COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
 
 
 
ENGAGEMENT - Fall 2018
 
Welcome to the fall 2018 edition of ENGAGEMENT. We are pleased to share news about our ongoing efforts to promote a more humane and just society, free from oppression, that maximizes human potential and the quality of life for all individuals, families, and communities.

UVM Awarded U.S. Department of Education Grant for Interprofessional Education Project to Serve Children with Disabilities and their Families

A new grant from the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will support the interdisciplinary preparation of graduate students at UVM, increasing the availability and quality of services needed for children with disabilities and their families.
Leading the project are Dr. Jennifer Hurley, associate professor of Early Childhood Special Education, and Dr. Shelley Velleman, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Counseling Professor Collaborates with UVM Interdisciplinary Restorative Practices Research Team

Integrating the concept of critical consciousness to restorative practices is an important next step for schools to be successful in reducing inequity, according to Dr. Lance Smith, coordinator of UVM's Counseling program.
“My passion is to train school counselors to be a threat to inequity in their schools," he says.

New Faculty Bring Diverse Expertise and Backgrounds to UVM

Nine outstanding teacher-scholars join the College of Education and Social Services (CESS) this fall. New faculty members will enhance academic programs across the College, including American Sign Language, Early Childhood Education, Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA), Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), Social Work, and Special Education.
"Our new faculty members bring an impressive range of backgrounds, interests, expertise, and talents to the College," said Dean Scott Thomas.  "We are proud to welcome these nationally recognized and respected academic authorities as colleagues within the CESS community."

Embracing the Experience: Student-Athlete Courtney Wright

"I have found and built the foundations for success. Upon graduation the sky is the limit," says Courtney Wright, a senior Human Development and Family Studies major from Cambridge, Ontario. 
“She brings intelligence, positive energy, discipline and responsibility to her academic courses in the same way she tackles being a varsity athlete," says her faculty advisor, Dr. Larry Shelton. 
Wright overcame a devasting injury during her first game as a starter on the UVM Women's Basketball team, but fought her way back onto the court while maintaining her standing on the America East Honor Roll every year.

New Videos Highlight Experiences of Students and Recent Alumni

We are continuously amazed by our students and alumni in education and social services.
It is our pleasure to share new videos featuring Grace Colbert, Hannah Crowe-Cumella, Sophie Robledo, Sage Ryan, Chris Shackett, Gage Sironi, and Robert Hobson Stone.

How Wanda Heading-Grant is Making Progress Happen at UVM

“In my work, I get to make an impact and change systems at higher levels,” says Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant. “What my experience at UVM has afforded me is an education and an understanding of how to fight the ills of the world in terms of discrimination and diversity.”
Heading-Grant is the Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at UVM. She is also a clinical associate professor of Social Work, and a graduate of our Educational Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral program.

UVM Alum Tom Payeur Named 2019 Vermont Teacher of the Year

As an innovator in the field of proficiency-based education, Tom Payeur leads school change efforts to develop best practices in teaching 21st-century skills. His students come from a variety of backgrounds all around the world. "Every day affords me new opportunities to continually be amazed by the ideas and emerge when diversity is encouraged and celebrated," says Payeur.

UVM Alum Dan French Begins Tenure as Vermont Secretary of Education

Dan French has a wealth of experience at all levels of the education system. A graduate of our doctoral program in educational leadership and policy studies, French is well-known as a highly respected leader capable of managing complex systems and issues.

Social Work Department Offers Information Sessions on Master's Program

"During my time as an MSW Student, I had the capability to develop exactly the type of field experience I wanted in order to grow professionally, and to gain the practice and education I needed to further my career," says Bryan Hallet (G'16).
To attend an MSW program information session this fall, please contact ken.bechtel@uvm.edu.

UVM Study on Science Education Gains National Attention

Published in The Elementary School Journal, a recent study by UVM faculty investigated whether the educational backgrounds of science teachers were predictive of the level in which they engaged in inquiry-oriented instruction.
“We cannot expect that goals for reforming science education in the United States can be achieved without carefully examining how teachers are prepared,” says Dr. Tammy Kolbe, who co-authored the study with Dr. Simon Jorgenson. 

Building Schools and Opportunities for Underserved Communities

“I saw first-hand what not being able to read does to someone’s opportunity in life,” recalls Shawna Wells ('04), a partner and coach with The Management Center, an organization dedicated to helping social justice leaders nationwide. “It set me on the path of figuring out what it would take for all students, no matter their zip code, to be on equal footing and have equal opportunity.”

Celebrating Inclusive Employment Success in Tanzania

Our Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (CDCI) hosted two international fellows from the Professional Fellows Program for Inclusive Disability Employment. After spending five weeks in Vermont with an intensive program for Inclusive Disability Employment, Victoria Melkisedeck Lihiru returned home to Tanzania ready to make changes.

The Benefits of Student Presenters at Education Conferences

At a recent conference in Vermont, over 100 students either presented or participated to enhance the professional learning of educators. "Letting students participate and lead shifts the mentality of how we grow as educators," according to a recent article published in Edutopia by Life LeGeros, a professional development coordinator in our Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education.

Giving to the UVM College of Education and Social Services

Please consider making a gift to the College of Education and Social Services (CESS). Your generous support provides funding for students scholarships and internships, faculty research, academic programs, and support for other important needs.
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