Johnson, a historic preservation and elementary education major with a focus in museum studies, thought the class would be beneficial to her as a teacher.

“You can’t control who comes into your classroom,” she said.  “As a teacher, you’re responsible for giving every student the best education that you can, so I thought it was part of my responsibility as a teacher.”

The Play Lab, in its third semester at UMW, is a parent resource and clinic for children with developmental delays, such as autism and intellectual disabilities. Bolstered through community donations and grant awards, the course has been cited as a model program by Virginia Commonwealth’s Center for Autism Excellence.

UMW students spend seven weeks in the classroom learning strategies to effectively handle children with disabilities, and then incorporate those techniques in five-week sessions in the Play Lab with the children.

Johnson was among 12 UMW students who worked with 13 children. She was one of two undergraduates in a class of mostly graduate students and teachers who wanted to learn more about working with students with disabilities.

But the range of classroom dynamics wasn’t an obstacle for Johnson.

“It was really kind of daunting at first, but we all came together to work as a team,” Johnson said.  “It just makes me excited to collaborate in the future with other teachers.”

During each session, the children rotate through four different rooms designed to target specific sensory, communication and motor skills.

“It really sets the kids up to want to communicate with each other, so they’re feeling comfortable, their bodies are feeling comfortable, and so that they are primed to communicate on their own,” said Nicole Myers, associate professor of education and coordinator of the program.

Parents appreciate being able to connect with another parent who has a child with special needs and receiving additional resources to what the school system provides, Myers said.

Students compile data collected throughout the semester and provide parents with a comprehensive resource packet, detailing strategies that worked well for their child in certain situations.  The information later can be used to help write the child’s Individualized Education Plan, or IEP.

But the Play Lab isn’t just a resource for parents or a learning tool for students—it’s a place for the children to have fun.

“I think what the kids like is the social component,” said Myers.  “They’re learning, but it’s all play to them.”

Heather DeCou, a licensed counselor who joins Myers in staffing the Play Lab, agrees that the social component is one of the most important, for the children as well as their parents.

Said DeCou: “I think many of the parents are looking for an opportunity for their kids to make friends.”

– By Anne Elder ’12

Please plan to attend our annual “Tea for TESOL” event on Saturday, May 26, 2012, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for students, alumni and ESOL educators to network and learn something new. Food and beverages will be served. See attached invitation, and forward this message to other educators you know who may be interested. This event is free of charge, and hosted by the Department of Foundations, Leadership and Special Populations of the College of Education.

The presenter will be our own Dr. Pat Reynolds, discussing her Ph.D. dissertation topic “Learning the Ropes” about how immigrant children adapt to a new culture. Pat has really made a significant contribution to our understanding of acculturation and will have some dramatic insights to share from her research.

The event will be held in University Hall, in the North Building of the UMW Stafford campus. A map and driving directions are available at http://www.umw.edu/visitors/stafford-campus/

Please RSVP to Jo Tyler at jtyler@umw.edu

Download the Tea TESL Flyer

Princess Moss was the featured educator at the second annual College of Education Educator-in-Residence event May 1 at the UMW Stafford campus. The day-long event also featured graduate presentations, workshops, and an award ceremony.

Moss, who earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from UMW in 1983 and began teaching in Louisa, Va. that same year, discussed how she and the National Education Association (NEA) are fighting for today’s teachers.

“I believe that those who teach students and work in our schools are in the best position to talk authentically about what happens in our classrooms and to lead our profession,” said Moss, who was elected to the NEA executive committee in July 2011 for a second three-year term. “Over the course of the past five years, I have witnessed my professional organization taking a stand and insisting that those who do the work and know the students best should be in charge.”

The former member of the UMW Board of Visitors concluded by issuing a challenge to the 2012 COE graduates.

“Remember what’s most important to you and use it as an anchor. Find a mentor, a trusted friend, someone who believes in you and, yes, someone who will tell the truth,” Moss said. “Make education a career and not just a job.”

To end the day’s events, several graduates received awards. Erika Clevenger and Mariana Hermosilla received the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Virginia Scholars Awards, Marian Martin received the Barbara Bishop Mann Award, Barbara Maher received the Outstanding Master of Education Student Award, and Veronica Shipe received the Outstanding Student Teacher Award.

The 2nd Annual EdTech Conference will be held at the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA  on June 2 (Sat.), 2012. The theme of this year’s conference is “Leading through Change: Teaching, Learning, and Technology“.

EdTech Conference 2012 is the place for educators and those who are interested in education to learn how technology is impacting teaching and learning.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, and share and discuss ways to effectively integrate technology into the standards-based curriculum.

Attendees will:

• Learn about the best practices and case studies highlighting successful (and unsuccessful) strategies and techniques for technology integration.
• Meet and hear the opinions and experiences of innovative leaders in the field.
• Become updated on the latest trends, major issues, and developments in technology integration.

Who should attend:

All K-12 teachers, preservice teachers, administrators, university educators and technology specialists, parents, and those interested in educational technology.

Attendees will encounter:

• Keynote speaker John Hendron named  in 2006 VDOE State Technology Leader of the Year and is supervisor of instructional technology for Goochland County Public Schools in Virginia.
• Presentations by local teachers exemplifying technology integration
• Presentations by university educators and technology specialists
• Vendor exhibits and presentations
• Student and Teacher Showcase
• Door prizes

Cost to Attend:

• $40.00 (includes a catered lunch)

Register Today!

Register for the conference and submit a presentation

Location of the Conference:

• University of Mary Washington, College of Education, North Building, Stafford Campus

Date and Time:

• June 2nd (Sat.), 2012,  8:30 A.M. – 5: 00 P.M.

Visit EdTech Conference Web site

• http://umwedtechconference.umwblogs.org/
• Download the EdTech Flyer!

If you plan to complete your teaching internship (formerly known as student teaching) NEXT SPRING 2013, your application must be complete/ submitted no later than THIS JUNE 1, 2012!

NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

You can find the link for the application on the College of Education website under

Clinical Experiences > Internships or by clicking this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGNBc1VkelVDY1B4WnNJRzZZZ0pKYkE6MA#gid=0

If you have questions, please contact Adria Hoffman, Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships, directly via email: ahoffma2@umw.edu

Dr. Beverly Epps and Dr. Courtney Clayton served as faculty liaisons for the Annual Teachers of Promise Institute held at Virginia Commonwealth University. The TOP Institute seeks to recognize and support the best prospective public school teachers in the United States. This year the following students were chosen by the faculty to represent the COE: Stephanie Kinard, Jessica Mills,Mariana Hermosilla, Christina Lloyd, Lydia Putney and Deztinie Carter. We congratulate them on this honor.

• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway:  PreK-12
• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway:  Secondary
• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: Special Education Adapted Curriculum (PDF)
• M.Ed. Initial Licensure Five Year Pathway: Special Education General Curriculum (PDF)

The call for art was answered by fourth grade students at the Park Ridge Elementary School. Each piece was hung with care throughout our office suites at the Stafford Campus.

This organization comprises stakeholders in Virginia history and social sciences education, including social studies specialists, college educators, museum professionals, social studies education non-profit professionals and representatives from the Virginia Department of Education.

Dr. Broome serves on a national research team studying the state of social studies education in the United States. The first study of its kind, this 50-state survey-based research sampled K-12 social studies educators in America. The team’s study focuses on the impact of high-stakes standards, use of instructional time, methods of instruction and assessment and application of technology in U.S. K-12 social studies classrooms.

This summer, Dr. Broome will continue his exploratory mixed-method study by conducting focus groups with K-12 Virginia social studies educators. Dr. Broome’s research is being used to inform school-, district- and state-level policy and instructional decisions in the Commonwealth  of Virginia.

Your UMW email address is the official means of communication of important information.  It is your responsibility to check email regularly.  Failure to look at email in a timely manner is not an acceptable excuse for missing deadlines.

The Canvas “conversation” method for communication with faculty is specific to courses you are enrolled in and is separate from the UMW email. Communicating with faculty via Canvas does not mean you can ignore the official UMW email system.

If you want to forward UMW email to a personal email address follow the directions outlined in the link below.

•   http://technology.umw.edu/hss/live-edu/forwarding-email-from-liveedu/

Program Changes for Students in the M.Ed. for Initial Licensure

• Beginning fall 2012, the stand alone one-credit Practicum courses will no longer be offered. All required field experiences will be embedded in courses. Field experiences will not be waived.

Field placements will be handled in the following manner:

• Students who are not currently working in a school will be placed by the Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships for field experiences.

• Students who are employed in a school in the endorsement area may complete the field experience in the place of employment.

• Students who are employed in a school but not in a setting matching the endorsement area and the building administrator is willing to work arrange for release from the work assignment to spend time in an endorsement area classroom may complete the field experience in the place of employment.

 Completing Practicum Course Requirement

The curriculum change outlined above takes effect fall 2012.

For students who have completed classes that have a corresponding Practicum but have not taken the practicum – you must enroll in the one-credit practicum course this summer.

We are offering course this summer with a corresponding one-credit Practicum.  If you enroll in one of the following courses this summer, you must also enroll in the one-credit Practicum.

Course	One-Credit Practicum
EDCI 509	EDCI 510
EDCI 515	EDCI 515
EDCI 521	EDCI 521
EDSE 539	EDSE 540

 

Please work with your advisor to carefully review your records regarding any missing Practicum courses.

Important Deadlines

•  Student Teaching – Applications for Spring 2013 are due June 1.

• EDCI 590 Proposals – if you are planning to enroll in the course for Spring 2013, the proposal is due on August 30.

Registration

It is time to schedule an appointment with your advisor to plan a schedule for summer 2012 and fall 2012 classes. Attached are the course lists for summer 2012 and fall 2012.

• Registration for summer classes opens March 12

• Registration for fall classes opens March 26

Please review your program of study and the courses completed to date before meeting with your advisor. If you need a copy of the checksheet for your licensure program, follow the link below.

M.Ed. for Initial Licensure

• http://education.umw.edu/advising/med-advising/checksheets/

 M.Ed. for Professional Development or Added Licensure

• http://education.umw.edu/advising/m-ed-for-professional-development-or-added-endorsement/professional-development-or-added-endorsement-checksheets/

To review your transcript, open the link below, then select Helpful Links (on right side of screen), then under Online Tools select EagleNet, enter your username and password, then select Student Records.

• http://education.umw.edu/
• https://eaglenet.umw.edu/