Turning the Page, Not Closing the Book

This is my 157th and final blog posting as dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (formerly the School of Education) at UM- Dearborn. On January 1, 2014 I resume my life as professor of education and mathematics on the Ann Arbor campus.

I am delighted to have been able to follow the footsteps of Paul D. Carter. Those who know their campus history know that three faculty were hired in 1960 to launch the education program at what was then the Dearborn Center of the University of Michigan. Carter, who was an associate professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, was selected to be the first head of teacher education, and he held appointment on both campuses until his retirement.

I am confident that Paul Carter would agree with me that it is a very special personal and professional privilege to be affiliated with both campuses and have an opportunity to serve the University of Michigan in this multidimensional way.

I depart this campus with thoughts and feelings of gratitude and optimism. To all who have supported me in my work over the past 3.5 years – faculty, staff, and administrators both within my academic unit and across the campus – I say thank you. I am very pleased with what we have been able to accomplish together, and I am bullishly optimistic about the future of the college and the university. Yesterday, the new dean of CEHHS, Dr. Janine Janosky, was appointed by the Board of Regents, and I am confident that the college will thrive under her leadership.

I return to Ann Arbor as a great fan of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. This campus adds a special, important dimension to the University of Michigan by providing a transformative educational experience to the residents of southeast Michigan, who in turn shape the future of the region. The opportunity to be part of this campus community is something that I will treasure always.

With All Good Wishes,

Ed Silver

CEHHS Department Chairs Selected

An announcement on December 16 jointly issued by the deans of CEHHS and CASL heralded the selection of new leaders for departments within the College of Education, Health, and Human Services.

Pending Regental approval, Dr. Susan Everett, Associate Professor of Education, will be appointed Chair of the Department of Education, and Dr. Juliette Roddy, Associate Professor of Public Policy in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters, will be appointed Interim Chair of the Department of Health and Human Services. Both appointments will be effective January 1, 2014.

Susan Everett has been at the university since 2003; her research and teaching focus on science education. Susan brings extensive knowledge of the university and faculty governance to this role along with an extensive body of published work. Her faculty colleagues strongly supported her appointment as department chair.

Julie Roddy has been at the university since 2005; her research focuses on substance abuse, public health, and community service. Julie’s successful pursuit of grants, her knowledge of current campus programs and faculty related to health, and her administrative skills make her an excellent choice to lead a new department during its critical formative stage. During her two years as interim chair Julie will teach courses both in CASL and in CEHHS.

Please join me in congratulating Susan and Julie on their appointments and thanking them for their willingness to serve. The campus is fortunate to have these new departments in such capable hands.

CEHHS Grads and Honorees at Fall 2013 Commencement

On Saturday, December 14, nearly 400 students braved a snowy day to have academic degrees conferred upon them at the Fall Commencement ceremony on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn. For more about the commencement ceremony, see this story: http://news.umd.umich.edu/2013/12/nearly-400-participate-in-um-dearborn-fall-commencement-ceremonies/

More than 100 of the eligible graduates were from education programs within the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, roughly equally divided between those receiving graduate degrees and those receiving undergraduate degrees. In addition, the pool of CASL graduates included several undergraduates who also completed the requirements for secondary teacher certification.

A very special part of this commencement was the awarding of the first doctoral degrees in education on this campus. Three of the four doctoral recipients – Andrea Juarez, Peggy Sepetys, and Joshua Tolbert – were “hooded” as part of the ceremony; the fourth doctoral recipient (Truman Hudson) was unable to attend. The ritual of receiving the doctoral hood is part of a historical tradition that began with the earliest foundations of European universities. Hooding has been a central feature of commencement exercises since the twelfth century. When popes, kings, or emperors authorized the conferral of the doctoral hood, they were certifying that the recipients were master teachers who had earned ius ubique docendi – the right to teach anywhere. For more on the doctoral recipients, see this story: http://news.umd.umich.edu/2013/12/um-dearborn-awards-first-ed-d-degrees/

CEHHS Chancellor's Medallion winner, Sarah Pinto, was recognized at the commencement ceremony, and she received the medallion at a luncheon event preceding commencement. For more on the Chancellor’s Medallion winners see this story: http://news.umd.umich.edu/2013/12/students-honored-as-chancellors-medallion-recipients-speakers-during-commencement-ceremonies/

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

CEHHS Speakers Address Key Educational Issues

On Monday, October 21, at an event sponsored by the CEHHS Alumni Affiliate, State Representative David Knezek spoke to an audience of about 50 UM-Dearborn faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members regarding educational issues in Michigan.

Representative Knezek, who is an alumnus of the University of Michigan–Dearborn, provided a legislative update on a wide range of issues including the Common Core State Curriculum Standards, initiatives to boost funding for early childhood education, and state support for public postsecondary education institutions. The session included a lively Q&A period following the presentation.


On Wednesday, October 30, the CEHHS Research colloquium featured LaShorage Shaffer, assistant professor of education. She presented the findings of a comprehensive analysis of standards for the social-emotional development of young children that are promulgated across the 50 states.

In addition to her analysis of these published documents, she also shared findings obtained in interviews with key education personnel in selected states. Dr. Shaffer also identified implications of these findings for the development of policy in early childhood education and the design of optimal educational programs for young children.

CEHHS Co-sponsors Young Authors' Festival

UM-Dearborn will be the site of the Young Authors' Festival on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. until noon at the Mardigian Library. The event is sponsored by the College of Education, Health, and Human Services and the Mardigian Library.

As part of a year-long celebration of Henry Ford's 150th birthday, Carol Hagen and Matt Faulkner, author and illustrator of "The Night Henry Ford Met Santa," will talk to children about writing and illustrating a book. Faculty and pre-service teachers will lead break-out sessions with activities, along with tips and techniques for writing and supporting children in their writing. Danielle DeFauw, CEHHS assistant professor of education, has assisted in planning the program. The festival's theme is "Henry's Dream."

An associated Young Authors’ Writing Contest for children in grades 4, 5, and 6 is underway, and the winners will be announced at the Festival. The writing contest theme is: "What are your dreams for your future? How do you plan to reach your dreams?" One winner from each grade will receive a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card, and the grand-prize winner will receive a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Original artwork from Matt Faulkner, along with artwork from other illustrators, will be on display in the Berkowitz Gallery. In addition, Ms. Hagen (UM-Dearborn alumna) and Mr. Faulkner (local illustrator) will be available for autographs. Copies of "The Night Henry Ford Met Santa" will be available for purchase.

The event is FREE and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

Details and registration can be found here

Colleagues and Friends Gather to Honor Professor Leslie Thornton

On October 23, 2013 a celebration was held to honor the career of Dr. Leslie James Thornton II. Earlier this year, Professor Thornton retired from the University of Michigan-Dearborn after more than 20 years of service. Numerous friends and family members, professional colleagues from inside and outside the university, and former students joined in recounting his contributions and accomplishments.

Les has deep educational roots in the state of Michigan. He earned his baccalaureate degree at Michigan State University, after which he obtained three graduate degrees on the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus. He earned an MSW from the School of Social Work, concentrating in Administration and Social Policy, and a Master of Arts degree and a PhD in Education from the School of Education. Prior to his arrival at UM-Dearborn, Les served as a visiting professor of social work at Saginaw Valley State University.

Professor Thornton has a well-deserved reputation as an outstanding teacher and mentor. His engaging teaching style, often featuring creative use of simulations, has received high praise from students. In 1995 Les received the prestigious UM-Dearborn Distinguished Teaching Award. During his 21 years at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Professor Thornton’s focus and passion has been in the area of multicultural education. As the students and colleagues who spoke at the retirement event attested, his deep commitment to social justice infused all that he did and influenced those with whom he interacted. His insistence that students confront and try to understand how circumstances of social power and privilege—often invisible to the advantaged—can contribute to conditions of disadvantage confronting disempowered members of society left a lasting impression on numerous students who were lucky enough to attend his classes.

Along with his work teaching and advising students, Les was an active contributor to faculty governance and student activities on campus, and also to national and international academic professional organizations.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services is pleased to recognize Professor Leslie James Thornton II Moyer for more than 20 years of outstanding service as a member of the faculty; for his commitment to social justice and his contributions to the preparation and continuing education of Michigan’s teachers; and for his service and mentorship. Bravo and bon voyage!

Donovan Rowe Named 2013 CEHHS 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 2013 is Donovan Rowe, who was named Alumnus of the Year in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services.

Mr. Rowe has had a distinguished career with the Huron School District. He was selected as principal of Huron High School in 2007, after having served the district as a classroom teacher and an assistant principal. During his time as principal, Donovan has spearheaded change, initiated quality educational programs, nurtured and developed strong relationships, and contributed to the success of Huron High School.

Donovan holds two degrees from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, including a Bachelor of Arts degree, with emphases in English and French Studies, in 1999, and a Masters of Public Administration degree, with an emphasis on educational leadership, in 2004. He also completed the requirements for his secondary school teaching credential through UM-Dearborn in 1999.

Donovan has also given back to UM-Dearborn in many ways. He currently serves as chair of the CEHHS Alumni Affiliate. He has helped to reignite the affiliate, grow its membership, and launch activities that enrich the lives of current students and faculty, alums, and the local community. His accomplishments last year included a celebratory event to mark the 25th anniversary of the formation of the UM-Dearborn School of Education and a Quiz Bowl tournament that featured accomplished youngsters from area high schools.

The Alumni Association Award was presented to Mr. Rowe, and the corresponding award winners from other units on the UM-Dearborn campus, at a ceremony on October 4. Please join me in congratulating Donovan Rowe on his distinctive accomplishment and in thanking him for his dedication to the education profession and to the education enterprise at UM-Dearbprn.

Kudos to SOE/CEHHS Students

Please join me in applauding the accomplishments of our terrific students. Here are a few highlights that have come to my attention:

Several students enrolled in EXPS 250 (Visual and Performing Arts in the Elementary Classroom) in Winter 2013 joined the Ann Arbor Concert Band during a "New Frontiers" program on March 10 at Hill Auditorium on the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan. Participating SOE students Hawraa Al-Busaid-Jwad, Heather Anthony, Shaqueline Bowery, Chante McClaine, Trevor Stoltz, Alex Tedesco, and Samantha Villareal joined the band on percussion instruments for the premiere performance of "Flash Mob," composed by EXPS 250 instructor and Concert Band Director, Dr. James Nissen. A video of their performance is available here.

Truman Hudson, a doctoral student who recently defended his dissertation, received the Detroit Detroit Public School District's Impact Teacher Award for work related to his dissertation. In addition, he was also one of 50 men selected to receive a Black Male Engagement Leadership Award from the Knight Foundation for his Community Economic Development Club initiative. The Knight Foundation award includes a grant that will allow him to extend for another year his work with Cody-Rouge students and community members focused on making economics instruction relevant to students in low-income communities by linking to community redevelopment initiatives.

Emily Bianchi, Jacquelyn Kennedy, and Melissa McKinney – three students majoring in elementary education – transformed their work in EXPS 420 into a published article with the help of Dr. Charlotte Otto, Professor of Chemistry and Science Education. Their article, “Introducing Models in lessons on Solids and Liquids,” appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of the MSTA Journal. This journal is published biannually by the Michigan Science Teachers Association. Please join me in congratulating Emily, Jacquelyn and Melissa on their accomplishment and in thanking Professor Otto for her skillful mentorship!

Stein Brunvand leads GIEU group to South Africa

Stein Brunvand, SOE associate professor, led a group of University of Michigan students to South Africa as part of the Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) program. This study group, “Teaching Across Borders: Establishing a Virtual Tutoring Program in Johannesburg, South Africa,” laid the foundation for implementing a virtual tutoring program to provide academic support to students in Alexandra Township.

The GIEU South Africa group spent a week and a half in Johannesburg assisting with several different programs for children who have lost parents to Aids and other circumstances, such as the Rose Act Saturday school, which is designed to help students in grade 5-12 get additional tutoring across a wide range of subjects. The university students helped run classes in several different computer labs where sessions on keyboarding, Microsoft Office applications and other computer basics where being taught. While in Johannesburg the group also assisted in an after-school homework program also run by the Rose Act organization. Both the Saturday school and the after-school program are offered specifically to children living in Alexander Township, which is a squatter settlement that borders Johannesburg. Alex, as it is known locally, is an incredibly poor area and the schools there are overcrowded, understaffed and without adequate resources.

In addition to their work in Johannesburg, the GIEU group also spent time living and working at the Village of Joy, which is located about 30 kilometers northwest of the city. Milly Jarvis runs the village and she has adopted 21 children ranging in age from 3-21, most of whom were orphaned or abandoned, and many of whom had been abused or neglected. The GIEU group assisted Ms. Jarvis by working with the children after school on their homework and participating in a range of activities at the village. While at the village the group also worked in the classrooms of a local primary school called Riversands. Students who attend Riversands live in Diepsloot, which is another squatter settlement similar to Alex.

The GIEU visiting group has learned much about life in another country, especially for those whose basic needs are inadequately met, and they have infused some much-needed human resources in the form of energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm. Please join me in welcoming them home from their journey!

Martha Adler leads GIEU group to Mexico

Martha Adler, SOE associate professor, and Monica Porter, Director of the Office of International Affairs at UM-Dearborn, recently arrived in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with a group of University of Michigan students as part of the Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) program. A video of the arrival of Adler and the GIEU group taken during their first week is available on youtube.

This study group, “Summer Literacy Program: Children of the Dump,” is a three-week summer literacy program serving high-poverty youth. The program both addresses the needs of children living in dire poverty in Mexico and provides 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.

Please join me is wishing them viaje seguro!

SOE Alumna Wins Teacher of the Year Award

As reported in a recent Detroit Free Press article, Jennifer Bargardi has been selected as Teacher of the Year for 2012-2013 by the Educational Achievement Authority.

Ms. Bargardi is a double alumna of the UM-Dearborn School of Education. She was initially certified as a science teacher after completing our Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teaching Program, and she is a recent graduate of our Master of Science in Science Education program. Currently on the staff at Mumford High School in Detroit, Jennifer teaches Biology and Anatomy, and she also serves as chair of the science department and senior class advisor.

This is not Jennifer's first recognition for excellence. In 2012 she was a regional winner and a national finalist in the Shell Science Lab Challenge, a competition among science teachers sponsored by the Shell Oil Company and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to encourage and recognize innovation in to deliver high quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources.

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

Farewell to Professor Belinda Lazarus

On June 20, 2013 a celebration was held to honor the career of Professor Belinda Lazarus on the occasion of her retirement from the University of Michigan-Dearborn after 22 years of service. Numerous friends and family members, professional colleagues from inside and outside the university, and former students joined in recounting Belinda’s many contributions and accomplishments.

Belinda Davis Lazarus graduated from The Ohio State University in 1973 with a B.S. in Education. She later earned a Master’s degree in Special Education Administration from Bowling Green State University in 1981, and a doctorate in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University in 1986.

Professor Lazarus taught special education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn for 22 years, serving as coordinator of the program for much of that time. During her time at UM-Dearborn she developed strong programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As the students who spoke at the retirement event attested Professor Lazarus has a well-deserved reputation as an outstanding teacher and mentor.


Dr. Lazarus was also an accomplished researcher, with numerous refereed publications on many aspects of special education. Topics covered in her research included effective instructional practices, technology for persons with disabilities, virtual K-12 schools, and attitudes towards reading expressed by students with learning disabilities.

In addition to her teaching and research activities, Belinda played an important role on numerous campus committees and initiatives, generously sharing her time and expertise. She also contributed locally, regionally and nationally to professional organizations in the field of special education. With a sincere passion for special education, she  delivered numerous presentations at professional conferences at the international, national, regional and state levels. Dr. Lazarus was the recipient of the 2006 Foundation for Creative Dispute Resolutions Award.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education is pleased to recognize Professor Belinda Davis Lazarus for 22 years of outstanding service as a member of the faculty; for her innovative contributions to the preparation and continuing education of special education teachers; and for her leadership and colleagueship in the school and university. We wish her bon voyage!

SOE will soon be CEHHS!

The University of Michigan-Dearborn’s School of Education (SOE) will officially become the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) on September 1, 2013.

The CEHHS will continue to offer exemplary educator preparation and professional development programs and it will soon also provide distinctive graduate and undergraduate level opportunities in the areas of health care and human services. As with any change of this magnitude, the development of new programs and processes take time to finalize. Drawing upon existing university programs and faculty expertise across campus, new programs are expected to be available in fall 2014 for students interested in health care and human services-related programs.

Please see the frequently asked questions page on the SOE/CEHHS website for more information about the transition and upcoming new programs.

Inaugural Education Doctoral Dissertation Defense at UM-Dearborn

On Monday, July 1, 2013, Peggy Sepetys, a doctoral candidate in education, presented and defended her doctoral dissertation study, Co-Teaching: To What Extent Does It Change Teachers’ Perceived Efficacy in the Instruction of Students with Disabilities in a General Education Classroom?

Ms. Sepetys is the first doctoral student in education on the UM-Dearborn campus to reach this milestone. The event occurred in the Dean’s Conference Room on the second floor of the Fairlane Center South Building. Several interested members of the campus community attended.

Please join me in congratulating Ms. Sepetys on her successful completion of this final step in her journey toward completion of the doctorate!

Also, please join me in thanking the members of her doctoral examining committee for their guidance along the way:

• Belinda Davis Lazarus, Professor of Special Education, Chair 
• Stein Brunvand, Associate Professor of Educational Technology 
• Thomas Callahan, Associate Professor of Management

Board of Regents Approve Promotion for Two SOE Faculty

At its May 2013 meeting the University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the promotions of two faculty members from the UM-Dearborn School of Education.

Kirsten Dara Hill, whose specialty area is reading and literacy, was promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of education, with tenure.

Mesut Duran, whose specialty area is educational technology, was promoted from associate professor, with tenure, to professor of education, with tenure.

Please join me in congratulating them on reaching this important professional milestone and in wishing them much continued success as they continue their professional journeys.

SOE Students at Commencement 2013

Nearly 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 on Sunday, April 28, 2013,

The SOE contingent included 25 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 more than 55 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 winner, Steven Pascoe (elementary education, science studies), received special recognition at the morning commencement ceremony. He was also honored at a luncheon event following commencement.

Another member of the SOE community had a special role in the commencement eremony. Youssef Mosallam, an alumnus of the School of Education who was selected as the 2012 Alumnus of the Year, spoke on behalf of the UM-Dearborn alumni society.

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

May Conference Attracts Education, Health & Human Service Professionals

On May 2-3, 2013, hundreds of education, social service, and health professionals in the state of Michigan and surrounding areas will participate in the fourth annual transdisciplinary teaming conference hosted by Oakwood Helathcare’s Center for exceptional Families (CEF) and UM-Dearborn’s School of Education and Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). This year’s conference theme is Making Inclusion Work in Early Childhood Education with Transdisciplinary Teaming to Support Children with Challenging Behaviors.

The theme of the conference is inspired by the accomplishments of the ECEC/CEF partnership, which began in 2006 and has grown impressively over the years, and the conference is designed to meet the needs of a broad array of professionals who might participate as members of transdisciplinary teams, including early childhood and special education teachers; early interventionists; parents; occupational, physical and speech/language therapists; social workers; psychologists; and students preparing for careers in these fields. Conference participants have opportunities to learn research-based strategies, techniques and best practices for including children with special learning needs within natural environments and general education settings.

The keynote speakers this year are Mary Louise Hemmeter and Pamela McCaskill. Dr. Hemmeter is associate professor of special education at Vanderbilt University and principal investigator at the Center on the Social & Emotional Foundations of Early Learning. Her talk is titled, “We Are All in This Together: Preventing and Addressing Challenging Behavior." Dr. McCaskill is a clinical psychologist at McCaskill Family Services. She will speak on “Unraveling the Truth about Oppositional, Defiant and Angry Children.”

Breakout sessions featured best practices in inclusive education. Among the leaders of the breakout sessions were several UM-Dearborn faculty and ECEC/CEF staff members who will present strategies for professionals working with children with and without disabilities and their families in school and non-school settings.

The conference will take place May 2-3 in the Social Science Building (SSB) on the main campus of UM-Dearborn. To learn more, or to register for the event, visit the Inclusion Conference webpage. For more information, see a related story in the UM-Dearborn reporter.

Innovative Writing Clinic at UM-Dearborn

Cultivating the enjoyment of writing has been the focus of the University of Michigan–Dearborn School of Education’s writing clinic. Under the leadership of SOE assistant professor Danielle DeFauw, the 6-week writing clinic has been providing writing instruction for third-grade students from Thorne Elementary and their siblings, and the clinic also provides instruction to parents so that they can better support their children’s writing at home. The writing clinic is supported by the SOE and a faculty seed grant from the university, and Dr. DeFauw hopes to replicate and expand the clinic in the future.

The children’s writing instruction is provided by UM-Dearborn students who are enrolled in a course, Exploring Writing with Children & Adolescents, offered during the Winter 2013 academic term. In the first half of the academic term, the university students (a mix of preservice and inservice teachers) learned how to provide effective writing instruction to children using high-quality children’s books as examples for teaching writing. Then in the second half of the course, they plan and deliver instruction to the children attending the clinic. While the children receive their instruction, Dr. DeFauw meets with the children’s family members to discuss how they can support their children’s writing.

Each Thursday evening, the elementary and university students work together as they read children’s literature and learn to write in ways that emulate the authors. The elementary students are learning to write in various genres including poetry, narrative, and expository. By the end of the writing clinic, students will complete one expository piece to share with their families during the writing celebration scheduled for April 18th.

Dr. DeFauw is collecting data on this model of supporting both children’s literacy development and professional training for reading teachers. She will present more details on her writing clinic project at the SOE Research Colloquium on Wednesday, April 10th.

SOE Students & Faculty Recognized at 2012 Honor Awards Ceremony

At the 31st annual Honor Scholars and Faculty Awards Ceremony on March 26, 2013, 14 SOE students were among the more 80 students from across the full spectrum of academic programs at UM-Dearborn who received recognition as Honor Scholars.   In addition to the student awardees, Julie Taylor, SOE associate professor, received the Distinguished Teaching Award.

The Distinguished Teaching Award is given to faculty members whose teaching record illustrates effectiveness in the classroom and the revitalization of courses and curriculum, interaction with students outside the classroom, as mentor or advisor; professional growth as a teacher; and commitment to undergraduate and/or graduate education. This award is made annually to at most one faculty member in each of three categories (tenured, non-tenured, and lecturer), and Dr. Taylor won in the category of tenured faculty.

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 Maureen Fleming (Social Studies), Maggie Gearns (Mathematics Studies), Melissa Gellenbeck (Language Arts), Jacqueline Laforet (Reading), Steven Pascoe (Science Studies), Jennifer Rosecrans (Early Childhood), Jennifer Urso (Special Education), and Tracy Winkelman (Children & Families).

At the graduate level, the SOE awardees were Jonna Fessenden (M.Ed. Special Education), Hannah Greaves (MAT), Timothy Marley (MA in Education), Carissa Quinones (MA Educational Technology), Jeanette Reifenberg (MA Educational Leadership), and Tracy Rumfelt (MS Science Education),

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

Local High School Students Compete in Maize & Blue High School Classic Quiz Bowl

On Saturday, March 23, while the UM basketball team was preparing to face and then soundly thrashing VCU in a NCAA Basketball Tournament game at the Palace of Auburn Hills, more than 100 area high school students came to UM-Dearborn to compete in the Maize & Blue High School Classic Quiz Bowl. This event was sponsored by UM-Dearborn’s School of Education, the SOE Alumni Affiliate, and the UM Alumni Association. The Alumni Affiliate hopes to make this an annual event

The Maize & Blue High School Classic featured eight rounds of competition. During the first seven rounds, 16 teams of students answered questions on a wide range of subjects, including history, current events, science, literature, art, music, mathematics, and even pop culture. The grand finale was a session that featured a competition between the two highest scoring teams: Olmsted Falls High School and Catholic Central High School. The final session was tied going to the 20th and final question, which was answered successfully by the winning team from Catholic Central.

Many of the competing teams were accompanied not only by their coaches but also by a contingent of parents and family members. Making it all possible was a team of 27 volunteers who served as competition moderators, room moderators, judges/scorers, and hall monitors. The volunteer group was comprised of UM- Dearborn faculty, staff, students, and alumni, including 3 SOE faculty (Stein Brunvand, Chris Burke, & Julie Taylor), 4 SOE staff (Karen Claiborne, Catherine Parkins, Reetha Perananamgam, & Joann Otlewski), and 4 members of the SOE Alumni Affiliate (Sabrina Ali, Betsy Ardisana, Donovan Rowe, & Toni Simovski).

Please join me in thanking all those who competed, those who supported the competing teams, and those from UM-Dearborn who volunteered their time to make possible this wonderful celebration of academic achievement and commitment!

ECEC Team to Attend Reggio Emilia Study Group in Italy

Later this month a team of 13 SOE faculty, staff, and students associated with the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) will travel to Italy to participate in a Reggio Emilia Study Group. The team from UM-Dearborn is led by Seong Hong, Rosalyn Saltz Collegiate Professor of Education, and includes LaShorage Shaffer (SOE assistant professor), Debbie Jones (ECEC Site Director), Lauren Stine (SOE senior, majoring in early childhood education), and 9 ECEC teachers: Daniel Camardese, Tammy Daigneau, Caryn Finkelstein, Sara Kurtjian, Kelly Lenihan, Cyndi McAuliffe, Daniel Muehlenbein, Catie Stone, and Amy Szymazck.

The week-long Reggio Emilia Study Group experience includes presentations by Reggio pedagogistas, atelierstas, and teachers; site visits to the internationally acclaimed Municipal Infant-Toddler Center and Preschool classrooms in Reggio Emilia; a visit to the Loris Malaguzzi Documentation and Research Center, and extensive interaction with other students and faculty members visiting from the U.S.

The participants from UM-Dearborn will be among the 143 participants from the United States. Participants include teams from 12 universities, with teams ranging in size from 2 to 44. Other universities sending teams to this week-long institute include Columbia College, Portland State University, the University of Colorado-Denver, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of Washington, and West Virginia University.

The ECEC has based its educational program on the Reggio Emilia philosophy for more than 15 years. The Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy is also an integral part of the required courses in the SOE’s early childhood education curriculum for prospective teachers. Thus, the Reggio philosophy is central to all our endeavors in the area of early childhood education at UM-Dearborn, and this trip provides an opportunity for the participants both to visit the birthplace of these foundational and influential ideas and to network with other professionals similarly engaged in Reggio-inspired pedagogy.

The Reggio Children Organization was founded in 1994 to promote and defend children’s rights and to organize pedagogical and cultural exchanges between Reggio Emilia’s municipal early childhood centers and academics from around the world. Many U. S. universities have participated in study groups and exchanges. The schools of Reggio Emilia are widely recognized as providing a seamless model of excellence in early childhood education with respect to curriculum, environment, parent involvement, and staff development.

Please join me in wishing the group a hearty Bon Voyage!

For more on the trip after the group returned from Italy, see the story in the UM-Dearborn Reporter.

SOE Faculty Winter/Spring 2013 Presentations at Professional Meetings

The scholarly work of University of Michigan-Dearborn School of Education faculty is once again well represented at Winter/Spring 2013 national professional meetings.  Here is a summary of recent and upcoming conference presentations:

Martha A. Adler, associate professor, presented a webinar titled "Planning and Implementing Effective Professional Development" for the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Center in February.

Sara Byrd, assistant professor, and Kim Killu, associate professor, presented a paper at the 27th annual conference of the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan in February discussing the issue of applied behavioral analysis and academic instruction for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Dr. Byrd will also be presenting two papers at the 73rd Annual Michigan Council for Exceptional Children conference in March. The first paper, with Kim Killu, is focused on research-based instructional strategies designed to engage learners with emotional/behavioral disorders in order to promote academic learning and success. The second presentation, including co-presenters LaShorage Shaffer (assistant professor) and Tammy Morris (Center for Exceptional Families), describes a unique transdisciplinary partnership involving the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Oakwood Hospital's Center for Exceptional Families (CEF).

Danielle DeFauw, assistant professor, presented a paper at the National Council of Teachers of English Assembly of Research Conference in February. Her presentation examined the impact of art lessons on writing development among 4-5 year old students.

Susan Everett, associate professor, along with Charlotte Otto, professor, and Suria Beydoun (a former student of Everett and Otto) presented a paper at the Association for Science Teacher Educators International Conference in January discussing the investigation of middle level science teacher certification tests. Dr. Everett will present another paper at the Michigan Science Teachers Association 60th annual conference in March on using STEM activities to integrate science and engineering practices. Co-presenting with Richard Moyer (professor emeritus), Dr. Everett will attend the National Science Teachers Association national conference in April talking about “NSTA Press: Everyday Engineering.”

Joining her colleagues, Melissa Peet (Director of Integrative Learning and Knowledge Management, University of Michigan) and Yves Labissiere (Associate Professor, Portland State University), Laura Reynolds-Keefer, associate professor, attended the 2013 Association of American Colleges and Universities annual meeting in January to discuss weaving e-portfolios with peer mentoring to support underrepresented minority students’ success.

Several SOE faculty will also be presenting papers at the 2013 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting. Laura Reynolds-Keefer will make two presentations at the conference. One presentation focuses on perceptions of poverty among educational psychology students; the other presentation, with associate professor Gail Luera, reports an examination of the success and retention of conditionally admitted university students in a particular university. At the 2013 AERA conference, Martha Adler will also present a paper, “Professional Development in Sheltered Instruction for Mainstream Secondary Teachers: University School District Collaborative,” and Dean Edward Silver will serve as discussant at a symposium, “Approaches to Analyzing Qualitative Data in Mathematics education: An In-depth View,” that includes papers authored by faculty at Vanderbilt University, University of California-Berkeley, and New York University.

Professor Taylor wins Distinguished Teaching Award

Each year a few University of Michigan-Dearborn faculty are recognized for their exceptional contributions in the areas of teaching, research and service. One of this year’s recipients is Dr. Julie Anne Taylor, SOE associate professor, who has been selected to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award (in the tenured faculty category). The award will be presented at the UM-Dearborn Honor Scholars and Faculty Awards Dinner on March 26.

The Distinguished Teaching Award is given to faculty members whose teaching record illustrates effectiveness in the classroom and the revitalization of courses and curriculum; interaction with students outside the classroom, as mentor, advisor, or group participant; professional growth as a teacher; and, commitment to undergraduate or graduate education.

Dr. Taylor teaches multicultural education courses and specialized offerings in the area of social studies education. Her contributions to the School of Education and University community include creating several new course offerings, leading the work of SOE and CASL faculty to obtain approval from the Michigan Department of Education for approved teacher preparation programs in several distinct academic areas, and fostering students’ engagement with community in numerous locations, including the Douglass Academy for Young Men, the Detroit Institute of Art, the Holocaust Memorial in Oakland County, and the Arab-American Museum in Dearborn. Among the distinctive features of her teaching are the integration of her own research and the extensive use of community resources to inform and enrich her classes. Also, she has been an innovator in her teaching, leading the way in the implementation of the M-portfolio in her classes, and being the first faculty member on campus to offer an online course in the area of social studies education.

The faculty member who wrote her nomination letter noted that her students regularly state that Dr. Taylor’s enthusiasm is contagious, that each of her classes is "an event," and that her concern for her students is energizing. Her colleagues in the School of Education agree and have long recognized her as a gifted teacher.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Julie Ann Taylor on winning this prestigious campus award, which signifies well-deserved recognition for her exceptional teaching and excellent pedagogical contributions to the school and university. Let's also thank her for all she does on behalf of the students with whom she comes in contact!

SOE Professor Emerita to Receive Prestigious Award

At its annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in April 2013, the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) will award the 2013 Betty Garlick Lifetime Achievement Award to Mary Trepanier-Street, Professor Emerita of education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Recipients of this award demonstrate a commitment to Michigan’s children and families, and have made exceptional contributions to the early childhood profession. The award is named for Betty Garlick, the first president of MiAEYC from 1974-1976, and honors her life-long commitment to young children and their families.

Dr. Mary Trepanier-Street has dedicated her entire career to the betterment of young children’s lives. She 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 and to a scholarly program of research on teacher education, child development, and educational experiences for young children with and without disabilities,

In addition to teaching and mentoring students, Mary served as Director of the Early Childhood Education Center. She has also 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’s effective and energetic advocacy for high quality education for all young children, combined with her teaching, research and service contributions over a lifetime, exemplify the spirit of Betty Garlick and make her a deserving recipient of this high honor from her professional colleagues. Please join me in congratulating Mary Trepanier-Street!

SOE Faculty Inspire Students to Do Science

Exciting scientific investigation and engineering design work has been flourishing in Garden City Public Schools during the 2012-13 school year!

Under the leadership of Gail Luera, SOE associate professor, ASPIRES (After School Program for Inquiry and Research with Elementary Students) has brought together a group of elementary/middle school students, university students, and university faculty to bring to life hands-on, applied science.

Across the 2012-2013 school year, 22 UM-Dearborn students have participated as undergraduate instructors, with mentorship from Drs. Luera and Mary Starr, SOE lecturer. They have engaged 40 elementary and middle school students with a range of enriching, inquiry-oriented science.

Each five-week ASPIRES session employs project-based inquiry science and focuses on a different science discipline while engaging students as they learn how scientists “do science” by designing, conducting and communicating the findings of investigations.

The fall sessions introduced this method of learning as the elementary and middle school students created a book support out of limited materials and documented their design process in a quest to understand how scientists answer big questions and solve big problems.

In the first winter session, which will just completed, students investigated factors that affect the formation of craters as they explored the very timely question of how to know when objects in space will collide. The next five-week session will focus on genetics as students use scientific principles and procedures to investigate how genetics can help feed the world.

ASPIRES is supported by funding from the Garden City Public Schools, the UM-Dearborn School of Education, and the UM-Dearborn Civic Engagement Project.

ECEC Receives Grant from Michigan Department of Education

The Michigan Department of Education has awarded a Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) competitive grant of $81, 600 to the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). The grant will pay tuition costs for 24 children to attend the ECEC four sessions per week for 35 weeks.

The GSRP state program prepares four-year-old children who are judged to have factors that place them at risk for achieving school success. The ECEC has been a GSRP grant recipient since 2004 and this award has allowed us to support the families and children who are in needs. The ECEC hopes to triple its service to these “at risk” children in our preschool program through the GSRP in the 2013-14 school year.

Congratulations to the faculty and staff of the ECEC who continue to provide the region with a high-quality early learning program that supports children’s growth and gets them off to a great start!

Next Generation Science Standards Focus of UM-Dearborn Talk by National Leader

On January 29, 2013, Dr. Stephen Pruitt, Vice President for Content, Research and Development of Achieve spoke to about 60 members of the campus and surrounding education community about the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). He provided an update on the development process and timeline for release of drafts and final documents, revisions based on the first public release, how science educators can be involved, and implications for science teaching.

Funded by the Carnegie Corporation, the development of NGSS is a joint effort of the National Research Council and Achieve Inc., in partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Science Teachers Association, to design the foundation for all students to have a solid K–12 science education. NGSS will comprise K–12 science standards created through a collaborative process led by Michigan and 25 other lead partner states.

January 29, the day Pruitt spoke on campus, was the final day for public comment on the latest draft of the standards. The final version is expected in late March 2013.