Words of Inspiration

Announcements

Research and Creative Activities

Opportunities

Department Media

Questions about newsletter? Please contact David Stoloff, email: stoloffd@easternct.edu

Eastern Connecticut State University logo

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NEWS
Volume XIX, Fall 2004

First Week of Fall 2004  - August 23, 2004
best viewed at  http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/news/040823.html

on the World Wide Web

for past issues Ed. Dept. News Index - http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/newsindex.html



Education Dept. Homepage

Alumni News

Departmental Documents

Please see the University Disclaimer.

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Words of Inspiration

the collection appears at http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/news/words.html

It's a jungle out there
Disorder and confusion everywhere
No one seems to care
Well I do
Hey, who's in charge here?
It's a jungle out there
Poison in the very air we breathe
Do you know what's in the water that you drink?
Well I do, and it's amazing
People think I'm crazy, 'cause I worry all the time
If you paid attention, you'd be worried too
You better pay attention
Or this world we love so much might just kill you
I could be wrong now, but I don't think so
It's a jungle out there

Listen to "It's a Jungle Out There," the current Main Title Theme from Monk* by Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman.

For more information about this USA television program, please see http://www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/overview.html

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Announcements

1) Preparing for Fall 2004 semester - a few developing dates

Monday, August 23 - Academic year begins

Thursday, August 26 - University meeting - 10 am and General Education Program meeting - following university meeting - Betty Tipton Room

Friday, August 27 -  University Convocation - 4 pm

Monday, August 30 - Classes begin, 8 am

Thursday, September 2 - Education Department faculty meeting, 12:30 - 1:45 - PLEASE NOTE THIS CORRECTED DATE
    items for the agenda - please add items by contacting David
       Introductions - welcome to Rob Levin, sad news, illnesses, good news - CSU Professor, summer travels,
academic year expectations, life passages
       Education Department goals for 2004-2005
       Committees' organization and scheduling
       Educational Technology Resources
       News from the University Senate and other committees
       News from departmental committees
       Time certain - 1:30 - planning for Diversity Seminar on September 10, planning for Wintersession, Spring and Summer 2005

Monday, September 6 - Labor Day - no classes

Friday, September 10 - Diversity Seminar, 3:30 - 6 pm, Johnson Community Room, LIB

evolving agenda -

1) a survey on attitudes towards diversity by future teachers before 4 pm

 

2) starting the session by

 

     a) welcoming all - explaining the overall goals of the diversity seminars and this one's specific goals - David

 

    b) explaining the goals of the survey - Cathy?

 

    c) asking faculty members who are willing to introduce themselves, in less than a minute, by telling the group our names, program(s), cultural/ethnic/social identification - personal culture, and the implications of this identification on learning and teaching and collaborating with family,

 

3) Wendi Everton - a short presentation (10 minutes) on her expectations for what teachers should know when her children are learning in their classrooms - probably around 4:45,

 

4) inviting the Unity Center to send representatives from campus diversity clubs to participate in a panel on "what teacher candidates should know about diversity in public schools and interacting with diverse students and families,"

 

5) facilitating small group discussions on asking students to give examples of how their personal cultures - family ways, ethnic identification, religion, language, ... had influenced their interactions as students and will influence their teaching and discuss what diversity means and how it influences the learning and teaching setting and teacher-family relationships,

 

6) organizing short reports from these groups - particularly on teacher-family relationships, and

 

7) a short story read by Shirley Ernst - time certain - 5:40 -

 

8) closing with one (or more) of the faculty summarizing the learning from this workshop and announcing the planned date of the next session at the beginning of the Spring 2005 semester.


Tuesday, September 21 - NCATE Celebration - 4 - 7 pm

Monday, October 18 -  Ninth Annual Connecticut Conference on Multicultural Education, Hartford Marriot, Farmington


2) from the CSU Board of Trustees Agenda for its June 14, 2004 meeting -

Award of title of CSU Professor to Dr. Jeffrey Trawick-Smith - ECSU

Congratulations, Jeff, on this well-deserved honor. 


http://w3.sysoff.ctstateu.edu/web/CSUweb_Trustees.nsf/Trustees+Pages/Agenda?OpenDocument

From the contract -
The 2002-2006 CSU AAUP-BOT Collective Bargaining Agreement
http://www.easternct.edu/aaup/cba.html

5.6 CSU Professor

The Board, upon the recommendation of a President and the Chancellor, may award full-time members the title, CSU Professor, provided that the member: 1) has been recommended for the honor by the President who has received the advice of a committee elected from the membership by a procedure designed by the Senate and approved by the President; 2) has been recognized by peers in the field for professional excellence.

CSU Professors shall retain their title for the duration of their service to the system and shall receive additional compensation at a rate 1.10 times their regular salaries.

Not more than four (4) CSU Professorships shall be awarded in any given year, and there shall not be more than twelve (12) in Connecticut State University nor more than three (3) in any one university at any given time.


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3) Announcement from Fred Ashton -

Windham Tech is hiring substitutes for the 2004-2005 school year.  A four year degree is required.  Certification is preferred.  Rate of pay is $100/day.  Windham Tech is next door to ECSU, adjacent to the Webb Hall parking lot.  For more information, contact assistant principal, Fred Ashton, at 456-3879 x316 or fred.ashton@po.state.ct.us.


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The Education Department Faculty photo is posted at
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/faculty.html
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The 2002-2006 CSU AAUP-BOT Collective Bargaining
Agreement is on-line at the usual URL:

http://www.easternct.edu/aaup/cba.html

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Alumni News
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/news/alumninews.html

A message from Ms. Leah  Barbuto -

Joan Culpin was just hired as a third grade teacher in Columbia, CT.
posted on August 20, 2004

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A message from Dr. Delar Singh -

One of our graduate students, Leslie Campbell-Belsito has got a teaching position. In fall, she will be teaching first grade at Sweeney Elementary School in Willimantic, CT.

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Good news from Robyn McKenney, MS in Ed Tech program graduate  

I just wanted to share my great news with you!  I have been offered a job as a K-8 Technology Integration Coach.  I am very excited about this opportunity and feel that my work at Eastern was invaluable in preparing me for this role (especially the thesis).   Some feedback I received was how pleased they were with my understanding of constructivism, project (problem-) based learning, ISTE standards, assessments, and learning environments.  I wanted to share that with you because I feel it speaks directly to your program.

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Another message shared by Dr. Fred Ashton –

Once again, I am pleased to share more good news for the Vocational Technical School System and for ECSU: Mary Schlehofer will be appointed to a teaching position in the English Department at H.H. Ellis Technical High School in Danielson, CT.  Mary did her student teaching here at Windham Tech this past spring semester with department head Jan Marie Weston and she did an outstanding job. 

A message shared by Dr. Fred Ashton -

"More good news for Windham Tech, ECSU, and new graduate David Carter:  David has been appointed to a math position at Windham Vocational Technical High School.  David finished the year for us in a long-term substitute position that he started just after he finished his student teaching and he did a great job.  We are looking forward to him starting the year with us.  His content knowledge and pedagogy are strong and he is a most welcome and valued addition to the teaching faculty!"
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A message shared by Dr. Ann Gruenberg from Cara Ravetto -

I took a long term sub position at the Borough Elementary School for a teacher on maternity leave with the expectation of continuing in the fall for her. As the last few days of school arrived one of the teachers in decided not to renew her contract and resigned, thereby creating an open position. After all was said and done, the position ended up being for first grade. I interviewed for it and was offered the job! I am very excited because I wasn't expecting anything in the district to be open! I was fully prepared to sub for the next year. Now reality sets in as I prepare to set up my classroom and plan the curriculum! My fellow collegues seem very nice and the principal is very supportive. Hope all is well at ECSU and I plan to return in the spring to complete my Capstone. Take care!

Cara Ravetto

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News from Dr. Fred Ashton:

Scott Hill just emailed me.  He has accepted a 4th grade position at Sweeney School.  Scott was in last semester's student teachers' seminar with me.  He is a fine student and will be a great first year teacher.

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News from Dr. Bland Day:

I heard from Rosemary Humes that Cary Langley and Chad Johnson have taken science teaching positions at the Norwich Free Academy. Cary is teaching biology, and I believe that Chad's job is in General Science.

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News from Diana Kimiatek:

Guess what I've been doing for the past 6 months?? I've been a full-time-long-term-sub in the New London Elementary schools as a music teacher. Yes, I was the best music teacher the children and principals had ever had, and I loved it. I am speaking in the past tense because I just stopped because they had to hire a real, certified-in-music music teacher, and because Pfizer where my husband works, has offered him a very good post in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sasha and I will be in the St. John English school, a private school in the Condado area. She is entering 9th grade and therefore, we will be there for at least 4 years. We are very excited and the place is beautiful and the people very warm and friendly. San Juan has many Lebanese people as well as many Ladino Jews. Deena, 23 just graduated with a masters in Physical therapy from UHa. She is going to Louisiana for her clinical before she joins us in PR in order to prepare for her Liscencing exam. The only 'child left behind' is Alexi, who will be 20 this summer and he  is at Eastern as a sophomore. Tell me about you and the twins and the rest. Miss you, Diana

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News from Sarah Orefice:

I am actually doing great!  Immediately after finishing all coursework in
January, I landed a long-term substitute position at Litchfield High School,
teaching 7th and 8th grade Spanish.  On April 1st, they hired me as a first
year teacher under a DSAP Certification.  I will be at Litchfield until the
end of the year at which point I have the option of staying next year or
looking for another position.  I have been applying to area schools for
positions in Early Childhood Education, where my actual certification lies. 
In addition, I will be beginning Grad. School at CCSU this summer.  I will
be taking up a M.A. in Modern Languages, studying in Spain, and applying for
a cross-endorsement in Elementary Spanish.  I will definitely keep you
posted!  Thanks again.

Sarah Orefice

posted on April 27, 2004

more from Sarah -

Hello, more great news!!  I was asked to be a Student Marshall at graduation
representing Sigma Delta Pi, the National Spanish Honors Society.  I also
got engaged over the weekend and will be planning a wedding for June 2005!!!

posted on May 3, 2004

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News first relayed by Steve Kenton:

Kim Kenney is currently teaching at 9th - 12th grade Mathematics at Grasso Tech.  Mrs. Kenney has an exemplary website posted at http://www.teacherweb.com/ct/grassotech/mrskenney/

She writes that "in addition to using a website as a communications vehicle, I also use powerpoint in my classroom (to give notes).  It is very effective because the kids really like it, so they pay attention.  Also, I can put up a slide and walk around to ensure the kids are on task.  I know that a lot of schools do not have the technology, we do not have smartboards or projectors, so I use a TV."

posted on April 5, 2004

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News relayed by Leah Barbuto from Genny Christensen (Wald):

Hi Leah,

Just thought I would write and say hi!  I am still at Dwight School teaching
Kindergarten Special Ed in Hartford.  I absolutely love it this year!  My

Best portfolio is coming along pretty good, it's a lot of work!  Thank you for
preparing me for my career - I could not have done it without your support.  I
would also like to thank Shirley, Diane, and Anne, if you could pass this
along to them!!

I also thought I would let you know that I got married last Feb. to Rob
before he left for Iraq - he will be coming home this Saturday after 13
months; we are having the official wedding this July so it will be exciting. 
I am starting my masters this fall either at Mitchell College, they started
a new masters program.  I am also looking into Eastern and Central.  I would
like to either complete my masters in Special Ed or Reading and Literacy!
 
Well... Thanks you so much for all you did for me at Eastern.  I will see

you next time you visit my school!!

Thank you Genny Christensen (Wald)

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Call for Graduate News -

A request from Institutional Research -
Please share news about the plans of graduating seniors.
If they are going on to graduate school, please provide the graduate's name, undergraduate major,
graduate university, location (city, state), field of study and degree program sought, and any information
on scholarships and/or fellowships.

If they have been accepted for employment positions, please provide the graduate's name,
undergraduate major, company, location (city, state), position, salary.

Please email the information to David, who will compile it for the department. Thanks. 

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Other Events

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ECSU - ThinkQuest for Tomorrow's Teachers Projects

Faculty members and students from Eastern Connecticut State University participated in a US Department of Education grant to Prepare Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology with ThinkQuest
[ http://www.preservice.org/] and 13 other universities throughout the US. This project's homepage may be found at http://www.preservice.org/ecsu/ or
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/dept/pt3.html.
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Long Term Announcements

Alumni news may be found at http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/news/alumninews.html.
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Planning

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Past surveys of our graduates are available on the WWW -
an analysis of the survey of teacher education program graduates 1996-98
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/assessment/survey9698.htm

results of the survey of teacher education program graduates - 1996-1998 -
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/assessment/surveyresults9698.htm, and

results of the survey of teacher education program graduates - 1998-2000 -
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/assessment/gradsurvey2001.htm

survey of interests in graduate programs -1999,
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/assessment/gradinterestsurvey1999.htm

survey of interests in graduate programs - 2001
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/assessment/gradinterestsurvey2001.htm

 
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Research and Creativity Activities

chronicling the ongoing progress of the Education Department at Eastern Connecticut State University

also found at http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/news/rca.html


Searches and Opportunities
for job announcements at Eastern CSU -
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/personnel/jobs.html

departmental searches pending approval -
full-time tenure track faculty members to start in Fall 2005
in Learning and Teaching and
Reading/Language Arts

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Looking for an internship, co-op or full-time job? Then check out our new on-line system-eRecruiting at http://eastern.eRecruiting.com

Walter Diaz
Director
Career Services
Eastern Connecticut State University
83 Windham Street
Willimantic, CT  06226
Phone: (860)465.5244
Fax:(860)465.4440
Email: diazw@easternct.edu
University Web Page: www.easternct.edu
Department Web Page: www.easternct.edu/depts/career/

 

Announcement from Robin Shefts, Career Counselor, Career Services:

"I discovered this website recently which I wanted to share with you, faculty and students. http://careers.education.wisc.edu/projectConnect/MoreInfo.cfm

Project Connect is a national cooperative resource between school districts and universities to assist with teacher/education staff employment efforts on the internet.  If you are not familiar with Project Connect, it's worth checking out!"
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For Connecticut teaching opportunities, please visit http://ctreap.net .

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Recently acquired media - in the Chair's Office or on the Web

ACPA & NASPA (2004), Learning Reconsidered:  A Campus-Wide Focus on the Student Experience.  Washington,  DC: ACPA - Advancing Student Affairs, Engaging Students and NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.  and other materials from President Carter's Advance on August 17 & 18, 2004. 

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Please contact David Stoloff at (860) 465-5501, email: stoloffd@easternct.edu if you have any questions or comments on this newsletter. Please invite others to receive this newsletter and be added
to the Education Department e-mailing list by contacting David Stoloff.