Did You Know?

Ed Silver, the current dean of UM-Dearborn’s School of Education, is also a professor in the School of Education on the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan. You may be surprised to learn that this is not the first time that a faculty member in education has had dual citizenship on the two campuses! In fact, the first leader of the education program on the UM-Dearborn campus also came "on loan" from the Ann Arbor campus.

In fall 1960, Paul D. Carter, who was an associate professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, was selected as the first head of teacher education at what was then called the Dearborn Center of the University of Michigan. In those days, teacher education courses were part of the offerings in what was then called the Division of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Professor Carter served the University of Michigan for 20 years before retiring in 1976, after which he was named Professor Emeritus on both the Ann Arbor and Dearborn campuses.

Fulbright Program Supports Visiting Professor at UM-Dearborn SOE

Dr. Nai-Fen Yu Tusree, Associate Professor of Education at the National Taitung University of Taiwan, will spend the 2011-12 academic year in residence at the University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education. Dr. Yu Tusree has a doctorate in educational technology from Indiana University. Her scholarship focuses on systematic instructional design and the use of digital media software. During the year, she will join the research team in the FI3T project to conduct follow-up research with the project graduates and their parents.

Exemplary Teacher Preparation Again!

For the third 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. Kudos to the faculty, staff and students in UM-Dearborn School of Education teacher preparation program for this important recognition and for a record of sustained excellence!

Brunvand and UM-Dearborn ed tech program in Crain's

Stein Brunvand, Associate Professor of Education, is quoted in the 8/15/2011
edition of Crain's Detroit Business discussing the impact of technological advances on teaching and learning in schools. Also featured is information about the M.A. in Education with educational technology endorsement offered at UM-Dearborn.

Six SOE Students Join the Emerging Leaders Program

During the 2011-12 academic year, six SOE students will participate in the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Emerging Leaders Program. The program offers selected cooperative education/internship students a unique opportunity to develop personal leadership knowledge and skills. Building on a variety of leadership concepts, students are given the opportunity to meet with community leaders, work in small teams and develop personal leadership skills to help them launch their careers upon graduation. The program culminates with a Leadership Summit where community leaders come to campus and share their perspectives on leadership. This marks the first year the SOE will participate in the program, joining students from the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters; the College of Business; and the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Please join me in congratulating the pioneering SOE students in this year’s leadership program: Mariam Albachachy (early childhood); David Knezek (secondary, political science); Angel Mechling (early childhood); Megan Proudlock (special education); Charlene Rodegher (early childhood); and Brittany Vella (early childhood).

Thanks to Paul Bielich, Instructional Learning Manager of the SOE Curriculum Lab, for coordinating the School of Education’s involvement in this program.

SOE Senior Academic Unit Administrator

Reetha Perananamgan has joined the School of Education as Senior Academic Unit Administrator. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing staff and managing procedural and operational issues throughout the school; she will also enhance and contribute to school-wide strategic planning efforts aimed at enrollment growth and other enhancements.

Ms. Perananamgan comes to the SOE with a decade of professional experience in the field of student affairs and higher education in the United States and Australia. For the past six years she was Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities at Heidelberg University in Ohio. Previously she initiated a student leadership program at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, and she was the Director of Campus Activities at DePauw University in Indiana for three years. She also was a primary school teacher for five years in the Philippines. Reetha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and a Master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She has also completed her coursework in the Leadership Studies doctoral program at Bowling Green State University.

Please join me in welcoming Reetha to the University of Michigan–Dearborn School of Education.

Turning the odometer!

As I embark on my second year as dean of the School of Education. I want to thank the SOE community -- including current students and alumni, current and emeritus faculty, staff members, and SOE supporters on and off campus -- for the strong support you provided in my first year. This is an exciting and challenging time to be working in education, and I am pleased to be affiliated with so many professionals who are making a positive difference for schools, students, and teachers in Southeastern Michigan through our teaching, our research, our programs, and our partnerships. It is a privilege to be among you!