SOE News

The Educational Studies program is seeking a graduate student with knowledge of mathematics for a .5 appointment to work in an National Science Foundation-funded project that looks at mathematics instruction at community colleges. Applicants should have a strong background in high school and college mathematics (up to calculus) and be proficient with qualitative data analyses. There is some data collection involved and therefore car availability is desirable, but not necessary.

Send vita with qualifications with some indication of why this is an interesting opportunity to Vilma Mesa, vmesa@umich.edu

A family is looking for a part time nanny to visit their South Lyon home and care for two children – a girl age 8 (3rd grade) and a boy age 6 (kindergarten).  The schedule for which they need care is:

Monday & Thursday after school only 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday & Friday all day for the boy  and after school for both kids 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday morning 8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. for the boy, then after school for both kids 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Please email or call (248-330-6368) if you are interested in this position.

For MA and PhD students:

Opportunity to work on a project on reading and writing development for English Language Learners in Dearborn Schools (also a technology focus; see below). This is an unpaid research apprenticeship or internship opportunity.

Mary Schleppegrell, professor of linguistics, is about to begin a project with six elementary schools in Dearborn focused on writing development and building on functional grammar strategies that she’s been developing to support reading comprehension. She’s been collaborating with teachers and coaches at these schools over the past four years and will  work this year with grades 2-5 teachers in six schools.

The first project meeting will be next Monday, November 16, 2009, in Schleppegrell’s office, SEB 4109, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Meetings will also occur the following two Mondays (Nov. 23 and Nov. 30) at the same time to prepare a workshop for coaches and resource teachers in Dearborn on the afternoon of December 4. At that workshop the group will also make plans for work with teachers during winter semester.

MA and PhD students interested in language and literacy are invited to participate, as are students interested in learning technology, as the classrooms have new smart boards and teachers are interested in developing more robust ways of using these.

The group will work together during the weekly meetings to review writing assessment and instruction for grades 2-5, and students will have the opportunity to visit the schools, interview the coaches about writing instruction, and observe writing teaching in the elementary school classrooms.

Please email Mary Schleppegrell or call (734-647-2449) if you are interested.

A woman is seeking a  tutor for a 9-year old girl.  The child’s mother is a producer on a movie currently filming in Ann Arbor.  They are seeking someone who has availability between November 14 and the 30, 2009.  Interested students whould contact  jessica@eclecticpictures.com.  Please include a resume and references.

A full-time nanny is sought to care for a girl during the summer of 2010. A female undergraduate (junior or senior year) or a graduate student is preferred to care for the girl who will be 4.5 years old this summer. The candidate should be a mature and responsible person who can develop a fun and well-rounded program that involves pre-school skills (reading, writing, drawing, arts and crafts) and physical activity (swimming) on a daily basis. This person should have a valid driver’s license and a reliable car to commute back and forth to doctor appointments, home, etc. Previous experience is important and references are required. If interested, please send  an email at melsayed@umich.edu with a detailed description of your previous experience, names/contact information of your references, your complete contact information including your driver’s license number, and your desired weekly rate.

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.

Please email Jennifer Cunningham or telephone (248-486-6589) if you are interested in this opportunity.

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 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.

The Peace Corps is in need of education specialists and individuals with  teaching, training, or tutoring experience.

Peace Corps is one of America’s top national service programs and provides the chance to help others while gaining valuable experience, in addition to other benefits like the option to combine service with graduate school for credit and/or financial assistance, full medical and dental coverage while in service, and an organized network of other returned volunteers for job opportunities and social connections.

By serving in Peace Corps, volunteers show the world a side of America that promotes service, cooperation, and peace. They learn about new cultures and expand their world through travel; overcome challenges, find solutions and grow personally; and acquire global perspective and cross-cultural skills so important in today’s job market. Volunteers also bring their enriching experience and spirit of community service back home when they return.

For more information, contact the U-M Corps Office
Alex Pompe (served in Namibia) and Mahima Mahadevan (served in Kyrgyz Republic)
International Center, Room 10
Phone: 734-647-2182
Email: peace.corps@umich.edu

The Canadian Government, through its embassy and consulates in the United States, supports research, conferences, teaching, and program activity related to Canada and/or Canada-U.S. relations. The Canadian Studies grant program seeks to encourage comparative research and teaching, faculty exchanges, student mobility, and collaboration between American and Canadian researchers. The program also seeks to build stronger ties between American and Canadian universities and colleges. Applications for the following grant programs are due soon:

Research Grant Program assists individual scholars or teams of scholars in writing an article-length manuscript of publishable quality with a focus on Canada or Canada-U.S. relations. Applications due: November 2, 2009.

Doctoral Student Research Award offers doctoral students an opportunity to conduct part of their dissertation research in Canada. The program is intended for students whose dissertations are related in substantial part to the study of Canada. Applications due: December 1, 2009.

Faculty Enrichment (Course Development) Program provides faculty members an opportunity to develop or update a course with substantial Canadian content that will be offered as part of their regular teaching load. Applications due: December 1, 2009.

The Canadian Government is particularly interested in projects that have policy relevance for Canada and Canada-U.S. relations. Topics that are highly relevant to Canada-U.S. relations include smart and secure borders, North American economic competitiveness; regulatory cooperation, Canada-U.S. trade and investment partnership, energy security and sustainability, environmental sustainability, emergency planning and management, Canada-U.S. security and defence cooperation, Canada in Afghanistan, global health policy, and changing demographics in North America. In 2008-09, the Canadian Studies grant program provided support to faculty, researchers, and graduate students at 79 universities, colleges, and institutions in 29 states. More than 100 projects were funded on a wide range of topics and in many disciplines. Click here for a list of recent grant recipients and their projects. Prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss their interest in the grant program with a Canadian government officer in their area.

Daniel Abele, PhD
Head, Research and Academic Relations | Embassy of Canada
Chef, recherche et relations académiques | Ambassade du Canada
t: 202-682-7717; daniel.abele@international.gc.ca

www.canadianembassy.org/grants