UAFS Practicum 2013

PRACTICUM College of Education

MARCH 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

• Undergraduate Research Symposium • Festival of Science • School University Partnerships

Kathy Avila observes the Dry Ice Color Show lab experiment.

5210 Grand Ave. • Fort Smith, AR 72913 • 479.788.7900 • uafs.edu/coe

CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE At UAFS, we are fortunate that the College of Education is a regional leader in teacher preparation. The college’s national accrediting body, The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, validated the work of the faculty and staff when they presented the college with the CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes in 2010. We are proud to be recognized for this national honor.

In addition to supplying highly qualified teachers to the region, the College of Education actively engages with area schools in a variety of outreach and professional development opportunities, specifically in the timely implementation of Common Core State Standards. Such work enhances the quality of teaching and increases student learning— important factors that contribute to the growth and strength of the Greater Fort Smith Region.

Good things are taking place in the College of Education,

This edition of Practicum highlights some recent achievements

and we are pleased to share these with you.

and initiatives in the College of Education—our pre-service

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

teachers successfully participated in the Undergraduate

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Research Symposium this past spring, our education honor societies and clubs continue to provide meaningful outreach, and the intern teaching program has been enhanced through a year-long teaching and mentoring experience.

Paul B. Beran, Ph.D. Chancellor, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chancellor’s Message..................................................... 2 Dean’s Message.............................................................. 3 Undergraduate Research Symposium......................... 4 Special Education Story................................................. 5 New Faculty................................................................. 6-7 School University Partnerships.................................. 8-9 Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society............................ 10-11 Content Area Faculty............................................ 12-13 Festival of Science................................................. 14-15 Grants - Supporting Schools.......................................15

UAFS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, RECIPIENT OF THE CHEA OUTSTANDING INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICE IN STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES AWARD

DEAN’S MESSAGE Jim Collin’s 2001 best-seller Good to Great proclaims in its first sentence, “Good is the enemy of great.” I agree with him and vow that “great” will never be our enemy; “great” must be our colleague, our friend, our goal, and most of all, our vision.

Collins argues that many businesses and institutions never realize their full potential because, since they are already pretty good, do not strive to be great. The College of Education at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is defying this possible pitfall by tackling bigger challenges, despite an exemplary accreditation visit from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Many institutions might be satisfied with such exemplary ratings, but we are not. Currently, we are revising and improving all programs so they not only meet the needs of current schools. This collaboration must focus on student achievement

educators. We are starting this process with greater depths

and we must place our teacher candidates in school settings

of collaboration with our partner schools and focusing on

that are structured to support teacher improvement as well

creating professional development schools.

as greater levels of student growth. While doing this, we

In order to meet these new challenges we need to make

must redesign our preparation programs to meet these

systemic changes that stress rigor and accountability,

challenges. We no longer can segment our program with

strengthen candidate selection and placement, and

subject matter preparation, theory, and pedagogy taught

redesign curricula. It is imperative that we address the

in isolation. All of this must be integrated into all forms of

needs of schools more than we ever have and partner with

clinical practice. “Great” is our welcomed friend and the

them to improve our teacher preparation program so that

vision of UAFS’s College of Education. Our children and our

we place better teachers in classrooms and in turn enhance

profession are worth our best efforts.

P-12 student learning. If we do not do this, we are failing to work toward becoming a “great college” that meets the

We look forward to you joining our journey.

needs of the 21st century learners. This is our challenge. We must not fail.

It is therefore crucial that we stop operating in silos. If we are to improve the essence of teaching and student achievement we must work together more than ever with our partnering

Dr. John Jones Dean, UAFS College of Education

PRACTICUM 2013

educators, but also the future needs of schools, students, and

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UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM AMANDA MAXWELL

1st Place Differentiated Instruction, 21st Centruy Skills, and Common Core: Oh, My!

TAYLOR GRIZZLE SMITH

2nd Place In What Ways Will Participation in Cooperative Learning Groups Benefit Students Diagnosed with a Form of Autism?

DIANE HUMPHREY

3rd Place Improving Education for Academically Gifted Students Through the Use of Multiple Instructional Strategies

Dr. Ray Wallace opens the Research Symposium with his welcoming remarks.

The 5th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, held April 13, 2012, at UAFS, provided an opportunity for students to present what they have learned

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

RHONDA MELTON

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One-on-One Instruction for a Male Student Who is Learning Disabled

from their research experiences to fellow students, faculty, and the community.

This annual conference enables students, faculty, and community members to examine the connection between research and education. The Undergraduate Research Symposium includes posters and presentation sessions by students from all academic disciplines. Participating students are sponsored by a faculty member, and each presentation is followed by a question and answer session.

COLBY GARR

The 1985 Van Buren Main Street Calamity

This symposium allows students to learn from one another and become involved in interdisciplinary discourse.

Eight education majors participated in the spring event. Taylor Grizzle Smith, who earned second place for the College of Education with her research presentation on cooperative learning groups and students with autism, said

TATUM WILLIAMS

Best Practices in Assisting Homeschooled Students in Transitioning to Regular Classroom Environments

that participating “gave me the experience of practically improving my professional capabilities. It also gave me confidence as a well-developed writer and presenter.” Other College of Education majors presented on topics ranging from Common Core State Standards implementation to the transition of homeschooled students into mainstream classroom environments and an analysis of local historical events.

JESSIE RICHARDSON

Dark Fiction’s Place in the Secondary School Classroom: An Analysis of The Hunger Games

The annual undergraduate research symposium was established in 2008 under the guidance of Dr. Ray Wallace, UAFS provost.

SPECIAL EDUCATION STORY

Dr. John Doak, assistant professor, is the UAFS College of Education’s Director of Special Education

students, especially those with cultural and linguistic diversity

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith about hiring its special

and exceptional ability, meet and exceed grade level

education graduates, according to Dr. John Doak of Fort

standards.”

Smith, assistant professor of special education in the UAFS

The curriculum is built on the Universal Design for Learning

College of Education.

Guidelines which advocates engaging students with multiple

The program has grown from one student in 2007 to 50

means of representing and expressing subject matter.

this year, and 52 have completed the endorsement program.

This curriculum is widely supported by leading educators,

Graduates have secured employment primarily in Arkansas,

according to Dr. John Jones of Fort Smith, dean of the

Oklahoma, and Texas.

College of Education.

“Our graduates differ from those of other universities,”

“Our students bring an attitude, an approach, and a

said Doak. “Our Praxis exam success rate is 100 percent.”

drive for accomplishment to their profession that school

The mission of this post-baccalaureate licensure program

administrators are seeking,” Jones stated. “We have

in special education is to produce candidates who excel in

something in this curriculum that’s a source of pride for the

bringing the best out of their students. Licensure candidates

people of Fort Smith and the state of Arkansas.”

must hold an Arkansas initial or standard teaching license or

Parents should expect almost all children in special

be fully admitted into the College of Education.

education to go on to successful post-secondary careers. “They

“Our theory is that K-12 public school students with

should expect their children to have successful academic

exceptional learning needs should be meeting and

performance, exciting careers, and rich and full lives,” Doak

exceeding grade-level learning expectations,” Doak

emphasized. “We’re preparing our candidates to operate in

shared. “The UAFS program trains teacher candidates

that reality. School districts across the region appreciate the

to link current neuroscience and educational research to

value of a candidate with that philosophy.”

PRACTICUM 2013

School officials from across the region are contacting the

professional practice. This is the best way to ensure that all

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NEW FACULTY

STEPHEN BRODIE

JUDY DUNMIRE

BS Physical Science – Arkansas Tech University M.Ed. Educational Technology – University of Arkansas

BS Secondary Education, Mathematics – Arkansas Tech University

Science Instructional Specialist, Institute for Math and Science Education

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

“ I moved from the secondary science classroom to assist Arkansas teachers in better preparing their students in all areas of science. Working with K-12 teachers and pre-service teacher candidates in the areas of teaching pedagogy, science, and technology content is very rewarding.”

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Math Instructional Specialist, Institute for Math and Science Education “ I believe that quality educators allow students to productively struggle through a problem, develop efficient strategies to work through the problem, and evaluate the reasonableness of their answer in relationship to the problem – all without the teacher providing additional information.”

BARBARA HUNT

JENNIFER JENNINGS DAVIS

BS Elementary Education – Indiana-Purdue University MS Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Gifted Education – University of Houston Ed. D. Curriculum and Instruction, Gifted Education and MidManagement Administrator – University of Houston

BA English Language Arts Education – University of Nebraska - Kearney M.Ed. Higher Education Administration – University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Executive Director, Teacher Education

“ I believe in children and their future. The future generation needs to be well prepared and be able to make advancements for the good of all, thus needing well-prepared teachers. The collaboration between university faculty and P-12 faculty can accomplish this.”

Director, Education Renewal Zone

“ A strong democracy is dependent on an educated citizenry that is developed through quality educational systems. Helping area school teachers connect with campus resources that allow them to teach more efficiently and effectively is a privilege. We are working together to build strong communities.”

CHRISTINE RALSTON Director of Assessment

BS Elementary Education – Indiana University, South Bend M.Ed. Elementary Education – Indiana Wesleyan University Ph.D. Educational Leadership – Purdue University

“ As the emphasis in data and data-drive decision making has grown, it is important to understand effective strategies for using data collaboratively to enhance professional practice and drive continuous improvement.”

Director, Preschool Programming

BS Early Childhood – Northwestern Oklahoma State University MS Elementary Admin – Northwestern Oklahoma State University Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction – Northcentral University

“ I believe that hands-on teaching makes learning meaningful and engaging and helps students to build on prior knowledge through exploration.

My research interests are in developmentally appropriate teaching strategies in the early childhood classroom, obstacles teachers face, and teaching for meaning.”

Assistant Director, Educational Renewal Zone BS Mathematics – East Central University MA Educational Leadership – Southern Nazarene University

“ When I began teaching, I had a few ideas about what kind of teacher I wanted to be and how I wanted my students to learn. Those ideas changed over the years as I taught my students and my students taught me.

I feel privileged to now work for the ERZ and have opportunities to assist our partner schools and faculty in the education of their students.”

LAURA WITHERINGTON

Assistant Professor of Education, Director of School Partnerships BA English – University of Central Arkansas MA English – University of Central Arkansas Ph.D. English – University of Arkansas

“ My goal in teaching my courses, mentoring candidates and interns, and providing professional development to schools is to support teachers in increasing the authenticity of their methods and activities. Through increased authenticity, rigor, and relevance, students will become independent critical thinkers who are capable of solving complex problems.”

PRACTICUM 2013

TISHA SHIPLEY

MARSHAL HURST

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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 8

Wendy Crawford, UAFS pre-service teacher, works with students at Alma Primary School.

SCHOOL UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS of Crawford’s first graders from last year. Another said,

exciting new initiative—Professional Development Schools.

“She helps us learn words we do not know.” Crawford

Professional Development Schools (PDSs) first appeared

explained that the experience “was very beneficial;

on the American educational landscape in the mid-1990s

especially to see the growth of all the students

and were designed to be a mutually beneficial partnership

throughout the year.”

between K-12 schools and universities.

The Professional Development School model was

The first step for the College of Education in

designed to accomplish a four-pronged agenda: 1) to

implementing Professional Development Schools in the

prepare future educators, 2) to provide current educators

Greater Fort Smith Region was the establishment of the

with ongoing professional development, 3) to promote

year-long internship for teacher candidates. By having

inquiry directed at improving teaching practices, and 4)

teacher candidates participate in a year-long experience,

to enhance student achievement. The year-long internship

as opposed to the traditional semester-long experience,

is moving the College of Education forward in satisfying

“the interns form a stronger relationship with students, all

such an agenda. “The impact of the full year internship is

teachers, staff, and administration,” said Jim Warnock,

very positive,” said Lonnie Mitchell, principal at J.J. Izzard

principal at Alma Intermediate. “They have more practice

Elementary. “The opportunity to observe a class from

as a teacher—more flying hours.”

beginning to end of year certainly provides future teachers

Alma Primary, Alma Intermediate, Cedarville Primary,

a good perspective of a complete year. Relationship

and J.J. Izzard Elementary (Van Buren School District)

building and familiarity with school culture are additional

were the pilot schools for this effort. These four schools

positive factors.”

hosted six UAFS teacher candidates during the

Leading the charge at UAFS is Dr. Laura Witherington,

2011-12 academic year with each candidate assigned

director of Professional Development Schools. Dr.

to a mentor teacher for the full year. Since the

Witherington created a plan in which the College of

candidates and mentor teachers were together from

Education and select public schools will collaborate on the

August to May, solid working relationships formed,

implementation of the PDS model. The model enhances

and teachers and candidates collaborated in planning,

knowledge, skills, and talent due to the university and

preparing, and teaching lessons. The students benefited

local schools combining resources, which results in great

greatly by having two teachers with them for the full

benefits for students. Students also benefit from teacher

year. Wendy Crawford, pictured on the opposite page,

interns, mentor teachers, and University faculty who play

was one of the six teacher candidates participating in

active roles in the PDS setting. PDSs are a means to

this pilot program. “She cares about me,” claimed one

enhance teacher quality and student achievement.

PRACTICUM 2013

The UAFS College of Education is embarking on an

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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Senior members of Kappa Delta Pi receive their honor cords for graduation.

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KAPPA DELTA PI HONOR SOCIETY Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education (KDP) is an

teaching efforts and programs of UAFS alumni teaching

organization with over a century-long history that is rich in

in local schools. So far, Kappa Delta Pi has been able to

honor and excellence. UAFS’s Alpha Beta Omega chapter

provided support to teachers and students at Tilles, Pike,

is one of over 600 chapters internationally. The society

and Euper Lane Elementaries and Northside High (all in Fort

was established for the purpose of fostering excellence in

Smith Public School District) and Butterfield Trail Middle

education and promoting fellowship for those dedicated to

School (Van Buren School District).

the teaching profession. Membership is by invitation only, and students must meet specific academic standards before being admitted as a member.

One way that the UAFS student members foster excellence and promote fellowship is through their commitment to service. One of the society’s most successful efforts is the Literacy Alive! initiative. KDP members host an annual 5K Race for Literacy Run/Walk with all proceeds benefiting Literacy Alive! The money raised goes to support the

Ashley Gerhardson, UAFS alumni and Fort Smith Public School educator, receives a UAFS pennant and trade books for her classroom library.

Literacy Alive participants prepared process drama experiences for Northside High School juniors and seniors. Front row, left to right: Dr. Lois Yocum, Meredith Maestri, Jordyn Cox, Micki Musik, Ashley Gerhardson, Northside High School AP English teacher, and Kathryn Schumaker, Northside High School AP English teacher. Back row: Darin Choate, Jessie Richardson, and Colby Garr.

PRACTICUM 2013

Rhonda Melton, secretary; Tatum Williams, historian; Darin Choate, vice president; Britany Gary, delegate representative; Amanda Maxwell, president; Taylor Smith, treasurer.

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CONTENT AREA FACULTY LINDA FAIR

Assistant Professor

BA cum laude – Sociology and French – Rice University, Houston MA Geography – University of California, Los Angeles Ph D. Geography – Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

“ My goal as a professor of geography is to provide my students with the skills that will enable them to see, understand, and appreciate the web of relationships among people, places, and environments, the impact of the physical environment on humans, the impact of humans on the physical environment, and the connections between people and places. It is my hope that I will imbue my students with an excitement about geography and inspire them to become life-long learners of the world around them.”

KEVIN JONES

Coordiator for English with Teacher Licensure, Assistant Professor

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

BS Education - Speech and Theatre – Missouri State University MA Theatre – Missouri State University Ph.D. English - American Studies – University of Arkansas

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“ As far as a philosophy of teaching, we should help students reach their full potential through content development and pedagogical building. We teach students, not subjects, and we should work to help each person fulfill his or her academic dreams. I teach because I like the “ah-ha” moment when they realize they know something and they make a connection to some other activity or piece of information.”

RAGER MOORE

Director of Choral Music

BA Music - Vocal Performance – University of Arkansas MA Music - Vocal Performance – University of Arkansas Ph.D. Musical Arts – University of Missouri - Kansas City, Conservatory of Music

“ I teach life experiences through music that go to the core of good musical understanding, emphasizing the values of honesty, integrity, commitment, and compassion.”

ROBERTA PARKS Instructor

BS Mathematics – Arkansas Tech University M.Ed. Mathematics Education – Arkansas Tech University National Board Certified Teacher

“ For 20 years I taught mathematics in Arkansas public schools. I have seen many changes in curriculum, testing, assessments, and expectations over these years, some good, some not so good. I am interested in doing research to learn more about how young children learn to think mathematically and algebraically and determine the best methods to teach them and assess their learning.”

CHARLES VO Instructor

BS Biology – University of Missouri - St. Louis BS Anatomy – Parker University MA Biology – University of Arkansas Ph.D. Chiropractic – Parker University

“I believe that teachers should be able to overcome limitations by transforming weaknesses into strengths.

Students must also be engaged in teaching and allowed to give feedback. This builds rapport with students and makes the classroom environment more enjoyable. As teachers, we must seek out new teaching methods that will transform the classroom into a place where students excel.”

Assistant Professor

BA Linguistics - Spanish-Portuguese – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities MA Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages – Penn State University Ph.D. Applied Linguistics – Penn State University

“ I am passionate about teaching languages and culture because I believe in a global community of people who respect each other’s differences. I firmly believe in communication and cooperation both inside and out of my classroom and adapt my classes and my research to this creed.”

PRACTICUM 2013

BRENDA ROSS

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FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE: A FUN DAY FOR KIDS Young scientists conducting strange experiments in college

“STEM is all around us,” McGinnis said. “But kids grow up

laboratories may sound like a horror movie to some, but it

and they’re afraid of it. We want to get elementary school

was a fun afternoon for 45 area elementary school students

students interested in chemistry and science, and we think this

and their parents this past fall.

will help that happen.”

Dr. Jennifer Jamison, who is also an assistant professor of chemistry, teamed with McGinnis to identify entertaining and educational experiments that young scientists can conduct in chemistry laboratories. According to Jamison and McGinnis, students uncovered the processes for making slime, elephant toothpaste, and several other substances, including something called “oobleck,” which the young chemists found especially fun.

Also joining the planning team for the event was Jennifer Jennings Davis, director of the Education Renewal Zone (ERZ) with the College of Education at UAFS, and Leslie Brodie, science curriculum coordinator for Fort Smith Public Schools.

Brodie works with district administrators and teachers to strengthen and enhance science curricula.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

“We want to engage elementary students in the fun and

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wonder of science,” said Jennings Davis. “We’re working in Kelsey Holley of Mansfield Elementary, (daughter of Trent and Dusty Holley) is ecstatic about making slime in the Slime Pit Lab.

the hopes that they will develop a love of STEM and will take that into account when making career choices in the future.”

It was the inaugural “Festival of Science,” a carnival-

Jennings Davis said she became involved because her

like event in the Math-Science Building laboratories on the

work in the Education Renewal Zone promotes similar goals

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith campus. The event was

as the festival. “Not only is this an engaging event for third

for area third-grade students and was intended to present

graders, it’s also an opportunity for parents to get involved

chemistry to the young scientists in ways that stimulated their

with their child’s learning.”

curiosity and enthusiasm, according to its organizers.

McGinnis said often students don’t fully understand the

UAFS instructors and students were at every exhibit and

many occupations available in the areas of STEM. A goal of

worked with grade school students to help them successfully

the Festival of Science is to help young people understand

complete their experiments. Participating elementary school

early on the opportunities that are in front of them in the

students received free T-shirts, popcorn, toys and prizes.

areas of math and science.

The festival combined the efforts and faculties of the

McGinnis said he and Jamison wanted to limit the number

College of Education and the College of Science, Technology,

of kids who participated this year because it was their

Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), as well as four area

inaugural event. He said the participating school districts

elementary schools, according to Dr. Dave McGinnis,

are a perfect fit for this kickoff.

assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Science,

“We’re really grateful to the ERZ and Leslie Brodie for

Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

making this possible,” he said.

Jennings Davis, her staff at ERZ, and Brodie helped recruit participation of Trusty, Pike, and Sutton Elementary schools of the Fort Smith Public School District and Mansfield Elementary of the Mansfield School District. The organizers also hosted Teacher Hospitality Lab before the event to give the elementary teachers a preview of the experiments and and opportunity to meet the professors.

“We want our area teachers to take ideas from the

Dr. Dave McGinnis, professor of chemistry, provides demonstration as Mansfield Elementary student Joshua York of Huntington (son of Roger and Diane York) looks on.

festival back to their classrooms,” Jennings Davis said.

Brodie agreed, “We want our teachers to network with university faculty and make connections with people they can look to for science support in the classroom.”

Joshua Biggs is a UAFS student volunteer for the festival.

GRANTS - SUPPORTING SCHOOLS STATE GRANTS Arkansas Department of Education Division of Education Renewal Zones

Arkansas Department of Arkansas Department of Education Mathematics Education Science Instructional Specialist Grant Instructional Specialist Grant

$834,900

$86,500

$565,000

Arkansas National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Grant

$6,570

$225,000

$86,500

$1,750,000

$515,000

$26,800

FEDERAL GRANTS

PRIVATE GRANTS

National Science Foundation College Ready Grant

Arkansas Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Coalition Grant

$174,600 $13,200 FY13 Award $773,000

Total Grant Award

$26,200

PRACTICUM 2013

$135,600

Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Grant

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5210 Grand Ave. • PO Box 3649 Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649 888.512.5466 • 479.788.7900