coE-News: April 17, 2007 VOL. 2 ISSUE 7
VOL. 2, ISSUE 7
APRIL 17 , 2007
You’re reading coE-News, 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. You will need a PDF reader to view this document.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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DEAN’S MESSAGE
Research weighs heavily in College rankings, but impact of scholarship is best gauge of success
Dean Catherine Emihovich weighs in on the results of this year’s U.S. News and World Report rankings. (more)
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TOP STORIES
UF has all bases covered at AERA annual meeting
Congratulations to the 63 UF faculty members and students who presented papers or participated in panels at the American Educational Research Association’s annual meeting April 9-13 in Chicago. UF researchers covered a wide variety of topics, from African American girls’ performance in math classes to the role religious background plays in post-secondary academic achievement. You can get an overview of the more than 100 presentations by UF scholars by clicking here and searching the site using the keywords “University of Florida.”
From classroom to boardroom: COE commencement speaker to stress the power of personal ‘re-invention’
In the new global economy, you have to be able to re-create your professional persona from scratch in order to survive – even if you’re in a traditionally secure job like teaching. So says University of Florida alumna Elizabeth Van Ella, the teacher-turned-corporate-CEO who will deliver the address to graduating seniors at the UF College of Education’s baccalaureate commencement on May 5. (more)
Danling Fu named Graduate Teacher of the Year
Her research on children’s writing development and immigrant student literacy is widely published and read. Her years of involvement with the National Council of Teachers of English have led to several influential positions with that organization. And she is always willing to share the wealth by opening new doors for her graduate students. No wonder Danling Fu was named Graduate Teacher of the Year. (more)
National organization moves HQ to Norman Hall
After 35 years of doing research on school finance issues, the American Education Finance Association is moving its headquarters to UF’s College of Education. COE Professor Craig Wood, the new executive director of AEFA, will manage the organization from Norman Hall beginning July 1. (more)
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NEWS AND NOTICES
Former Congressman Bob Barr to address teacher educators at UF
Former Congressman Bob Barr (R-Ga.), an outspoken critic of both the Clinton and Bush administrations, will be among the featured speakers at a civics education seminar held by the College of Education in June. (more)
Teacher inquiry showcase offers a view from the front lines of education
How can a school suspend unruly students without putting them even further behind academically? How do you explain the real-world use of foreign language or geometry to students who just don’t get it? What does it take to make gifted students do more than coast through the FCAT? Hundreds of classroom teachers will discuss these and dozens of other major issues in education in the Teaching, Inquiry and Innovation Showcase, to be held April 21 at the Performing Arts Center at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School.
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FACULTY/STAFF HONORS/APPOINTMENTS
Tucker, Green named Staff Members of the Year
Vicki Tucker manages millions of dollars in grants for the Department of Special Education. Elaine Green saved the college hundreds of thousands of dollars when she spotted a computer error. Both were honored as Staff Members of the Year at the college’s Staff Appreciation Luncheon in March.
Garrett appointed to ASGW fellowship
Associate Professor Michael T. Garrett was named a Fellow of the Association for Specialists in Group Work, or ASGW, at the American Counseling Association Annual Convention held in Detroit in March. The ASGW represents around 900 group work specialists and teacher educators nationwide.
Adams honored for efforts to prepare out-of-field mathematics teachers
The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System recently honored Professor and Graduate Studies Director Thomasenia Lott Adams for her work in developing an online professional development module for educators who are teaching mathematics out-of-field. Adams was given the Distinguished Service Award for her work on the module, which helps out-of-field teachers prepare for mathematics testing with the state.
Two from EAP honored by community college researchers
Two faculty members from the Department of Educational Administration and Policy – Professor Dale Campbell and Professor and Chair Linda Serra Hagedorn – were honored April 13 by the Council for the Study of Community Colleges.
Service, Leadership awards to Conwill
The Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, or AMCD, has awarded Associate Professor William Conwill its Meritorious Service Award and its Exemplary Diversity Leadership Award. A division of the American Counseling Association, the AMCD is focused on preparing global leadership, research, training and development for multicultural counseling professionals with a focus on racial and ethnic issues.
Special education instructor named UF Research Foundation professor
The University of Florida Research Foundation awarded a three-year Research Professorship to COE Special Education instructor Stephen W. Smith, the second time in seven years he has received the prestigious designation.
Fu joins NCTE commission on the teaching of writing
The National Council of Teachers of English has appointed UF Education Professor Danling Fu to its Commission on Composition, the deliberative and advisory body that helps set policy for NCTE and its 60,000 member teachers and institutions. The commission identifies and reports on key issues in the teaching of writing for the NCTE, recommends new projects for the organization, and suggests new topics for books produced by NCTE, among other duties.
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STUDENT HONORS/AWARDS
Student research on Muslim teens wins grant
Shifa Podikunju-Hussain, a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education, received a $500 research grant from the Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling for her research on the acculturation issues of Muslim teens in the United States. The research, which is part of her dissertation, was also profiled in the April 2007 issue of the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Today.
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PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS
Conwill presents at American Counseling Association
Assistant Professor William Conwill presented “Multicultural Competencies: African Americans” at the National Conference of the American Counseling Association in Detroit, Mich., March 21-25. At the conference, Conwill directed the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development’s town hall meeting, titled “Special Interest Groups Collaborate on Issues of Multicultural Importance.”
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DISSERTATION DEFENSES
Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the following dissertation defenses. Please RSVP if you plan to attend:
A Cognitive Application of Personality Testing: Measuring Entrepreneurialism in America’s Community Colleges
Doctoral candidate: Matthew Basham
1 p.m. April 30, Norman Hall Room 290
RSVP to: Dale Campbell, dfc@ufl.edu
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P.K. YONGE NEWS
PKY to man the barricades in ‘Les Miserables’
This season’s hottest theatrical production features a revolving stage, an 18-piece orchestra and an award-winning cast. But it’s not a Broadway show on tour in Gainesville – it’s the students of P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School performing Les Miserables. Evening performances will be held April 27-28 and May 4-5 at 7 p.m., and matinee performances will be held April 28 and May 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and PKY faculty. Forty percent of tickets have already been sold, so come to the school’s front office to get yours – or order them at any Ticketmaster outlet (additional fees may apply).
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IN THE NEWS
A recent sampling of “media hits” from the College of Education, many of them resulting from press releases or media requests coordinated by COE News & Publications:
Associated Press (4/11/07)
The AP covered a legislative proposal to name the College of Education after former Florida Gov. John Ellis “Jeb” Bush. The AP coverage, and follow-ups to it, ran in most major Florida newspapers, including The Miami Herald, The St. Petersburg Times and The Orlando Sentinel, as well as local outlets such as The Gainesville Sun and The Independent Florida Alligator.
Inside Higher Ed – Dean Catherine Emihovich (4/10/07)
Emihovich was quoted in a story on collective efforts by several colleges – including UF – to overhaul the Ed.D. degree.
Monitor on Psychology – Professor and Chair Mark Shermis, Educational Psychology (4/2/07)
Shermis was quoted on automatic essay scoring in a story about the American Psychological Association’s Division 5, which focuses on evaluation and measurement.
Counseling Today – Doctoral Candidate Shifa Podikunju-Hussain, Counselor Education (4/1/07)
The magazine did an extensive report on Podikunju-Hussain’s research on the acculturation issues of Muslim teens in the United States.
Independent Florida Alligator – Professor and Chair Linda Serra Hagedorn, EAP (3/27/07)
Hagedorn was quoted in coverage of her recent study which found that Hispanic community college students show better academic performance at schools with large Hispanic populations.
Gainesville Sun – News and Publications Director Larry Lansford (3/30/07)
Lansford was quoted in a story on the 2008 U.S. News and World Report rankings of America’s graduate schools.
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CALENDAR
APRIL 18-21
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Annual Convention
Louisville, Ky.
contact: Shaira Rivas-Otero, 392-0701, ext: 242 or srivas@coe.ufl.edu
APRIL 25
Last Day of Spring Classes
APRIL 25
Scholarship of Engagement Banquet
5-6 p.m. (Check-in and Reception), 6-9pm (program), Emerson Alumni Hall
Contact: Jodi Mount, 392-0728, ext. 250 or jmount@coe.ufl.edu
MAY 3
UF Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony
For all advanced degrees (Ph.D, Ed.D, masters, specialists)
2 p.m., Stephen C. O’Connell Center
MAY 4
UF College of Education hosts the Florida Distinguished Educators
Contact: Jodi Mount, 392-0728, ext. 250 or jmount@coe.ufl.edu
MAY 5
Spring Commencement Ceremony
9 a.m., Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
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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: Larry Lansford (llansford@coe.ufl.edu)
Editor: Tim Lockette (Lockette@coe.ufl.edu)
Correspondents:
Alexander Stern, Student Writer
Marta Pollitt, P.K. Yonge (mpollitt@pky.ufl.edu)
