A new dual credit course for high school seniors in Menard and Sangamon counties will be offered by the University of Illinois Springfield's Teacher Education Department.
The goal is to encourage more students to become teachers.
This is the second year UIS has offered dual credit courses to area high school students.
The new course being offered is titled "Foundations of American Education." It counts toward general education credits for those students who attend UIS to complete their bachelor's degrees.
The dual credit Teacher Education course costs $50, plus the cost of a textbook.
This story aired on WAND TV 17 on August 29, 2018.
Read the article online.
Showing posts with label College of Education and Human Services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College of Education and Human Services. Show all posts
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Susan Koch: Educating leaders in education
The following is an excerpt from a column by University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch. This column appeared in The State Journal-Register on December 16, 2017.
What makes successful K-12 schools tick?
A recent study cited by Education Pioneers, a nationwide school improvement project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, concluded school leadership is a critical factor. Along with excellent teachers, outstanding principals and superintendents have significant impact on how well students learn in school.
That impact is the reason that, in addition to preparing highly-qualified K-12 teachers, UIS offers graduate programs in Educational Leadership that prepare principals, superintendents and other school personnel for leadership roles in schools throughout central Illinois and beyond.
Scott Day, a faculty member at UIS for 20 years (and winner of the 2017 Faculty Excellence Award), leads the Educational Leadership program. “What attracts students to our program,” says Day, “is top-notch faculty with extensive experience working as principals and superintendents.”
“Our graduates always say how well prepared they feel for the job based on the program’s course projects and the extensive internship requirement,” he continues. “The professional preparation is about as realistic as you can get — and that is the key to our (and our graduates’) success.”
Hanfu Mi, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, agrees: “Faculty who teach in the Educational Leadership program have not only had careers as successful principals and superintendents, they also remain connected to people and issues of importance in K-12 in Illinois — engaging in research, service and other professional activities that keep them informed of exactly what is going on in the schools across the state.”
“Dr. Day is a good example of that connectivity,” Dean Mi continues. “He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Illinois Principals Association and spends significant time each semester in the schools, mentoring current graduate students (most of whom are also full-time teachers) and advising alums who continue to stay connected to the faculty long after they complete the program.”
Jennifer Gill, Superintendent of Springfield Public School District 186, is one of those alums. Gill was born and raised in Springfield, where she graduated from Springfield High School and later taught at Wanless Elementary School, one of 23 elementary schools in the district.
“I chose the University of Illinois at Springfield for my Masters Degree in Educational Administration due to strong recommendations from educators in my community,” says Gill. “I quickly realized the opportunity to learn from professors who were practitioners as well as those who were grounded in educational research was the blend of support for which I was looking.”
Dr. Gill later returned to UIS for her Superintendent’s licensure and the Chief School Business Endorsement, working with a cohort of fellow educators with whom she maintains valuable professional relationships today.
Superintendent Gill is not the only UIS Educational Leadership alum in District 186.
In fact, more than 60% of the principals employed in the Springfield Public Schools today are proud graduates of the program.
K-12 schools in Illinois today face a variety of challenges including uncertain funding, poverty and other student risk factors, teacher training and retention, changing student attitudes and behaviors, state and federal mandates, school safety and security, and other issues that affect student success.
Now more than ever, schools need skilled leaders who can create the conditions that enable teachers to help their students learn and achieve and that prepare them for success in college and in the workforce.
Schools also need leaders who understand their school is embedded in the community and who can successfully engage families and communities to work together to meet the needs of all students.
Developing and supporting those educational leaders for the benefit of current and future generations is what the UIS Educational Leadership program is all about.
Read the entire column online.
What makes successful K-12 schools tick?
A recent study cited by Education Pioneers, a nationwide school improvement project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, concluded school leadership is a critical factor. Along with excellent teachers, outstanding principals and superintendents have significant impact on how well students learn in school.
That impact is the reason that, in addition to preparing highly-qualified K-12 teachers, UIS offers graduate programs in Educational Leadership that prepare principals, superintendents and other school personnel for leadership roles in schools throughout central Illinois and beyond.
Scott Day, a faculty member at UIS for 20 years (and winner of the 2017 Faculty Excellence Award), leads the Educational Leadership program. “What attracts students to our program,” says Day, “is top-notch faculty with extensive experience working as principals and superintendents.”
“Our graduates always say how well prepared they feel for the job based on the program’s course projects and the extensive internship requirement,” he continues. “The professional preparation is about as realistic as you can get — and that is the key to our (and our graduates’) success.”
Hanfu Mi, Dean of the College of Education and Human Services, agrees: “Faculty who teach in the Educational Leadership program have not only had careers as successful principals and superintendents, they also remain connected to people and issues of importance in K-12 in Illinois — engaging in research, service and other professional activities that keep them informed of exactly what is going on in the schools across the state.”
“Dr. Day is a good example of that connectivity,” Dean Mi continues. “He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Illinois Principals Association and spends significant time each semester in the schools, mentoring current graduate students (most of whom are also full-time teachers) and advising alums who continue to stay connected to the faculty long after they complete the program.”
Jennifer Gill, Superintendent of Springfield Public School District 186, is one of those alums. Gill was born and raised in Springfield, where she graduated from Springfield High School and later taught at Wanless Elementary School, one of 23 elementary schools in the district.
“I chose the University of Illinois at Springfield for my Masters Degree in Educational Administration due to strong recommendations from educators in my community,” says Gill. “I quickly realized the opportunity to learn from professors who were practitioners as well as those who were grounded in educational research was the blend of support for which I was looking.”
Dr. Gill later returned to UIS for her Superintendent’s licensure and the Chief School Business Endorsement, working with a cohort of fellow educators with whom she maintains valuable professional relationships today.
Superintendent Gill is not the only UIS Educational Leadership alum in District 186.
In fact, more than 60% of the principals employed in the Springfield Public Schools today are proud graduates of the program.
K-12 schools in Illinois today face a variety of challenges including uncertain funding, poverty and other student risk factors, teacher training and retention, changing student attitudes and behaviors, state and federal mandates, school safety and security, and other issues that affect student success.
Now more than ever, schools need skilled leaders who can create the conditions that enable teachers to help their students learn and achieve and that prepare them for success in college and in the workforce.
Schools also need leaders who understand their school is embedded in the community and who can successfully engage families and communities to work together to meet the needs of all students.
Developing and supporting those educational leaders for the benefit of current and future generations is what the UIS Educational Leadership program is all about.
Read the entire column online.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
UIS teacher education program offers several strengths
The following is an excerpt from a column by University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch. This column appeared in The State Journal-Register on Saturday, October 8, 2016.
"The hours may be long, the salary modest and the “customers” sometimes challenging, but according to the National Center for Education Statistics, earning a bachelor’s degree in education and becoming a teacher is still among the top choices made by college students in the U.S. today.
Every year, nearly 200,000 candidates graduate from teacher preparation programs across the country, each of whom aspires to help young minds grow and reach their full potential. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, there are 77 approved teacher education institutions in Illinois.
The University of Illinois Springfield is one of them, and Dr. Cindy Wilson, chair of the Teacher Education Department, is enthusiastic about recent growth of the program. “Students are attracted to the UIS teacher education program for several reasons,” she says. “We take a team approach to supporting our students, providing individualized attention beginning when students declare their major and continuing through their student-teaching experience and job placement.”
According to Dr. Wilson, students who enroll in teacher education come from many walks of life, with about 30 percent being non-traditional aged. It’s not unusual for a teacher education student to have already earned a bachelor’s degree in some other area or to have had a career in another profession.
For such students, a post-bachelor’s teacher licensure program is available, offering credit for prior educational experience while at the same time providing the necessary sequence of courses needed to acquire a teaching license for Illinois.
The introductory sequence is offered both on campus and online, further enabling working adults to participate.
Dr. Hanfu Mi, UIS dean of Education and Human Services, is particularly proud of UIS students’ performance on the edTPA exam, an assessment used to verify an aspiring teacher’s readiness to succeed in the classroom that is required for teacher licensure. “UIS students consistently score well above the state’s average,” he reports, “with 100 percent of UIS students who attempted the exam passing it last year.”
“We currently have more than 50 agreements with local school districts that provide opportunities for our students to observe and participate in hands-on experiences, including student-teaching,” says Mi. “Area superintendents speak highly of UIS graduates.”
Read the entire column online.
"The hours may be long, the salary modest and the “customers” sometimes challenging, but according to the National Center for Education Statistics, earning a bachelor’s degree in education and becoming a teacher is still among the top choices made by college students in the U.S. today.
Every year, nearly 200,000 candidates graduate from teacher preparation programs across the country, each of whom aspires to help young minds grow and reach their full potential. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, there are 77 approved teacher education institutions in Illinois.
The University of Illinois Springfield is one of them, and Dr. Cindy Wilson, chair of the Teacher Education Department, is enthusiastic about recent growth of the program. “Students are attracted to the UIS teacher education program for several reasons,” she says. “We take a team approach to supporting our students, providing individualized attention beginning when students declare their major and continuing through their student-teaching experience and job placement.”
According to Dr. Wilson, students who enroll in teacher education come from many walks of life, with about 30 percent being non-traditional aged. It’s not unusual for a teacher education student to have already earned a bachelor’s degree in some other area or to have had a career in another profession.
For such students, a post-bachelor’s teacher licensure program is available, offering credit for prior educational experience while at the same time providing the necessary sequence of courses needed to acquire a teaching license for Illinois.
The introductory sequence is offered both on campus and online, further enabling working adults to participate.
Dr. Hanfu Mi, UIS dean of Education and Human Services, is particularly proud of UIS students’ performance on the edTPA exam, an assessment used to verify an aspiring teacher’s readiness to succeed in the classroom that is required for teacher licensure. “UIS students consistently score well above the state’s average,” he reports, “with 100 percent of UIS students who attempted the exam passing it last year.”
“We currently have more than 50 agreements with local school districts that provide opportunities for our students to observe and participate in hands-on experiences, including student-teaching,” says Mi. “Area superintendents speak highly of UIS graduates.”
Read the entire column online.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Chinese delegates observe US education
Several Chinese educators have spent the last four months at the University of Illinois Springfield, attending education classes to learn about the American educational system.
Wednesday, they made a stop at the Waverly School District, where they observed several classes at the elementary and high school levels, as well as talked with teachers about how they structure their lessons.
Cindy Wilson, the chairwoman for the Department of Teacher Education Preparation, said the delegation attended a teacher education class where they talked with students about how they prepare for the classroom and how the structure is different in the two countries.
The students also visited several classrooms to see how they are different.
“Waverly is a rural school and this allows them to see the difference from what they see in China,” Wilson said. “Education is different around the world.”
The story was reported by the Jacksonville Journal Courier on April 21, 2016.
Read the full article online.
Wednesday, they made a stop at the Waverly School District, where they observed several classes at the elementary and high school levels, as well as talked with teachers about how they structure their lessons.
Cindy Wilson, the chairwoman for the Department of Teacher Education Preparation, said the delegation attended a teacher education class where they talked with students about how they prepare for the classroom and how the structure is different in the two countries.
The students also visited several classrooms to see how they are different.
“Waverly is a rural school and this allows them to see the difference from what they see in China,” Wilson said. “Education is different around the world.”
The story was reported by the Jacksonville Journal Courier on April 21, 2016.
Read the full article online.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Warfield named to SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor eight remarkable graduates at the 2015 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, Oct. 2 in the Morris University Center.
These alumni have achieved exploits in their respective fields, are role models and are testament to SIUE’s educational excellence.
“Those selected for the Alumni Hall of Fame represent the best of SIUE,” said Steve Jankowski, director of Alumni Affairs. “It is our honor to induct these outstanding individuals.”
Dr. Walter Warfield – School of Education, Health and Human Behavior: Dr. Walter Warfield, BA Historical Studies ’68, MSEd Educational Administration ’73 Dr. Walter Warfield is currently a scholar in residence in the College of Education and Human Services at the University of Illinois-Springfield. At the age of 26, he assumed the position of principal of Mason City High School and eventually rose to serve as executive director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). Among his numerous endeavors, Warfield served as state president of the IASA, national president of the Horace Mann League and Association of State Executives, and an affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators. Warfield is vocal in his support for the American public school system.
This article appeared online in the Edwardsville Intelligencer on September 8, 2015.
Read the entire article online.
These alumni have achieved exploits in their respective fields, are role models and are testament to SIUE’s educational excellence.
“Those selected for the Alumni Hall of Fame represent the best of SIUE,” said Steve Jankowski, director of Alumni Affairs. “It is our honor to induct these outstanding individuals.”
Dr. Walter Warfield – School of Education, Health and Human Behavior: Dr. Walter Warfield, BA Historical Studies ’68, MSEd Educational Administration ’73 Dr. Walter Warfield is currently a scholar in residence in the College of Education and Human Services at the University of Illinois-Springfield. At the age of 26, he assumed the position of principal of Mason City High School and eventually rose to serve as executive director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA). Among his numerous endeavors, Warfield served as state president of the IASA, national president of the Horace Mann League and Association of State Executives, and an affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators. Warfield is vocal in his support for the American public school system.
This article appeared online in the Edwardsville Intelligencer on September 8, 2015.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, August 17, 2015
UIS now offering elementary education major
Prospective teachers will be able to major in elementary education starting this fall at the University of Illinois Springfield after the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved the option last week.
Students previously have been able to pursue an elementary school teaching career at UIS, but having a major has advantages — for both the students and the school, said Cindy Wilson, who chairs the UIS Department of Teacher Education.
She said elementary education and secondary education have been available as minors at UIS since 2001. But elementary education programs statewide had to be revised after the Illinois State Board of Education revised its standards for teachers.
"We thought it would be a good time to turn elementary education into a major," Wilson said. Secondary education will remain a minor option.
"We've had anecdotal research and market research that the people who are going to be elementary teachers want a major," she said. "Their parents want that, too."
UIS Chancellor Susan Koch said the university made the decision about three years ago to identify new academic areas that would add value and increase enrollment, and elementary education was one of those.
"It's really part of our growth priorities we've had for several years," she said. "There's a lot of demand for it."
Wilson said beginning to offer the major has "been a long, complicated and detailed process," noting that plenty of UIS graduates have become successful elementary school teachers, but they want that major.
"We know there are students who might have come here who went elsewhere because we didn't have a major in elementary education," Wilson said.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on August 17, 2015.
Read the full article online.
Students previously have been able to pursue an elementary school teaching career at UIS, but having a major has advantages — for both the students and the school, said Cindy Wilson, who chairs the UIS Department of Teacher Education.
She said elementary education and secondary education have been available as minors at UIS since 2001. But elementary education programs statewide had to be revised after the Illinois State Board of Education revised its standards for teachers.
"We thought it would be a good time to turn elementary education into a major," Wilson said. Secondary education will remain a minor option.
"We've had anecdotal research and market research that the people who are going to be elementary teachers want a major," she said. "Their parents want that, too."
UIS Chancellor Susan Koch said the university made the decision about three years ago to identify new academic areas that would add value and increase enrollment, and elementary education was one of those.
"It's really part of our growth priorities we've had for several years," she said. "There's a lot of demand for it."
Wilson said beginning to offer the major has "been a long, complicated and detailed process," noting that plenty of UIS graduates have become successful elementary school teachers, but they want that major.
"We know there are students who might have come here who went elsewhere because we didn't have a major in elementary education," Wilson said.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on August 17, 2015.
Read the full article online.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
David Stoesz: Illinois should prepare to reinvest in human services
University of Illinois Springfield Social Work Professor David Stoesz's guest column was published in The State Journal-Register on September 23, 2013.
The following is a portion of the column:
"Once the legislative smoke clears from the state pension conflagration, Illinois lawmakers could begin to negotiate the transition from indiscriminate funding of social programs to investments in human services.
Economic austerity, imposed by a lingering recession and global competition, dictates that states opt for savvy investments in public services. Several alternatives show how human services can be transformed to meet requirements of the 21st century."
Read the full column online
The following is a portion of the column:
"Once the legislative smoke clears from the state pension conflagration, Illinois lawmakers could begin to negotiate the transition from indiscriminate funding of social programs to investments in human services.
Economic austerity, imposed by a lingering recession and global competition, dictates that states opt for savvy investments in public services. Several alternatives show how human services can be transformed to meet requirements of the 21st century."
Read the full column online
Friday, September 13, 2013
Study says homework is a waste of time
Can homework be a waste of time? A recent study published by the Economics of Education Review says yes.
Surveys show the amount of time children spend on homework has risen over the past 30 years however when it comes down to after -school assignments a new study suggests less is more.
"When I hear things about homework that are negative, it always has to do with the number of hours of homework that is given per night but the thing is that it takes kids different amounts of time to do different kinds of homework," said UIS Professor Cindy Wilson.
Wilson, who has been teaching for more than three decades and says homework should be purposeful.
"When you think about the homework that kids get, you have to think about the purpose of homework our classrooms are full of students who have different learning styles, different strengths, different interests, different motivations, and if you can use a variety of homework you're going to get more students you are going to impact more students," said Wilson.
Wilson was featured by WICS-TV 20 on September 13, 2013.
Watch the story online
Surveys show the amount of time children spend on homework has risen over the past 30 years however when it comes down to after -school assignments a new study suggests less is more.
"When I hear things about homework that are negative, it always has to do with the number of hours of homework that is given per night but the thing is that it takes kids different amounts of time to do different kinds of homework," said UIS Professor Cindy Wilson.
Wilson, who has been teaching for more than three decades and says homework should be purposeful.
"When you think about the homework that kids get, you have to think about the purpose of homework our classrooms are full of students who have different learning styles, different strengths, different interests, different motivations, and if you can use a variety of homework you're going to get more students you are going to impact more students," said Wilson.
Wilson was featured by WICS-TV 20 on September 13, 2013.
Watch the story online
Thursday, September 5, 2013
UIS partners with Family Service Center to offer counseling
After a hiatus of nearly a decade, Family Service Center is again offering community counseling services with a boost from the University of Illinois Springfield.
“By leveraging the resources we have here and in the community, we hope to respond to the unmet mental health needs,” said Erin Predmore, executive director of Family Service Center.
The program will use master’s degree-level interns from the UIS Department of Human Development Counseling working under the supervision of a licensed counselor with more than 15 years’ experience.
“They said, ‘Let’s just find the resources to do it ourselves,’ and contacted our program,” said Ann McCaughan, associate professor of human development counseling and clinical experience coordinator for the UIS program. “It sounded like an awesome opportunity for our students, working with real-world situations and people who need our services.”
“It’s neat when students can provide services to people who otherwise wouldn’t get mental health care,” McCaughan said.
The story was published in The State Journal-Register on September 5, 2013.
Read the article online
“By leveraging the resources we have here and in the community, we hope to respond to the unmet mental health needs,” said Erin Predmore, executive director of Family Service Center.
The program will use master’s degree-level interns from the UIS Department of Human Development Counseling working under the supervision of a licensed counselor with more than 15 years’ experience.
“They said, ‘Let’s just find the resources to do it ourselves,’ and contacted our program,” said Ann McCaughan, associate professor of human development counseling and clinical experience coordinator for the UIS program. “It sounded like an awesome opportunity for our students, working with real-world situations and people who need our services.”
“It’s neat when students can provide services to people who otherwise wouldn’t get mental health care,” McCaughan said.
The story was published in The State Journal-Register on September 5, 2013.
Read the article online
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Art-expression class lifts moods of patients
Jim Taylor never took an “art-expression” class before but says it helped him deal with some of the stress and frustration associated with his Alzheimer’s disease.
The free class is the first of its kind to be offered by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the University of Illinois Springfield in cooperation with the Prairie Art Alliance.
Organizers said the class has resulted in measurable gains by improving mood and promoting relaxation — among people with dementia and other memory disorders, and among their caregivers.
“The point is not about making beautiful art,” said class instructor Karen Lee, a member of UIS’s faculty. “It’s about expression. It’s just nice to be able to do a creative activity where you can just be a regular person.”
Graduate students from UIS’s human development counseling program have received college credit to assist people with memory loss while their caregivers join in the class.
The story was featured by The State Journal-Register on April 18, 2013.
Read the article online
The free class is the first of its kind to be offered by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the University of Illinois Springfield in cooperation with the Prairie Art Alliance.
Organizers said the class has resulted in measurable gains by improving mood and promoting relaxation — among people with dementia and other memory disorders, and among their caregivers.
“The point is not about making beautiful art,” said class instructor Karen Lee, a member of UIS’s faculty. “It’s about expression. It’s just nice to be able to do a creative activity where you can just be a regular person.”
Graduate students from UIS’s human development counseling program have received college credit to assist people with memory loss while their caregivers join in the class.
The story was featured by The State Journal-Register on April 18, 2013.
Read the article online
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Processed foods still dominate school lunches
Schools and education experts say providing healthier entree options comes down to how to most easily meet nutrition guidelines and cost.
“I’d love to have full-cut chicken breasts, instead of pre-formed,” Hillsboro food director Tracy Collins said. “But the price point, it’s just not affordable.”
An educator from the University of Illinois Springfield said such lunch tray fare is all too common among American schools, despite highly visible pushes to get school children eating healthier.
“The biggest factor is the nutritional guidelines,” said Allan Cook, an associate professor of teacher education at UIS. “They tend to encourage pre-processed food, rather than locally grown, locally prepared.
“The guidelines say ‘vitamin A,’ instead of broccoli. Unless you have a nutritionist on staff, it’s a lot easier to go by the labels.”
Cook was featured in an October 26, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Read the article online
“I’d love to have full-cut chicken breasts, instead of pre-formed,” Hillsboro food director Tracy Collins said. “But the price point, it’s just not affordable.”
An educator from the University of Illinois Springfield said such lunch tray fare is all too common among American schools, despite highly visible pushes to get school children eating healthier.
“The biggest factor is the nutritional guidelines,” said Allan Cook, an associate professor of teacher education at UIS. “They tend to encourage pre-processed food, rather than locally grown, locally prepared.
“The guidelines say ‘vitamin A,’ instead of broccoli. Unless you have a nutritionist on staff, it’s a lot easier to go by the labels.”
Cook was featured in an October 26, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Read the article online
Friday, July 29, 2011
Trauma victims connect to their bodies with specialized yoga
Kristal Perry-Gutierrez teaches "Healing Through Yoga" at Namaste Yoga Center in Springfield, Ill.
She received her master's degree in human development counseling from the University of Illinois Springfield. She was a yoga student at the time and decided to incorporate yoga into her master's project.
"I decided to do yoga with children who had been sexually abused. I did a yoga course for eight weeks, twice a week with girls between the ages of 7 and 11," she says. The girls gave her feedback with comments like, "Yoga helps you get the bad stuff out," and "Yoga helps you be less afraid."
"It was a qualitative study, and the results were pretty significant," she says.
Perry-Gutierrez was featured in an July 28, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Read the article online
She received her master's degree in human development counseling from the University of Illinois Springfield. She was a yoga student at the time and decided to incorporate yoga into her master's project.
"I decided to do yoga with children who had been sexually abused. I did a yoga course for eight weeks, twice a week with girls between the ages of 7 and 11," she says. The girls gave her feedback with comments like, "Yoga helps you get the bad stuff out," and "Yoga helps you be less afraid."
"It was a qualitative study, and the results were pretty significant," she says.
Perry-Gutierrez was featured in an July 28, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Read the article online
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Reading council chairman to take on stack of books
Read ’em and weep?
Cynthia Wilson, chairman of the teacher education department at the University of Illinois Springfield and president-elect of the Illinois Reading Council, doesn’t see it that way.
She’s trying to read every book — other than instructional books — by every author who is speaking at the council’s 43rd annual conference in Springfield March 17-19.
Wilson made the commitment to herself, then got a rough idea of how many books that pledge will require her to read.
“Jane Yolen, one of the authors, told me she just published her 300th book this fall,” Wilson said.
Of the 13 authors Wilson is attempting to read, one has published more than 50 books and others more than 30.
“How far along am I? Not far enough,” she said. “Realistically, am I going to make it? No. Can I get close? I’ll know more next week when we do a walk-through for the conference and I have all those books piled up in front of me.”
Wilson's challenge was featured in a February 10, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Cynthia Wilson, chairman of the teacher education department at the University of Illinois Springfield and president-elect of the Illinois Reading Council, doesn’t see it that way.
She’s trying to read every book — other than instructional books — by every author who is speaking at the council’s 43rd annual conference in Springfield March 17-19.
Wilson made the commitment to herself, then got a rough idea of how many books that pledge will require her to read.
“Jane Yolen, one of the authors, told me she just published her 300th book this fall,” Wilson said.
Of the 13 authors Wilson is attempting to read, one has published more than 50 books and others more than 30.
“How far along am I? Not far enough,” she said. “Realistically, am I going to make it? No. Can I get close? I’ll know more next week when we do a walk-through for the conference and I have all those books piled up in front of me.”
Wilson's challenge was featured in a February 10, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Monday, December 6, 2010
"Day of Dialogue" at UIS
With student suicides and bullying heavily in the spotlight, area college students at the University of Illinois Springfield are confronting the issues head-on.
A daylong event that centers around being different and what it means to have your own identity in today's world. It's called a "Day of Dialogue".
"We start to really talk about personal issues, social issues and to continue discussion and dialogue, which is really the only way we're going to be able to effect any positive change," said Holly Thompson, assistant professor of Human Development Counseling.
The University of Illinois Springfield is taking a proactive stance against student bullying, hate crimes, and suicide.
"On our campus we have a number of students who have experienced, not necessarily here, different forms of bullying," said Thompson.
The "Day of Dialogue" was featured by WICS-TV 20 in a December 3, 2010, report.
Watch the story on News Channel 20's website
A daylong event that centers around being different and what it means to have your own identity in today's world. It's called a "Day of Dialogue".
"We start to really talk about personal issues, social issues and to continue discussion and dialogue, which is really the only way we're going to be able to effect any positive change," said Holly Thompson, assistant professor of Human Development Counseling.
The University of Illinois Springfield is taking a proactive stance against student bullying, hate crimes, and suicide.
"On our campus we have a number of students who have experienced, not necessarily here, different forms of bullying," said Thompson.
The "Day of Dialogue" was featured by WICS-TV 20 in a December 3, 2010, report.
Watch the story on News Channel 20's website
Monday, November 22, 2010
Academy guides Lanphier seniors toward teaching
Coady Petropolous is one of 10 Lanphier High School seniors enrolled in the school’s teaching academy course — a yearlong class that takes a handful of students who show interest in becoming teachers and provides hands-on, daily classroom experience.
The course, now in its fourth year, also facilitates a chance to enter a small-but-mighty program at the University of Illinois Springfield that all but ensures a full-time teaching position with a local school district.
Once the students graduate from high school, each has an opportunity to be recommended for Project Midstate Student Support — a program founded in 1990 at the UIS College of Education and Human Services.
Dr. Loretta Meeks, the founding director of Project MSS and a professor in UIS’ teacher education department, said the program aims to teach local students in the hopes of producing local teachers.
Once accepted, students are eligible for scholarships that may pay for their entire tuition and often lead to a permanent teaching position in the Springfield or Decatur school districts.
The program partners with area community colleges, UIS and the Springfield and Decatur school districts, with a total of 50 students enrolled in the UIS program, drawing from each entity.
The program was featured in a November 19, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
The course, now in its fourth year, also facilitates a chance to enter a small-but-mighty program at the University of Illinois Springfield that all but ensures a full-time teaching position with a local school district.
Once the students graduate from high school, each has an opportunity to be recommended for Project Midstate Student Support — a program founded in 1990 at the UIS College of Education and Human Services.
Dr. Loretta Meeks, the founding director of Project MSS and a professor in UIS’ teacher education department, said the program aims to teach local students in the hopes of producing local teachers.
Once accepted, students are eligible for scholarships that may pay for their entire tuition and often lead to a permanent teaching position in the Springfield or Decatur school districts.
The program partners with area community colleges, UIS and the Springfield and Decatur school districts, with a total of 50 students enrolled in the UIS program, drawing from each entity.
The program was featured in a November 19, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Cheers & Jeers: Lanphier students get great introduction to teaching
CHEERS to the 10 Lanphier High School seniors taking part in the school’s Teaching Academy. By taking part in the academy, these students are getting a look at the teaching profession they plan to pursue as a career. Students who graduate from the program who are subsequently accepted into a special program at the University of Illinois Springfield are guaranteed a job in a local school district if they graduate from UIS.
CHEERS to the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at the University of Illinois Springfield, which recently was awarded a grant of $687,448 to pay for DNA testing in the cases it pursues. “This gives us the opportunity to examine cases that haven’t received resources before,” said Bill Clutter, director of investigations for the project. “It gives us resources to investigate requests we previously had to just file away.”
The two "cheers" were featured in a November 22, 2010, opinions article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
CHEERS to the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at the University of Illinois Springfield, which recently was awarded a grant of $687,448 to pay for DNA testing in the cases it pursues. “This gives us the opportunity to examine cases that haven’t received resources before,” said Bill Clutter, director of investigations for the project. “It gives us resources to investigate requests we previously had to just file away.”
The two "cheers" were featured in a November 22, 2010, opinions article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sloan awards honor nation's top online programs
The University of Illinois—Springfield is among the winners of the 2010 Sloan Consortium Awards for Excellence in Online Teaching and Learning.
Sloan is an online education association with more than 200 institutional and 700 individual members. Awards were given to schools nominated from Sloan’s pool of member institutions.
The University of Illinois—Springfield’s Masters of Teacher Leadership Program was dubbed the most outstanding online program. During their two to three years in the program, students, most of whom are already employed as K-12 teachers or school administrators, receive financial aid tips from advisers and work with tenure-track professors—not adjuncts—who are eager to apply their teaching skills to the online realm according to the program’s director, Scott Day.
Michael Chitty, middle school principal at Mansfield Christian School in Ohio and a Teacher Leadership Program student, says the course has taught him techniques that have enhanced his abilities as a school administrator. He says that he has been able to balance his life as a principal, father of five, and graduate student because the program accommodates his schedule. “It’s an extremely efficient program—very user friendly,” Chitty says. “The communication with the professors is outstanding.”
The Sloan awards were featured in a September 28, 2010, article by U.S. News & World Report.
Download a PDF of the article
Sloan is an online education association with more than 200 institutional and 700 individual members. Awards were given to schools nominated from Sloan’s pool of member institutions.
The University of Illinois—Springfield’s Masters of Teacher Leadership Program was dubbed the most outstanding online program. During their two to three years in the program, students, most of whom are already employed as K-12 teachers or school administrators, receive financial aid tips from advisers and work with tenure-track professors—not adjuncts—who are eager to apply their teaching skills to the online realm according to the program’s director, Scott Day.
Michael Chitty, middle school principal at Mansfield Christian School in Ohio and a Teacher Leadership Program student, says the course has taught him techniques that have enhanced his abilities as a school administrator. He says that he has been able to balance his life as a principal, father of five, and graduate student because the program accommodates his schedule. “It’s an extremely efficient program—very user friendly,” Chitty says. “The communication with the professors is outstanding.”
The Sloan awards were featured in a September 28, 2010, article by U.S. News & World Report.
Download a PDF of the article
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
UIS takes top honors in online learning
The University of Illinois-Springfield has been honored with two awards for its online learning opportunities. The awards come from the Sloan Consortium, a national group of online educators.
The online Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership program at UIS is this year's recipient of the 2010 Outstanding Online Program Award. The program, in its 10th year, is designed specifically for educators in a classroom situation who want to take on leadership roles. Since 2001, nearly 600 teachers have obtained their masters degrees in the Teaching Leadership program.
Ray Schroeder, director of the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service at UIS is the recipient of the inaugural Frank Mayadas Leadership Award. The award is the highest individual recognition offered by the Sloan Consortium and was voted on by a committee of leaders in higher education. Schroeder says Mayadas is known as the father of online learning.
The awards were featured in a September 21, 2010, report by WUIS Public Radio.
Download a PDF of a website article
The online Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership program at UIS is this year's recipient of the 2010 Outstanding Online Program Award. The program, in its 10th year, is designed specifically for educators in a classroom situation who want to take on leadership roles. Since 2001, nearly 600 teachers have obtained their masters degrees in the Teaching Leadership program.
Ray Schroeder, director of the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service at UIS is the recipient of the inaugural Frank Mayadas Leadership Award. The award is the highest individual recognition offered by the Sloan Consortium and was voted on by a committee of leaders in higher education. Schroeder says Mayadas is known as the father of online learning.
The awards were featured in a September 21, 2010, report by WUIS Public Radio.
Download a PDF of a website article
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Phillips helps Chicago school district in consolidation talks
Phillips is a recognized authority on the topic. He stressed to the audience that they need a "base of information" on which to make their decision.
An article in the July 8, 2008, Chicago Daily Herald reported on the meeting.Download a pdf file of that article
20080708-CDH-SchoolFeederDistrictsTalk.pdf
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