene Ametrano, Dr. James Berry, Dr. Willliam Price, Dr. Jaclynn Tracy, Dr. Ella Burton, Dr. David Anderson, Dr. Eboni Zamani-Gallaher, and Dr. Ron Williamson.
Dr. Bill Cupples and Dr. Jaclynn Tracy have been selected to represent the College of Education on the Realignment Task Force for the Division of Academic Affairs.
EMERITUS STATUS
Dr. Thomas Gwaltney, professor, Teacher Education. Gwaltney, of Ypsilanti, retired Aug. 31, 2005 following 41 years of service to EMU. Gwaltney’s teaching was rewarded by EMU with a Distinguished Faculty Award for Service to the University in 1985 and the Michigan Association of Governing Boards Outstanding Faculty Award in 1996. In addition to being an excellent teacher, Gwaltney served EMU in other capacities, including the first coordinator of the University Studies Program and as an assistant dean in the graduate school. He also was instrumental in bringing the one-room schoolhouse to the University. Gwaltney received his doctorate and master’s degrees in educational administration/supervision, both from Southern Illinois University and two bachelor’s degrees: one in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University and the other in secondary education from EMU.
Ms. Merri McClure, clerical secretary, College of Education, (1968-2003). McClure, of Ann Arbor, retired Feb. 1, 2003, following 34 years of service to EMU.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
2004 Educational Leadership doctoral program graduate Ben Edmonson (99/00 Cohort) traveled to Bologna Italy this month for the 35th Meeting of the International Society for Educational Planning. During his visit, Dr. Edmonson received an outstanding dissertation award and conducted presentations with Dr. Robert Perry and Dr. Melvin Peters from EMU’s Department of African American Studies.
Counseling student, Kanaya Dinkins, represented the Counseling Program at the Continuing Education sponsored College of Education Information Session at EMU-Detroit on Tuesday, October 11, 2006.
DISSERTATION DEFENSE:
Virginia Bell: Doctoral candidate presents her dissertation defense, “An Examination of the Implementation of Restorative Justice Programs in Select Michigan Public Schools for the Reduction of Student Behavorial Problems,” today, 1-3 p.m., Room 301B/C, Porter Building. Call Helen Ditzhazy, 487-0255.
Michele Snow Coyne: Doctorial candidate presents her dissertation defense, “Assessment of the Nature and Extent of Bullying Among Students at an Urban School: Strategies for the Reduction and Prevention of Bullying, Thursday, October 20, 2005, 2-4 p.m., Room 301B/C, Porter Building. Call Helen Ditzhazy, 487-0255.
ALUMNI NEWS
Gail Bohner, an art teacher at Brighton’s Spencer Elementary was selected as the Michigan Art Education Teacher of Year for 2006. She will be honored at several events including the Michigan Art Education Conference November 4, 2005 in Frankenmuth. She earned her undergraduate degree in Art Education at Eastern Michigan University.
COLLEGE-WIDE NEWS
The World Language programs (French, German, Spanish, and Japanese) have all been approved by Michigan Department of Education. The College acknowledges the outstanding work and contributions of Dr. Elisabeth Morgan and Dr. Anne Renz in bringing state recognition to the Eastern Michigan University.
Kappa Delta PI received the ACE Award for the third time since 1995. Congratulations to Dr. Elizabeth Johnson,the students, and faculty who gave the organization a cause for great pride within the College of Education.
Dr. Jerry Robbins, former dean of the College of Education, is serving as a consultant on NCATE accreditation matters to the president of the University of Southern Mississippi. Robbins is also on a consultant team for the Chancellor's office of the University System of Georgia, working with a public institution in that state that is seeking to regain both state and NCATE approval of professional educator preparation programs.
Dolores H. and Albert C. Church named EMU as the beneficiary to create a Dolores Hertler Church and Albert Carl Church Endowed Scholarship to help students become elementary and middle school teachers. According to the story, Mrs. Church (BS 1953, MA, 1958) and Mr. Church (BS 1963, MA 1967) were both long-time teachers in area schools until their retirements.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANTS
International travel support is available to full-time faculty and staff. Special consideration will be given to those who have not received a travel grant previously. There are three application/award cycles this academic year. The first application deadline is Oct. 15, the second is Feb. 15, and the third is May 15. For application information and procedures, visit www.emich.edu/worldcollege or call 487-2414.
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education
2005-2006 Speaker Series
Fact Sheet
The John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education is named in honor of the former EMU President John W. Porter. It is the first endowed chair in the University’s College of Education. The John W. Porter Chair was largely funded by the C.S. Mott Foundation and the MacGregor Foundation. The purpose of these generous contributions to Eastern Michigan University is to appoint a renowned scholar(s) in urban education and to provide innovative leadership for Eastern Michigan University in this field. The chair is designed to actively expand the University’s role in urban school districts in Michigan, with an emphasis on school-community partnerships.
About John W. Porter
John W. Porter is a former EMU president, former state superintendent of schools for Michigan and a distinguished educator.
2005-2006 Speaker Series
Instead of naming one scholar this year, the structure has been reconfigured for the 2005-2006 academic year in order to provide opportunities to interact with a variety of scholars through a “Speaker Series” format. Each department within the College of Education (along with the Health and Physical Education programs within the School of Health Promotion and Human Performance, which is closely involved in the preparation of teacher educators) nominated and selected a scholar to participate in this year’s Speaker Series. The 2005-2006 John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education Speaker Series presents:
October 27-28
Dr. Donna Y. Ford
Professor of Special Education
Betts Chair of Education and Human Development
Vanderbilt UniversityNovember 3
Dr. Jocelyn Elders
Former U.S. Surgeon General
Distinguished Professor of Public Health
University of Arkansas
November 21-22
Dr. Gary Orfield
Professor of Education
Social Policy Director of the Civil Rights Project
Harvard University
January 26-27
Dr. James Davis
Professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Associate Dean
College of Education
Temple University
Previous Chair HoldersSelected Chairs have demonstrated expertise in urban education, are senior scholars/practitioners, have demonstrated experience in urban education, and relate closely to the unique aspects of urban school districts. Previous Chair holders include:
1999-2001
James Comer, M.D., M.P.H.
MauriceFalk Professor of Child Psychiatry
Child Study Center
Yale University School of Medicine2001-2002
Lisa Delpit, Ph.D.
Executive Director/Eminent Scholar
Center for Urban Education and Innovation
Florida State University2002-2003
Nel Noddings, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy and Education
Teachers College
Columbia University
Lee L. Jacks Professor of Child Education Emerita
Stanford University2003-2005
Joyce Epstein, Ph.D.
Director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Joint/Part-time appointment as Professor of Sociology
Johns Hopkins UniversityFor More Information
For more information about the John W. Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education, contact:
Dr. Jaclynn Tracy, Chair
COE JWPorter Distinguished Chair Committee
jtracy@emich.edu
IN MEMORIAM
Hal Robbins, the father of Dr. Jerry Robbins, former dean of the College of Education,died Thursday afternoon about 2 p.m. in Little Rock. The Faculty and Staff extend our heartfelt condolences to Jerry during this time of bereavement.
Bruce C. Cubbin, 62, died recently from a heart attack. He held two teaching degrees from EMU (bachelors in 1967 and masters in 1971) and specialized in the teaching of history. His career included teaching at St. Rita Catholic School and at the North Kent Consortium, both in Grand Rapids, before he moved to Auburn Hills and taught at the Shrine Academy in Royal Oak. He also taught in the Waterford district until his retirement from the K-12 schools in 2002. After retirement, he worked part-time for the University of Mercy-Detroit in the area of nursing education.
Louise Navetta Coallier of Rochester Hills died at of 62. For many years she had been an elementary school teacher in the Chippewa Valley Schools. She was formerly the assistant principal at Cheyenne Elementary School in Macomb Township.
Elizabeth Hebert, 56, died recently in Ann Arbor. She held an M.A. from EMU and was a teacher of art at Northwest High School in Jackson, later serving as department chairperson in that school.
OPEN LETTER FROM Dr. Pat Williams-Boyd….
This morning we delivered your backpacks of school supplies to three schools. This afternoon we stood among the remains of the reasons for those backpacks.
The people of Jefferson Parish schools thank you for your thoughtfulness for, in their words, “Thinking of the people of Louisiana.” Whether they were school principals, the Superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools, the forklift driver in the warehouse, or the coordinator of volunteer services, they send their appreciation conveyed in a warm hug or handshake, in a quiet nod or in a broad smile.
Our minivan was packed several times to the roof with backpacks that were excitedly met with joyful anticipation by the students of Cherbonnier, Higgins High and Live Oak Manor Schools. Project Backpack will give school supplies to Grand Isle, George Cox, Homedale, Riverdale High, and Bissonet schools, and to Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy. Grand Isle’s Principal drove 108 miles up to New Orleans to collect his students’ backpacks and newly-made friends at the Jefferson Parish School Board and Warehouse will help us distribute the rest of the 3000 bags and 150 boxes of supplies.
Carolyn van Norman, Principal of Higgins High School, was so thrilled with your donations that she took time out of her hectic day to give us a tour of the building so we could ‘get a feel for the kids to whom these supplies would be going.’ In every room we entered, we were introduced as representatives from Eastern Michigan University. The principal then asked how many students were displaced by the storms and in every case at least one-third of the class raised their hands. When she further asked how many had lost everything, nearly every one of those whose hands were raised kept them up as they quietly looked down at their desks. We extended our joy at meeting them, our appreciation for allowing us to talk with them, our hopes that their lives would serve as inspirations for others and that our paths would cross again at the university level. Their eyes spoke the weight of their stories and the lifting of their heads raised the flag of freedom that burns in the hearts and minds of young people.
As the team moved down the hallway with the principal, I stayed for a bit to talk with a teacher who had lost everything in the storm, had been in the Superdome for six days and now was living in the boiler room of the school. “What can your colleagues at Eastern Michigan University do to help? I know this is an extremely personal question and I certainly respect your hesitation to say anything.” “No, that’s quite all right. I’m doing well. The school district is going to get me a trailer soon. I grew up here, went to school here, and am committed to the students at Higgins High.” When asked if there were anything we could do, he said simply I have one change of clothes, a roof over my head, and the passion for these kids in my heart. “What would I have said to a stranger who came to my door and asked to help?” Our eyes met, we warmly shook hands and in that brief moment I had seen the essence of resiliency and the purpose of teaching that is present only in the human spirit.
Before leaving the school, the team sat on the front steps and talked about what they had seen, what impressed them, what they understood. It is better told in their words, but their insights are keen, their acknowledgement of the persistence of life, sure, and their hope to more fully understand what they were experiencing compelling.
And then we went to the Lakeview area, the part of Jefferson Parish we had all seen on television a few short weeks ago, that area in which the streets became canals and the houses markers of things past.
We had seen trees strewn along the roads, roofs covered with blue tarps, piles of trash and rubble, but we were unprepared for what we saw as the van turned the corner into this once-affluent neighborhood. We stopped the van and mutely sat, looking at the battle-worn devastation. We quietly stepped out of the van and began to slowly walk down empty streets, void only of human life. Everywhere we looked; rubble, broken dreams, abandoned cars, houses, hopes… The profound silence was broken only by the occasional bird.
Crushed CD cases, broken glass, a water-soaked book entitled “Signs and Symbols” lay open, its pages arbitrarily fluttering in the brief wind. An upside-down doll carriage, a single tennis shoe baked into mud, a twisted cell phone, a television, a boom box, rugs, pieces of clothing, a young child’s graded homework, a never-filled-out change-of-address card, a page from the September 23, 2005 Time Picayune Newspaper, peeked out from under layers of dead leaves, misshapen tree branches, piles of dried palms, and heaps of barely recognizable furniture, appliances, photo albums, mattresses, antiques, and cherished memories are mounded up everywhere. And there was no one there.
The noise of the crunch of dried mud under my feet as I slowly walked down the one-time sidewalk sounded like the crackling of a winter’s fire, … Katrina had capriciously lifted segments of the walkways, tossed cars and boats around like so many toys, plucked trees from one-hundred-year roots and discarded them on the tops of automobiles covered in mud and dried debris. Tree limbs and twigs were thrust under car tires and lodged in dashboards and upholstery. The backs of seats, floors, steering wheels were caked with shards of dried mud. The car door stood open as if casually awaiting someone who never came. The smell of mold was everywhere. And there was no one there.
White “X’s” marked the trees intended for the chain saw. Red “X’s” marked each house that also wore the numbers of the dates that the house was first checked by police and then the top numbers (as the water line rose) when the boats came through to make sure all were out of their houses. And there was no one there.
We turned the corner to walk another street when Matt was greeted by a husband and wife who were attempting to sort through anything that was left in their $300,000 home. They told not only their story, but they were anxious to share stories of the storm. A year ago, the man across the street had just moved here from London. There was nothing left. An 88-year-old woman who refused to leave her home just a block down, drowned as the water continued to rise. The woman across the street had just moved her mother to a nursing home and had brought all of the family antiques and all the paintings her father had done to her own home. Now, there was nothing left.
There were tears and husky voices in our little band. As we stood in the middle of a deserted, dust-blown ghost town, we tried to make sense of what we were feeling. How could we really understand what went on here? What is really important in life if what we save for and work for can be lost in a moment? What ought we to do with our lives that has lasting value? How can we help our own students more fully realize their own potential in life, to help them discover that for which they have been created, to nurture their understanding of self-efficacy, advocacy and fulfillment of one’s own destiny?
April’s boyfriend called her while we were driving back to Houma. He talked about going to Great Lakes Crossing. And perhaps she summed up the day best when she said, “You know, as much as I used to love going there, that has so little meaning for me just now. There is so much more that matters.” Matt who is moved by what remains of a once-proud house, is so touched he cannot even take pictures of it. Marliese asks, “How can we get other people to understand what we have seen here? How can we share with them this perspective and how it changes so many things?” And I….I am silenced by what I see in these young people, by what we have experienced today, about what EMU and our Backpack Project attempted to do. Marliese said, “I felt we were doing such a good job. Now as I’m standing here, in comparison to the magnitude of the destruction, I feel we have done so little.” “You’re right, Marliese, but we have done something.”
Strength and honor,
Pat
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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