Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Carol Allie Receives Fall 2011 Chancellor’s Medallion

In recognition of her outstanding academic accomplishment, Carol P. Allie (Elementary Education) has been chosen as the School of Education’s Fall 2011 recipient of the Chancellor’s Medallion. This award is an honor presented each term to a graduating senior from each academic unit at University Commencement.

Ms. Allie graduated with High Distinction with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Science and a minor in Language Arts. After transferring from Henry Ford Community College in 2007, Carol juggled her studies at UM-Dearborn while working as a licensed child-care provider. She earned UM-Dearborn Honors in 2011, was on the Dean’s List for four years, and received the 2011 Honor Scholar Award for Bachelor of Arts in Education (Science Studies). During her studies she maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Ms. Allie was a recipient of several scholarships, including the Community College Transfer Scholarship, the Margaret Dow Towsley Scholarship through the Continuing Education for Women program, the General Merit Scholarship and the James and May Bell Loeb Scholarship.

Ms. Allie has been an active member of the Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA), as well as the Golden Key International Honour Society. She has visited the Vista Maria girls’ home with groups from both organizations, helping to host events such as craft night, games night and a pizza party. She has also participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, packing boxes at Gleaner’s Food Bank, helping beautify McKinley Elementary School, and painting murals at Cody High School. She was also very active in many activities sponsored by the Environmental Interpretive Center, where she also worked as a leader of school group tours for ages Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Ms. Allie has also given generously of her time as a volunteer off campus, particularly at her church, where she has been in the choir, taught Vacation Bible Club, and participated in community service projects.

Carol plans to teach full time in an elementary school in Michigan, and to return to UM-Dearborn to earn a Master’s degree in Education.

Please join me in congratulating Carol P. Allie on being selected for this prestigious honor and in wishing her much success in her future endeavors!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

School of Education Honors Professor Mary Trepanier–Street

On December 2 a celebration was held to honor the career of Dr. Mary Trepanier-Street as she retires from the University of Michigan-Dearborn after 33 years of service. Numerous friends, professional colleagues from inside and outside the university, and former students joined in recounting Mary’s many contributions and accomplishments. A report of the event can be found at http://www.umdearbornreporter.com/2011/12/leader-role-model-and-finisher/

Dr. Trepanier-Street taught early childhood education at University of Michigan-Dearborn for over 33 years. She devoted much of her life to the preparation of educators of young children, based on the Reggio Emilia approach to the education and development of the whole child. Mary has written or co-written over 40 published articles, book chapters, and abstracts on many aspects of teacher education, child development, and the education of children with special needs. Her research focused on gender equity, early childhood curriculum for children with and without disabilities, college students’ mentoring of young children at risk, and teacher education.

In addition to teaching and mentoring students, Mary has served as the Director of Student Teaching, the Director of the Early Childhood Education Center, and as Associate Dean in the School of Education. She has served on and chaired numerous committees, led many cooperative programs and projects involving community school districts, actively served on educational boards and advisory groups, and generously given her time sharing her knowledge and best practices in the field of early childhood education. Mary is know in the region, and indeed across the nation, as an effective and energetic advocate for high quality education for all young children.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education recognizes Mary Trepanier-Street for 33 years of outstanding service as a member of the faculty, for her leadership; and many innovative contributions to the preparation and continuing education of teachers.

Individuals wishing to recognize Mary Trepanier-Street’s legacy of contributions to the University of Michigan-Dearborn and to assist the School of Education to maintain strong support for its students may do so through a contribution to:

School of Education Student Scholarship & Support Fund

Please mail your contributions to:
School of Education Student Scholarship Fund
c/o Becky Dresselhouse-Nauss
University of Michigan-Dearborn
19000 Hubbard Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126

SOE Students at 2011 Commencement

On Saturday, December 17, nearly 150 students with ties to the School of Education had degrees conferred upon them at the Commencement ceremony on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn that recognized degree candidates from August 2011 and December 2011. A total of 91 students received graduate degrees in education, either the Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education in Special Education, or Master of Science in Science Education. At the undergraduate level, 48 students received undergraduate degrees, either the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of General Studies, or Bachelor of Science. In addition, 8 CASL degree recipients were recognized for also pursuing secondary level teacher certification.

SOE Chancellor's Medallion winner, Carol P. Allie, was recognized at the commencement ceremony. She received the medallion at a luncheon honoring the winners preceding commencement.

Please join me in congratulating all our graduates and in wishing them great success now and in the future.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

MDE Reviews and Approves UM-Dearborn SOE Principal Preparation Program

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) conducts periodic reviews of teacher and administrator preparation programs to ensure adherence to current guidelines and standards. Programs are subjected to rigorous peer review based on an extensive set of submitted materials regarding courses and experiences required in the program. MDE recently completed its review of the Principal Preparation Program, which is available at the UM-Dearborn School of Education as a stand-alone program http://www.soe.umd.umich.edu/soe_principal_cert/ or linked to the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degree http://www.soe.umd.umich.edu/soe_mael/. I am pleased to report that the program passed with flying colors!

Our success in this program review represents a significant endorsement of our educational leadership preparation programs. Special thanks go to Professor Bonnie Beyer for her leadership in the effort to get all the required materials prepared and submitted for the program review, and also to the faculty and staff who assisted her in these efforts. Bravo to all!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Kudos to English/Language Arts Faculty and Student

Drum roll, please!

Congratulations are in order for the following distinctions:

Martha Adler, associate professor and coordinator of the English/Language Arts specilization, has been selected as an expert consultant to the Striving Readers National Technical Assistance Center. The center provides research-based assistance to project teams in 46 states that have received federal grants to improve the literacy skills of precollege students.

Danielle DeFauw, assistant professor specializing in English/Language Arts, successfully competed for Small Grant for Faculty Research from the campus Office of research. This is Danielle's first year at UM-Dearborn.

Joan Stoian, a junior in the elementary education program pursuing a Language Arts major, qualified for the NAIA National Championships in women’s cross country in Vancouver on November 19, 2011. She qualified for the national championships by finishing in the top 10 at the WHAC Meet. This is UM-Dearborn’s first year competing in the WHAC.

Brava to all!