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School of Education News

School of Education professor chosen for Excellence in Teaching Award

Cristiano
Joseph Cristiano
Joseph Cristiano, an adjunct professor in the School of Education, was selected to receive Quinnipiac's Excellence in Teaching Award. The annual award represents the University's highest recognition of excellence in and outside the classroom. The 2009 recipients were honored at the annual Center for Excellence Awards Dinner on Oct. 15.

Honorees, who are selected from a pool of nominations by faculty, staff, students, alumni and parents, have their names engraved on a stone sculpture on display in the Arnold Bernhard Library. The recipients are recognized at a reception with the board of trustees, receive a cash prize and will be featured in a promotional brochure to be used throughout the year in Quinnipiac's public relations activities.




MAT student teaches elementary school children about life in Nicaragua

Brian Walach '10
Brian Walach '10
Brian Walach '10, a student in the MAT program, recently made a presentation about Nicaragua to a group of fifth-grade students in Bradford, R.I. Walach participated in the University's alternative spring break trip in Nicaragua in March.

Along with about 35 Quinnipiac students and faculty members, Walach helped to lay the foundation for a school, built walls and repainted several classrooms in Leon, Nicaragua. The annual volunteer mission aims to improve conditions in the country, particularly in schools. "We've been working with the same school for a few years now, and the difference we are making is very noticeable. We're turning corrugated metal boxes with dirt floors into real classrooms with real floors that are suitable for learning," Walach says.

During his presentation to the children in Bradford, Walach discussed school life in Nicaragua. He says the students were very interested and inquisitive about the topic. "Being able to open their eyes to other places in the world was very gratifying to them, and I realized that these students are just a small sample of the people we can reach by talking about out experiences in Nicaragua," says Walach, who is from Bradford, R.I.

"Seeing their excitement at the prospect of forming a school supply drive at their school for next year's trip to Nicaragua was really touching. Spreading my passion about Nicaragua to these young students and seeing how much they were able to take away from it is extremely gratifying."


School of Education hosts lecture by author and educator Mary Cowhey

Mary Cowhey
Mary Cowhey (right) signs a copy of her book, "Black Ants and Buddhists."
Mary Cowhey, author of "Black Ants and Buddhists: Thinking Critically and Teaching Differently in the Primary Grades," visited campus March 31 to speak about teaching students to think critically about the world. In "Black Ants and Buddhists," Cowhey takes readers inside her integrated first and second grade classroom in Northampton, Mass., where understanding and respecting differences in race, culture, beliefs and opinions are at the heart of teaching and learning.

In her talk, Cowhey discussed her own personal and classroom experiences and shared her insight into the challenges of helping students think critically about the world. She offered starting points for conversations about diversity and controversy in the classroom.

Following her presentation, Cowhey spoke informally with teacher candidates and signed copies of "Black Ants and Buddhists," a required text for elementary teacher candidates in the master of arts in teaching program.


MAT students lead workshop for teachers in Nicaragua

Jennifer Walts and a local child
Jennifer Walts '10 and a local child

Five students in the master in teaching program in the School of Education were among a group of 31 students who took part in a volunteer mission in Nicaragua over spring break. The MAT students hosted a three-day leadership conference for teachers in Leon, Nicaragua, in March. With the help of an interpreter, each student taught three lessons on one subject, including language arts and literacy, mathematics and science. School of Education professor Cheryl Kerison was one of several professors who accompanied the group.

Jen Walts '10, who is majoring in English and music in the secondary education program, says the time and effort that went into preparing the lessons were well worth it. "The teachers are so appreciative of all the work we put into it," she says. The Quinnipiac students had to create lessons that could be adjusted to different grade levels since the 20 Nicaraguan teachers who attended the conference taught students ranging from preschool to high school.

After the conference, Walts and the other education students had the opportunity to observe the Nicaraguan teachers in the classroom. She says she was impressed by how much the teachers were able to accomplish with few resources. "It solidified my decision to become a teacher. It made me realize we have so much we take for granted," Walts says.

Watch a video about the trip on the University's YouTube channel


New educational leadership program brings alumni back to campus

Gary Alger

The School of Education's new educational leadership program has brought several alumni back to campus, including Terra Breene '01, MAT '03, John Albinger MAT '05, Santo Galatioto '04, MAT '05, Lauren O'Leary '04, MAT '05, Sharon Shirley MAT '01, and Robert Repko MAT '05, who are enrolled in the inaugural class. The program aims to meet the demand for school administrators in Connecticut.

"An increasing number of principals are retiring in Connecticut," said Gary Alger, director of the program. "Challenges school leaders face, such as school safety and improving schools with limited budgets and fewer resources, deter teachers from moving into leadership positions. We're responding by offering a program that gives teachers confidence to meet those challenges. We want to inspire people to see these challenges as opportunities."

Galatioto, who currently teaches U.S. history and government at Hamden High School, decided to pursue the sixth-year diploma because of his interest in administration. "It is a phenomenal hybrid program," says Galatioto. "There is a great balance of class on campus and the use of online tools. Gary [Alger] makes the program exciting. Having been a superintendent, he can bring his real life experience to the course."


School of Education accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

The School of Education has achieved accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation for teacher education. "I speak for the School of Education in saying that we are extremely proud to have earned national accreditation for our master of arts in teaching programs," said Cynthia Dubea, dean of the School of Education. "NCATE accreditation provides formal recognition at the national level of the quality of our programs, our faculty and our teacher candidates.

NCATE-accredited schools must meet rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public.

  • Teacher candidates must have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter that they plan to teach as well as the skills necessary to convey it so that students learn.
  • The university must carefully assess this knowledge and skill to determine that candidates may graduate.
  • The institution must have partnerships with P-12 schools that enable candidates to develop the skills necessary to help students learn.
  • Candidates must be prepared to understand and work with diverse student populations.
  • College and university faculty must model effective teaching practices.
  • The School of Education must have the resources, including information technology resources, necessary to prepare candidates to meet new standards.