Coaching connections NEWS NOTES NETWORKING

Notes

PDS Learning Days

On Wednesday, March 7th and Thursday, March 8th,

we hosted the spring professional learning days.

Partnership teachers who have student teachers for

this semester attended. On both days, we had

approximately 125 individuals in attendance

(including partnership teachers and university

supervisors). The topic for March 7th was “The

Power of Literacy: Focus on Writing.” Participants

heard from authors David McInnis Gill (Author of

Soul Enchilada) and Lester Laminack (Author of

Snow Day). Participants also attended small group

breakout sessions that were facilitated by WSE

faculty. The topic for March 8th was “Examining and

Reflecting on our Practices.” Early morning sessions

were led by teachers and administrators from our

partner districts. Other breakout sessions were led by

WSE faculty. Our mid-afternoon panel discussions

were on Teacher Leadership and Drop-out

Prevention. Participants in the YouthBuild program,

sponsored by the Wilmington Housing authority,

shared their experiences in school.

March, 2012 Volume 12

News

Engagement Engagement

Advocacy

Support Collaboration

Research Speaks Conference Master Teacher Meetings National Board Certification 2012 Annual Mentor Conference Partnership Re-signing Research Speaks Conference April 18th, Research

Speaks Conference

Master Teacher Meetings April 19th

May 3rd National Board Certification Teachers interested in

National Board

Certification for Initial,

Retake, and Renewal

Candidates Link

2012 Annual Mentor Conference April 24th

Details can be found on

this link or emailing

Somer Lewis at

lewiss@uncw.edu Partnership Re-signing June 7th

Dr. David Gill signs copies of his

most recent book

Dr. Barbara Honchell leads a

discussion on helping children

become writers

Dr. Eleni Pappamihiel and Dr. Denise

Ousley discuss digital storytelling

with elementary school educators

PDS Learning Day March 7 Speakers

Making Room for the Reader: Writing Between the Lines

and Beyond the Book –Dr. David Gill

Writing Nonfiction using Mentor Texts

Dr. Debbie Powell and Ms. Aly Allder

Digital Storytelling and Writing

Dr. Eleni Pappamihiel and Dr. Denise Ousley

Spicing Up Informational Writing

Dr. Jeanne Swafford

Helping Primary Grade Children Become Writers

Dr. Barbara Honchell

Supporting Literacy through Individual Inquiry

Mr. Brian Brinkley

The Author’s Journey: Writing as a Process

Dr. Lester Laminack

Writing Using Self-Regulated Strategy

Development to Reach Students with

Writing Difficulties

Dr. Terri Collins

Returning Passion to the Writing our

Students Do

Dr. Brad Walker

Using Authors and Illustrators to

Inform and Inspire Children’s

Language and Literacy

Development

Dr. Katie Schlichting, Ms. Jennifer

LaFleur and Ms. Whitney Parker

Using the Writing Continuum to

determine Mini –Topics

Dr. Debbie Powell, and Mr. Zach

Wilson

Dr. Janna Siegel Robertson Dr. Rajni Shankar Brown

Virtual Learning in Science

Claire McLaughlin

Project K-Nect

(using Smartphones in Algebra 1)

Eric and Suzette Kliewer

Human Rights Project

Cathy Edmonds

Service Learning

Karen Norris

Teaching American History Grant

Cara Ward

Globalizing the Curriculum through

International Partnerships

Lesley Eason

PDS Learning Day March 8 Speakers

Using Facebook in Class

(with county permission)

Amy Stuart

Standing Ovations Program

Eric Irizarry

Understanding Complex Relationships

through Sociograms

Ms. Somer Lewis

Using Squeak Etoys in the Classroom

Dr. Shelby Morge

Using Informational Texts to Inspire

Inquiry

Dr. Denise Ousley

Choosing Choice to Challenge Children’s

Achievement

Dr. Janna Siegel Robertson

Celebrating Diversity: Cultural Arts

Integration in the 21st Century

Dr. Rajni Shankar Brown

Web 2.0 Tools

Ms. Somer Lewis

QR Codes

Dr. Jeff Ertzberger

iPad Teacher Applications

Ms. Chandra Roughton

Dr. Terri Collins

Master Teachers

We are pleased to announce the 2012-2015 Master Teachers. This new PDS initiative is designed to recognize teachers in our partnership schools who have demonstrated

excellence in teaching during their tenure as partnership teachers. These teachers will receive 30 hours of professional development and will work closely with our academic

programs to better prepare our teacher candidates. There were 76 nominations from WSE faculty and staff and twelve teachers were chosen by a WSE selection committee.

This is a three year appointment.

Nick Jupena

Hoggard High School

Math

LeAnne LaFave

Holly Tree Elementary

Physical Education

Ryan Redd

Myrtle Grove Middle School

Math

Dixie Smith

Howe Pre-K Center

EYC

Gwendolyn Abraham

Ashley High School

Science

David Glenn

Burgaw Middle School

Science

Leah Ashley

White Oak High School

Social Studies

Jennifer Booher

Pine Valley Elementary

Kindergarten

Nakita Thomas

Cape Fear Middle School

EC

Timothy Mills

Pine Valley Elementary

Third Grade

Sara Haukos

Winter Park Elementary

First Grade

Amy Stuart

Topsail High School

English

Education Lab “Authors Showcase”

Each year, the Betty Holden Stike Education Laboratory sponsors an authors’ showcase. Elementary education majors tutor K-5 students each semester. During that time, tutors work with tutees to develop a story. Those stories are then published in a booklet produced by the education lab. Tutees read their stories on stage with their tutors. Families and friends are invited to this showcase. This year, the showcase was held four times over two days. The theme for this semester was “Once upon a time…” Director of the lab, Mr. Brian Brinkley, had this to say about the event “We had another great semester and watched our future teachers grow in their knowledge and skills through working one-on-one with the children.” Congratulations to Brian Brinkley, Casey Buddenbaum, Cathy Heglar, MJ Giammaria, Katie Pritchard, and Becky Walker for organizing such a wonderful event!

The Ed. Lab staff prepare to greet authors and

visitors at the Authors’ Showcase.

Tutor: Krysta Fenton,

Tutee: Carlos Salas-Vejar

Tutor: Chase Morgan

Tutee: Dylan Puzon

Tutor: Bryce Corbett

Tutee: Kevin Cuadra

Tutor: Brittany White

Tutee: Tyrese Hall Tutor: Cera Globis

Tutee: Grace Buffaloe

Tutor: Julia Buckner

Tutee: Kevanni Daniels

Authors’ Showcase Books Ed Lab Staff poses for the camera. Mr. Brinkley as Captain Hook

Spotlight on our Faculty

Dr. Brad Walker, Associate Pro-

fessor in the Department of Ele-

mentary, Middle Level, and Liter-

acy Education, decided to use his

fall sabbatical to teach third grade at

College Park Elementary School.

During the entire semester, he

worked with four third grade clas-

ses, delivered whole class instruc-

tion, and worked with students in

small groups. Our thanks to Princi-

pal Maria Greene and the College

Park teachers for working with

Dr. Walker! I asked Dr. Walker the

following questions about his

experience:

What did you learn?

I learned how incredibly hard teachers work. I also learned that we

need to do more to help teachers be successful because if schools are

not successful and kids are not learning, it’s not because teachers

aren’t working hard. A funny thing happened on the way to account-

ability. We stopped looking at kids and started looking at scores and

that’s not necessarily the same look. I also learned that there were

things teachers wanted to do but they didn’t feel empowered to do

them. And I learned that it’s a challenge to always do what you

know is best for kids given the structure of schools.

How has this experience helped you in your teaching at UNCW?

It’s been amazing to say to my classes, “here’s what I did with my

students today.” It was helpful personally and teachers really appre-

ciated it. There was a sense of fulfillment that I can still do this...I

can still teach kids and I can still do classroom management.

Why did you do this?

As I came out of the chair’s position, I wanted to do something

different.

Dr. Walker is going to College Park every Tuesday morning this

semester to continue working with students and teachers. We

applaud Dr. Walker for staying connected with P-12 schools, for

supporting teachers, and for strengthening our partnership in the

process!

Dr. Amy Moody, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Early

Childhood Education and Special Education (Back Row, Second

from the left), assisted with the planning and coordination of the Cape

Fear Association for the Education of Young Children Conference,

held on Saturday, March 23rd. Approximately 120 early childhood

educators attended this event. Participants attended several breakout

sessions on “Partnering with Families,” “Science Experiments in the

Preschool Classroom,” “Embracing Diversity in Early Care & Educa-

tion,” and “Using the Project Approach in the Preschool Class-

room” (to name a few). The goal of the event was to provide profes-

sional development to in-home, traditional, and family childcare pro-

viders. Organizers of the event would like to see more early child-

hood educators take college level classes in early childhood education.

They hope that taking such classes will provide childcare providers

with additional tools to improve the overall education of young chil-

dren in the area. Organizers also wanted to promote collaboration

among early childhood educators in the greater Wilmington area. The

conference is held every year for approximately five counties in the

UNCW region.

Spotlight on our Partners Columbus County

On March 25, 2012 West Columbus High School hosted Celebrate the Arts, North Carolina’s

Largest Student Arts Festival, sponsored by Columbus County and Whiteville City Schools. Be-

low is some of the featured artwork from the students.

Duplin County

Ashley Lovette, a fifth grade teacher at Wallace Elementary School in Duplin County, had her

Sensational Science project completely funded on the DonorsChoose website. For more infor-

mation about her project, please visit the following Link. Congratulations to Ms. Lovette!

New Hanover County

On March 16, 2012 New Hanover County Schools presented Best Foot Forward. Our congratula-

tions go out to the following groups that performed: New Hanover High, Holly Shelter Middle,

Mary Washington Howe Pre-K Center, Snipes Academy of Arts & Design, Hoggard High,

Bradley Creek Elementary, Alderman Elementary, Anderson Elementary, Laney High, Myrtle

Grove Middle, Ashley High, Roland-Grise Middle, Eaton Elementary, Blair Elementary, and Pine

Valley Elementary.

Onslow County

Onslow County Schools partnered with the Watson School of Education to submit a NC Quest

grant entitled INCOME – Integrating Computing and Mathematics Education. In March we re-

ceived notification that the grant was funded for $199, 901. This grant will provide professional

development to mathematics teachers. CSTEM staff and two faculty members from the UNCW

Computer Science Department are also collaborating in this endeavor. Dr. Mahnaz Moallem of

the Watson School is the principal investigator on the grant. This is an exciting opportunity for

Onslow County Schools, CSTEM, the Computer Science department, and the Watson School of

Education!

Charter Day School—Roger Bacon Academy

The Charter Day School—Roger Bacon Academy National Championship Pop Warner Cheerlead-

ers and their coaches received recognition by the North Carolina general Assembly in January of

this year. The cheerleaders were invited to be honored by Representative Susi Hamilton and Sena-

tor Bill Rabon. Congratulations to our National Championship Cheerleaders!