March, 2012 Volume 12
Engagement
Engagement
Advocacy
Support
Coaching
connections
Collaboration
NEWS NOTES NETWORKING
Notes





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
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
News
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.
Dr. David Gill signs copies of his
most recent book
Dr. Barbara Honchell leads a
discussion on helping children
become writers
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
Dr. Eleni Pappamihiel and Dr. Denise
Ousley discuss digital storytelling
with elementary school educators
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
Dr. Janna Siegel Robertson
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
Dr. Terri Collins
PDS Learning Day March 8
Speakers
Using Facebook in Class
(with county permission)
Amy Stuart
Dr. Rajni Shankar Brown
Choosing Choice to Challenge Children’s
Achievement
Dr. Janna Siegel Robertson
Standing Ovations Program
Eric Irizarry
Celebrating Diversity: Cultural Arts
Integration in the 21st Century
Dr. Rajni Shankar Brown
Understanding Complex Relationships
through Sociograms
Ms. Somer Lewis
Web 2.0 Tools
Ms. Somer Lewis
Using Squeak Etoys in the Classroom
Dr. Shelby Morge
Using Informational Texts to Inspire
Inquiry
Dr. Denise Ousley
QR Codes
Dr. Jeff Ertzberger
iPad Teacher Applications
Ms. Chandra Roughton
Nick Jupena
Hoggard High School
Math
LeAnne LaFave
Holly Tree Elementary
Physical Education
Gwendolyn Abraham
Ashley High School
Science
David Glenn
Burgaw Middle School
Science
Nakita Thomas
Cape Fear Middle School
EC
Ryan Redd
Myrtle Grove Middle School
Math
Leah Ashley
White Oak High School
Social Studies
Timothy Mills
Pine Valley Elementary
Third Grade
Sara Haukos
Winter Park Elementary
First Grade
Dixie Smith
Howe Pre-K Center
EYC
Jennifer Booher
Pine Valley Elementary
Kindergarten
Amy Stuart
Topsail High School
English
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.
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.
The Ed. Lab staff prepare to greet authors and
visitors at the Authors’ Showcase.
Tutor: Krysta Fenton,
Tutee: Carlos Salas-Vejar
Tutor: Brittany White
Tutee: Tyrese Hall
Authors’ Showcase Books
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!
Tutor: Chase Morgan
Tutee: Dylan Puzon
Tutor: Bryce Corbett
Tutee: Kevin Cuadra
Tutor: Cera Globis
Tutee: Grace Buffaloe
Tutor: Julia Buckner
Tutee: Kevanni Daniels
Ed Lab Staff poses for the camera.
Mr. Brinkley as Captain Hook
Spotlight on our Faculty
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 accountability. 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.
Dr. Brad Walker, Associate Professor in the Department of Elementary, Middle Level, and Literacy 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 classes, delivered whole class instruction, and worked with students in
small groups. Our thanks to Principal Maria Greene and the College
Park teachers for working with
Dr. Walker! I asked Dr. Walker the
following questions about his
experience:
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 appreciated 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 & Education,” and “Using the Project Approach in the Preschool Classroom” (to name a few). The goal of the event was to provide professional development to in-home, traditional, and family childcare providers. Organizers of the event would like to see more early childhood 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 children 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. Below 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 information 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 congratulations 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 received 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 Cheerleaders 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 Senator Bill Rabon. Congratulations to our National Championship Cheerleaders!