Newsletter - Spring 2014
Selected as AERA Fellow
Professor and Associate Dean Mark Warschauer has been selected an AERA Fellow by the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The AERA Fellows Program honors education researchers with substantial research accomplishments, to convey the Association's commitment to excellence in research, and to emphasize to new scholars the importance of sustained research of excellence in the field. Learn more.
Honored for Excellence in Undergraduate Education
Assistant Professor Tesha Sengupta-Irving was one of 11 professors honored for excellence in undergraduate teaching during the 21st UC Irvine Celebration of Teaching Awards, held April 24th at the UC Irvine Student Union. In introducing Dr. Sengupta-Irving, Associate Dean Mark Warschauer praised her success as a teacher and noted her exemplary modeling for future university instructors as well as future K-12 educators. Learn more.
Inducted into American Academy of Political and Social Science
Distinguished Professor Greg Duncan was one of six scholars inducted in May into the American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS). Fellows are selected for their contributions to the improvement of society through research and influence over public policy. AAPSS cited Professor Duncan's study of early intervention programs for children and how behaviors and skills at a young age impact longer-term well-being. Recipient of the 2013 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize, Professor Duncan also is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Education. Learn more.
Professors Selected as Inaugural Editors for new AERA Journal
Professors Jacquelynne Eccles, Greg Duncan, and Mark Warschauer have been named Inaugural Editors for the new American Educational Research Association Journal AERA Open. The journal will publish important cumulative and incremental research and serve as a forum for innovation, new inquiry and ideas, interdisciplinary bridge building, and work that fosters the connection of research to policy and practice.
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Credential Program Passes Accreditation Review with Praise for Program Components
In completing the accreditation review of the School of Education's Teacher Credential programs, the CTC Site Visit Team Lead and members of the Committee on Accreditation noted several exemplary components: (a) the undergraduate blended program in math and science's field work approach providing experience in elementary, middle, and high schools; (b) all credential and certificate programs functioning as a cohesive unit; (c) robust collection, analysis, and application of data within the teacher credential programs; (d) relationships with community, as represented by our Advisory Councils; (e) incorporation of Common Core standards across programs; and (f) integration of Senate faculty research into curriculum and practice.
Nine UC Irvine Alumni Honored by Irvine Unified School District
Nine School of Education alumni and three mentor teachers for the School's teacher credential programs were honored at the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) 2014 Excellence in Teaching Awards, held May 2 at the Irvine Marriott Hotel. The 12 honorees were among the 40 teachers recognized at the 27th annual IUSD event as "the brightest teaching stars." Learn more.
Ph.D. Students Garner Three National Science Foundation Fellowship Awards and an Honorable Mention
Three first year Ph.D. in Education students, Jacky Au, Melissa Powell, and Lynn Reimer, have been awarded National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to pursue their research. Kirstie Hewson was awarded honorable mention for her proposal titled "Physical Activity Science Lessons in the After School Setting." All four students are pursuing a specialization in Learning, Cognition, and Development (LCD). Learn more.
Ph.D. Student Cathy Tran Awarded NEA/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship & Mister Rogers Memorial Scholarship
Fourth year doctoral student Cathy Tran has been awarded National Education Association/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship in support of her dissertation research: "Designing for Productive Persistence after Failure in Education." In addition, she has been awarded The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Mister Rogers Memorial Scholarship. Learn more.
Doctoral Student Jennifer Long Leads El Morro Elementary Student Group Researching at Crystal Cove State Park
Ph.D. student Jennifer Long engages fourth and fifth grade students from El Morro Elementary School in an afterschool club that includes trips to Crystal Cove State Park's Environmental Study Look to conduct on-site science research in echydrology. As she explains, "I am interested in helping children complete the scientific process from hypothesis to presentation, and I am studying whether this process helps them grasp difficult system concepts such as the water cycles." Learn more.
26 Graduates to Receive 4-Year STEM Degree Plus Teacher Credential
The UCI Cal Teach Program, a collaborative initiative sponsored by the Schools of Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Education, will graduate 26 students this year, bringing the number of program graduates to 48. The Cal Teach program enables undergraduates to earn both their STEM bachelor's degree and a teacher credential in four years. Learn more.
School Hosts Reception for Photographers and Guests from The Academy Charter High School
Ninth grade students and parents from The Academy Charter High School (The Academy) in Santa Ana were welcomed to the School of Education on May 7th for a reception featuring the students' photography. The students' photographs were created in their photography class with Blaine Jones, an alumnus of the UC Irvine Teacher Credential Program. The 31 student photographs will be on display in the School's Dean's Suite and Student Affairs Reception for the next year. Learn more.
Superintendent Steven Keller, Redondo Beach Unified School District, Honored at 42nd Lauds & Laurels Celebration
Superintendent and School of Education Alumnus, Steven Keller, was honored at the 42nd Lauds and Laurels Celebration as the 2014 Distinguished Alumni from the School of Education. Dr. Keller received his Ed.D. in Educational Administration in 2000. His research studied crisis leadership in an at-risk middle school: Its practice and impact on student performance. Learn more.
Alumnus Keith Curry, Ed.D. Delivers Keynote Address at BLAC Banquet
Alumnus Keith Curry, Chief Executive Office for the Compton Community College District (CCCD), will deliver the keynote address at the Black Leadership Advancement Coalition (BLAC) 12th Annual Night of the Stars Scholarship and Awards Banquet on May 22. Dr. Curry received his Ed.D. in Educational Administration from UC Irvine in 2011. While a doctoral student, he served as Director of UC Irvine Early Academic Outreach Program and subsequently as Dean of Student Services for El Camino College Compton Center. Learn more.
School of Education Students Volunteer at Head Start Family Festival
Doctoral students and undergraduates from the School of Education volunteered as readers and book distributors during the 7th Annual Head Start Family Festival, held April 12. During the afternoon event, the students read to children, distributed over 5,000 books donated by Orange County community members, and participated in storytelling activities. Learn more.
Student Teachers Volunteer at Very Special Arts
School of Education student teachers volunteered for the 2014 Very Special Arts (VSA) festival, held at Westfield Mall in Santa Ana. VSA, founded by Jean Kennedy Smith and coordinated through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, celebrates and showcases the talents of disabled children, youth, and adults in dance, music, theater, and the visual arts. In addition to assisting festival attendees with their creations, UCI student teachers from Kim Burge’s art class submitted reflections on their experiences. Learn more.
