Department of Education Monday Minutes

Here are your Monday Minutes for the week of September 8-11, 2020. 

From the Department Head

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

Can you believe that our Fall 2020 semester is 20% complete? We are still able to hold face to face classes due to your care for the community- we all have a part in keeping each other safe by wearing masks, social distancing, and cleaning our individual areas with our Clean Cat Kits. Keep it up, Bobcats! 

My message this week is simple. Please keep those affected by the wildfires in the western United States and elsewhere in your thoughts and consider donating to the Red Cross Wildfire Relief fund. Please also keep our emergency responders and their families in your thoughts. Be safe!

Take good care,

 Ann Dutton Ewbank's signature 

Dr. Ann Ewbank

News and Announcements

  • This fall’s Curriculum & Instruction program meetings are 9/29 and 10/27, 3:10-4:30. Contact Nick Lux for WebEx information if you did not receive the prior email. 
  • The Department of Education has limited funds for faculty presentations at online conferences. Please email Ann Ewbank with the name and date of conference, title of presentation, and the registration amount. Graduate students should apply for virtual presentation funding through the EHHD Office of Scholarship Development and Academic Impact. 
  • The Fall 2020 Teacher Education Program Induction and Student Teaching Send-Off Ceremony is a virtual event. Please hold November 3rd 5:30pm-6:30pm on your calendar for this important event. Additionally, please submit names of outstanding Initial Licensure students to John Melick, so the Student Support Team can recognize the students at the event.  When sending names please provide a brief write up of the reasons the student is outstanding.
  • The Early Alert system should be used when students fall behind, do not regularly check D2L, or are incommunicado. Please utilize the Document a Conversation and Student Consultation forms when issues arise. This is our internal tracking mechanism and the forms go no further and are “shredded” upon graduation. The Student Support Team can assist with crucial conversations coaching and/or as a neutral third party for both undergraduate and graduate students. 
  • The Department of Education is sponsoring a free, online Reading Clinic for children in grades 5-8 from 10/5-11/9. Please see the attached flyer and share with interested parents. 
  • This semester, the Graduate School will allow video conferencing for comprehensive exams, Master’s and Dissertation defenses. No prior authorization is needed. Micki MacGregor can assist with public notices for online defenses. 

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

  • Congratulations to Alex Aylward and Jody Bartz for their VPREDGE award which will examine the effects and experiences of COVID-19 on school-age students with disabilities, their families and their teachers. 
  • Congratulations to Jayne Downey and the Center for Research on Rural Education for serving as the new home for Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM), a program that originated in Sweden designed to address risk and protective factors associated with adolescent suicide.  Last year 29 Montana schools participated in the program and Dr. Downey will spearhead its continuation. 
  • Congratulations to Lauren Davis who received an additional year of NIH funding for her study on trauma-informed teaching/learning and mindfulness practices! 
  • Don’t hide your light under a bushel! Please send accomplishments and kudos to [email protected].

Professional Development & Engagement Opportunities

  • The MSU Women's Center kicks off its Fall 2020 Sack Lunch Seminar Series with our own Suzi Taylor presenting “Why Should We Care if Girls Like Math?” on Thursday, September 10th at noon in SUB 168. Please see the attached flyers. 
  • Did you know there are over 30 Littles in Southwest Montana who are waiting to be matched to their perfect "Big" (mentor)? That’s why this September, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country's goal is to recruit 30 Bigs in 30 days! If you have ever considered becoming a mentor to a child or are just looking for a way to give back to your community - what are you waiting for? Now more than ever, kids need stability and ways to engage and connect during these uncertain times. All that is required of you is a year -ong commitment of 1-2 hours a week. For more information on becoming a Big, visit our website or reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram!" 
  • The Journal of Research in Rural Education calls for papers on “Black Lives Matter and Rural Education.” The deadline for abstracts (250 words) is September 28, 2020. Direct questions and submissions to Ezekiel Joubert. Black matters are rural matters. Please also see the attached call from guest editors, Dr. Maria Cody and Dr. Nidza Marichal for a special issue of Languages called "Multilingualism in Rural Education."  Abstract submission deadline is November 1, 2020. 
  • AERA Rural Education SIG’s Graduate Student Fellowship and Research Grant Program invites applications due September 15, 2020. Please see the attached call for more information and encourage graduate students to apply! 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources

  • Don’t forget to register to vote for the upcoming general election! Election Day is a university holiday. Civic participation is the foundation of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

A Special Request from Field Placement & Licensure

Teacher Education Program instructors: As we head into the fall term, we have over 80 student teachers.  This is a healthy enrollment and we are looking forward to supporting each student during their semester.  I would like to ask you each to review the list of students, which is attached, and encourage you to reach out to former students.  During this time of uncertainty and potential fear of what lies ahead, I believe they would appreciate hearing from a friendly face.  I think they would each appreciate the support and connection, perhaps now more than ever.
Thanks in advance!    - John Melick 

Please see the attached PDF for the list of students. PDF: Student Teachers – Fall 2020

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