SOE News

A family is seeking a School of Education student to tutor their first grader in math. The family would prefer someone in the elementary school program who knows the most current classroom teaching techniques.

Email jennifer.cunningham@italian.web.itd if you are interested in this opportunity.

According to the Week 2 report, twenty School of Education community members have pledged $4,520 total to United Way charitable giving campaign, which gives us a participation rate of about four percent.  To see the full report, go to the U-M United Way website.

All staff and faculty members should have received a pledge form and materials through campus mail. Alternatively, people may pledge using the electronic system.

The Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (CSHPE) will host its annual CSHPE/GOSHE (Graduate Organization of Students in Higher Education) Chili Cook-Off on November 15, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the SOE lounge.  Novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike will compete for a chance to win a $25 Whole Foods gift card for their chili entries in the meat, vegetarian, and non-traditional categories.  The CSHPE/GOSHE Chili Cook-Off has been an annual event for over ten years.

The Michigan Education Reform Club, some of whose members are U-M School of Education students, is involved with an inter-collegiate education delegation in which students of education to come together from three different universities (Michigan, Illinois State, and Purdue) on a service-learning trip in Nicaragua from August 2 to 23, 2010.  Participants will learn from Nicaraguan educators, work and learn in service to a Nicaraguan community, and gain a greater understanding of education globally.

An information packet with an application and details about the trip is available on the Michigan Education Reform Club website.  Applications are due on November 10, 2009. Completed applications should be emailed to Dave Metler.  The application asks for applicants’ interview availabilities—after the application has been received, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt and scheduling the interview.  Questions should be directed to Dave Metler.

The Liebmann Fund has announced their 2010-2011 fellowship competition.  The trust will accept up to three nominations from the University of Michigan.  The fellowship provides a stipend of $18,000, full tuition for fall and winter, health and dental benefits, and is renewable for up to two additional years.  It is open to students pursuing a graduate degree in humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture, or other formal professional training).

Nominees must have an outstanding undergraduate record, demonstrate a need for financial assistance, and be a citizen of the United States.  The fellowship awards those nominees with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study.  Those who would be eligible for consideration must carry out their education and research entirely in the U.S.

Because the application is complicated, applicants are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible.  Copies of the application and guidelines may be picked up at Rackham at the Rackham Student Services reception desk. All applications must be returned to the Rackham Fellowships Office for final approval and for the Rackham dean’s letter of recommendation. The deadline for completed applications to be sent to the Fellowships Office at Rackham is Thursday, January 7, 2010.  The award decisions of the Liebmann Trustees will be announced in May 2010.

Please join me in wishing Mike Dubin, director of development, all the best as he runs the New York City Marathon this Sunday, November 1, 2009. Mike was chosen by the Michael J. Fox Foundation to be a member of Team Fox. He has been working hard over the last few months not only to prepare his body for the marathon but also to raise awareness and funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Best of luck, Mike!

Update: Mike successfully completed the marathon. Michael J. Fox waited along the course to meet Mike and cheer him on. A short video of their meeting is available.

Mike Dubin meets Michael J. Fox

For everyone who is appointed here in our school (faculty, staff, and graduate students): The school’s leadership (consisting of faculty, staff, and student leaders) are urging you to consider contributing to the United Way or other charitable organization this year during the university’s annual drive, currently underway. It is vital to our school and to the university that we show our commitment to our surrounding communities in these difficult economic times. Although the drive is identified as the United Way drive, you do, in fact, have the ability to choose any 501(c)3 charitable organization. Contributions can be made online. Absolutely any amount of money will be deeply appreciated and used and the amount of your donation (or whether you choose to donate at all) is completely confidential. What is important here is that we strive to attain a high level of participation, not that we give a particular amount of money. Laura Roop is our SOE community representative in the campus-wide campaign and will be leading our efforts to step up to the challenge of giving back to the organizations and causes who are doing much- needed work in our community.  She’ll provide updates on our progress toward our goal across the next weeks. Please help the School of Education to participate strongly and visibly as a group in this year’s United Way campaign.

The Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education will host a reception at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Higher Education on Friday, November 6, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, Finback Room, Vancouver, B.C.  All are welcome to attend.

On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, the Combined Program in Education and Psychology and the Joint Program in English and Education, sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs, are presenting an informational webinar about their programs.  The webinar begins at 7:00 p.m.  Interested prospective students should register at http://sitemaker.umich.edu/education.osadata/webinar&mode=add.

The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) will provide an intensive teaching orientation program for new, returning, and future graduate student instructors (GSIs). The event provides an opportunity for GSIs to gain teaching skills, make connections with other GSIs, allay fears concerning teaching, and learn about helpful CRLT resources. The orientation is from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on January 4, 2010. For more information and to register, please visit the CRLT website or contact Chris Groscurth.