coE-News: December 15, 2005, VOL. 1 ISSUE 4

DECEMBER 15, 2005

VOL. 1, ISSUE 4

The coE-News is an electronic newsletter produced monthly during the academic year by the College of Education News & Publications Office to keep faculty and staff up to date on College news and activities.  Click here to download a PDF version of this edition of the coE-News.  You will need a PDF reader to view this document.

GOT NEWS? Don’t be shy. Submit individual or unit news and calendar events of Collegewide interest for publication consideration to Joy L. Rodgers, News & Publications writer-editor, at jrodgers@coe.ufl.edu. All submissions must be in writing and include contact information for follow-up questions.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

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MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

In this year-end message, Dean Catherine Emihovich relays some exciting news for the College, including an important announcement from President Machen.

TOP STORIES

P.K. Yonge vocal group seeks help with Carnegie Hall trip expenses
Members of Sherwin Mackintosh’s vocal ensemble at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School hope to travel to New York City in May to take part in a world premiere performance of Paul Basler’s Missa brevis at Carnegie Hall. The chorus is currently asking for community support by way of sponsorships and is working on several fund-raising activities to help pay for trip expenses. (more)

University grants professor emeritus status to former Education dean
Ben F. Nelms, former dean of the College of Education, has a new distinction among his many accomplishments: He now holds the title of professor emeritus. (more)

Associate professor retires after 34 years at UF
James H. Pitts, associate professor of Counselor Education, has plans to retire at the end of the month after 34 years at the University. (more)

Grant aids study on parenting practices among successful black students
Cirecie West-Olatunji, assistant professor of Counselor Education, has been awarded $2,000 from the African American Success Foundation to study parenting practices among African-American parents of “at–risk” students. (more)

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FACULTY-STAFF HONORS & APPOINTMENTS

College hires new event coordinator
Jodi Mount has joined the College as alumni affairs coordinator, providing support in event planning and development. Mount is a 1998 University of Florida graduate and holds accreditation in event and meeting planning. Most recently, she was the public relations coordinator for Haven Hospice in Gainesville, where she managed external fund-raising events. Before that, she was the special events coordinator and assistant director of recreation for the city of Hapeville, Ga., near Atlanta. Mount’s office is in Norman 148. She may be reached by e-mail at jmount@coe.ufl.edu and by phone at (352) 392-0728, ext. 250. Mount replaces Robin Frey, who left the College in early September.

Adjunct professor named Florida School Psychologist of the Year
Marcia Wiesel-Leary, adjunct professor, Educational Psychology, has been named Florida School Psychologist of the Year by the Florida Association of School Psychologists. The Florida Association of School Psychologists is an independent association that is affiliated with the National Association of School Psychologists. The 900-member group’s mission is to provide exemplary psychological services to children throughout Florida through their work in schools, other publicly or privately funded agencies, or through private practice. Leary was nominated for the award by several people, including Diana Joyce, lecturer, Educational Psychology, for her leadership in promoting the profession of school psychology. Leary was presented the award at the association’s annual convention in Hollywood, Fla., in early November.

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STUDENT HONORS

Higher education administration doctoral students receive awards
A doctoral student in the Department of Educational Administration and Policy has been awarded the annual L.V. Koos Scholarship, and two others have received honorable mentions. (more)

Education student is Who’s Who Among Students
Elementary education senior and recent Reitz Scholar recipient Rachel Manes has been recognized by Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities for 2005. Manes is one of the 20 UF students selected for one of the most highly regarded and long-standing honors programs in the nation. Selections are made each fall by individual schools. Campus nominating committees are composed of representatives from the faculty, administration and student body. Manes is a member of Florida Cicerones, Florida Alternative Breaks and Floridance. Her leadership roles include serving as a Preview staff member, group fitness instructor, College of Education ambassador and Unified Elementary ProTeach student representative. She is also a recipient of the President’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List at UF. Manes, of Davie, Fla., is working toward a master’s degree in elementary education, specializing in children’s literature.

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PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

Following is a sampling of recent faculty and graduate student publications and presentations in the College:

  • Quinn, D., Becker, J., McLeod, S., Halverson, R., and Militello, M. (2005, November). “Data-driven decision-making: Preparing leaders, documenting readiness and gauging implementation,” presentation at annual convention of University Council for Educational Administration, Nashville, KY.
  • Cronin-Jones, Linda L., “Using Drawings to Assess Student Perceptions of Schoolyard Habitats: A Case Study of Reform-Based Research in the United States,” Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, Volume 10:225-240.
  • The following graduate students in Educational Psychology presented papers at the annual conference of the Florida Association of School Psychologists in Hollywood, Fla., in early November:
    • Jason Gallant, “OCD: Implications for School Psychologists”
    • Jeffery Ditterline, “Adaptive Behavior: An Aid to Diagnosis and Intervention”
    • Katherine Matzen and Taketo Nakao, “Developing Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) for the Classroom”
    • Linda Radbill and Katrina Raia, “Social Competence: Not Just Child’s Play”
    • Marni Finberg and Maria Arzola, “To Include or Not to Include: Class Placement of Students with Disabilities”
    • Jennifer Harman and Catherine Peele, “Prevention Framework for Aggression”
    • Kelly Winkles and Julie Bell, “When Starting School Becomes Too Stressful: Understanding Separation Anxiety”
    • Jack Dempsey and Allison Dempsey, “Temperament Styles of Nigerian, Iranian and U.S. Children”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Conference focuses on IDEA transition services
Registration is currently under way for Transition: The IDEA Way, a one-day conference designed to provide information related to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements for transition services. Sponsored by the Transition Center at the University of Florida, the conference is set for Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin. Reservations may be made online at www.thetransitioncenter.org. The deadline to register is Jan. 15. For more information on the conference, visit the above Web site or call (352) 392-0701, ext. 267 or 291.

Minority teachers group extends call for proposals
The Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc. is still accepting proposals for presentations at its 10th annual recruitment and retention conference set for April 8 and 9, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville. The theme for this year’s conference is “Educators on the Move: Exploring Our Uniqueness by Embracing the Arts.” The deadline for proposals has been extended to Jan. 13, 2006. Submit proposals to Cheryl Howell via e-mail at chowell@coe.ufl.edu or via fax at (352) 846-3011. For more information on the conference and the proposal process, contact Howell at 2-9195, ext. 24, or at the e-mail address above.

College gives generously to Hope for the Holidays family
A total of $2,339.50 has been raised through donations, prize drawings and cake sales to benefit the College of Education’s adopted family in the Alachua County Volunteer Center’s Hope for the Holidays project. The Staff Council wishes to thank all those who donated for helping to make this a special holiday for this particular family in need.

Lost and found has a new home
The lost and found box is now located in the Business Office. Anyone seeking a lost item or wishing to turn in a found item should be directed to 134 Norman Hall.

Dean’s Office manages Terrace Room reservations, key
Reservations for the Terrace Room are handled in the Dean’s Office, which also holds the key to the room. Anyone seeking to reserve the space or who needs access to the room should contact Tiffany Harrell at 392-0728, ext. 225, or tharrell@coe.ufl.edu.

Office rearrangement limits entry access
The News and Publications and the Development and Alumni Affairs offices have been reconfigured to accommodate space needs of the Development Office. Access to both offices will now be through Room 150, rather than Room 148, which will be locked. The office of Larry Lansford, director of News and Publications, remains in Room 148. Anyone wishing to visit him will need to enter through Room 150. Jodi Mount, events coordinator, has moved into the outer office of Room 148.

Staff Council given presence on the Intranet
The Staff Council now has a link on the College of Education Intranet (http://intranet.coe.ufl.edu/default.aspx), where announcements of Collegewide interest may be posted and viewed. The new site, which is being managed by Mary McDonough, is expected to evolve with time and use. Anyone who has suggestions for content for the site may contact McDonough at 2-0728, ext. 226, or marymcd@coe.ufl.edu.

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coE-CALENDAR

DEC. 15

Retirement Luncheon for James Pitts (for Counselor Education faculty and staff)
11:30 a.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Patricia Bruner, 392-0731, ext. 222

DEC. 17

Commencement (for undergraduate and graduate students)
2 p.m., Stephen C. O’Connell Center

DEC. 26

Christmas Day holiday (University closed through Jan. 1; spring semester begins Jan. 9)

JAN. 6

Counselor Education orientation
8 a.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Kitty Fallon, 2-0731, ext. 228

JAN. 7

Florida Seminar for Teaching on Asia
9 a.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Monica, 2-2464

JAN. 9

Spring Semester begins

Professional Development meeting
8 a.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Marty League, 2-0701, ext. 250

New Graduate Student Orientation
3 p.m., Rion Ballroom, Reitz Union

JAN. 11

Staff Council meeting
8:30 a.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Sabrina McLaughlin, 2-0726, ext. 262

JAN. 12

Professional Development meeting
8 a.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Marty League, 2-0701, ext. 250

JAN. 13

Professional Development meeting
8 a.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Marty League, 2-0701, ext. 250

Student Workshop
1:30 p.m., Terrace Room
Contact: Thomasenia Adams, 2-0726, ext. 306

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IN THE NEWS

Click on the headline below to view a recent “media hit” from News & Publications news release distribution:

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QUICK LINKS

UF:  www.ufl.edu
College of Education:  education.ufl.edu
coE-News:  Publications
Education Times magazine: Publications

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coE-News is produced by:
College of Education, University of Florida
Dean’s Office/News & Publications
Dean: Catherine Emihovich
Director, Managing Editor: Larry Lansford (llansford@coe.ufl.edu
Editor: Joy L. Rodgers (jrodgers@coe.ufl.edu

Writers:
Larry Lansford
Joy L. Rodgers
Chan Tran, student-writer intern (ctran@ufl.edu)

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