f cus

February 2013

the

Teacher Education and Professional Development Newsletter

Studying Abroad in Russia By Natalia Collings As many of you know, I spent the fall semester in Russia working on my sabbatical goals. I went to Volgograd, my hometown, where family and friends are. I took the boys, Sergey and Constantine, and put them in a Russian school, where they not only perfected their Russian, but also learned to “be” Russian. We lived in an apartment downtown, next to a large regional library where I worked. It was an experience that left us with life-long memories, helped me develop as an expert in my field in the States, and also helped me make academic connections to my home country. Most of my work was dedicated to the in-depth review of the literature on cultural-historic theory originated by Lev Vygotsky. I had first-hand unlimited access to multiple versions and editions of his works, the works of his colleagues, and the current work of Russian scholars who followed in his steps. Russian psychological periodicals that I worked with are not available online, and it is all but impossible to subscribe to them from the United States. Works of some young Russian authors, who impressed me the most, are only locally published in very small numbers. The book of my primary interest, “About Historical Development of Learning Processes”, that was based on Vygotsky’s colleagues’ psychological

observations of how illiterate and agrarian Central Asia was becoming a part of formally schooled and industrialized Soviet Union, was not available even in such a large city with eight universities as Volgograd, but the library I worked at retrieved a paper copy of it for me from Moscow. This precious book was very old and never reprinted, and I felt fortunate to have an opportunity to work with it. As a result of working with all of these sources I have drafted several articles that I will be submitting for publications in both English and Russian. One of the highlights of my sabbatical work was participating in a major Russian conference that serendipitously chose Volgograd as a site for their 2012 gathering. I met prominent Russian scholars and made a presentation about teaching our famous countryman’s theories in the United States. My work was published in the proceedings that came out as an edited book. It was very important for my professional identity to start publishing in my native language. It was not accidental that Volgograd was chosen as a site by such a prominent conference. This year the city celebrated the 70th anniversary of the victory in Stalingrad battle. My children and I were witnessing impressive renovations of many historical monuments, including Mamyev Kurgan, which is one of the tallest statues in the world.

When you stand by a figure of a woman symbolizing Motherland, with a sword in her hand, calling for the soldiers to protect her, being a fraction of a size of her toe. When you see endless red banners with names of those who fell in the battle, that at times outnumber the current city’s population of over a million. When the honorary guards march by you to the eternal flame of the heroes’ memory, and their footsteps echo in your ears in dead silence… when a six-year-old boy wipes a tear in front of the statue of a grieving mother… you realize how easy February 2013 • 1 we have it to keep peace among the nations.

Learn Today, Teach Tomorrow The 8th Annual Learn Today, Teach Tomorrow Conference targets pre-service teachers from across the state of Michigan in an attempt to inspire, empower and shape future educators. With general session topics such as employment, resumes, classroom management, as well as subject area sessions ranging from math and science to music and foreign language, there is something for everyone! All sessions appearing on the website are confirmed, however the time slot may change.

Event Schedule: Check-in Keynote Speaker



Concurrent Sessions:

8 a.m. 9 a.m.

Group I Group II



Lunch (provided) Group III Group IV

noon 1 p.m. 2 p.m.

Conclusion & Wrap Up

10:10 a.m. 11:10 a.m.

3 p.m.

To learn more, go to lttt.org

About the Speaker Paul Hernandez Before he earned a Ph.D. in Sociology, before his Bachelors Degree from a university, before his Associate Degree from a community college, Paul Hernandez was an “at-risk” K-12 student-at risk of dropping out. In his own words: “Administrators and teachers often spoke of me as a thing rather than a person. They struggled to connect with me and my homeboys or to help us see a world beyond the Los Angeles ghettos we called home. Rather than trying alternative methods to connect with students like us, our schools funneled most resources toward college-track students. They went on visits to universities, museums, and corporate headquarters, while we were sentenced to meaningless repetition tasks. Eventually, I dropped out.” Now he directs his academic work toward engaging students like him and his friends, providing them with the opportunities and experiences that support educational success. Within his work he collaborates closely with educators of today’s at-risk students. Dr. Hernandez is an Associate Professor at Central Michigan University. His research focuses on the sociology of education and social inequality. He works with schools to implement a unique pedagogical approach of his own design that helps teachers and administrators improve passing rates and build meaningful relationships with students at risk of dropping out. He has also been the recepient of multiple awards including the National Education Associations Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award, the Equity in Education Award, and the Honors Professor of the Year Award.

Visit tepd.cmich.edu for more informatoin about this event. 2 • February 2013

Scholarships in

Teacher Education

Each academic year the Department of Teacher Education & Professional Development is able to offer a number of scholarships to students admitted to teacher education. In early February, criteria for eligibility and selection, instructions, and application materials are posted on this website. Awards are made for the following academic year. The application deadline for 2013-2014 scholarships is Friday, March 15, 2013 at 5 p.m. Please encourage your students to apply. For a full list of scholarship criteria visit tepd.cmich.edu. 2013-2014 scholarship recipients will be announced in the spring. Current Scholarships • Barbara Bissot Endowed Scholarship • Bessie Cooper Lewis Scholarship • Brannan Family Scholarship • Carl V. and Margaret Hahn Furney Scholarship • Cochran/Burke Scholarship for Excellence in Middle Level Education • Cynthia Diane Cordell Scholarship • David S. and Bernice A. Lirones Scholarship • Donald Oren Bush Scholarship • Dorothy Warriner Lewis Scholarship • Drayton and Minnie Miley Scholarship • Edgar L. Grim Scholarship • Edmund and Marjorie Galant Endowed Award • EHS International Programs Award • Emer A. Mathias Endowed Scholarship • Fay and Genevieve Barhitte Outstanding Student Award • Gail Sleeper Memorial Endowment

$56, 182 awarded in 2012 /2013

• Harold E. and Nancy Telfer Scholarship • Heather Lichtle Memorial Award Fund • Irgang Elementary Education Scholarship • John and Jeannette Smith Endowed Education Scholarship • Joyce Rohlfs Memorial Scholarship • Laurel Wood Brice Endowed Award • Laurene A. Horiszny Outstanding Student • Lee R. Lyons Prize • McDonald Future Science Teachers Scholarship • Millard Quinlan Endowed Scholarship • M.L. Smith Scholarship • Paul G. and Sophia H. Cartwright Memorial Scholarship in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Prize • Rachel Brink Allwardt Scholarship • Telephone Pioneers of America/Great Lakes Chapter 90 Scholarship • Troutman-Munson Education Scholarship • Walter W. McCarley Ph.D. Memorial Scholarship • William A. and Marcia L. Wright Scholarship (In memory of Randall and Joanne Robertson)

Awards for 2013/2014 recipients will be based on funding availability. February 2013 • 3

learn more about

Student Organizations at Teacher Education

Association for the Education of Young Children Faculty Advisor: Jackie Weller and Ranay Gursky # of students: 30 AEYC is a student-run organization that is primarily for those interested in children and their welfare. The organization’s focus is on the provision of educational resources and first-hand experiences with children in the community. The group also promotes an important link to professional development. The organization has sponsored monthly theme nights with children in the Child Development Learning Lab, as well as held pen pals and fundraising. The organization hopes to increase their involvement with children inthe community and raise money to donate to Oaxaca, Mexico. Celebrate Literacy: A Student Society (CLASS - IRA) Advisor: Dr. Xiaoping Li # of students: 15 CLASS - IRA is affiliated with the International Reading Association. We strive to promote literacy in the community through partnering with schools and promoting growth as teachers through professional guest speakers. This past year, the organization has hosted a family reading event in October and have started a pen pal program with the fourth grade students at Vowles Elementary. CLASS-IRA is planning on volunteering at the Michigan Reading Association’s annual conference in March. They will also host another family reading event for the community and a fundraiser to benefit the organization. Their goals include encouraging club members to be inspiring and impactful teachers of reading and language arts.

4 • February 2013

Collegiate Middle Level Association at CMU Faculty Advisor: Norma Bailey # of students: 56 The organization provides information, support and fellowship to persons interested in the education of young adolescents. The organization has also sent 10 students to the AMLE National Conference in Portland, OR and provided 6 professional development meetings per semester. They offer short and long term volunteering opportunities at local area middle schools. The organization hopes to continue educating future teachers about young adolescents and to offer professional development to their current members. Future goals include celebrating the Month of the Young Adolescent with a focus on middle level advocacy, to build a stronger sense of community among members, and to develop a strong professional student organization.

Council of Future Educators Advisor: Betsy MacLeod # of students: 30 The Council of Future Educators (COFE) is open to any CMU student interested in education. The group bridges the gap between EDU 107 and the pre-student teaching experience. COFE also gains experience through Operation Chip, a day camp for that teaches science, math, social studies, fine arts and language arts to Kindergarten through six grade children. The organization has hosted a number of guest speakers, including Scott Hart, a CMU graduate, and Jennifer Quick, Director of Pre-Student Teaching. The organization hopes to have a Secondary Education program started at Sacred Heart in Mount Pleasant, Mich. First Book Advisor: Betsy MacLeod # of students: 25 First Book is part of a national non-profit organization that promotes literacy in children. This organization donates books to children in need and has a goal to provide every child in need with at least one book. This year, the organization has worked with the Disability Awareness Fair to have a reading corner and has worked with the PEAK program to have a literacy day workshop. In the future, First Book hopes to hold a large carnival event called First Book Day that would raise money to donate books to an entire grade level in the Mount Pleasant public school district. The organization would like to increase the serving area and work with community organizations more. Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE) Advisor: Natalia Collings Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE) is an honorary professional teaching fraternity for members to discuss education-related issues.

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Advisor: Ming Zhang Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) is an undergraduate honorary society that fosters excellence in education and promotes leadership in the teaching profession. National Science Teachers Association Advisor: Dr. Jim McDonald # of Members: 23 The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) welcomes all CMU students interested in teaching and learning science. Its purpose is to provide a wealth of ideas to share among its members, to assist in building hands-on experiences and to develop problem solving skills with their peers. This year NSTA hosted Family Science Night and attended national conference in Indianapolis. The group hopes to raise money to send more students to the national conference in the future. Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) Advisor: Laura Frey The Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is an organization for those students going into education and related fields to provide professional development opportunities, to promote awareness in the community and to advocate for children. Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) Advisor: Bill Leibfritz The Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) at Central Michigan University is open to all future educators and supplements their formal education with information about conferences, salaries and curriculum requirements.

February 2013 • 5

Teacher Education by the Numbers Fall 2013 Elementary Education Admission

101

New Admits to Secondary Education

31

Students in the “new” Elementary Program

107

New Admits to Elementary Education

75

Students in the “old” Elementary Program

Student Teaching

257 8 6 • February 2013

Students Placed Spring 2013 Semester

Student Teachers Traveling to Immokalee, Florida

210 12

Applied for Fall 2013 Student Teaching

Student Teachers Traveling to Canberra, Australia

Student Teaching

Conference

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013 French Auditorium, EHS Building Central Michigan University Featuring guest speaker Tim Hodges, Ph.D. Director of Research, Gallup Education Dr. Hodges consults with many of the nation’s most prominent K-12 school districts and higher education institutions. He leads research projects and consults with educators regarding stregths development, employee selection, employee engagement and well- being. His recent research interests also include College and Career Readiness and leadership development

Many

Thanks

Dr. Norma Bailey, EHS student organizations Dr. Natalia Collings Lori Moon Dr. Karen Edwards

Events&Reminders May 2013 Graduation Application Deadlines • Feb. 4, 2013 and March 11, 2013 • Applications turned in prior to February 4 are assured student name listed in commencement program. Applications turned in at later due date are not guaranteed student name will be listed.

Dissertation Research Support Grants Application • Due March 11, 2013

Student Teaching Conference • 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Friday, March 15, 2013 • French Auditorium

Scholarship Applications due • Friday, March 15, 2013 by 5 p.m.

Mandatory Pre-Coursework Meetings • March 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. and March 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. • French Auditorium

Learn Today, Teach Tomorrow Conference • 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Saturday, April 6, 2013 • Plachta Auditorium and Grawn Hall • For more information, go to lttt.org

Teacher Education Job Fair • 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Friday, April 19 in Finch Field House • For more information, contact [email protected]

Visit tepd.cmich.edu for more upcoming events and reminders. February 2013 • 7