New Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders Teaches Innovative Multi-Intervention Approach

The Graduate School of Education and Human Development's newest graduate certificate program, Autism Spectrum Disorders, offers a unique certificate experience that focuses on a multi-intervention approach to instructing children with different levels of disorders. The program is currently accepting applications and is set to begin in the upcoming spring 2012 semester.

The interventions addressed in the program's unique multi-intervention approach include: direct one-to-one instruction, data driven positive behavioral supports, a total communication approach to language development, highly structured environmental engineering with strong visual supports, sensory strategies, and facilitation of play and leisure.

"There is an extraordinary demand on educators and educational systems to provide intervetions that meet the unique needs of children with ASD," says Dean Michael Feuer. "We're very excited about this particular program, which offers an innovative approach to instructing children with varying levels of disorders and will work to fill a critical need for educators qualified to teach students with ASD."

Led by Dr. Laurie Alderman, research scientist in early childhood special education, the 15-credit Autism Spectrum Disorders certificate program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge to more effectively address various critical issues connected to working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. These issues include acadmic achievement and study skills commensurate with cognitive strength, social skills and problem-solving strategies.

Educational Administration Alumnus Appointed Superintendent, Publishes First Book
At a press conference on November 16, Dr. Shawn Joseph, Ed.D. 2009 (Educational Administration), was named as superintendent for Seaford Public Schools in Delaware. He will begin his new position on February 1.

Currently, Joseph is the director of school performance for Montgomery County (MD) Public Schools where he provides leadership to 34 schools serving approximately 23,000 students. Prior to this position, Joseph served as principal and was named as the 2009 National Association of Secondary School Administrator's Met-Life Middle School Principal of the Year for Maryland.

Additionally, Joseph recently completed his first book - The Principal's Guide to the First 100 Days of the School Year: Creating Instructional Momentum, which is due to release in December.

GSEHD Hosts National Association of Education Annual Meeting on Campus
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development hosted the National Academy of Education (NAEd) Annual Meeting October 27-29. National Academy of Education advances education research and its use in policy formation and practice.  Dean Michael J. Feuer (pictured at left) and Provost Steven Lerman made remarks during the meeting.

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) held its annual Brown Lecture in Education Research in conjunction with the NAEd Meeting. The Brown Lecture was held October 27 at the Ronald Regan Building in downtown DC. Many GSEHD faculty and students attended the lecture.

New Grant Will Fund Virtual, On-Site Training Opportunities for Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
The George Washington University Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education (GW-CRCRE) in partnership with the University of Arkansas CURRENTS and the Utah State National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) has received a $799,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The funding will establish the National Technical Assistance Partnership (NTAP). 

The NTAP will increase the transfer utilization and dissemination of information from research on promising practices on topics of national significance to the field of vocational rehabilitation though virtual and on-site training opportunities to state vocational rehabilitation agencies and their partners. Dr. Maureen McGuire-Kuletz, associate professor of counseling, will lead this project as principal investigator.

Educational Administration Celebrates New Partnership With Teach for America
On October 13, the Educational Administration graduate programs celebrated a new partnership between Teach For America and the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at The George Washington University. 

Hosted at the GW Alexandria Graduate Education Center, a panel of program alumni participated in a discussion of “Keys to School improvement for Beginning Leaders – Where to Begin?” Reflections, tips and insights were provided by Dr. Mike Bishop, Principal, Patriot High School; Tara O’Flaherty, Ed.S., Principal, Chavez Prep Middle; Angelique Simpson-Marcus, Ed.S., Principal, Largo High School; and Dr. Keith Stephenson, Principal, Chamberlain Elementary.  Dr. J. David Martin, GW faculty, served as the moderator. (Panel shown at left).

GSEHD Dean Michael J. Feuer, provided opening comments about the value of a partnership between a traditional graduate school of education and Teach For America, with the opportunity for each institution to learn from the other.  Through this partnership, GSEHD will reimburse application fees for TFA members and TFA alumni who apply to the off-campus Educational Leadership and Administration master’s and educational specialist programs and the doctoral program in Educational Administration and Policy Studies. The partnership seeks to aid TFA alumni continue on their path to assuming leadership roles in education. Dr. Rebecca Thessin, assistant professor of educational administration helped facilitate the event.

Center for Equity and Excellence in Education Marks 20^th Year
GW’s Center for Equity and Excellence in Education (GW-CEEE) recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with an event October 24 in the City View Room at the Elliott School.  Dean Michael J. Feuer, and Associate Dean Joel Gomez were present to speak before the Center’s Executive Director, Dr. Charlene Rivera (pictured), as well as Center staff, GW Faculty, and other guests. Rivera’s staff presented her with a gift to commemorate the Center’s 20 years and constant dedication towards equity issues.

Alumnae Named to Washingtonian’s List of Most Powerful Women
Linda Rabbitt, M.A. 1972 (Secondary Education), and Julie Rogers, M.A. 1973, were both named to Washingtonian’s list of Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Rabbitt is the founder and CEO of Rand Construction Corporation and chairman of the Federal City Council. Rogers is the President of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation and strives to foster collaboration among local nonprofit leaders.

CURRENT STUDENTS

Joe Follman accepted an offer to join the Board of Directors of the National Youth Leadership Council, a Minnesota-based organization that is a leading proponent of service-learning and which sponsors the National Service-Learning Conference.

Holly Hargreaves (Counseling Doctoral Program) is the recipient of the 2011-2012 Psi Chi/Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) Internship Grant. At the 2011 American Psychological Assocation Convention Hargreaves presented her research on the association between interpersonal violence and animal cruelty as part of her internship at the NCAVC. 

In her lifetime, Mrs. Liebmann supported students and educational and charitable organizations.  Her primary concern, as expressed in her Will, was to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study.  This fund emphasizes the importance of the following: an outstanding undergraduate record, a demonstrated need for financial assistance, United States citizenship, and study and/or research carried out entirely in the United States.

The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship Foundation is interested in students who demonstrate a strong financial need, have an excellent academic record, and are pursuing scholarly endeavors.  The amount of each fellowship will cover tuition costs, plus an $18,000 annual stipend to be allocated towards room, board, and ordinary living expenses. 

To apply, submit the below to The Office of Graduate Student Assistant Ships and Fellowships, The George Washington University, Rice Hall Suite 301, 2121 Eye Street NW, Washington DC 20052:

• Application
• All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
• Copy of your graduate exam test score (if not applicable, please note this in the application section requesting your graduate exam test score).
• Three academic letters of recommendation.
• A copy of your FAFSA.
• A copy of your Financial Aid Summary.
  (Go to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to access your Financial Aid Review. If you have forgotten your Student Aid Pin, you must go to the pin website and reset it.)
• A copy of your Federal Income Tax Return for the prior two years (including spouse's returns, if applicable).

ALUMNI

Katie Biechman, M.Ed. 2009 (Elementary Education), contributed to a curriculum guide for The National Postal Museum based on Owney the Dog, a U.S. Postal Service icon. The comprehensive curriculum includes a guide that features four different units using Owney the Dog to meet reading, writing, math, social studies, science and art standards. There are also companion lessons for special education classrooms.  The curriculum was unveiled at Smithsonian Teacher’s Night and can be viewed here.

Dionne Calloway, Graduate Certificate 2010 (Bilingual Special Education), successfully implemented a project made possible by a grant she received from the Community Education Center of the American Immigration Council. Calloway used the grant funding to provide flash drives to eighth grade students in her classes with higher numbers of ESOL and special needs students at White Oak Middle School in Montgomery County, Maryland. Using the flash drives to compile essays, achievements and assignments, Calloway enabled this group of middle school students from diverse backgrounds to develop academic portfolios to be used for college admissions.

Karen James Chopra, M.A. 1999 (Community Counseling), was featured in an article in The Washingtonian titled “How to Find Work You Love.”

Amanda Haddaway, M.A. 2008 (Educational Technology Leadership), just completed and published her first book, Destination Real World: Success After Graduation. The book provides 25 tips to help new college graduates navigate the challenges of finding and keeping their first jobs and living on their own.

Dr. Al C. Jones, Ed.D. 2003 (Special Education), was recently promoted to associate division director for the Monitoring and State Improvement Planning Division of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Dr. Jordan Knab, Ed.D., 1998 (Special Education)  was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to the Commission on Jobs for Floridians with Disabilities. Currently, Knab is the principal investigator and director of Project 10 Sting Ray at University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Ed.D. 2007 (Curriculum and Instruction), was recently appointed to lead teacher quality programs at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). As director of the teacher quality programs within the Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs (AITQ) unit, O’Donnell will be responsible for overseeing the administration of programs aimed at improving teacher and principal effectiveness. 

Jill Ruchala, M.A. 2009 (International Education), was selected to join a national team of 26 organizers with the Institute for Democratic Education in America (IDEA). In her work with IDEA, Ruchala will serve the National Team for Strategic Change in Public Education as a community organizer by collaborating on change projects. Ruchala is currently Director of Global Education with the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area.