Regents Approve New College of Education, Health & Human Services

On December 13, 2012 the University of Michigan Board of Regents approved a name change for the School of Education (SOE). Effective September 2013, the name of the school will be the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS).

In announcing this Regents action to the campus, Chancellor Daniel Little wrote: “It has been the university’s longstanding goal to develop a suite of health programs to meet increased student and industry demand, grow enrollment and provide distinctive programs in southeast Michigan... The creation of the CEHHS will allow the university to realize metropolitan impact in much-needed skill areas by creatively leveraging the academic and administrative resources of UM-Dearborn. While there is much work to be done, Regental approval allows us to continue to build on the work of the faculty and staff to create quality programming for potential students.”

The formation of the new college emerged from the work of a Health Programs Committee comprised of faculty representing scholarly disciplines across academic units and colleges as well as key staff members. This group was created by Provost Catherine Davy in fall 2011 and charged to study the character, demand and market viability of new health programs for the UM-Dearborn campus. The committee recommended 10 potential interdisciplinary health-related programs that draw on existing courses and faculty expertise across the campus. The committee also looked at existing health-related ventures on campus, including the School of Education’s existing partnerships with Oakwood Healthcare. The school is deeply engaged in research projects with Oakwood’s Center for Exceptional Families and, most recently, the hospital and university jointly funded a research scientist position to focus on children with special needs. Based on SOE’s existing and expanding partnerships with the healthcare industry, and extensive market research, including studies from Hanover Research Group, the committee recommended that health-related programs be housed in a revamped college.

Along with adding health programs to the existing education programs, the plan is to offer an undergraduate Social Work degree on the UM-Dearborn campus, possibly in collaboration with the UM-Flint Department of Social Work. Through this innovative partnership, students will have the opportunity to earn an accredited undergraduate social work degree.

This past fall we have celebrated the Regents decision 25 years ago to form the School of Education on this campus. The Regents decision to form CEHHS marks another important moment in the evolution of education programming at UM-Dearborn. Moreover, it is a landmark in the history of the campus itself, both affirming the excellence of the School of Education as an anchor for the new college and signaling a commitment to grow the campus in new directions that will enhance our collective ability to draw undergraduate and graduate students to UM-Dearborn and expand our capacity to meet the needs of professionals who serve and improve the lives of children and families in southeast Michigan.

School of Education Honors Professor Richard Moyer

On December 7, 2012 a celebration was held to honor the career of Dr. Richard Moyer as he retires from the University of Michigan-Dearborn after 37 years of service. Numerous friends and family members, professional colleagues from inside and outside the university, and former students joined in recounting Dick’s many contributions and accomplishments. 

Dr. Richard Moyer came to UM-Dearborn after completing his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado in 1975. His initial appointment was as assistant professor in science education in the Division of Urban Education, which subsequently became the School of Education. He was the Division's ninth faculty member and first science educator. 

At that time, there was only one science education course for undergraduates. Today, the science education program in the School of Education at UM-Dearborn is recognized as exemplary and has four tenured faculty members. In addition, Moyer was instrumental in the organization of the Inquiry Institute, a UM-Dearborn interdisciplinary endeavor primarily between scientists in the Department of Natural Sciences and science educators in the School of Education. A Master of Science in Science Education degree (MSSE), developed by the Inquiry Institute, accepted its first students in September of 2003 under Dr. Moyer’s coordination.

As the students who spoke at the retirement event attested Professor Moyer has a well-deserved reputation as an outstanding teacher. He is one of only two faculty members on campus who received the campus Distinguished Teaching Award more than once. Moyer was first recognized in the untenured category when he received his first award in 1981and then, a second time in 1991, in the tenured category. 

Moyer has also been a prolific writer and scholar, publishing more than 200 books, book chapters, and journal articles. One of his recent publications, Everyday Engineering, which is co-authored with SOE Associate Professor Susan Everett, is among the most popular teaching resources published by the National Science Teachers Association.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education is pleased to recognize Professor Richard Moyer for 37 years of outstanding service as a member of the faculty; for his innovative contributions to the preparation and continuing education of science teachers; and for his leadership and mentorship. 

Bravo and bon voyage!

SOE Grads and Honorees at Fall 2012 Commencement

On Saturday, December 15, more than 600 students had degrees conferred upon them at the Commencement ceremony on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Among the graduates were more than 130 students from the School of Education:  75 received graduate degrees, either the Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, or Master of Science, and 57  received undergraduate degrees, either the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of General Studies, or Bachelor of Science. In addition, the pool of CASL graduates included 5 who completed the requirements for secondary teacher certification.

SOE Chancellor's Medallion winner, Brooke Holman, was recognized at the commencement ceremony, and she received the medallion at a luncheon event preceding commencement. Brooke earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in early childhood education and minors in social studies and integrated science. Another Chancellor's Medallion winner from CASL, Amanda Raupp, was among the CASL students who completed secondary teacher certification with a major in mathematics and a minor in psychology.

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

Two SOE Faculty to Lead GIEU Programs in Summer 2013

The Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) program offers study abroad opportunities for students on the University of Michigan campuses. 2012 is the first year that University of Michigan-Dearborn faculty were eligible to propose programs, and 2013 will be the first year in which UM-Dearborn students will be eligible to participate. Students from all three UM campuses are eligible to apply for any of the available program options.

The GIEU steering group in Ann Arbor received 60 proposals from faculty on the three campuses for study abroad programs and chose 10 to support. Four UM-Dearborn faculty were awarded support for three of the 10 selected programs, and two of the selected programs involve SOE faculty.

Martha Adler, SOE associate professor, and Monica Porter, Director of the Office of International Affairs, will lead “Summer Literacy Program: Children of the Dump.” This study group will work in a three-week summer literacy program serving high- poverty youth in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This program will both address the needs of children living in dire poverty in Mexico and provide university students with a culturally immersive educative experience. The literacy program is sponsored by The Children of the Dump, a community organization that was founded in 1998. Through private donations, the organization feeds more than 2,300 children daily, operates nine day care centers and an after-school program for grades 3 through 6. The goal of the Children of the Dump is to ensure education through grade nine and to educate the children of Puerto Vallarta in the skills necessary to rise above poverty.

Stein Brunvand, SOE associate professor, will lead “Teaching Across Borders: Establishing a Virtual Tutoring Program in Johannesburg, South Africa.” This study group will lay the foundation for implementing a virtual tutoring program to provide academic support to students in Alexandra Township. This program will help address deficiencies in the educational experiences of K-12 students living in South Africa while at the same time provide our university students with a culturally immersive experience where they can engage in authentic face-to-face and online instructional activities with children in need of academic assistance.

Please join me in thanking these SOE faculty and the other leaders of GIEU programs for providing such wonderful opportunities for UM-Dearborn students and other undergraduates in the UM family.

Two SOE Students Chosen to Attend Prestigious Conference

The Network of Michigan Educators is an organization of teachers and educational leaders in the state who have achieved special recognition, such as receiving state recognition as Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, or Superintendent of the Year, or national awards, such as the Milliken National Educator of the Year, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, or selection as an NSF Einstein Fellow.

The Network of Michigan Educators (NME) aims to improve teaching and learning in Michigan by connecting recognized educators as a means of helping inform their practice. The organization also seeks to inform the state's education policy and research communities. The organization holds an annual conference that gives participants access to professional sessions designed to sharpen their teaching and leadership skills even further.

A select group of individuals preparing to become teachers in Michigan is invited to participate in the NME annual conference. This year we are pleased that two UM-Dearborn students have been selected for participation in this year’s conference to be held in Lansing on December 13-14.

The students selected to represent UM-Dearborn are Hannah Greaves and Marwa Hachem. Hannah is pursuing secondary school certification through a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with a major in English and minors in Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL). Marwa is pursuing elementary school certification through a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Science Studies and a minor in English as a Second Language (ESL).

Please join me in congratulating these outstanding students on being selected for this very special opportunity to network and learn with outstanding professional educators in Michigan!

Renowned Teacher Education Scholar and Leader Visits UM-Dearborn SOE

On November 15, 2012, Professor Deborah Loewenberg Ball will speak at the UM-Dearborn School of Education. The title of her talk is (How) Can All Children Get Great Teaching? 

Dr. Ball is the William H. Payne Collegiate Professor in education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor. She currently serves as dean of the UM School of Education in Ann Arbor and as director of a new organization on that campus called TeachingWorks.

Dr. Ball is a leading authority on the topics of teacher education and mathematics teaching. She taught elementary school for more than 15 years, and continues to teach mathematics to elementary students every summer. Her research focuses on the practice of mathematics instruction, and on the improvement of teacher training and development. Ball has authored or co-authored over 150 publications and has lectured and made numerous major presentations around the world. Her research has been recognized with several awards and honors, and she has served on several national and international commissions and panels focused on policy initiatives and the improvement of education, including the National Mathematics Advisory Panel and the National Board for Education Sciences. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Education.

The talk will be held 5:00-6:30 PM in the Michigan Room, on the 1st floor of the FCS. This talk is open to all as part of a series of presentations and special lectures this fall to mark the 25th anniversary of the formation of the School of Education on this campus.

Please join me in welcoming Dean Ball to our campus!

SOE Staff Recognized for Contributions

Three SOE staff members were among those recognized at the UM-Dearborn Staff Senate Fall Forum for their contributions to the campus. Chris Casey, Debbie Jones, and Liz Morden received U Make a Difference awards. For more details see the story in the UM-Dearborn Reporter.

Please join me in congratulating these SOE staff members and the others from across campus on this special recognition!

SOE Faculty Fall 2012 Presentations at Professional Meetings

The scholarly work of University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education faculty is once again well represented at Fall 2012 national professional meetings. Here is a summary of recent and upcoming conference presentations:

Bonnie Beyer, professor, presented a paper at the 66th Annual Conference of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration in August addressing traditional organizational theories and their relationship to more recent constructs and concepts and how these newer concepts relate to leadership and oversight creating a culture of social justice in schools and educational systems.

Stein Brunvand, Laura Reynolds-Keefer, and Gail Luera presented a paper at the American Evaluation Association conference in Minneapolis in October addressing the complexity of evaluator roles when conducting an evaluation in an uncertain program climate, such as in a program serving at-risk youth.

Dara Hill, assistant professor, will give two presentations at the Literacy Research Association Conference in San Diego, CA in November. Her first paper examines fourth grade students’ participation of varying participation discourses at a high achieving, high poverty urban primary school in Detroit. The second presentation addresses one pre-service teacher’s experiences in a reading methods course and practicum, in partnership with a Southeast Michigan urban school.

Seong Hong, associate professor & Rosalyn Saltz Collegiate Professor of Education, presented a paper at the Association for Constructivist Teaching conference in Johnson City, Tennessee in October on integrative knowledge portfolio process.

Dick Moyer, professor, is speaking twice on Everyday Engineering, the book and journal column that he co-edits with associate professor Susan Everett, at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching annual meeting in November.

LaShorage Shaffer, instructor, presented at the Division for Early Childhood Conference in October on young children with special needs. At the same conference, along with Mary Trepanier-Street (professor emerita) and Tammy Morris (Center for Exceptional Families), she presented on educational and medical transdisciplinary teaming as an element in the preparation of early childhood teachers. In addition, she joined Sallee Beneke (assistant professor, St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA) and Hasan Zaghlawan (assistant professor, St. Thomas University, Minneapolis, MN) for a round table session to talk about topics related to the post Ph.D. job search process and becoming a junior faculty member at a college or university.

Julie Taylor, associate professor, will present a paper at the National Association for Multicultural Education conference in November about the issue of wearing headscarf (hijab) at schools in the United States. Dr. Taylor will present another paper in November at the Annual Conference of the National Council for the Social Studies focusing on teaching history with e-portfolios.

Youssef Mosallam Named 2012 SOE Alumnus of the Year

For more than 30 years, UM-Dearborn has honored outstanding alumni for their contributions to the University and community. These men and women are "difference makers" who have continued the University's legacy of leadership in their lives and careers. They are making a positive impact in their workplaces and communities, and serve as strong role models for a new generation of UM-Dearborn student leaders. Among the Alumni Difference Makers for 2012 is Youssef Mosallam, who was named School of Education Alumnus of the Year.

Youssef obtained his master’s degree in educational administration and his school principal certification at UM-Dearborn in 2005, and his work in a variety of education roles in the metropolitan area has made a positive difference in the lives of children and families in the region. Moreover, he has made a number of contributions specifically to the SOE through his ongoing engagement with our faculty and students.

Mr. Mosallam has a long and distinguished career with Dearborn Public Schools, having served in a variety of roles, including instructional technician working with at risk children. English teacher, history teacher, assistant football coach, Coordinator of Acceleration and Intervention, elementary school principal, and since 2010 as principal of Fordson High School, the district’s largest school.

Youssef has also given back to UM-Dearborn in many ways. He is a highly valued lecturer in our Master’s program, regularly teaching one or two courses each year. And as principal at Fordson High School he has also hired several UM-Dearborn graduates as teachers in his school. We deeply appreciate that as well and think that he has chosen wisely!

He initiated a collaboration between Dearborn Public Schools and UM-Dearborn’s SOE to assist teachers of core academic subjects in secondary school to work effectively with students whose native language is not English. That collaboration resulted in a major teacher professional development project that has been supported with a $1.2 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The Alumni Association Award will be presented to Mr. Mosallam, and the corresponding award winners from other units on the UM-Dearborn campus, at a ceremony on October 12. The MC for the campus-wide ceremony will be Tracy Thompson, the School of Education Alumna of the Year for 2011. Please join me in congratulating Youssef Mosallam on his distinctive accomplishment and in thanking him for his dedication to the education profession.

Alumni Celebrate SOE's 25th Anniversary

On Thursday, October 11, the UM-Dearborn School of Education Alumni Affiliate hosted a reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the formation of the School of Education on the campus.  The reception was held in the Michigan Room on the first floor of the Fairlane Center South Building.

About 65 members and friends of the current and past SOE community came together to celebrate this important milestone! Attendees ranged from a current freshman in the SOE to several emerita faculty and alumni from the recent and more distant past.  Brief remarks celebrating the history of the SOE were offered by Chancellor Daniel Little, SOE Dean Edward Silver, and SOE Professor Richard Moyer.  Other highlights were remarks by Donovan Rowe, Chair of the SOE Alumni Affiliate; Youssef Mosallam, 2012 SOE Alumnus of the Year; and Tracy Thompson, 2011 SOE Alumna of the Year.

A related story about the 25th anniversary of the SOE appeared in a recent issue of the UM-Dearborn Reporter. 

Kudos to SOE Students

Staci Ridgeway (Special Education) has been awarded a scholarship to help support her senior year studies by the University of Michigan Center for the Education of Women (CEW). The CEW Scholarship Program for returning women students was established in 1970 to honor the academic performance and potential of women whose education has been interrupted and to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the admission of women to the University of Michigan. Please join me in congratulating Staci on being selected for this honor from among a large number of worthy applicants!


Annelyse Bawol, Heather Hawrylak, and Aimee Gubbini – three recent SOE graduates in elementary education – transformed their science capstone project into a published article with the help of Charlotte Otto, Professor of Natural Science. Their article, “Third Graders’ Knowledge of Shadows,” appears in the Spring 2012 issue of the MSTA Journal. This journal is published biannually by the Michigan Science Teachers Association. Please join me in congratulating Annelyse, Heather and Aimee on their accomplishment and in thanking Professor Otto for her skillful mentorship!

Sammar Nasser Named Director of Research Partnership

Dr. Sammar Nasser has agreed to join UM-Dearborn as Research Assistant Professor in the School of Education and director of the UM-Dearborn/Oakwood Healthcare Research Partnership.

Dr. Nasser is a graduate of Lincoln Park High School who received her Ph.D. in Physiology from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2011. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Wayne State University. She had 10 years experience working as a Physician Assistant in the Department of Internal Medicine at Wayne State, and she is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership in the School of Medicine and Health Science at George Washington University in Washington, DC. She has led or been part of the research team on about a dozen funded research projects, and she has more than two dozen publications in peer-reviewed journals or books.

She will direct the new research partnership that is built upon the current collaboration among the Oakwood Center for Exceptional Families (CEF), the University of Michigan-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC), and the University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education. The current collaboration supports early childhood educators and healthcare professionals -- who bring different professional knowledge, training and backgrounds -- to work in concert to assist the development of children with and without disabilities and to model best practices for teachers and healthcare providers. The new research partnership will promote transdisciplinary research that can enrich significantly the knowledge and evidence base in relevant fields, and bring important new perspectives to the intersection of education and healthcare. Under the auspices of the Institute, education and healthcare students and professionals, and students and professionals from other related disciplines, can participate in research activities.

Dr. Nasser's appointment at UM-Dearborn will commence in January 2013. Please join me in welcoming her to campus and in supporting her as she takes on this important new work.

Noted Expert on Urban Schools Visiting SOE

On September 26, 2012, Professor Charles M. Payne will be speaking at the UM-Dearborn School of Education. Dr. Payne is the Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor in the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, where he is also an affiliate of the Urban Education Institute and a member of the Steering Committee for the Consortium on Chicago School Reform.

Dr. Payne is a leading scholar on urban education and school reform, social inequality, social change, and modern African American history. He recently published So Much Reform, So Little Change (Harvard Education Publishing Group) which is concerned with what we have learned about the persistence of failure in urban districts, and an anthology, Teach Freedom: The African American Tradition of Education For Liberation (Teachers College Press), which is concerned with the “Freedom School” education movement.

The talk will be held 4:30-6:00 PM in the Michigan Room, on the 1st floor of the FCS. This talk is open to all as part of the Conversations on Race series and one of several special lectures this fall as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the formation of the School of Education on this campus.

Please join me in welcoming Professor Payne to our campus!

ECEC Launches New Website

The Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) has launched a new website that includes new content and features intended to make it more interactive and more useful and accessible to teachers, families, students and the campus community. The site includes information regarding the ECEC philosophy, resources, program, collaborations, and classroom information. The new features include elements such as blogs, documentation, project work, calendars and newsletters, and more.

The website re-design was a collaboration involving Seong Hong, Chris Casey, Debbie Jones, Lia Simpson and all ECEC teachers and staff over a 10-month period. Laura Reynolds-Keefer also assisted by helping to accelerate the launch process in time for the beginning of the fall 2012 academic term.

Please join me in congratulating the ECEC on this accomplishment and in thanking all who contributed along the way!

SOE Rated EXEMPLARY for Fourth Consecutive Year

In late July, 2012, Michael P. Flanagan, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction, reported to the State Board of Education the results of the latest round of annual evaluations of teacher preparation institutions in the state.

For the fourth year in succession the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has designated the teacher preparation program at UM-Dearborn as EXEMPLARY, the highest category available. To make these program designations the MDE uses a complex, multi-faceted evaluation system that includes several different indicators of program characteristics, with special attention to teacher candidates’ content knowledge and preparatory experiences.

This distinction places the UM-Dearborn teacher preparation program among the top in the state. UM-Dearborn is one of only 4 public universities in the so-called “little 12” that have consistently achieved an Exemplary rating over the past three consecutive years.

One accomplishment of special note – we excel at helping our students successfully complete their programs. Among universities rated Exemplary, our program completion rate was 2nd highest of ALL universities (public and private) in the state!

This recognition is a tribute to the hard work of the faculty and staff of the SOE, as well as our faculty and staff colleagues in CASL, and others across the university. Their dedicated work on behalf of our students helps our students to realize their aspirations to become teachers who will in turn influence the next generation of students and shape the future of our state and local region.

Noted Expert in Physics Education Visits SOE

Fred Goldberg, Professor of Physics at San Diego State University, is visiting UM-Dearborn on September 13-14. During his visit, he will be meeting with UM-Dearborn faculty and students in the SOE and in the CASL Department of Natural Sciences. He will also spend time with local area physics teachers.

Dr. Goldberg is a noted expert on physics education, and a pioneer in the area of student-centered, teacher-responsive, inquiry-oriented science education. He has been the PI on 16 major National Science Foundation grants involving research in teaching and learning, curriculum development, and teacher professional development.

He will be speaking to the SOE community on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 in the SOE Conference Room (252 FCS) in the first of the SOE Research Colloquium presentations this fall. Though related to science teaching, his talk will be geared to a non-specialist audience and is entitled, "Responsive Teaching in a Third-Grade Classroom: Promoting Scientific Inquiry by Listening to Your Students."

Please join me in welcoming Professor Goldberg to our campus!

SOE Faculty Member Establishes Special Interest Club for Detroit Students

Julie Taylor, Associate Professor of Social Studies Education, has collaborated with the principal and teaching staff at Douglass Academy for Young Men to establish a History, Art, & Culture Club. Douglass Academy for Young Men is a school that serves grades 6-12 in the Detroit Public Schools district.

The History, Art, and Culture Club will meet once a month at the school from September through June each year. In the next two years, the students will learn about African and African American artists as well as world heritage sites in Africa. In addition, they will engage in writing, map work, and art projects. The club members will visit museums such as the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History.

Please join me in thanking Dr. Taylor for her initiative in making this opportunity possible and in wishing her and the participating students great success!

SOE Faculty Make a Big Splash in the Academic Service Learning Pool!

Three SOE faculty members were among nine across the entire campus to be selected by the Integrated Learning and Community Partnership Office to receive Academic Service-Learning (ASL) Course Designations for their Fall 2012 courses. The designation also comes with a $500 stipend. 

The SOE winners were associate professors Stein Brunvand, Chris Burke, and Gail Luera. [See the UM-Dearborn Reporter for a related story.] 

Additionally, SOE assistant professor Danielle DeFauw was selected to be one of the eight UM-Dearborn ASL Faculty Fellows for the 2012-2013 academic year. Fellows participate in monthly teaching circles consisting of training, design, evaluation, and reflection while working towards the planning of an ASL course for the following academic year.

Please join me in congratulating these SOE faculty members for their interest in providing students with an innovative, experiential learning experience!

Shaffer Receives Grant to Support Work with Special needs Children and Families

LaShorage Shaffer, SOE Instructor in the area of Early Childhood Education, has received a 2012 Early On Faculty Grant Award from the Clinton County (MI) Regional Educational Services Agency to support her efforts to enhance the skills of educators in early intervention with the families of young children with special needs. Her proposal was the only one selected for funding during this cycle. The project supported by this award will be conducted during the fall semester.

The Early On® Center for Higher Education, a project of Clinton County RESA, is Michigan’s pre-service initiative to support the development of highly qualified early intervention personnel to work with infants and toddlers, birth to three with disabilities and/or special needs, and their families.

The Early On Center supports faculty and other professional development providers to strengthen learning experiences for 2-year and 4-year college students so they are knowledgeable of Early On Michigan and competent in their future work with families of infants and toddlers.

Please join me in congratulating LaShorage in obtaining extramural support for her research interests!

SOE Student Wins Prestigious Miriam Schaefer Scholarship

At the recent 62nd Annual Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) State Conference held in Traverse City, the MCTM Scholarship Committee announced the winners of the 2012 Miriam Schaefer Scholarships. MCTM is committed to promoting and encouraging capable students to join the mathematics teaching profession. Since 1989, MCTM has awarded Over this period of time 127 scholarships have been awarded to students from over 24 universities and colleges across Michigan totaling $153,000.

These are highly competitive awards given to college seniors and juniors who are enrolled in a teacher preparation program in the state, who have mathematics as a primary teaching interest, and who have a record of academic excellence and commitment to the profession of teaching. This year three scholarships were awarded, and one of the winners is Emily Bianchi who attends the University of Michigan at Dearborn.

Emily is a graduate of Lake Shore High School, St. Clair Shores, and is currently a senior at UM-Dearborn in the School of Education. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, with concentration in Mathematics and Language Arts.

Please join me in congratulating Emily on being selected for this honor from among a large number of worthy nominees!

SOE Faculty Featured at Maker Faire Detroit

Professor Richard Moyer and Associate Professor Susan Everett, co-authors of Everyday Engineering: Putting the E in STEM Teaching and Learning, were featured at Maker Faire Detroit event at the Henry Ford in Dearborn on July 28-29, 2012.

In response to the popularity and demand for their book, which is one of the most popular books published by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), they will be holding a two-day book-signing session at the event, which attracts individuals interested in design, technology and invention.

Please join me in thanking Professors Moyer and Everett for their outstanding contribution to STEM education in the region and in the nation.

The UM-Dearborn Reporter published a related story and photo.

Otlewski Recognized for Service to UM-Dearborn

At the Chancellor's Staff Recognition Event held on Friday, July 20, 2012, Joann Otlewski, SOE Certification Officer and leader of the Student Services Office, was recognized for 15 years of dedicated service to UM-Dearborn.

Please join me in congratulating Joann and thanking her for her efforts on behalf of the School of Education community.

NRC Report from Committee That Included SOE Dean

Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century, a new report from the National Research Council (NRC) summarizes scholarly evidence that problem solving, critical thinking, communication and self-discipline can be taught and learned in ways that benefit students both in the classroom and in their future lives.

Edward Silver, dean of the School of Education, served on the Committee on Defining Deeper Learning and 21st Century Skills, which conducted the analysis of existing research.

The report uses scholarly research to address a topic of practical importance to students, educators and employers. It affirms the importance of “deeper learning,” the process of taking what is learned in one subject area or situation and learning how and when to apply that knowledge in other areas.

The NRC study was undertaken to define the proficiency that has become popularly known as “21st century skills.” According to the report, those skills encompass three dimensions: cognitive, which involves thinking and reasoning; intrapersonal, which involves managing behavior and emotions; and interpersonal, which involves expressing ideas and communicating those ideas to others.

The UM-Dearborn Reporter story has more details.

New MA in Educational Technology

Technology is playing an ever-increasing role in our lives as demands grow for responsible digital citizenship in all spheres of human activity, including the myriad varieties of formal and informal educational environments. Within conventional K-12 settings, increasingly “tech savvy” students enter our educational institutions and expect that their teachers will use technology effectively to support their learning. Adult learners have similar expectations as they enroll in courses at post-secondary institutions, engage in work-related training or participate in web-based professional development. Now more than ever before educators, instructors and trainers need to become proficient with a broad range of technologies and capable of designing technology-enhanced learning activities. This includes moving beyond traditional educational settings and facilitating learning in free-choice, digital environments.

To help meet burgeoning demands in this territory, the UM-Dearborn School of Education has launched a new Master of Arts in Educational Technology program. The MA in Ed Tech program is designed for educators interested in developing expertise in the effective use of various forms of educational technology in teaching and learning. This program is designed not only to meet the needs of educators affiliated with K-12 education but also to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies of those who design and implement technology-enhanced educational opportunities outside traditional school settings.

Courses in this degree program focus on core digital competencies, effective instructional design, challenges in the design and delivery of online and hybrid forms of instruction, and the use of technological resources to enhance face-to-face instruction. In addition to earning the Master’s degree, current K-12 teachers can qualify for an NP Endorsement from the Michigan Department of Education.

Courses are offered online and throughout the year making it possible to accommodate a variety of schedules. If you are interested in learning more about this new program please see the SOE website for details.

SOE Doctoral Student Chosen to Receive Korea Society Fellowship

Monica M. Eraqi, a student in the UM-Dearborn SOE doctoral program and National Board Certified Teacher of Social Studies at Dakota High School in Macomb Township, has been selected to receive a 2012 Summer Fellowship in Korean Studies from the Korea Society. 

 This competitive program is specifically designed for American social studies education professionals, including middle school and high school classroom teachers, administrators, and professors or instructors in schools of education.

Fellows participate in a 16-day, expenses-paid study tour of Korea during which they visit a foreign language high school, museums, and sites of historical and cultural interest. University faculty provide daily lectures on Korea history, culture, politics, economics, arts, and language. This is an unparalleled learning experience and unique opportunity for extensive travel and study within Korea.

Ms. Eraqi  is an avid seeker of global experiences to enrich her teaching.  This marks her fourth study tour, with previous visits to New Zealand, Spain, and Turkey. 

Please join me in congratulating Ms. Eraqi on being selected for this honor and in wishing her a rich learning experience during her time in Korea.

SOE Offers New Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education

In recent years educators and policymakers have come to understand the critical role that early childhood education plays in establishing a strong foundation for later academic success.  As the demand for high quality  early childhood education has grown so too has the need for talented leaders in this field.  

To meet the growing demand for excellent leadership, the UM-Dearborn School of Education is launching a new Master's degree for professionals in the field. The Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education includes three program options for teachers, administrators, other service providers and educators who wish to advance their knowledge and skills regarding the design and delivery of high quality programs for young children and their families.

Two program options are for those who are certified teachers in the state of Michigan.  A third option is for  professionals who are not currently certified teachers but who are interested in early childhood leadership and administration.

Courses are offered with the working professional in mind. Most courses required for the master's degree are offered during evening and summer hours and include several online courses.  More information about the new program can be found on the SOE website.

News of the program was carried in the University of Michigan Record Update and the UM-Dearborn Reporter. 

UM-Dearborn and Oakwood Form Research Partnership

The University of Michigan-Dearborn and the Oakwood Healthcare System have formed a new research partnership that is built upon the current collaboration among the Oakwood Center for Exceptional Families (CEF), the University of Michigan-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC), and the University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education

The  ECEC/CEF collaboration supports early childhood educators and healthcare professionals -- who bring different professional knowledge, training and backgrounds -- to work in concert to assist the development of children with and without disabilities and to model best practices for teachers and healthcare providers.

The current collaboration offers a solid foundation for a research partnership to promote transdisciplinary research that can enrich significantly the knowledge and evidence base in relevant fields, and bring important new perspectives to the intersection of education and healthcare. The research Institute will enhance our capacity to attract external grants, to conduct scientifically rigorous research, and to generate high­ profile reports for researchers, policy professionals, educational and medical professionals, and the general public. Under the auspices of the Institute, education and healthcare students and professionals, and students and professionals from other related disciplines, can participate in research activities.

For more about the partnership, see a story in the UM-Dearborn Reporter or listen to a podcast of an interview with Brian Connolly (Oakwood CEO) and Dan Little (UM-Dearborn Chancellor) recently aired on WDET.

We are currently searching for an inaugural director of the research partnership and invite all interested parties to apply.

Three SOE Faculty Win Teaching Enhancement Grants

Three members of the SOE faculty are among the campus winners of awards from the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Fund administered by the UM-Dearborn Integrated Learning and Community Partnership Office. These awards are intended to support innovative approaches to enhancing opportunities for student learning on campus.

Seong Hong, associate professor of early childhood education and Rosalyn Saltz Collegiate Professor of Education, received funds to provide a digital story telling workshop on campus. Under the guidance of well-regarded experts in this domain UM-Dearborn faculty will learn to create their own digital stories, to employ best practices for having students create digital stories, and to identify campus resources or structures that could be used to assist with digital storytelling in the classroom.

Susan Everett, associate professor of science education, received funds to bring Dr. Fred Goldberg to campus in the fall. Goldberg is a Professor of Physics and a Research Scientist at the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education at San Diego State University. He is a leader in physics education research and is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in students' learning of physics.

Gail Luera, associate professor of science education, received funds to purchase a classroom set of handheld GPS units. The purchased units will enable faculty and EIC program leaders to teach basic mapping skills while fostering a connection to and demonstrating knowledge of the local environment.

Please join me in congratulating these faculty for taking the initiative on these innovative efforts on behalf of the UM-Dearborn campus. Brava to all!

SOE Students Win Writing Awards

Three students in SOE programs were among the recently announced winners of 2012 UM-Dearborn Undergraduate Writing Awards. This year entries were evaluated within eight categories (First-year Writing, Researched Writing, Fiction, Poetry, Honors Writing, Creative Nonfiction, Writing in the Public Sphere, and Writing & Multiple Media).

Of the 220 students who submitted entries 25 were selected as worthy of special recognition. The student winners associated with the School of Education were:

Mariam Zafar (secondary certification in English) – 1st place in Researched Writing

Melissa Gellenbeck (elementary certification in Language Arts) – 1st place in Poetry

Angela Sabella (secondary certification in Social Studies) – Honorable Mention in Poetry




Please join me in congratulating these students on this wonderful accomplishment!

Noted Historian to Visit SOE in Fall

The School of Education is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a visit to campus on October 16-17, 2012 by Heather Williams, associate professor of history at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Prior to becoming a historian, Dr. Williams had a successful career as a civil rights attorney.

Of special interest to those of us in the School of Education, Dr. Williams is author of a seminal book on education during the period of slavery in the United States. Her book, Self-Taught: African American Education in Slavery and Freedom (University of North Carolina Press, 2005), has received several book awards, including the Lillian Smith Book Prize.

She is currently writing a book on separation of African American families during the antebellum period and efforts to reunify families following emancipation. Many of themes that she examines in ways that are anchored in the southern part of the United States have connections to and resonance with the history of Detroit and southeastern Michigan.

Dr. Williams will be giving a featured lecture on campus at 3 pm on October 16, and this lecture will be ope to the entire campus community as well as to the public.  In addition to her public lecture, Dr. Williams will be meeting with students and faculty on October 17.  More details regarding her schedule will be available in early fall.

Thomas-Brown Promoted to Associate Professor

At its May 2012 meeting the University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the promotion of Karen Thomas-Brown to the rank of associate professor of education, with tenure.

Please join me in congratulating her on reaching this important professional milestone and in wishing her much continued success as she continues her professional journey.

Seong Hong Named Collegiate Professor

At the April 2012 meeting of the University of Michigan Board of regents, Seong Hong, associate professor of education, was named the Rosalyn Saltz Collegiate Professor of Education. She was recognized as the recipient at the annual campus Honors Convocation.

Collegiate Professorships, which are funded by the recipient's school or college, provide resources to reward and retain outstanding faculty. Appointment to a collegiate professorship is reserved fro a faculty member of national and often international stature who has eraned a highly distinguished record of teaching, research, and service.  These professorships are traditionally named for former faculty members who made substantial contributions while at the university.

This Collegiate Professorship is named in honor of Rosalyn Saltz, Professor Emerita, who had a long and distinguished career at UM-Dearborn. She was the first professor in Early Childhood Education and the architect of the early childhood education program at this institution. She was also the founder of a campus child-care center in 1971. That nascent effort has now developed into the nationally recognized Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) that is at the forefront of research and teacher education, as well as being a premier site for early childhood education.

It is fitting indeed that Seong Hong was selected to be the holder of the Rosalyn Saltz Collegiate Professorship in education. Seong Hong embodies all the qualities one would wish to see in a collegiate professor. She is a highly regarded scholar, known for her theoretical depth and methodological rigor; an excellent teacher and mentor, and a valuable colleague who provides exemplary leadership and service on campus and in professional organizations and societies. Taken together these characteristics make Dr. Hong someone who is recognized locally and nationally as a model for her peers and her students.

Please join me in congratulating Seong Hong on this significant professional recognition.

SOE Students at Commencement 2012

On Sunday, April 29, 2012, more than 100 members of the School of Education community had degrees conferred upon them at the Commencement ceremony on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

SOE Dean Silver presented 52 students who received graduate degrees, either the Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, or Master of Science, and 52 students who received undergraduate degrees, either the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of General Studies, or Bachelor of Science. In addition, 14 CASL undergraduates were recognized for having completed requirements for secondary school certification.

SOE Chancellor's Medallion winners, Blair D’anne Chamberlin and Alexandria Grace Freeman, received special recognition at the commencement ceremony. They each received a medallion at a luncheon event preceding commencement.

Two other members of the SOE community had special roles in the ceremony. In addition to receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree, Sabrina Ali spoke on behalf of the graduating students. Donovan Rowe, an alumnus of both CASL and the SOE and Chair of the SOE Alumni Affiliate, spoke to the graduates on behalf of the Alumni Society,

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

SOE Faculty Authors of Popular Book for Science Teachers

Professor Richard Moyer and Associate Professor Susan Everett are co-authors of Everyday Engineering: Putting the E in STEM Teaching and Learning, which is one of the five most popular books published by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). This book is a compilation of Moyer and Everett’s popular “Everyday Engineering” columns from NSTA’s middle school journal, Science Scope.

The collection is made up of 14 activities that explore engineering’s role in five areas: the office, the kitchen, the bathroom, electricity, and outdoor recreation. Using these activities, students can perform hands-on investigations of objects they encounter in everyday life.

Each activity includes a clear explanation of the science and history behind the object’s development plus a material’s list, student data sheets, and safety suggestions. The collection is useful to classroom teachers as well as scout leaders, engineers leading outreach activities, after-school and summer enrichment program staff, and parents.

Please join me in congratulating Dick and Susan for creating this valuable resource to support teachers and students in the pursuit of scientific inquiry!

Six Students in the SOE Community Recognized as Difference Makers

Nominated by faculty, staff and fellow students, six members of the SOE community were selected to be among the UM-Dearborn Difference Makers for 2011-2012.

These exceptional students and alumni have not only contributed to the university but also impacted their local communities. These Difference Makers embody dedication, integrity, commitment, selflessness and leadership both in and out of the classroom.

The members of the SOE community in this prestigious group are:

Carol Allie (Integrated Science/Language Arts)

Robert Brown (Elementary Education-Language Arts/Mathematics)

Brendan Gallagher (Integrated Science, Special Education-Learning Disabilities)

Lynnea Harabedian (Learning Disabilities and Integrated Science)

David Knezek (Secondary Certification in Political Science)

Angel Mechling (Elementary Education-Math and Early Childhood/ESL)

Please join me in congratulating our richly deserving SOE Difference Makers. Kudos to Carol, Robert, Brendan, David, Lynnea, David, and Angel!

Two SOE Students Receive Winter 2012 Chancellor’s Medallion

In recognition of their outstanding academic accomplishments, Blair Chamberlain (Science Studies) and Alexandria Freeman (Special Education) have been chosen as the School of Education’s Winter 2012 recipients of the Chancellor’s Medallion. Both Blair and Alexandria will be honored with the Chancellor's Medallion at the UM-Dearborn's commencement exercises on April 29.

Blair began her studies at UM-Dearborn in fall 2007. Her major is in Integrated Science and minor is in Mathematics. Blair is expected to graduate with high distinction, and she has been on the Dean’s List in every semester at UM-Dearborn. In winter 2010 she was recognized by the Golden Key International Honor Society for being in the top ten percent of her class, and in 2012 she was selected as an Honors Scholar in the School of Education. In addition to her academic achievements, Blair is involved in several campus groups and in community service activities. She joined the Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) in fall 2008, and was elected President of the UM-Dearborn SMEA chapter for the 2009-2010 school year. She worked at MacArthur Elementary School in Southfield as an after-school tutor. Blair’s goals are to become an inspirational teacher in her own classroom and to pursue advanced degrees in the field of education.

Alexandria is majoring in Language Arts and Special Education/Learning Disabilities, and she is expected to graduate with high distinction. After transferring to UM-Dearborn in fall 2008, she received University Honors in four different semesters and has been on the Dean's List several times. In 2011 and 2012, she was selected as an Honors Scholar in the School of Education. Alexandria has also involved in many campus and community activities. She joined a campus sorority in 2009. She has participated in several philanthropic events in the Dearborn and Metro Detroit area, including helping to organize walks for Cystic Fibrosis, suicide prevention, and March of Dimes. During her time at the UM-Dearborn, she sponsored a girl in Honduras who was born with a cleft palate and living in poverty. She worked at the Early Childhood Education Center from spring of 2010 to late summer of 2011 and spent a semester working at MacArthur University Academy. After graduation, she plans to teach special education students and to pursue a master’s degree in education.

Please join me in congratulating Blair Chamberlain and Alexandria Freeman on being selected for this prestigious honor. We wish them both much success in their future endeavors!

SOE Doctoral Students Actively Publishing and Presenting

Congratulations are in order for several SOE doctoral students who have had articles recently accepted for publication or who are presenting at professional conferences this spring.

Among those that have come to my attention are several publications …

John Branch, who had a chapter the use of games and simulations in higher education learning that appeared in recently published book, Beyond Transmission: Innovations in University Teaching.

Monica Mona Eraqi, who has a chapter that will appear in a forthcoming book, Teaching the Literature of Today’s Middle East.

Christopher Tremblay, who had a paper on network leadership accepted for publication in the spring issue of College & University Journal.


And several conference presentations …

Peggy Sepetys is presenting a paper on the perceived efficacy of co-teaching students with disabilities at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association in April in Vancouver.

Kristen Stewart will present a paper on the instructional use of student narratives at an international conference in Prague, Czech Republic in May.

Emily Wang presented a paper on international education leadership at the annual conference of the Michigan Association of International Education in March.


Please join me in congratulating these students on their accomplishments!

SOE Graduate Student Named National Finalist

Jennifer Bagardi, a science teacher at Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit, has been named a national finalist in the Shell Science Lab Challenge. She was initially selected one of 17 regional winners in the competition, and she is now one of 5 national finalists. From the national finalists one grand prize winner will be selected.

This competition among middle and high school science teachers is sponsored by the Shell Oil Company and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The competition encouraged teachers (grades 6-12), who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources, to share their approaches for a chance to win a school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000.

Jennifer Bargardi was initially certified as a teacher after completing the Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teaching Program in the UM-Dearborn School of Education. Now Jennifer is a student in the Master of Science in Science Education program in the School of Education.

Please join me in congratulating Jennifer on this splendid recognition of her outstanding educational efforts on behalf of her students! 

SOE Students Recognized as 2012 Honor Scholar Award Winners

At the 30th annual Honor Scholars and Faculty Awards Ceremony on March 27, 2012, 12 SOE students were among 90 students from across the full spectrum of academic programs at UM-Dearborn who received recognition as Honor Scholars.

The Honor Scholar Award is presented to at most one student in each degree program, and it recognizes superior academic performance. Awards are made within both undergraduate and graduate programs. Faculty members within a program area choose the award winner.

The Honor Scholar Award winners in the School of Education at the undergraduate level were Danielle Archibald (Mathematics Studies), Jessica Boroniec (Social Studies), Jillian Carver (Language Arts), Blair Chamberlin (Science Studies), Alexandria Freeman (Special Education), Jaclyn Szuba (Early Childhood), and Diana Young (Children & Families).

At the graduate level, the SOE awardees were Batoul Baydoun (MA in Education), Patricia Hemme (MS Science Education), Eric Pace (MA Educational Leadership), Pamela Schroeder (M.Ed. Special Education), and Anca Stefan (MAT)

Please join me in congratulating all of the SOE award winners. We celebrate their academic excellence!

Seong Hong Discusses Transdisciplinary Research at Research Colloquium

Seong Hong, Associate Professor of Education, was the featured presenter at a recent session of the SOE Research Colloquium. Her presentation on March 15 focused on the collaboration between the Early Childhood Education Center and the Center for Exceptional Families operated by Oakwood Healthcare. She gave an overview of the collaboration to date, discussed some of the research that has been conducted by collaborative members, and identified some opportunities for further research.


The next colloquium in this series will be on April 12, 2012, at 4:30-6:00 p.m. in the School of Education conference room (252 FCS). At that session, Ed Silver and Crystal Lunsford will present the findings of an analysis they have undertaken examining the extent to which and the ways in which research is included in the content of articles that appear in journals specifically intended for educational practitioners. Their study focuses on the domain of mathematics education, but the general themes and methods should widely applicable.


Faculty and students from across the UM-Dearborn campus are invited to attend. Please visit the SOE Research Colloquium page for more information regarding dates, speakers, topics and updates.

SOE Project Featured at Community-University Partnerships Event

On March 6, 2012, representatives of the 15 public universities in Michigan gathered in Lansing for the first annual “Community-University Partnerships: Invested in Michigan’s Future” advocacy event at the Capitol Rotunda. The event, intended for an audience of Michigan state legislators and legislative staff, highlighted how communities are partnering with Michigan’s public universities to improve the lives of the people of Michigan.


The event included community-university collaborative posters and oral presentations as well as a luncheon roundtable discussion. Mesut Duran, SOE Associate Professor and Associate Dean presented one of the featured UM-Dearborn projects, Fostering Interest in Information Technology, that is designed to increase opportunities for high school students from underrepresented and underserved communities to learn, experience, and use the power of information technologies. Other UM-Dearborn projects were represented by Tim Davis (eCities: an annual research study that examines community-level factors that influence entrepreneurship, economic development, and job growth) and Associate Professor Bruce Maxim (Student Design Projects: projects that support local businesses that otherwise couldn’t afford design projects). UM-Dearborn’s participation was also represented and supported by the Integrated Learning and Community Partnership Office staff.

ECEC Teacher receives National Recognition

Caryn Finkelstein, a lead teacher at the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) has been selected to receive the Terri Lynne Lokoff National Child Care Teacher Award, in connection with her award-winning project, Windows to Nature.

This award acknowledges the critical role of child care teachers in providing high-quality education to young children and recognizes exceptional professionals in the field. A ceremony for all award winners will take place this spring in Pennsylvania. This event celebrates outstanding early childhood development teachers from across the country.

Please join me in congratulating Caryn on this recognition of her teaching excellence and her exceptional dedication to the families and students at the ECEC.

UM-Dearborn Awarded TEAC Accreditation!

The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) has officially voted to accredit the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s School of Education’s teacher education programs for a period of seven years. This accreditation is the culmination of a two-year process that included the development of claims about our programs and its graduates by faculty, the drafting of an inquiry brief with evidence to support those claims, a visit in November 2011 by a TEAC team to audit the data in the brief, an report from the audit team and a response by us, and a meeting with the TEAC Accreditation Panel in Philadelphia on February 9, 2012.  The TEAC Accreditation Committee met earlier this week and decided to award accreditation to UM-Dearborn.

With the close scrutiny being given to teacher preparation programs in the country, amidst deep skepticism about the quality of these programs, the accreditation by TEAC after a rigorous review and close examination of all aspects of our work, is especially gratifying.  This accomplishment represents the combined work of many individuals on the UM-Dearborn campus, and it recognizes the university's commitment to excellence in preparing education professionals.

Thanks to all who contribute to this work, to all who helped us through the lengthy TEAC audit review process, and to all who create an environment in which excellence is valued. Special thanks go to Paul Fossum, associate dean, and Susan Everett, associate professor, and to the other members of the school’s TEAC team for their excellent work in preparing the extensive documentation that resulted in this terrific outcome.

SMEA Embarks on New Project

The Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) at the University of Michigan–Dearborn is assisting the Henry Ford Health System with the implementation of a reading program at its Fairlane Clinic site. The clinic is participating in the Reach Out and Read Program. Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. The program builds on the relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children ranging in age from 6 months through 5 years.

Research has shown that children entering kindergarten after participating in this program are better prepared to succeed, with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge over their peers. Medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read's evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children, focused in low-income communities. For more information, see http://www.reachoutandread.org

Using funds obtained through a grant from the Michigan Education Association, the SMEA will be providing the clinic with bookshelves, beanbag chairs, and wall murals. In addition, the SMEA has been collecting books since December 2011 and now has more than 120 children’s books to donate to the program at the Fairlane Clinic.

Please join me in congratulating the SMEA for undertaking this important community service project. Through their efforts the members of the SMEA are helping young children and their families establish a strong basis for lifelong learning and academic success.

MPortfolio Use Featured in AACU Journal

The Fall2011/Winter2012 issue of Peer Review, a journal published by the Association of American Colleges and Universities features an article that discusses the use of the Mportfolio approach to fostering integrative learning http://www.aacu.org/peerreview/index.cfm. The Mportfolio has been used extensively in the UM-Dearborn School of Education to help students track their learning progress and reflect on their development as emerging professional educators. The article, entitled “Fostering Integrative Knowledge and Lifelong Learning,” was written by a team of authors drawn from the Ann Arbor and Dearborn campuses of the University of Michigan, and the author team included Laura Reynolds-Keefer, UM-Dearborn associate professor of education, and Steve Lonn, a lecturer in the UM-Dearborn SOE.

Julie Taylor's Innovative Teaching via the DIA

Julie Taylor, associate professor of education, is featured in a story in the Reporter [http://www.umdearbornreporter.com/2012/02/using-art-to-create-a-story/] that describes her use of art at the Detroit Institute for the Arts to enrich the teaching of history, social studies, and multicultural issues. Several SOE students are quoted in the story.
Brava to Julie for her innovative approach to engaging her students in ways that will surely influence their teaching in the future.

SOE Faculty Featured at Winter/Spring 2012 Professional Meetings

The work of University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education faculty is well represented at professional meetings this winter/spring, locally, nationally, and internationally. Here is a summary of conference presentations this fall:
Martha Adler and Chris Burke, associate professors, will present a co-authored paper, "Personal Consequences of Compliance and Resistance to Mandated Reforms for Teachers in Low-Performing Schools," at the American Educational Research Association annual meeting in Vancouver, BC in April. At that conference, Chris Burke will also be presenting "School/Community Gardens: The Need to Cultivate Communities of Practice for Teachers."

Sara Byrd, assistant professor, is co-author of papers at three professional conferences: (with Julie Taylor, associate professor) “Educating Incarcerated Youth: Findings from a Multi-state Research Investigation” at the 2012 Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders/MSLBD in Kansas City, MO in February; (with Kim Killu, associate professor) “Classroom Accommodations for Students with Externalizing Disorders” at the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Grand Rapids in March; and (with Stein Brunvand, associate professor) “Using Computer Technology to Promote Improved Learning and Behavior for All Students” at the Council for Exceptional Children 2012 Conference in Denver, CO in April.

Danielle DeFauw, assistant professor, recently presented at the Genesee School District Early Literacy Conference, and she will be presenting in March to the Michigan Reading Association and in April at a UM-Flint Literacy Workshop for K-12 Teachers.

Susan Everett, associate professor, is presenting two papers at the National Science Teachers Association National Conference in Indianapolis, IN in March: one co-authored with Charlotte Otto, professor of Natural Science, and the other with Dick Moyer, professor of Science Education.

Paul Fossum, associate professor, will present "Dimensions of Time and Timing in Policy Development and Implementation" at the Comparative and International Education Society conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico in April.

Kristen Dara Hill, assistant professor, is presenting a paper pertaining to her research on improving reading proficiency among youth in high poverty, urban schools at the American Educational Research Association annual meeting in Vancouver, BC in April.

In addition to the paper noted above, Kim Killu, associate professor, is presenting “Classroom Accommodations for Students with Anxiety and Mood Disorders” at the annual meting of the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan in Ypsilanti in February. In May she is also presenting “Use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Individuals with Severe Intellectual Disabilities and Co-morbid Disorders: A Discussion of Clinical Issues” to the Association for Behavior Analysis in Seattle, WA.


LaShorage Shaffer, instructor, will present “Using Evidence-based Strategies to Support Social Emotional Development” at the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children Early Childhood Conference in Grand Rapids in March.

Edward Silver, dean and professor, is presenting several papers at the research pre-session of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual meeting in Philadelphia, PA in April. He is also presenting to the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics in Philadelphia in April, and he is a keynote speaker at the Mathematics Teacher Retention Symposium in Los Angeles, CA in March.

Julie Taylor, associate professor, will present "The Education of Incarcerated Youth in the United States," at the International Journal of Arts & Sciences Mediterranean Conference at the University of Malta in February.

SOE student in the news!

David Knezek, SOE student and UM-Dearborn Student Government president, was featured in a story that appeared in the Detroit Free Press on February 3. The article discusses David and another college student who are both seeking election to the Michigan legislature this year. The article, written by Rochelle Riley (who was also the featured speaker at UM-Dearborn’s 2011 commencement for CASL and SOE degree recipients), may be found online at http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012202030386

Thomas-Brown Kicks Off Winter 2012 Term in SOE Research Colloquium Series

The first winter term session in the School of Education Research Colloquium Series featured Dr. Karen Thomas-Brown, assistant professor in the UM-Dearborn School of Education. Her presentation on January 26, focused a study she conducted at MacArthur Elementary School in Southfield (MI). She studied the effects on participants of an after-school program called a geography club. She described the theoretical framing of the work as well as the practical impact on students’ “geographic literacy,” as indicated by evidence of many types from various sources.

The next colloquium in this series will be on February 23, 2012, at 4:30-6:00 p.m. in the School of Education conference room (252 FCS). At that session, John Branch, a student in the SOE doctoral program and lecturer at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at UM-Ann Arbor, will present the findings of a study he has conducted on analogical reasoning in higher education.

Faculty and students from across the UM-Dearborn campus are invited to attend. Please visit the SOE Research Colloquium page for more information regarding dates, speakers, topics and updates: http://www.soe.umd.umich.edu/soe_research_colloquium.

2012 MHealthy Rewards program launched

Last week, the university launched its annual MHealthy Rewards programhttp://hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/programs/rewards/faq.html. This program is designed to get faculty and staff in the habit of reviewing their health and taking action to achieve their goals.

This year's program has been simplified and includes just two steps:

Complete the confidential annual health questionnaire. This takes less than 15 minutes and you will be able to view your personal health report immediately.
Complete a confidential wellness screening.

Qualifying, benefits-eligible employees who complete both steps by May 2012 receive a $100 before-tax reward in their paycheck. Use the incentive to treat yourself, donate to your favorite charity or a worthwhile cause, surprise someone you value with a token of appreciation, or whatever you choose.

Not only can your participation help improve your health, but also MHealthy Rewards will provide the university with longitudinal data that contribute to the study of the health of our faculty and staff community and the impact of employer-sponsored health and well-being programs. To get an accurate reflection of the university’s health profile, it is important that even those who consider themselves healthy and active participate in MHealthy Rewards.

If you have questions or encounter any difficulties with the questionnaire, or if you would like to provide feedback on the program, please contact MHealthyhttp://hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/programs/rewards/faq.html. I hope you will join me and many of your fellow colleagues in making a commitment to health and wellness.

New Leadership for ECEC

The new year has arrived with some changes at the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). Professor Mary Trepanier-Street has retired after a fabulous 33-year career at UM-Dearborn, including 16 years as director of the ECEC. Mary’s inspirational leadership of the ECEC has helped the center attain prominence within the region and state as the premier facility of its kind – a multi-level educational laboratory. Mary will surely be missed, but we are delighted that two outstanding members of the School of Education community have stepped forward to assume major leadership roles at the ECEC.

Seong Hong, associate professor of education and coordinator of the early childhood program, is the new ECEC Director. She oversees the academic program provided to the children, as well as the practicum and internship experiences provided to prospective teachers. Professor Hong has been at UM-Dearborn for 12 years, and she is a highly regarded scholar in the area of early childhood education. She has also helped launch, and is currently heavily involved with, collaborative research projects between the SOE and the Oakwood Health Systems Center for Exceptional Families.

Deborah Jones, currently education coordinator, will assume the title of ECEC Site Director, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the center. Debbie has worked at the ECEC for nearly 10 years, and has most recently been responsible for supervising the staff of the ECEC and providing support to teachers to foster a high-quality learning environment, implementing a welcoming and thriving learning environment at the ECEC, and nurturing and maintaining the collaboration between the ECEC and Oakwood Health Systems Center for Exceptional Families.

Please join me in thanking Seong Hong and Deborah Jones for their willingness to lend their considerable talents to the leadership of the ECEC at this important transitional moment in its history. I am confident that they will be worthy stewards of the ECEC that it continues not only to provide first-class educational experiences for the children who attend but also to serve as a splendid training site for prospective teachers.