Secondary Education Graduate Named DCPS Teacher of the Year

Alumna Shira Fishman, MA 2007 (Secondary Education) was honored as the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Teacher of the Year on September 19 during the Standing Ovation for DC Teachers event at the Kennedy Center. The event honored more than 660 DCPS educators who earned ratings of Highly Effective under the IMPACT educator evaluation system.

DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced the honor on September 16 and in a DCPS press release said, “Shira Fishman exemplifies the best DCPS has to offer, and the caliber of teacher we want in all our classrooms.” Fishman’s efforts in the classroom helped close a 17-point achievement gap between her students above and below the poverty line.

Fishman, who is current a math teacher at McKinley Technology High School, changed careers eight years ago after working as a mechanical engineer. She decided to change careers after realizing she enjoyed her side job of coaching high school basketball more than her work in the engineering field.

Read the full press release here.

GSEHD-Led Research Team Receives Nearly $3 Million for Study of STEM Inclusive High Schools

Researchers at GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) and the Columbian College of Arts and Science (CCAS) received nearly $3 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study high schools that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum. The project titled, Opportunity Structures for Preparation and Inspiration (OSPrl), will study the rapidly emerging trend of inclusive STEM-focused high schools, looking closely at coursework development, instructional strategies and workforce development opportunities. Dr. Sharon Lynch, professor of curriculum and pedagogy, will serve as lead researcher for the project.

“We are very excited to be leading this innovative research at such a pivotal time for education in the STEM fields,” said Michael J. Feuer, dean of GSEHD. “As inclusive STEM-focused schools become more prevalent, it is essential that educators and policy makers learn about their critical characteristics and how these schools create new opportunities for students underserved in STEM education. This generous funding will allow GSEHD to highlight promising models for STEM-focused schools and make the findings available to the larger education community.”

OSPrI research will create detailed case studies of 12 STEM high schools across the United States to explore different models in different states. The project will explore how the schools are influenced by their community needs and supported by business and industry.  It will document the kinds of support provided to students outside the regular school day, such as internships and mentorships with local businesses, or early college enrollment to get a leg up on success in STEM careers.

Read the full article here

GSEHD Receives Nearly $2 Million to Train Prince George's County Public School Early Childhood Teachers

The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) Bilingual Special Education program recently received nearly $2 million to partner with Prince George’s County Public School System. As part of the Promoting Equity in Early Childhood Education (PEECE) Project, the funds, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, will go towards the training of 85 certified, early childhood educators to provide them with the skills needed to meet the dynamic needs of English Language Learners (ELL) and Culturally/Linguistically Diverse (CLD) learners within the school district. Dr. Amy Mazur, professor of special education will serve as project director of PEECE.

“GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development prides itself on developing educators with the necessary skills to be successful in the classroom and effectively prepare our next generation of leaders,” said GSEHD Dean Michael Feuer. “We couldn’t be happier about this opportunity to partner with one of our local school systems to ensure that these young learners receive the best education possible and suited to their learning needs.”

Beginning January 2012, the nearly $2 million grant, awarded by the U.S. DOE Office of English Language Acquisition National Professional Development Program, will support the matriculation of 17 students a year over the next five years through GSEHD’s Graduate Certificate program in Bilingual Special Education.

Read the full article here.

Alumnus Invited to Voice Local Education Concerns to Sec. Duncan, Members of Congress

Terrence Barresi, MA 2011 (Transition Special Education), was invited to attend the President Barack Obama’s September 23 press conference on the need to provide states with relief from key provisions of No Child Left Behind. Following the President’s remarks from the East Room of the White House, Barresi was one of 20 guests to be invited to the Department of Education’s discussion on NCLB and its negative outcomes at his school. In attendance was Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Carol Johnson, Superintendent of Boston Public Schools and several members of Congress. Barresi was given the opportunity to voice his concerns about problems at Anacostia Senior High School where he is a 12^th grade teacher. “I voiced a number of concerns about NCLB and how it is effecting Anacostia. First, the budget and our struggle with having enough teachers and basic supplies,” says Barresi. “I also voiced my concerns about the stigma of being a failing school and how that impacts the students, the staff and the school’s reputation,” he adds.

Barresi is his second year of teaching at Anacostia, where he teaches special education and inclusion English. “The whole experience was amazing. I got to meet President Obama and Mr. Duncan,” says Barresi. “I am eager to help get the word out about the reauthorization of [The Elementary and Secondary Education Act] to as many people as I can.”

Alumnus, Award-Winning Local Teacher Active in National Education Conversation

In September, alumnus Matthew Tosiello, MA 2007 (Secondary Education), who was named 2011 Arlington County Teacher of the Year, traveled to New York City for the Education Nation Summit.

During his time he was able to meet fellow educators and administrators as well as participate in a Teacher’s Town Hall moderated by Brian Williams. Tosiello appeared in several broadcasts from the event, including NBC Washington. You can view the entire Teacher’s Town Hall here, with Tosiello’s question around minute 36.

Tosiello, who is an active advocate for teachers everywhere, was also featured in a separate segment on NBC Washington News 4. The segment discussed Tosiello’s engaging and successful work in this third grade classroom.  Additionally, Tosiello appeared on the Kojo Nnamdi Show on September 19. One of three local educator panelists, Tosiello discussed how education policy debates, including those about the uses of testing and the future of No Child Left Behind, end up affecting classroom dynamics. You can listen to the segment here.

Beck Endowment Recipient Named

Current student Andres Lomeli was named the 2011 recipient of the Sylven Seid Beck Endowment for Elementary Education.

The Beck Endowment was created from a gift by Dr. Gloria L. Horrworth, GSEHD professor emeritus in 1996 in honor of colleague, alumna, GSEHD faculty member and program director, Dr. Sylven Seid Beck, EdD 1981. The Fund supports students who have completed 12 credit hours, are interested in pursuing a career as elementary education teachers and come from at-risk groups and neighborhoods that are under-represented in elementary education. Each year, the fund provides $5,000 in tuition support to a student selected by review board members.

ALUMNI NEWS

In Memoriam: Dr. Ted McKinley Daniels:  Dr. Daniels, an alumnus of the counseling doctoral program, passed away on July 29. Daniels received his PhD from GSEHD in 2007 in counseling with a focus in rehabilitation leadership. A lifelong student and educator, Daniels was a professor at Coppin State University, The George Washington University and University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Over his remarkable lifetime, he received over 26 awards and recognition for his outstanding service to the community. Daniels had an immense appreciation for the continuing importance of historically black colleges and universities and the critical need to sustain their positive legacy. He led the development of a successful proposal for a $1 million grant to institute a graduate program in rehabilitation counseling at UDC. Daniels dedicated much of his life to the church, worshiping for over 30 years at Union Temple Baptist Church where he also served as a Deacon and in leadership roles.

Stephanie Aduso, MA 2009 (Early Childhood Special Education), received the Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Teaching during the Standing Ovation for DC Teachers at the Kennedy Center on September 19.

Aduso is a pre-kindergarten autism inclusion teacher at Walker-Jones Education Campus. The award recognizes the success of twenty DCPS teachers who received “highly effective” ratings on the IMPACT evaluation system.

Patricia Rice Doran, EdD 2011 (Bilingual Special Education) was appointed an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Towson University.  Her research at Towson will focus on intersections between special education and cultural and linguistic diversity, particularly in the identification and service delivery processes. Most recently, Doran served as the project director for a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIFSE) grant, sponsored by the Office of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education.

Elizabeth Conley, (Education Administration), was recently appointed Rhode Island Department of Education Intermediary Service Provider. She will serve as a state-wide educational consultant for Rhode Island’s new comprehensive evaluation system.

Debra Hermann, Certificate 2010 (Master Teacher Leadership Development Program) received the Rising Star Award from the Physicans Assistant Education Association.

Kimberly L. Hough, EdD (Education Administration), was featured in the August 2011 issue of The School Administrator for her dissertation research exploring the relationships between superintendent-empowering leadership and student achievement, and superintendent humility and student achievement.

Emilia O’Conner, MA 2007 (Special Education), is a co-founder, a board member, and an artist for ArtStream.  ArtStream is an organization based in the Washington, DC metro area that provides artistic opportunities for communities that have traditionally been underserved by the arts. This nonprofit inspires and heals through art in their work with individuals with intellectual disabilities; children and adults dealing with illness; young people with autism; veterans and their families; and senior citizens.

Upcoming Events

Power Lunch with GW Vice Provost for Diversity & Inclusion, Dr. Terri Harris Reed
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 | 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Duques Hall, Room 650

Dr. Terri Harris Reed, Vice Provost for will talk about her work with diversity initiatives here at GW and at various universities across the nation.Pre-registration is required online

For more events from the Office of Career Services, click here.