Summer 2016

v|News v|Outreach v|Calendar 11|Upcoming

Events For 2016-2017

9|COELS Director Among First Blue Jacket Society Inductees

11|Collegiate 100 Wins Big at Student Awards Celebration

7|TECTA’S Eighth Annual Summer Research Institute Centers on Early Literacy

9|WOYC Celebrations

in Nashville and West Tennessee

3|COELS 30th Anniversary Celebration in Nashville

8|TECTA’s Annual

Steering Committee and State Partners Meetings for 2016

A publication of Tennessee State University’s Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences

on Learning Sciences PERSPECTIVES

30 Year Celebration Brings Together Faculty, Staff, and COELS Supporters

v|Awards

2 PERSPECTIVES

Valerie Williams, B.E, M.B.A. Interim Director

Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences

BuildingCapacitiestoStrengthenCommunities

ThroughEducation

Leadership in Academics, Research and Service PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential (TECPAC) Tennessee State University – TN CAREs Early Head Start Tennessee State University – Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Tennessee Childcare Online Training System (TCCOTS) Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) Social Services Competency Based Training (SSCBT) RESEARCH INITIATIVES STEM Education Teaching and Learning Early Intervention Models Student Learning Measurement Early Childhood Educator Professional Development P-12 Instructor and Administrator Professional Development Birth to Three Curriculum, Program and Professional Development

PERSPECTIVES Summer 2016 Volume 4, Issue 2 PERSPECTIVES is published twice a year by the Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences at Tennessee State University for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the Nashville community. Comments, suggestions, and questions should be addressed to the Center at: learningsciences@tnstate.edu

Tennessee State University 3500 John A Merritt Blvd.

Box 9500 Nashville, TN 37209

Phone: 615.277.1651 Fax: 615.277.1654

Administration VALERIE WILLIAMS Director, Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences DR. LESIA CRUMPTON-YOUNG Vice President, Research and Institutional Advancement Editor/Writer DR. CELESTE BROWN Coordinator of Media and Marketing Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences TSU-17-0032(A)-16b-61085 Tennessee State University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its program and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Ms. Tiffany Baker-Cox, Director of Equity, Diversity and Compliance, 3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37209, (615) 963-7435.

PERSPECTIVES 3 COELS 30 Year Anniversary Celebration Brings

Together Faculty, Staff, and Supporters

By Dr. Celeste M. Brown The Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences celebrated its 30th Anniversary on April 4, 2016. The event helped kick off the 2016 University-wide Research Symposium Week. Several invited guests included the president of Tennessee State University, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, academic deans and

department heads, state officials, and TN Rep. Harold Love. Tennessee’s Centers of Excellence were established by action of the Tennessee General Assembly and the Governor of Tennessee to expand research in public higher education and contribute to the overall economic and community

development base of the state and receive funding each year from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). Tennessee State University was one of the first institutions in the state to establish a Center of Excellence. Attendees of the celebration were treated to a history of

The lobby featured an exhibit chronicling the history of the Center’s research and

programs.

TSU Vice President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young offers support and guidance to the Center through the Office of Research and

Institutional Advancement.

The invitees learned about the history and progress of the Center.

Honored guest and TSU President Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover was presented with a gift from

the Center.

Continued on page 4…

4 PERSPECTIVES 30 Year Celebration, continued

our Center and its programs and a proclamation of our cumulative funding history. According to conservative estimates, the Center has obtained approximately $300 million dollars in external funding from federal, state, private, and local organizations since its founding. The Center’s director, Ms. Valerie Williams, also presented

figures depicting the overall return on investment from THEC. For the past four fiscal years, the Center has provided an increasing return of $19-$21 in external funding for every $1 invested by THEC. After 30 years the Center continues to promote professional development and education to build communities one person at a

time. Each program year provides new opportunities for all of the programs to help enrich the lives of parents, child care providers, and communities.

RSP Hosts the Director and Staff from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

By Dr. Celeste M. Brown Officials from the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services visited Tennessee State University on March 16th to showcase the available opportunities for contracts with OSBDU and to learn more about TSU’s research ventures. Deans and directors of several departments were

given the opportunity to share their research projects and their capabilities for future projects with Teresa Lewis, director, and her staff. Later that evening, OSDBU hosted an outreach event for small businesses in Nashville at the Avon Williams campus. This event allowed small business owners to learn strategies for identifying and pursuing contract opportunities with HHS, and meet with federal government representatives. For more information about OSDBU, visit: www.hhs.gov/grants/small-business-programs.

Top: COELS Director Valerie Williams discussed progress of the Center’s programs. Bottom: Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young and representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Cover photo: L to R - TN Representative Harold Love Jr., TSU Vice President Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, and COELS Director Ms. Valerie Williams at the 30th Anniversary Celebration

PERSPECTIVES 5

COELS Hosts TECTA Steering Committee and State Partners Meetings

By Dr. Celeste M. Brown Each year the Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences hosts the TECTA Steering Committee Meeting of invited state partners and important TECTA stakeholders. This year’s meeting was held on March 17, 2016 at Tennessee State University. During the meeting, the Committee is updated on the activities conducted by TECTA in the previous year and discuss topics and issues that will affect the program in the upcoming year.

Officials from the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Metro Nashville Public Schools, higher education, and child care, as well as staff from TECTA Management were in attendance. TECTA Management staff provided updates on the initiatives from the past year. Dr. Katari Coleman from the Tennessee Department of Human Services updated the Committee on the events and activities from the Department and Valerie Williams, Director of the Center of Excellence for

Learning Sciences led a discussion about the upcoming structural changes within the Tennessee Board of Regents and their possible impact on the TECTA program. The next annual meeting will be held in the spring of 2017.

TECTA Higher Education Institute

The annual TECTA Higher Education Institute began on Thursday, March 17th with a full day meeting on Friday,

TECTA Statewide Program Director Lin Venable opened the meeting by sharing an inspiring story.

Continued on page 6…

6 PERSPECTIVES

COELS Hosts TECTA Steering Committee and State Partners Meetings, continued

March 18, 2016. This annual event is an assembly of faculty who discuss continuity in Early Childhood courses statewide including textbooks, CDA courses, articulation and the Tennessee Transfer Pathways, and working with the Council for Professional Recognition for those providers that take the academic route to earning a Child Development Associate Credential. The Thursday session was led by Lisa Walsh (TECTA Mgmt.) and included faculty and administrators from several Early Childhood academic departments to discuss the CDA course

design, the required prerequisites, and the latest textbooks that are available. The full-day session held on Friday featured presentations from Margaret McKinley, an Adjunct Faculty at Motlow State Community College, and Dr. Vicki Kirk, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer for the Tennessee Department of Education. Dr. Kirk discussed Read to Be Ready, the initiative to improve the

reading proficiency of third-graders from 43% to 75% by 2025. You can read more about Read to Be Ready at www.readtobereadytn.com.

Dr. Vicki Kirk, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer for the Tennessee

Department of Education. Dr. Kirk discussed Read to Be Ready.

COELS Staff Present at the 43rd Annual National Head Start and Expo

By Dr. Celeste M. Brown This year’s National Head Start Association (NHSA) Conference and Expo was held in Nashville, Tennessee. Having the event so close to home allowed the Center staff to take part in the Expo and showcase our Early Head Start and Child Care Partnership programs, as well as TECTA’s training opportunities for Tennessee’s child care providers.

COELS staff members often present on topics in Early Childhood at local, state and national conferences throughout the year. At the NHSA Conference, COELS staff members Norma Mason and Tamara Barnhill led two sessions on “Developing Culturally Competent Leaders.” Lin Venable and Stacey Nieman also presented on “Rediscovering Joyfulness in Learning that Promotes Positive Outcomes.”

Norma Mason and Tamara Barnhill discussed “Developing Culturally Competent Leaders.”

PERSPECTIVES 7

Summer Kicks off with the Eighth Annual TECTA Summer Research Institute

By Dr. Celeste M. Brown The Eighth Annual TECTA Summer Research Institute took place on Saturday, May 21, 2016. TECTA sponsors the Summer Research Institute each year for Early Childhood educators and administrators. This year’s theme was “A Told B and B Told C: Let’s Talk about Early Literacy,” which borrows a phrase from the

popular childrens’ book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. The Institute consisted of breakout sessions based on peer-reviewed research and interactive training sessions that provide professional training hours for the attendees. The event included twelve workshops that focused on literacy for infants,

techniques for bringing stories to life, kindergarten readiness, and several other topics. The Institute also included keynote addresses by invited speakers and several exhibitors who provided information on local programs, resources, and materials. The Ninth Annual TECTA Summer Research Institute is scheduled on June 17, 2017.

Left: Zora Bates led a session as “The Cat in the

Hat.”

Right: Alesia Hunter from Beech Creek

Ministries led a session on

“Going Beyond Storytime.”

Left: Klem-Mari Cajigas shared information and resources from the Metro Nashville Public Library. Right: Each attendee received free books and materials from TECTA.

8 PERSPECTIVES

Updates on the Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership Program

By Dr. Celeste M. Brown Since the Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences was awarded one of the first federal Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership Grants in the nation, the staff has been hard at work setting up classrooms and

infusing new curriculum into the partnership sites. The program currently works with three child care centers; 15th Ave Baptist Child Learning Center, 18th Ave Family Enrichment Center, Jewell’s Gems Academy, with a fourth center in line to begin enrollment very soon. Each center provides year-round Early Head Start (EHS) services for children and their families, while increasing the capacity of high quality child care services in north Nashville’s neighborhoods. The Center’s EHS-CCP staff have participated in several recruitment events including the Baby University hosted by Tennessee State University on March 25th. Baby University is a free community baby shower that provided resources, information, screenings, and gifts for expecting parents. On June 4th, the Partnership staff took part in recruitment efforts at the Health Empowerment Conference hosted by St. James Missionary Baptist Church.

Left: Child Care Partnership staff provided enrollment information at several outreach events. Below: Children enrolled in the Partnership classrooms received their routine dental exams. These exams are one of the benefits centers now offer through the Partnership.

PERSPECTIVES 9

The Week of the Young Child: A Celebration of Our Youngest Learners

By Dr. Celeste M. Brown On April 13, 2016 the Tennessee State University Department of Family and Consumer Sciences and TECTA hosted “A Celebration of Our Youngest Learners: Children Matter - Work, Together, Build Together, Learn Together.” The event was a celebration that included interactive learning centers, games and reading sessions and live potted flowers presented by staff and students from several of the University’s academic departments. Each year since 1971, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has designated one week to celebrate young children. Regional, state, and local AEYC affiliates; early childhood programs, and community organizations participate by planning events and celebrations around a central theme. The event welcomed close to 200 children

from local childcare programs and Pre-K programs. Several parents also attended and participated alongside their children. The event was held on campus in the indoor football practice facility which provided plenty of room for the children to dance and move around. Overall, it was a fantastic and educational day for everyone involved.

Week of the Young Child at Paris Central

As thousands of children and early childhood educators

across the world celebrated the Week of the Young Child, here in Tennessee at our Paris Central Tennessee CAREs Early Head Start center the teachers and local community partners came together to honor the children throughout the week.

Right: The COELS

activity table

Below: Lisa Walsh and

ECE students led a fun

activity using clay and

wooden tools.

Left: Henry County Mayor Brent Greer visited Paris Central. Right: The local fire department visited the children during the Week of the Young Child.

10 PERSPECTIVES

COELS Director Inducted into the Blue Jacket Society

TSU Hosts Employee

Recognition Luncheon

The 2016 Employee

Recognition was held on April 26th

on the main campus of

Tennessee State University.

The COELS staff

members recognized for their years of service were:

5 Years

Alex Atkinson Paula Herrin-

Stephens

15 Years Felisa Kendall

COELS Director Ms. Valerie Williams was awarded a Blue Jacket at the 2016 Research Symposium Awards luncheon on April 8th. The Tennessee State University Blue Jacket Society awards are reserved for Million Dollar Club members that have continued to receive significant grant funds and contracts following their induction. She joins an exclusive club that also

COELS Director Ms. Valerie Williams (pictured right) was among the first inductees in the Blue jacket Society.

includes Dr. Lois Myles, Dr. Lee Keel, Dr. Keith Hargrove, and Dr. Sandra Godwin. Although the actual blue blazers were presented sometime later, they symbolize a commitment to advancing research and service to the campus, community, and academia as a whole.

PERSPECTIVES 11 Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Events

National Head Start Association 2016 Fall Leadership Institute

September 25-29, 2016 Washington, DC

National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)

46th Annual Conference “‘Til Victory is Won” October 1-4, 2016 Orlando, Florida

Tennessee State University

Homecoming Week “Celebrating a Legacy of Pride and Progress”

October 9-15, 2016 Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children (TAEYC)

62nd Annual Conference “A Brand New World: Nothing Without Joy”

October 12-15, 2016 Franklin, Tennessee

Tennessee Conference on Social Welfare (TCSW)

104th Anniversary Leadership and Networking Conference Franklin Marriott Cool Springs

March 20-22, 2017 Franklin, Tennessee

Dr. Katari Coleman

Collegiate 100 Wins Big at Student Awards Celebration

This April, the men of Collegiate 100 received eight awards this year during the Tennessee State University Student Awards celebration. The awards included the Community Service Award, Collaboration Award, Education Program Award, Student Leader of the Year, Social Program of the Year, and Outstanding Commitment to Service Award. The group also won “Student Organization of the Year” and “Advisor of the Year” for the second

Left: Advisor Alex Atkinson (pictured left) and members of Collegiate 100. Right: The organization won several

awards including Advisor of the Year.

consecutive year. COELS staff member Mr. Alex Atkinson has served as advisor for Collegiate 100 for several years.

Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences � Tennessee State University � 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. Box 9500� Nashville, TN 37209

PERSPECTIVES on Learning Sciences

The mission of the Center of Excellence for Learning Sciences is to design and conduct multidisciplinary research and demonstrations concerning practices, policies, and programs that promote the educational, social, physical, and psychological well-being of children and families; and to disseminate research and information to improve public policy and the programmatic decisions of agencies, schools, institutions, and communities in Tennessee, the nation, and the global community.