Each semester UCA Library Practicum interns provide an abundance of time and resources to students across the state. One internship requirement is reviewing school data to assess need, then writing a grant to provide resources to meet that need.
Larami Burge, December LIBM program graduate, worked with Blake Baker, library media specialist at Prairie Grove Junior High School, to submit an application for the AASL STEM Special Event Grant. This grant is sponsored by the Danaher Foundation and supports special events to increase student engagement. The goal is to provide direct assistance funding to middle or high school libraries for special short term projects or events that engage students and promote STEM education and student interest in a career in the STEM field.
Larami said, "We wanted to make a time, after testing, when students could have fun learning with hands-on activities. We also wanted to make it where each student gets to participate." Besides involving all students in the event activities, involving stakeholders in choosing the events was key to this project.
Thanks to the work of Larami and Blake, Prairie Grove Junior High was awarded $3,000 in funding.
Carl Frizell, a student in UCA"s Ph.D. in Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion (CLEI) program, was recently featured in an article on the American Academy of Physician Assistant's (AAPA) website.
Carl, who received the 2022 New Faculty Award from the Physician Assistant Education Association, discusses his years as an educator, intentional mentoring, and how he advocates for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. You can read the article by going to https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2024/01/carl-frizell-advocates-for-justice-equity-diversity-inclusion/.
*Photo from the AAPA website
During the ITEC 6301 Instructional Design Using Technology course in the Fall, Julie Kubal, a December graduate of the Instructional Technology Master's degree program and middle school teacher at Elmwood Middle School in Rogers, Arkansas, used the Design Thinking Process to create a comprehensive program for the advisory period at her school. Julie's design, "The Advisory Alcove," was supported by her principal, and she was invited to present the platform to the entire faculty at a professional development day this month. The presentation provided all faculty members with an overview of the platform, showcasing its features and benefits. She demonstrated the practical application across different grade levels and encouraged a collaborative approach, inviting further feedback and ideas from a diverse group of educators. In addition, she laid the groundwork for broader implementation within Elmwood Middle School, potentially serving as a model for other schools.
Jorden Moody, a senior Elementary Education major, attended the UCA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer breakfast on January 12. Here she performed a praise dance as a member of Devotion in Motion, a registered student organization here on campus. Jorden is the founder and president of this organization. Moody also sang with the UCA Gospel Choir. The theme of this year's breakfast was "Embracing the Legacy: It Starts with Me." Arkansas State Representative Tara Sheppard spoke to the importance of continuing Dr. King's legacy by having a "heart full of grace and a soul generated by love" in every aspect of life. Jorden embraces the call of Dr. King's legacy by serving in various organizations on campus as well as preparing to be an educator that provides equitable experiences for all students by giving them a platform to be their authentic selves. Devotion in Motion seeks to provide students a safe place to showcase their love of dance and express their faith.
Ms. Catherine F. Miller, a Clinical Instructor in the College of Education, attended the prayer breakfast as a volunteer and advisor of Devotion in Motion.
Anne Cowie (Department of Leadership Studies) recently spoke at the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) conference attendees about the support work of school librarians. The conference was held in Nashville, TN and welcomed teachers and learners from across the US and beyond. Anne is a Visiting Clinical Instructor and LIBM Practicum Supervisor in the Library Media and Information Technologies program at UCA.
Ashley Cox has been named the new Director of the Technology Learning Center (TLC). Ashley has worked in elementary education for 13 years as a teacher. She graduated from UCA with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Early Childhood Education. Ashley also earned a Master’s degree in Educational Theory and Practice.
Ashley and her husband Russell have two daughters, Kenli and Reece. She loves to spend time with her family at the beach.