Building Our Future - The University of Akron
Building Our Future - The University of Akron Building Our Future - The University of Akron
Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 Building Our Future The Magazine for Alumni and Friends of the College of Education The University of Akron
- Page 2 and 3: College of Education Welcome Educat
- Page 4 and 5: Stacey Buser Accreditations Sport S
- Page 6 and 7: Adwoa Badoe Literacy: Building a St
- Page 8 and 9: STEM Opportunities Serve as a Basis
- Page 10 and 11: STEM Opportunities Front row, from
- Page 12 and 13: Alumni Make Their Mark as Cornersto
- Page 14 and 15: Americans celebrate their time in F
- Page 16 and 17: Faculty, Students and Alumni Frame
- Page 18 and 19: Mentoring: a Blueprint for Successf
- Page 20: NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
Education<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
2008-2009<br />
<strong>Building</strong> <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Future</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Magazine for Alumni and Friends<br />
<strong>of</strong> the College <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong>
College <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
Welcome<br />
Education HIGHLIGHTS<br />
2008-2009<br />
Published by the College <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
DEAN’S OFFICE<br />
Dean<br />
Dr. Mark Shermis<br />
(May 2009)<br />
Interim Dean<br />
Dr. Cynthia Capers<br />
(2007-2009)<br />
Associate Dean<br />
Dr. Sajit Zachariah<br />
Assistant Dean, Student Services<br />
Dr. Evonn Welton<br />
Director, Data Management<br />
and Information Technology<br />
Eileen Pennisi<br />
Director, Assessment and Accreditation<br />
Dr. Karen Herrington<br />
Director, Graduate Outreach Programs<br />
Barbara Jenkins<br />
Director, Student Teaching<br />
and Field Experience<br />
Pam Spinner<br />
Coordinator, Certification/Licensure<br />
Dr. Jaci Wilbanks<br />
DEPARTMENTS<br />
Counseling<br />
Dr. Karin Jordan<br />
Curricular and Instructional Studies (CIS)<br />
Dr. Bridgie Ford<br />
Educational Foundations<br />
and Leadership (EFL)<br />
Dr. Susan Olson<br />
Sport Science and Wellness<br />
Education (SSWE)<br />
Dr. Victor Pinheiro<br />
For more information, contact:<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
College <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
Dean’s Office<br />
<strong>Akron</strong>, OH 44325-4201<br />
Phone: 330-972-7680<br />
Fax: 330-972-5636<br />
www.uakron.edu/colleges/educ<br />
Editor<br />
Dr. Shelley Waltonen-Moore<br />
Local Teacher<br />
Dedicated to<br />
<strong>Building</strong> the <strong>Future</strong><br />
Front Cover: Barb Baltrinic,<br />
a celebrated <strong>Akron</strong> Public<br />
School (APS) Teacher and<br />
one <strong>of</strong> Ohio’s elite National<br />
Board Certified Teachers<br />
(see p. 19), retired from<br />
APS in June 2009 after 35<br />
years <strong>of</strong> service. Baltrinic<br />
is featured teaching with<br />
Honor Student, LaMonica<br />
Turneur (Ellet HS ‘09),<br />
both <strong>of</strong> whom will join<br />
UA in fall 2009. Baltrinic<br />
will continue to build the<br />
future through her new<br />
role supervising the work<br />
<strong>of</strong> student teachers and<br />
Turneur will join UA as an<br />
entering college freshman.<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
Welcomes 18th Dean,<br />
Dr. Mark Shermis<br />
<strong>The</strong> College <strong>of</strong> Education is pleased to announce that<br />
Mark Shermis, Ph.D., has been appointed dean. Shermis<br />
joins us from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Florida, where he served as<br />
chair <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Educational Psychology in the<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Education.<br />
Shermis earned a doctorate and master’s degree in<br />
educational psychology at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Michigan and<br />
a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology at the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Kansas. He is a licensed psychologist in the<br />
states <strong>of</strong> Florida, California and Indiana.<br />
“It is truly an honor to be selected as the incoming dean<br />
for UA’s College <strong>of</strong> Education,” says Shermis. “It is clear<br />
that the college has a passion for developing quality<br />
education programs and educators who are held in high<br />
regard. My challenge will be to help it maintain and build<br />
a competitive edge — both here in Ohio and nationally.”<br />
We extend a warm welcome to Dean Shermis and<br />
enthusiastically look forward to his leadership!<br />
TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
2 Welcome New Dean<br />
3 Dean’s Message<br />
4 Accreditations<br />
5 New Faculty & Staff<br />
6 Literacy<br />
7 Bridges to Learning<br />
Center for Literacy Book Fair<br />
8 STEM Opportunities<br />
9 First STEM Middle School<br />
10 Rubber Band Contest<br />
Making Mathematics Work<br />
11 Scholarships<br />
12 Alumni Make <strong>The</strong>ir Mark<br />
13 International Student Teaching<br />
14 News from FATITI<br />
15 Faculty, Students &<br />
Alumni Awards<br />
18 Mentoring<br />
20 Changing Campus Landscape<br />
2
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Dean’s Message<br />
Dear Colleagues and Friends,<br />
<strong>Building</strong> — I have used this word in so many ways to describe the numerous activities that have occurred<br />
within the College <strong>of</strong> Education during this current academic year. <strong>Building</strong>, as a structure or process,<br />
represents the coming together <strong>of</strong> elements for the purpose <strong>of</strong> advancing to a higher level. Effective<br />
building endeavors require strategic use <strong>of</strong> resources coupled with synergism to maximize outcomes.<br />
Well, that is what the College <strong>of</strong> Education has been all about during the past year — on all fronts.<br />
Through synergism, perseverance and diligent attention, the College has directed significant time to<br />
buttressing our foundation by receiving continued accreditation status for two <strong>of</strong> our premier academic<br />
programs. <strong>Our</strong> efforts continue as we prepare for a reaccreditation visit in October from the National<br />
Council for Accreditation <strong>of</strong> Teacher Education (NCATE) for our licensure teacher education programs.<br />
<strong>The</strong> synergistic work <strong>of</strong> the college with our <strong>University</strong> and community partners is essential to achieve<br />
positive outcomes <strong>of</strong> all accreditation efforts.<br />
Through creative energy, external funding, entrepreneurial activities and research endeavors, faculty and<br />
staff energetically implemented several innovative programs. You will read about the excellence in our<br />
programs, such as our literacy and STEM initiatives. <strong>The</strong>se examples illustrate that we are on the cutting<br />
edge in <strong>of</strong>fering programs that address 21 st century skills.<br />
In a literal sense we are also in the process <strong>of</strong> planning a new building for the College <strong>of</strong> Education. This<br />
endeavor has two phases. <strong>The</strong> first is the relocation <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Sport Science and Wellness<br />
Education (SSWE) from Memorial Hall to the new stadium building. <strong>The</strong> next phase is the design <strong>of</strong> a<br />
stand-alone structure for the College <strong>of</strong> Education as a signature building flanking the Student Union in<br />
the heart <strong>of</strong> campus.<br />
We continue to “build capacity” through strategic hires <strong>of</strong> administrators, faculty and other personnel,<br />
which enable us to make academic advances. A hallmark accomplishment is that after a national search,<br />
Dr. Mark Shermis has been appointed to lead the College <strong>of</strong> Education as its next dean. In this role he<br />
will build on its many accomplishments and carve new pathways for the college in preparing Educators as<br />
Decision Makers.<br />
This is an exciting time for the college and I am delighted to have shared in the building process<br />
as interim dean for the past two years. Through the collective activities and leadership <strong>of</strong> college<br />
administrators, faculty, students and alumni, we have advanced College <strong>of</strong> Education goals <strong>of</strong> excellence<br />
in teaching, research and service. Thanks to all who have participated with us in our building endeavors.<br />
I hope you enjoy reading about the many accomplishments <strong>of</strong> the past year in this issue <strong>of</strong> “Education<br />
Highlights.”<br />
In appreciation,<br />
Cynthia Capers, Ph.D., Interim Dean<br />
<strong>The</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Sport Science and Wellness<br />
Education will be housed in the new stadium.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 3
Stacey Buser<br />
Accreditations<br />
Sport Science and<br />
Wellness Education Receives<br />
Continued Accreditation<br />
What a delight to share that the Athletic Training Education<br />
Program in the Department <strong>of</strong> Sport Science and Wellness<br />
Education has received continued accreditation from the<br />
Commission <strong>of</strong> Accreditation <strong>of</strong> Athletic Training Education<br />
(CAATE). Congratulations to the faculty and staff in the Athletic<br />
Training Education Program, particularly Stacey Buser, clinical<br />
instructor, who led the writing <strong>of</strong> the report and preparation for<br />
the visit; Carrie Fister, instructor, who led the clinical education<br />
component; and Victor Pinheiro, department chair (SSWE), who<br />
provided administrative leadership for the accreditation and all in the<br />
department who had a key role in this marvelous outcome! <strong>The</strong> next<br />
comprehensive review will occur in the 2012-2013 academic year.<br />
Provide Framework for the College<br />
Counseling Receives<br />
Continued Accreditation<br />
<strong>The</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Counseling received a stellar report from the site<br />
visitors <strong>of</strong> the Council for Accreditation <strong>of</strong> Counseling and Related<br />
Educational Programs (CACREP). We are happy to announce<br />
accreditation in all <strong>of</strong> our CACREP programs: school counseling,<br />
community counseling, marriage and family therapy/counseling and<br />
counselor education and supervision. Congratulations are extended<br />
to counseling’s faculty and staff. Sincere gratitude goes to Cynthia<br />
Reynolds, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (counseling), who led the preparation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
self-study and Karin Jordan, department chair (counseling), for her<br />
leadership in preparing the department for the visit.<br />
Cynthia Reynolds<br />
Special recognition goes<br />
to Karen Herrington,<br />
director <strong>of</strong> assessment and<br />
accreditation, who played<br />
a vital role in both <strong>of</strong> these<br />
accreditation efforts.<br />
4
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Meet <strong>Our</strong><br />
New Colleagues<br />
Betsy Kerns academic<br />
adviser<br />
Education: M.A.,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
Rebecca McElfresh<br />
instructor, EFL<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
Kent State <strong>University</strong><br />
Jane Beese<br />
instructor, EFL<br />
Education: Ed.D.,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
Karen Larwin<br />
visiting assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor, EFL<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
Kent State <strong>University</strong><br />
Brenda Reichert<br />
administrative assistant,<br />
dean’s <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
Kuldhir Bhati<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor,<br />
counseling<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Wisconsin-Madison<br />
Seungbum Lee<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor,<br />
SSWE<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Minnesota<br />
Amanda Rovnak<br />
coordinator, clinic<br />
for individual and<br />
family counseling<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
Holly Englert<br />
program coordinator,<br />
Jumpstart <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
Education: M.A.,<br />
Eastern Michigan<br />
<strong>University</strong><br />
Nidaa Makki<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CIS<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
Kent State <strong>University</strong><br />
Pamela Spinner<br />
director, student<br />
teaching and<br />
field experiences<br />
Education: M.Ed.,<br />
Kent State <strong>University</strong><br />
Julie Harhay<br />
administrative assistant<br />
(CIS)<br />
Education: B.A.,<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
Leisa Martin<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor, CIS<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Oklahoma<br />
I-Chun Tsai<br />
visiting instructor, EFL<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Missouri-Columbia<br />
Diane Hergenrather<br />
coordinator, projects,<br />
Franco-American<br />
Teachers-in-Training<br />
Institute<br />
Education: M.P.A.,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ohio State <strong>University</strong><br />
Lanna Martorana<br />
administrative assistant,<br />
EFL<br />
Ingrid Weigold<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor,<br />
counseling<br />
Education: Ph.D.,<br />
Texas Tech <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 5
Adwoa Badoe<br />
Literacy:<br />
<strong>Building</strong> a Strong Foundation<br />
Fall Reading Conference<br />
Promotes Thoughtful Literacy<br />
On Oct. 24, 2008, the Center for Literacy hosted “Fostering<br />
Thoughtful Literacy,” a statewide reading conference attended by<br />
nearly 500 educators from across the state. <strong>The</strong> annual conference<br />
is the result <strong>of</strong> a 15-year collaboration by the literacy faculty at<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong>, Kent State <strong>University</strong> and Youngstown<br />
State <strong>University</strong>. Noted literacy educator Linda Hoyt kicked <strong>of</strong>f<br />
the day <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional development with a keynote presentation,<br />
“Spotlight on Comprehension.”<br />
Conference attendees were visibly moved by international<br />
storyteller, educator and African dance instructor Adwoa<br />
Badoe’s stirring presentation, “Storytelling and Book Reading.”<br />
Participants also chose from more than 20 breakout sessions<br />
conducted by pre-K through higher education faculty, who shared<br />
their expertise on a variety <strong>of</strong> literacy topics. Faculty coordinators,<br />
Ruth Oswald, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), and Evangeline Newton,<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), noted that the inter-university conference has<br />
built a reputation for excellence over the years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> comments <strong>of</strong> Munroe Falls classroom teacher Jane<br />
Grover echo those <strong>of</strong> many participants, “This is my 30th year <strong>of</strong><br />
teaching. I have been to many, many conferences. <strong>The</strong> reading<br />
conference was excellent and the keynote speaker inspiring. <strong>The</strong><br />
sessions I attended were outstanding and I am already using their<br />
ideas in my class.”<br />
Charlene<br />
Williams <strong>of</strong><br />
JPMorgan<br />
Chase reads<br />
to Lincoln<br />
Elementary<br />
students.<br />
Lincoln Elementary School<br />
Comes to Campus<br />
What happens when you put 275<br />
kids, 20 adult volunteers and<br />
bags <strong>of</strong> good books together in<br />
a room in the Student Union?<br />
Lots <strong>of</strong> engagement, that’s what!<br />
On Nov. 24, 2008, a caravan<br />
<strong>of</strong> buses transported all <strong>of</strong> the<br />
students from <strong>Akron</strong>’s Lincoln<br />
Elementary School to campus.<br />
Once here, 20 volunteer readers<br />
— students, staff, faculty and<br />
community partners — greeted<br />
the youngsters and then read<br />
them books from a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> genres, including poetry,<br />
biography, true stories and<br />
fiction. <strong>The</strong> Lincoln students<br />
engaged in the reading by<br />
listening intently, excitedly<br />
pointing to illustrations,<br />
sometimes laughing and even<br />
chiming in on repetitive phrases.<br />
One second grader appreciated<br />
the reading so much that he<br />
repeatedly placed a nickel in the<br />
volunteer reader’s hands!<br />
<strong>The</strong> event, coordinated<br />
by Jackie Peck, visiting<br />
associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS),<br />
was funded by the JPMorgan<br />
Chase Foundation, which<br />
also provides service learning<br />
tutors for Lincoln students<br />
and pr<strong>of</strong>essional development<br />
resources for the teachers.<br />
Cherry Gore, Lincoln’s<br />
principal, was pleased to<br />
introduce her students to the<br />
campus.<br />
From left, retired school teacher Jennie Vlanton,<br />
Evangeline Newton and Linda Hoyt.<br />
6
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Bridges to Learning<br />
Early childhood teacher candidates bridged theory and methods<br />
with pr<strong>of</strong>essional field practice through two unique experiential<br />
classroom projects.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first, “<strong>The</strong> Book in the Bag,” has been a highlight <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Integrated Primary Curriculum calendar since its introduction four<br />
years ago through a pilot program sponsored by a service-learning<br />
grant. Each UA student has created an inquiry-based learning bag,<br />
integrating the content areas around a chosen trade book. <strong>The</strong><br />
activities they develop then provide hands-on, fun-filled times in<br />
their cooperating <strong>Akron</strong> Public School classrooms. At the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />
field experience, the bags remain as gifts to the classrooms.<br />
Book in the Bag<br />
Jacki Gordon<br />
<strong>The</strong> second project, “Thinking Outside the Box,” is another<br />
example <strong>of</strong> hands-on learning. Students in Advanced Integrated<br />
Primary Curriculum created game-based learning experiences<br />
housed in pizza boxes. <strong>The</strong>se new learning tools reinforce concepts<br />
in areas where students are struggling, and they proved very popular.<br />
Jacki Gordon, visiting assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), views the projects as<br />
creating many more bridges to learning than originally thought.<br />
“It has bridged theory and authentic practice, the <strong>University</strong> with<br />
the community, teacher candidates with the students in their field<br />
classrooms and even teacher candidates as they enter classrooms to<br />
discover gifts left by former UA students,” she notes.<br />
Gordon believes that her <strong>University</strong> students have come to<br />
understand a teacher’s role as a “difference maker” where one can<br />
enrich the lives <strong>of</strong> others through their many gifts.<br />
Center for<br />
Literacy Book Fair<br />
Featured Writer in<br />
Residence Vanita<br />
Oelschlager<br />
<strong>The</strong> Center for Literacy’s<br />
Writer in Residence, Vanita<br />
Oelschlager, held a book<br />
fair in November 2008. <strong>The</strong><br />
community was invited to<br />
visit with her and have one<br />
<strong>of</strong> her many children’s books<br />
autographed. Proceeds from<br />
several titles benefitted the<br />
Center for Literacy.<br />
<strong>The</strong> net proceeds from the sale<br />
<strong>of</strong> Oelschlager’s books benefit<br />
the Oak Clinic for Multiple<br />
Sclerosis and other charities.<br />
Two new books were published<br />
in spring 2009, “Ivy in Bloom”<br />
and “Birds <strong>of</strong> a Feather.”<br />
To learn more, visit<br />
www.vanitabooks.com<br />
Thinking Outside the Box<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 7
STEM Opportunities<br />
Serve as a Basis for Ingenuity and Enthusiasm<br />
Explore Robotics: STEM Program<br />
“Students who normally<br />
are a little timid found<br />
their voice and confidently<br />
taught others about the<br />
program. It was amazing!”<br />
It starts with the build! Students<br />
construct and program their<br />
robots to accomplish the mission.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Explore Robotics<br />
program <strong>of</strong>fered through<br />
the College <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
provides opportunities for<br />
middle school students in<br />
<strong>Akron</strong> Public Schools (APS) to<br />
experience science, technology,<br />
engineering and mathematics<br />
(STEM) in innovative ways.<br />
By integrating computers,<br />
programming s<strong>of</strong>tware<br />
(Lego Robolab 2.9 and Lego<br />
Mindstorm NXT) and building<br />
materials into a cooperative<br />
learning environment, student<br />
teams work to find solutions<br />
to mechanical and technical<br />
challenges.<br />
Ohio Academic Content<br />
Standards are aligned with<br />
these problem-solving scenarios<br />
(missions) to provide<br />
opportunities for hands-on<br />
learning. Even as the students<br />
become adept at manipulating<br />
their robots, they are mastering<br />
specific learning objectives and<br />
developing skills in teamwork,<br />
communication and problem<br />
solving.<br />
<strong>The</strong> program, initially funded<br />
with a grant from the Knight<br />
Foundation obtained by<br />
Sharon Kruse, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(EFL), provided afterschool<br />
and summer enrichment<br />
opportunities to students at<br />
Perkins Middle School. Tim<br />
Sisson, project coordinator,<br />
further developed the program<br />
with cooperation from APS,<br />
Summit County Job and Family<br />
Services and the National<br />
Inventors Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame STEM<br />
Middle School. <strong>The</strong> program has<br />
expanded to include Reidinger<br />
and Miller South middle schools.<br />
On Feb. 3, 2009, the Explore<br />
Robots and their middle school<br />
creators “stormed” the eTech<br />
Ohio Conference. Students from<br />
all three middle schools modeled<br />
maturity, teamwork, knowledge<br />
and pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism as they<br />
demonstrated their robots to<br />
an audience. <strong>The</strong> audience<br />
responses yielded interest on<br />
several levels – with curriculum<br />
materials, lessons learned and, <strong>of</strong><br />
course, the engineers behind the<br />
robots.<br />
“It was amazing to see the<br />
students walk up to teachers,<br />
superintendents and others and<br />
introduce themselves with a<br />
handshake and then lead their<br />
guests through the various<br />
missions on display,” says Sisson.<br />
“Students who normally are a<br />
little timid found their voice and<br />
confidently taught others about<br />
the program. It was amazing!”<br />
It is hoped the Explore Robotics<br />
Program can <strong>of</strong>fer more students<br />
across Summit County and<br />
beyond, opportunities to hone<br />
their STEM skills and have<br />
similar positive outcomes. <strong>The</strong><br />
program is looking to more fully<br />
develop a model for classroom<br />
use, continue the afterschool/<br />
summer enrichment program<br />
and to “invade” eTech again in<br />
2010 with new ideas and lessons<br />
learned.<br />
Tim Sisson “Explores Robotics” with two middle<br />
school students who engineered their robots for<br />
a high level mission at the eTech conference.<br />
8
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Construction on the First STEM Middle<br />
School in the Nation Under Way<br />
As Northeast Ohio undergoes a transformation<br />
from supporting an industrial age economy to an<br />
information or solutions-based economy, basic<br />
organizations, structures and relationships must<br />
evolve.<br />
To that end, the <strong>Akron</strong> Public Schools (APS),<br />
along with the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong>, <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Akron</strong> and the National Inventors Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />
Foundation (NIHFF) began collaborating in<br />
2004 to create a concept for a cutting edge<br />
school titled the National Inventors Hall <strong>of</strong><br />
Fame School...Center for Science, Technology,<br />
Engineering and Mathematics Learning.<br />
Additional partners in this effort now include<br />
the Greater <strong>Akron</strong> Chamber and <strong>Akron</strong><br />
Tomorrow.<br />
<strong>The</strong> STEM-focused middle school will be housed<br />
in the renovated National Inventors Hall <strong>of</strong> Fame<br />
on the western edge <strong>of</strong> campus. It will serve<br />
students <strong>of</strong> all ability levels in grades 5-8, with 100<br />
to 125 students admitted per grade. <strong>The</strong> school<br />
will provide a unique opportunity for UA in that<br />
it will be a Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Development School,<br />
bringing undergraduate and graduate students<br />
into the classrooms. (Since the renovation project<br />
is scheduled for completion in 2010, the NIHF<br />
STEM School will initially open to 210 fifth and<br />
sixth graders at the APS district <strong>of</strong>fice on West<br />
Market Street.)<br />
<strong>The</strong> decision to begin at the middle school level<br />
(grades 5-8) was purposeful, reflecting research<br />
that indicates that middle school is the time in<br />
which students “fall out <strong>of</strong> the pipeline” and<br />
decide math or science is not for them. <strong>The</strong><br />
program is based on research and best practices<br />
on math and science learning. Along with partner<br />
expertise, it will be a model for other schools and<br />
public school districts.<br />
As a 2008 recipient <strong>of</strong> the Ohio STEM Schools<br />
planning grant, the NIHF school is one <strong>of</strong> five<br />
STEM schools, and the only middle school, in the<br />
Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN). <strong>The</strong><br />
schools are linked and poised to learn from each<br />
other and to share best practices. Funding for the<br />
network was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates<br />
Foundation and the Battelle Foundation.<br />
For more information, visit<br />
www.akronscienceschool.com<br />
Vision<br />
To provide the highest quality<br />
education experience for<br />
students that ensures creativity<br />
and inventive thinking<br />
through a focus on science,<br />
mathematics and technology.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 9
STEM Opportunities<br />
Front row, from left, Max Aifer (first place),<br />
Grant Neil (second place); and Jared Mann (third<br />
place). Back row, from left, Carin Helfer, AGPA<br />
Science Education Outreach, and Katharine Owens,<br />
associate director <strong>of</strong> operations.<br />
Rubber Band Contest<br />
for Young Inventors<br />
Who knew that rubber bands could help you water your plants while<br />
you’re on vacation or generate electricity? <strong>The</strong>se are only two <strong>of</strong> the<br />
innovative uses for rubber bands demonstrated at the first annual<br />
Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors at UA.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Global Polymer Academy (AGPA) hosted the contest<br />
with its partners, the Rubber Division <strong>of</strong> the American Chemical<br />
Society and the National Museum <strong>of</strong> Education. To promote the<br />
contest, AGPA teachers wrote science and social studies lessons for<br />
middle school classes and released the academy’s first animated film,<br />
“A Brief History <strong>of</strong> Rubber.”<br />
Katharine Owens, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), and AGPA’s associate director <strong>of</strong><br />
operations, proudly announced the names <strong>of</strong> three young inventors<br />
– Max Aifer, Grant Neil and Jared Mann - who were honored for<br />
their creations at an awards ceremony on Feb. 14, 2009.<br />
AGPA, which already produces lesson plans, conducts campus tours<br />
and delivers our summer institute, has launched other initiatives,<br />
which include recognizing the Polymer Teacher <strong>of</strong> the Month and<br />
providing information for conducting Polymer Family Nights.<br />
In 2008, AGPA began partnerships with several organizations to<br />
enhance teachers’ pr<strong>of</strong>essional development. <strong>The</strong>y are: Barberton<br />
City Schools, Westlake City School District, COSMOS Center at<br />
Bowling Green State <strong>University</strong>, the Science Education Outreach<br />
Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, ASM International and<br />
Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center.<br />
For more information, visit www.agpa.uakron.edu<br />
Making<br />
Mathematics<br />
Work<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ohio Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Education has awarded Linda<br />
Marie Saliga, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (theoretical and<br />
applied mathematics), and<br />
Lynne Pachnowski, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(CIS), a Mathematics Initiative<br />
grant. Titled “Making<br />
Mathematics Work,” the<br />
$200,000 project provided a<br />
fall 2008 workshop for 100<br />
fourth through ninth grade<br />
teachers that addressed the<br />
underlying reasons why many<br />
<strong>of</strong> the rules in mathematics<br />
were developed. Saliga and<br />
Pachnowski worked to increase<br />
the conceptual understanding<br />
and pedagogical content<br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> the teachers in the<br />
project. During spring 2009, the<br />
teachers developed,<br />
taught and refined lessons that<br />
implemented much <strong>of</strong> the new<br />
knowledge they acquired.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> project has engaged so<br />
many middle level teachers in<br />
the discussion <strong>of</strong> getting at the<br />
root <strong>of</strong> so many math ‘rules’<br />
that have been passed down<br />
for years,” notes Pachnowski.<br />
“If this project is successful,<br />
more teachers will produce<br />
students who are able to feel<br />
that they understand ‘why’<br />
they do what they do and who<br />
will be able to create their<br />
own procedures. Students and<br />
their teachers should feel that<br />
mathematical understanding is<br />
not something for a select few,<br />
but is something all students<br />
can possess.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> grant was obtained in<br />
collaboration with the High<br />
Schools That Work Northeast<br />
Ohio districts.<br />
Lynne Pachnowski<br />
10
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Scholarships<br />
Nurture <strong>Our</strong> <strong>Future</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> Dr. Sylvester Small Endowed<br />
Scholarship in Education<br />
In recognition <strong>of</strong> a nearly 40-year career devoted to education,<br />
the <strong>Akron</strong> community and its students, <strong>The</strong> Dr. Sylvester Small<br />
Endowed Scholarship in Education was established in 2008 upon<br />
Small’s retirement as superintendent <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Public Schools.<br />
Born in 1947, Small grew up in South <strong>Akron</strong> and graduated from<br />
Hower High School, Class <strong>of</strong> 1965. He went on to earn bachelor’s,<br />
master’s and doctorate degrees in education at <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Akron</strong> in 1970, 1976 and 1984, respectively.<br />
During his time as chief administrator <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Public Schools,<br />
Small is credited with transforming the district in several ways.<br />
Many who knew his work ethic believed that no student had a<br />
greater advocate than Small. Focusing on what was right and best for<br />
students, he helped pass operating levies and tax issues to provide<br />
important resources for <strong>Akron</strong>. He also raised the district’s academic<br />
performance rating, expanded education programs and fostered<br />
community partnerships. In addition, Small set in motion the<br />
physical transformation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Public Schools with an $800 million<br />
rebuilding project that will replace or renovate all school buildings<br />
in the district.<br />
Dr. Sylvester Small<br />
His scholarship stands to inspire students to “get out there and<br />
change the world” through education and service to others.<br />
<strong>The</strong> need-based scholarship will be awarded annually to an<br />
undergraduate student in the College <strong>of</strong> Education who is a<br />
graduate <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Public Schools.<br />
For more information on supporting<br />
or establishing a scholarship,<br />
please contact Kristi Brant, director<br />
<strong>of</strong> development, at 330-972-6112<br />
or kbrant@uakron.edu<br />
Homecoming<br />
Queen & King<br />
Education Majors<br />
Kendal First and<br />
Chad Jakubowski<br />
were crowned<br />
Homecoming<br />
Queen and King<br />
in fall 2008.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 11
Alumni Make <strong>The</strong>ir Mark<br />
as Cornerstones in Educational Leadership<br />
UA Alums Among<br />
Top Educators in<br />
Summit County<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> graduates<br />
Teresa Noland and Sylvester<br />
Small took home top honors on<br />
Oct. 14, 2008, at the inaugural<br />
Summit County Education<br />
Celebration event at UA’s<br />
Student Union Ballroom.<br />
Noland, a fifth-grade teacher<br />
at <strong>Akron</strong>’s Glover Elementary<br />
School, was awarded the Teacher<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Year honor. Noland, who<br />
has taught for 20 years in the<br />
<strong>Akron</strong> district, was one <strong>of</strong> 20<br />
outstanding teachers nominated<br />
for the award.<br />
All-County Teaching Team<br />
Sylvester Small<br />
In addition to Noland, 19<br />
teachers (nine <strong>of</strong> whom are<br />
UA graduates, denoted in blue<br />
below) were named to the<br />
All-County Teaching Team.<br />
Susan Alexander, Portage<br />
Lakes Career Center; Betty<br />
Banks-Burke, Hudson City<br />
Schools; Shirley Burris,<br />
Cuyahoga Falls City Schools;<br />
Rebecca Dimeff, Coventry<br />
Local Schools; John Faust,<br />
Revere Local Schools; Norma<br />
Hammond, Woodridge High<br />
School; Nancy Jones, Tallmadge<br />
High School; Jeanette Lander,<br />
Stow-Munroe Falls City<br />
Schools; Michael McDonald,<br />
St. Sebastian School;<br />
Lisa Milano, Twinsburg<br />
High School; Paula Murphy,<br />
Springfield Local Schools; Eric<br />
Muzi, Green Local Schools;<br />
Bradley Petraitis, Manchester<br />
High School; Bruce Parker,<br />
Mogadore Local Schools; Janis<br />
Roskoph, Nordonia Hills City<br />
Schools; Danielle Starkey,<br />
Barberton City Schools; Harry<br />
Timms, Norton High School;<br />
MarySue Watson, Chapel Hill<br />
Christian School; and Mary Jo<br />
Worthington, Copley-Fairlawn<br />
City Schools.<br />
Small, a retired <strong>Akron</strong> Public<br />
Schools superintendent,<br />
received the Lifetime Educator<br />
Achievement Award. During<br />
his career, Small worked as<br />
a teacher, assistant principal,<br />
principal and administrator in<br />
the <strong>Akron</strong> school system before<br />
becoming superintendent in<br />
2001.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Summit County Education<br />
Celebration was sponsored by<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong>, <strong>Akron</strong><br />
Children’s Hospital, WKDD-<br />
FM, WHLO-AM, WTOU-AM,<br />
<strong>Akron</strong> Beacon Journal, Summit<br />
County Education Service<br />
Center, Ohio National Guard,<br />
Sterling Jewelers and Summit<br />
Federal Credit Union.<br />
12
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Bridging<br />
the Global Divide<br />
Sarah Vue pauses to soak in the<br />
beauty <strong>of</strong> Old San Juan while<br />
student teaching in Puerto Rico.<br />
International Student<br />
Teaching Opportunities<br />
Expand to Four Continents<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2008-09 academic year has been one full <strong>of</strong><br />
international adventure, learning and classroom<br />
experiences for several pre-service teacher candidates.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> opportunity to venture out <strong>of</strong> Ohio to practice<br />
teaching methodologies and classroom management<br />
skills learned here at <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong>, as well<br />
as learn more about other cultures, was one they were<br />
eager to experience,” says Pam Spinner, director <strong>of</strong><br />
student teaching and field experiences.<br />
“Traveling and teaching in other countries allows them<br />
to bring a unique perspective to the classroom, along<br />
with an appreciation for diversity and culture that can<br />
only be gained through an experience such as this,”<br />
adds Spinner.<br />
In all, UA placed students in<br />
four continents and seven countries<br />
Puerto Rico<br />
Renee Hervich, Whitney Ridgway, Daniel Ryals,<br />
Sarah Vue and Debra Lilly-Lagani<br />
Italy<br />
Lindsay Pennington, Patrick D’Andrea<br />
and Katie Stasen<br />
Japan<br />
David McGuire<br />
Germany<br />
Jessica Peterson<br />
Australia<br />
Matthew Chojnacki<br />
France<br />
Gregory Golden<br />
Mexico City, Mexico<br />
April Levack<br />
“Going to Puerto Rico<br />
was the best thing<br />
I’ve ever done. This<br />
experience allowed<br />
me to develop<br />
sensitivity to different<br />
cultures and customs.”<br />
– Sarah Vue<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 13
Americans celebrate their time<br />
in France at a closing ceremony.<br />
Bridging<br />
the Global Divide<br />
News from Franco-American<br />
Teachers-in-Training Institute (FATITI)<br />
Already in its third exciting year, this international exchange<br />
program has proven to be a great success. Under the direction<br />
<strong>of</strong> Susan Colville-Hall, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), Sandra Spickard-<br />
Prettyman, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL) and Diane Hergenrather,<br />
program coordinator, the institute strives to encourage citizen<br />
diplomacy while advocating for better solutions to universal<br />
educational challenges. Exciting highlights included:<br />
An intensive linguistic training and cultural seminar in July 2008<br />
to prepare 16 American per-service teachers from 12 universities<br />
for their time in France. During a two-week orientation in Paris,<br />
the Americans lived with host families in Angers, met with local<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials and toured historical sites.<br />
Placement in 13 regions throughout France, including Bordeaux,<br />
Reims and Lorraine. <strong>The</strong> Americans worked with mentor<br />
teachers, observed French teaching methods and taught in their<br />
respective disciplines.<br />
Entry-Level Teachers from France in D.C.<br />
Zippy in DC<br />
<strong>The</strong> hosting <strong>of</strong> 22 entry-level<br />
teachers from France from<br />
January to March 2009 by<br />
FATITI. <strong>The</strong> French were<br />
exposed to English language<br />
lessons, diversity in the schools,<br />
state content standards and a trip<br />
to Washington, D.C.<br />
Michelle Wilson, <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong><br />
International Friendship,<br />
coordinated the housing<br />
placements with American<br />
families while they taught<br />
in area schools (Firestone,<br />
Springfield, Green, Stow-<br />
Munroe Falls, Norton, Nordonia,<br />
Tallmadge, Archbishop Hoban<br />
and Kent-Roosevelt high<br />
schools, and Manchester and<br />
Perkins middle schools).<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> Nebraska-<br />
Lincoln, a new partner for<br />
FATITI, made placements for<br />
seven <strong>of</strong> the French teachers.<br />
14
Megan A. Mannion<br />
Francis Broadway<br />
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Suzanne MacDonald<br />
Cynthia Reynolds<br />
Renee Mudrey Camino<br />
Sajit Zachariah<br />
Megan Moore Gardner<br />
Mary Jo MacCracken<br />
Fred Carr<br />
Jane Beese<br />
Faculty, Students and Alumni<br />
Frame the <strong>Future</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> following is a sampling <strong>of</strong><br />
the wonderful work that our<br />
faculty, contract pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
and students were engaged in<br />
over the past year. <strong>The</strong>y include<br />
honors, research, grant awards<br />
and publications.<br />
We’d like to specially recognize<br />
our Distinguished Education<br />
Alumni who were honored on<br />
April 14, 2009:<br />
Alexander Adams ‘62, ‘70,<br />
emeritus faculty, physical<br />
education, retired assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor UA<br />
David Axner<br />
‘78, ‘84, ‘97, superintendent,<br />
Dublin Schools<br />
Nicholi Cannon ‘68, ‘71,<br />
retired, <strong>Akron</strong> Public Schools<br />
Megan A. Mannion ‘91, ‘93,<br />
principal, Rankin Elementary<br />
School<br />
We congratulate the following<br />
faculty members on their<br />
prestigious promotion from<br />
associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor to pr<strong>of</strong>essor:<br />
Francis Broadway (CIS)<br />
Lisa Lenhart (CIS)<br />
Suzanne MacDonald (EFL)<br />
Cynthia Reynolds (counseling)<br />
Robert Schwartz (counseling)<br />
Sajit Zachariah (associate dean)<br />
Congratulations to these faculty<br />
members on the following<br />
honors awarded by the college:<br />
Renee Mudrey Camino,<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL),<br />
Outstanding Teacher<br />
Megan Moore Gardner,<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL),<br />
Outstanding Research<br />
Mary Jo MacCracken, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(SSWE), Outstanding Service<br />
Fred Carr, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL)<br />
and director <strong>of</strong> UA’s H. Kenneth<br />
Barker Center for Economic<br />
Education, and Jane Beese,<br />
instructor (EFL), received the<br />
Distinguished Research Award<br />
at the Allied Academies Fall<br />
2008 International Conference<br />
in Reno, Nev. <strong>The</strong>ir article,<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Federal Reserve Interest<br />
Rate Manipulations from 2000-<br />
07 and the Housing Mortgage<br />
Crisis <strong>of</strong> 2008” was published in<br />
the “Journal <strong>of</strong> Economics and<br />
Economic Education.”<br />
Susan Colville-Hall, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(CIS), announced that eight<br />
Ohio Core Teachers won<br />
scholarships to attend the Ohio<br />
Foreign Language Association<br />
2009 conference: Hilda Ahmad,<br />
Laura Kingsbury, Stella Munoz<br />
Rodriquez, Pingfen Sung,<br />
Marie Tanious, Jinnan Xu,<br />
Jian Yang and Yhang Zhang.<br />
Colville-Hall and Sandra<br />
Spickard-Prettyman, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL), were the<br />
recipients <strong>of</strong> $450,000 to support<br />
the Franco-American Teachersin-Training<br />
Institute.<br />
Bridgie Ford, department<br />
chair (CIS), and A. Daviso<br />
co-authored a 2009<br />
publication titled<br />
“Community<br />
Integration and<br />
Employment for<br />
Youth with Special<br />
Needs” for the<br />
“International<br />
Encyclopedia <strong>of</strong><br />
Education” (3 rd ed.).<br />
Bridgie Ford<br />
David Axner<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 15
Faculty, Students and Alumni<br />
Frame the <strong>Future</strong><br />
Chi Sigma Iota, a counseling<br />
honors society, recognized<br />
the following individuals as<br />
recipients <strong>of</strong> local awards –<br />
Outstanding Service, Christina<br />
Janevski; Outstanding<br />
Practitioner, Doris Atanmo-<br />
Randolph; and Fellowship<br />
Award, Maryann O. Meniru.<br />
CIS clinical instructors, Margo<br />
Kernen and Anne Varian, and<br />
part-time instructor Jerri Saltz,<br />
presented “Bullying in Schools:<br />
Tips for Supporting PDS Schools<br />
and Teachers in Minimizing<br />
Issues” at the 2009 National<br />
Association <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Development Schools (NAPDS)<br />
conference in Florida. In April<br />
2009, Kernen and Varian<br />
presented “Conflict Resolution<br />
Education: Enhancing the<br />
Student Teaching Experience”<br />
at the American Educational<br />
Research Association meeting<br />
in California.<br />
Congratulations to Alan<br />
Kornspan, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(SSWE), on the publication <strong>of</strong><br />
his 2009 book, “Fundamentals <strong>of</strong><br />
Sport and Exercise Psychology.”<br />
Lynn Kline, assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(CIS), Shernavaz Vakil,<br />
associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS)<br />
and Ruth Oswald, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), presented<br />
“Designing a Globally<br />
Competitive System <strong>of</strong><br />
Education” at the Association<br />
<strong>of</strong> Teacher Educators’ annual<br />
meeting in February 2009.<br />
<strong>The</strong> presentation focused<br />
on the collaborative process<br />
utilized to develop the new<br />
pedagogical core using the<br />
Transfer Assurance Guide<br />
(TAG) courses as a foundational<br />
base. While unable to attend,<br />
Karen Herrington, director <strong>of</strong><br />
assessment and accreditation,<br />
and Evonn Welton, assistant<br />
dean <strong>of</strong> student services,<br />
contributed to the presentation.<br />
Sharon Kruse, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL),<br />
is to be congratulated for her<br />
prolific writing, which includes<br />
the publication <strong>of</strong> three<br />
books! <strong>The</strong> first to appear<br />
in print is her 2009 book that<br />
she co-authored with K.S.<br />
Louis, “<strong>Building</strong> Strong School<br />
Cultures: A Guide to Leading<br />
Change.”<br />
Lisa Lenhart, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS),<br />
co-authored a 2009 book with<br />
K. Roskos and P. Tabors titled,<br />
“Oral Language and Early<br />
Literacy in Preschool: Talking<br />
Reading and Writing” (2 nd ed.).<br />
She was also awarded $1,323,016<br />
for Reading First initiatives.<br />
Mary Jo MacCracken, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(SSWE), co-presented a paper in<br />
September 2008 at the National<br />
Meeting <strong>of</strong> the Association <strong>of</strong><br />
Applied Sport Psychology in<br />
St. Louis titled, “Assessing<br />
Subjective Well-being in<br />
Minority Children Involved in<br />
Physical Activity.”<br />
Leisa Martin, assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), won the 2009<br />
Outstanding Faculty Award from<br />
the International Society for<br />
the Social Studies. She will also<br />
serve as the 2010 summer editor<br />
for Action in Teacher Education.<br />
Frank Merendino, a student in<br />
higher education administration,<br />
was selected by <strong>The</strong> Placement<br />
Exchange (TPE) to serve as<br />
one <strong>of</strong> 70 TPE Ambassadors<br />
across the nation (out <strong>of</strong> a pool<br />
<strong>of</strong> 350 applicants). Merendino<br />
and Sandra Coyner, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL), presented<br />
at the NASPA (Student<br />
Affairs Administrators in<br />
Higher Education) Region VI<br />
Conference in Lexington, Ky.,<br />
in November 2008.<br />
Christina Janevski<br />
Margo Kernen<br />
Anne Varian<br />
Shernavaz Vakil<br />
Lisa Lenhart<br />
Sharon Kruse<br />
Sandra Coyner<br />
16
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Nidda Makki, assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), along with<br />
Jessica Hopkins, assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (arts and sciences),<br />
Shannon Donnelly, visiting<br />
assistant pr<strong>of</strong>essor (arts and<br />
sciences), and Christopher<br />
Miller, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(engineering), were awarded<br />
$77,430 for “Drinking Water<br />
Issues as a Context for Problembased<br />
Science Instruction.”<br />
Congratulations to Evangeline<br />
Newton, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), on<br />
several recent publications. One<br />
work, published in 2008 with<br />
co-authors T. Rasinski, N. Padak<br />
and R. Newton, is titled, “Greek<br />
and Latin Roots: Keys<br />
to <strong>Building</strong> Vocabulary.”<br />
Under the leadership <strong>of</strong> Susan<br />
Olson, department chair<br />
(EFL), the Master’s Degree<br />
in Postsecondary Technical<br />
Education was approved for<br />
online delivery by the Ohio<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Regents in January<br />
2009. UA also applied for North<br />
Central Accreditation approval<br />
in spring 2009.<br />
Ruth Oswald, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), received<br />
the distinguished honor <strong>of</strong><br />
becoming the first inductee<br />
into the Ohio Reading Hall<br />
<strong>of</strong> Fame at the Ohio Council<br />
<strong>of</strong> the International Reading<br />
Association’s annual fall reading<br />
conference in November 2008.<br />
She is a past president <strong>of</strong> this<br />
organization and is chair <strong>of</strong> the<br />
publications committee.<br />
Ron Otterstetter, assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (SSWE), co-authored a<br />
2009 article on “Catecholamine<br />
Response to Hypoxia Induced<br />
Acute Mountain Sickness”<br />
published in “Aviation, Space<br />
and Environmental Medicine.”<br />
Lynne Pachnowski, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(CIS), received a grant from the<br />
Ohio Department <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
for $70,000 to host the 2009<br />
Summer Honors Institute.<br />
Victor Pinheiro, department<br />
chair (SSWE), was elected to the<br />
Green Local Schools Board <strong>of</strong><br />
Education (2007-2011).<br />
Cynthia Reynolds, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(counseling) and doctoral<br />
student, Laura Tejada,<br />
presented on ethics in play<br />
therapy at the International<br />
Association for Play <strong>The</strong>rapy<br />
conference in Dallas, Texas, in<br />
October 2008.<br />
James Rogers, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(counseling), recently published<br />
in “Death Studies” and the<br />
“Encyclopedia <strong>of</strong> Counseling.”<br />
He also presented at the<br />
Convention <strong>of</strong> the American<br />
Psychological Association, the<br />
XXIX International Congress <strong>of</strong><br />
Psychology and Shelter Care.<br />
Robert Schwartz, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(counseling), was appointed<br />
to the Counselor Education &<br />
Supervision journal editorial<br />
board. His 2008 publications<br />
are included in the “Journal<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mental Health” and the<br />
“Journal <strong>of</strong> Counseling and<br />
Development.”<br />
Victor Pinheiro<br />
Susan Olson James Rogers Robert Schwartz<br />
Lynn Smolen, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS),<br />
and Suzanne MacDonald,<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (EFL), were<br />
recognized for their 2008<br />
publication <strong>of</strong> “Adolescent<br />
Literature and Reader<br />
Response: It’s About Global<br />
Awareness and Social Justice!”<br />
in “<strong>The</strong> International Journal <strong>of</strong><br />
Learning.”<br />
Denise Stuart, associate<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS), and Francis<br />
Broadway, pr<strong>of</strong>essor (CIS),<br />
facilitated two <strong>of</strong> the Face-to-<br />
Face discussions that were part<br />
<strong>of</strong> the campus-wide Rethinking<br />
Race program. <strong>The</strong> first<br />
session was on “Black Males in<br />
Children’s Literature” and the<br />
second was on “Race and Global<br />
Children’s Literature.”<br />
Ingrid Weigold, assistant<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essor (counseling), was<br />
appointed to the editorial board<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Journal <strong>of</strong> Mental Health<br />
Counseling in fall 2008.<br />
Xin Liang, associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
(EFL), and Susan Olson,<br />
department chair (EFL),<br />
were awarded $74,999 for the<br />
“Evaluation <strong>of</strong> the Quickstart to<br />
College Project” from the Ohio<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Education.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 17
Mentoring:<br />
a Blueprint for Successful Teaching<br />
<strong>The</strong> Orange City High School<br />
students began mentoring<br />
their middle school students<br />
by supporting and organizing<br />
creative opportunities for<br />
them, and providing social and<br />
emotional guidance through<br />
the Stargirl Society, developed<br />
after the Jerry Spinelli novel,<br />
“Stargirl.”<br />
“I believe that this mentorship<br />
model has provided a framework<br />
for our middle school teacher<br />
candidates to implement in<br />
all diverse settings as they<br />
recognize the needs <strong>of</strong> their<br />
future 21 st century learners and<br />
the importance <strong>of</strong> adult advocacy<br />
for our young adolescents,” says<br />
Walker.<br />
Deborah Walker<br />
(middle front row) with<br />
mentors and mentees.<br />
Touching the <strong>Future</strong> Through Mentorship<br />
On Nov. 7, 2008, two groups <strong>of</strong> student mentors and mentees<br />
experienced a Day <strong>of</strong> Mentorship at <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong>.<br />
Deborah Walker, instructor (CIS), brought together her middle<br />
school teacher candidates and Orange High School students from<br />
Kathy Frazier’s academically talented class to participate in teambuilding<br />
activities and reflective brainstorming sessions to learn<br />
strategies and techniques for successful mentorship experiences.<br />
This day <strong>of</strong> celebration, supported by the Office <strong>of</strong> the Dean <strong>of</strong><br />
Education, provided 67 students with T-shirts, recreational activities,<br />
lunch, mentorship presentations and learning activities. <strong>Future</strong> goals<br />
were created and a mentorship model was established.<br />
<strong>The</strong> middle school teacher candidates have tutored and supported<br />
their 7 th and 8 th grade mentees in math and language arts to help<br />
improve their state-mandated test scores. <strong>The</strong>y also have worked as<br />
adult advocates for their mentees’ academic and emotional success.<br />
Although the focus <strong>of</strong> both<br />
groups differed, the rewards <strong>of</strong><br />
building a trusting relationship,<br />
recognizing the roles and skills<br />
needed for effective mentorship<br />
and discovering the power <strong>of</strong><br />
a support system in helping<br />
achieve their goals, were clearly<br />
evident during this experience.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> Day <strong>of</strong> Mentorship<br />
allowed me to connect with<br />
my middle school and see<br />
how important relationship<br />
building is when working with<br />
middle school students,” notes<br />
participant Katie Fehrenbach.<br />
Spending the day on <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> campus<br />
inspired a vision for higher<br />
education for these young<br />
people, along with providing<br />
an authentic pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
development experience for the<br />
teacher candidates.<br />
18
BUILDING OUR FUTURE<br />
Record Number <strong>of</strong> National Board<br />
Certified Teachers Recognized by<br />
UA Mentoring Program<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong>’s National Board for Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Teaching<br />
Standards (NBPTS) Support Cohort is pleased to announce that<br />
17 area educators successfully completed their National Board<br />
Certification in November 2008. In this intensive pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
development experience candidates have up to three years to<br />
successfully achieve National Board Certification.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s support cohort has been funded consistently by<br />
the Ohio Department <strong>of</strong> Education since 1997. <strong>The</strong> NBCT class <strong>of</strong><br />
2008 had the highest annual achievement rate since the mentoring<br />
services began, with an 85 percent passage rate for those who<br />
submitted both the portfolio and assessment pieces <strong>of</strong> the application<br />
process. This includes initial (first year) and advanced (second or<br />
third year) candidates. A reception was held on Feb. 5, 2009, to<br />
recognize the new National Board Certified Teachers.<br />
“It was good to develop a personal<br />
relationship with a student much like<br />
one I may be teaching someday.”<br />
– Adam Yoder, UA Mentor<br />
Since its inception, the program has mentored 315 Northeast Ohio<br />
teachers; 230 <strong>of</strong> which have become National Board Certified. This<br />
represents an overall programmatic achievement rate <strong>of</strong> 73<br />
percent. With the addition <strong>of</strong> 175 NBCTs in 2008, Ohio reports a<br />
total population <strong>of</strong> 2,933 National Board Teachers. <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> is pleased to have contributed nearly 10 percent <strong>of</strong> the total<br />
NBCT population gain in 2008.<br />
Barb Baltrinic, an <strong>Akron</strong> Public School Teacher for 35 years, was<br />
appointed as the new coordinator for the cohort in 2008-2009.<br />
Baltrinic is recognized for her exemplary ability to help the teachers<br />
in her small group achieve certification. She will join our student<br />
teaching and field experience <strong>of</strong>fice full time in fall.<br />
UA NBCT Class <strong>of</strong><br />
2008 (front row l-r):<br />
Kerilyn O’Brien,<br />
Jessica Stifler, Allison<br />
Morris, Melissa Jacot;<br />
(second row l-r):<br />
Lani Banner, Martin<br />
Bach, Yvonne Culver,<br />
Amy Young, Amanda<br />
Accavallo and<br />
Susan Polly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> Education HIGHLIGHTS 2008-2009 19
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION<br />
U.S. POSTAGE PAID<br />
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON<br />
College <strong>of</strong> Education<br />
<strong>Akron</strong>, OH 44325-4201<br />
college at a glance<br />
Established………………………………….1921<br />
<strong>The</strong> new InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field.<br />
Campus Landscape Continues to Change<br />
<strong>The</strong> New Landscape for Learning, the ongoing campus renovation<br />
campaign that began in 2000, has transformed the look and feel <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> campus. To date, the campaign has constructed or<br />
acquired 15 new buildings, made 17 major additions or renovations, and<br />
added 34 acres <strong>of</strong> new green space to campus.<br />
Those <strong>of</strong> us working in Zook Hall have a unique vantage point – starting<br />
with the location <strong>of</strong> the former Carroll Hall, where our new College <strong>of</strong><br />
Education will be built. Of course, our attention these days is drawn<br />
toward the east side <strong>of</strong> campus, where construction <strong>of</strong> InfoCision<br />
Stadium/Summa Field is nearing completion. <strong>Our</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Sport<br />
Science and Wellness Education will be housed in this prominent new<br />
structure near the Exchange Street entrance to campus.<br />
Please mark your calendars – UA’s first on-campus stadium will open<br />
Sept. 12 when the Zips take on the Morgan State Bears. On Sept. 19,<br />
alumni are invited to a “tailgate” party with our new dean, Mark Shermis,<br />
and the Alumni Association. We will then march to the stadium to enjoy<br />
the Indiana game. Details forthcoming.<br />
Departments<br />
Counseling<br />
Curricular & Instructional Studies<br />
Educational Foundations & Leadership<br />
Sport Science & Wellness Education<br />
Degree Options<br />
Bachelor’s…………………...………34<br />
Master’s…………………...…...……41<br />
Doctoral…………………...…....……5<br />
Licensures, Endorsements…………..45<br />
Faculty<br />
Full-time……………….....…....……69<br />
Part-time…………..…...…....……164<br />
Schools districts participating in<br />
student-teaching program……..……………139<br />
Counties represented in<br />
student-teaching program………….…………21<br />
Alumni (living)……………………………27,577<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> is an Equal Education and Employment Institution<br />
© 2009 by <strong>The</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Akron</strong> / 209-ED-75<br />
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