College of Education Newsletter

Hello Book Lovers,

The long, sunlit days of summer are upon us, and there’s no better time to dive into a great book (or several!). This is especially true if you are teaching less in the summer and getting to enjoy a much needed break. Whether you're lounging by the beach, relaxing in your backyard, or enjoying a cozy spot indoors, I thought I'd offer some fantastic selection of reads to make your summer unforgettable.

With the help of AI, I've found some book recommendations for teachers. So, grab your favorite drink, find a comfy spot, and let's get lost in the pages together!

Happy reading! Vicki Groves-Scott

"The Wild Card" by Hope and Wade King

• This book is filled with innovative ideas and practical strategies to bring creativity into the classroom. Hope and Wade King, educators at the renowned Ron Clark Academy, share their secrets to engaging students and creating a dynamic learning environment.

"Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown

• Although not exclusively for educators, this book is a must-read for anyone in a leadership role. Brené Brown’s insights into courage, vulnerability, and empathy are incredibly valuable for fostering a positive and productive classroom environment.

• This memoir tells the powerful story of Tara Westover, who grew up in a strict and abusive household in rural Idaho but eventually escaped to learn about the wider world through education. It’s a compelling read that underscores the transformative power of education.

• A unique and engaging novel written from the perspective of a teenager with autism. It offers an insightful look into the mind of a student with special needs and the challenges they face.

• A magical and enchanting tale of a mysterious circus that appears without warning and the rivalry between two young illusionists. It’s a richly imaginative story that celebrates creativity and wonder.

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

• Set in Nazi Germany, this novel follows a young girl who finds solace in stealing books and sharing them with others. It’s a powerful story about the impact of words and stories in the darkest of times.

• This enchanting and heartwarming story follows a caseworker who is sent to a magical orphanage. It’s a beautiful tale of found family, acceptance, and the power of love and kindness, making it a perfect read for teachers.

Exciting Progress at GEAR UP Arkansas Since Receiving Our Grant!

Since being awarded the GEAR UP grant on October 1, GEAR UP Arkansas has been bustling with activity, enthusiasm, and a commitment to empowering students and families across the state. We are thrilled to share some of the highlights of our journey so far.

GEAR UP Scholar Kick-offs

We kicked off our program with the GEAR UP Scholar Kick-offs, a series of celebratory events in each of our 15 schools where students were welcomed into the GEAR UP family. At these events, students received their official GEAR UP t-shirts and certificates, symbolizing their entry into a community dedicated to their educational success. The excitement and pride were palpable as students donned their new shirts and looked forward to the opportunities ahead.

Family Nights

Family involvement is a cornerstone of our mission, and our Family Nights have been a fantastic way to bring everyone together. These evenings allowed families to meet the dedicated GEAR UP team and learn about the array of support services we offer. From academic tutoring to college readiness workshops, we shared how GEAR UP Arkansas is here to support students and their families every step of the way. The nights were filled with informative sessions, engaging discussions, and a sense of community as we embarked on this journey together.

WOW Activity Days

Our classrooms have been buzzing with excitement thanks to the WOW Activity Days. These hands-on lesson models, brought to life by our partners at AR AIMS, have provided students and teachers with engaging and interactive learning experiences. From science experiments to creative problem-solving tasks, these activities have ignited curiosity and a love for learning. Teachers have also benefited, gaining new strategies and tools to enhance their instruction and inspire their students.

STEM Camp in the Delta Region

One of the standout events so far has been the one-day Delta STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)) camp held at Brinkley High School. This camp was designed to expose students to the vast possibilities within the STEM fields. Throughout the day, students from Clarendon, Brinkley, Lee County, Helena West Helena, and Marvell Elaine participated in a variety of activities that showcased careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students rotated through stations hosted by our partners from Little Rock Zoo, Innovation Hub, Delta Cultural Center, AR AIMS, Rover the mobile library, and UCA's own STEM Institute. From coding challenges to tye dye design projects, students were immersed in a world of innovation and discovery. The camp not only sparked interest in STEM careers but also provided valuable hands-on experience that will serve them well in their future academic and professional endeavors.

Looking Ahead

The progress we've made since October 1 is just the beginning. As we continue to roll out more programs and activities, we remain committed to our mission of providing students with the tools and support they need to succeed. We are grateful for the support of our partners, families, and the entire GEAR UP community. Together, we are making a difference, one student at a time. Stay tuned for more updates and join us as we continue this exciting journey with GEAR UP Arkansas!

For more information about GEAR UP Arkansas and our upcoming events, please visit our website at https://uca.edu/gearup/ or contact our team directly. Let's keep the momentum going and make this a year of growth and achievement for all our students.

Erika McMahan

State Director

GEAR UP Arkansas

College of Education

University of Central Arkansas

501.650.2386

emcmahan@uca.edu

During the 2023-2024 academic year, several faculty from the College of Education participated in a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Project coordinated by the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in partnership with Novak Education (https://www.novakeducation.com).

The project included a day of professional development led by Katie Novak, followed by a monthly webinar series. Some of the main topics included the instructional vision for inclusive practice for students with disabilities, shared responsibility and collaboration, using evidence-based practices to meet the academic and behavioral needs of learners, and using high-quality instructional materials. The monthly webinars allowed time to learn more from Dr. Novak, talk with other team members, and explore various resources to support UDL. While the project largely focused on implementation for K-12 school districts in Arkansas, Universal Design for Learning is an important topic to apply in our courses and to equip our future teachers to implement as well.

UDL is “a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn,” according to https://udlguidelines.cast.org/. The guidelines provide educators with many ways to implement Universal Design, such as fostering collaboration and community to encourage engagement and strategies to maximize transfer and generalization for learner comprehension.

College of Education faculty that participated are: Dr. Allison Freed (Department of Teaching & Learning), Amber Brantley (Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education), Dr. Deanna Kay Rice (Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education), Dr. Jason Trumble (Department of Teaching and Learning), Dru Sanders (Department of Student Transitions), Dr. Erin Shaw (Department of Leadership Studies), Noël Gieringer (Department of Teaching & Learning), Shari McGehee (Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education), and Rebecca Bogoslavsky (Department of Student Transitions).

For the 2024-2025 academic year, a COE Universal Design for Learning Coaching Circle will be offered to explore UDL best practices and implementation strategies.

Dr. Leticia de la Garza joins the Department of Leadership Studies as an Assistant Professor for the School Leadership, Management, and Administration program.

Leticia earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas. Her qualitative research interests include exploring the decision-making actions of educational leaders related to the implementation of instructional policies and practices through sensemaking theory and problem frame analysis. She worked in K12 education for over 20 years in North Texas and served in a variety of roles at the campus and district levels. Leticia is a proud native of the Rio Grande Valley, born and raised in Harlingen, Texas.

Kayci Hardnett joins the Department of Leadership Studies as a Clinical Instructor for the Library Media and Information Technologies program.

Kayci is an Arkansas educator with a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Master of Library Media and Information Technologies from the University of Central Arkansas. She has served as a secondary English teacher and an elementary and secondary school librarian. Kayci has also worked for the Arkansas Department of Education in the Office of Special Projects. She is an active member of the Arkansas Association of Instructional Media and serves as an elected board member and President-Elect for the 2024-2025 school year. Kayci enjoys spending time with her husband Josh and three children Kyan, Gemma, and Jonah.

Dr. Stefanie Sorbet (Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education) and Dr. Evan Faidley (Department of Leadership Studies) recently completed the Global Learning Institute (May 20-21).

Hosted by the Center for Global Learning and Engagement and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL) at UCA, participants learned about Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

According to UCA Inform, participants also engaged with two panels featuring international and UCA faculty members who recently completed COIL projects. The international faculty focused on communication and cultural differences, while the UCA faculty addressed COIL student learning outcomes and course design.

For more information about UCA’s Global Learning Institute you can visit https://uca.edu/global.../2024-global-learning-institute/.

Annie Sting-Myers joins the College of Education as an Administrative Assistant in the Dean's Office. She is a lifelong Conway resident. After graduating from Conway High School, Annie joined the Bear family to earn her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. While at UCA, she spent her free time as a member of the Bear Marching Band and working in the Student Center. Annie said, "I have a true passion for all things creative. Whether it is drawing, painting, sculpting, or crocheting, I always have a side project to work on. I look forward to sharing my creativity and love of education with the UCA community once again."

Monica Thomas joins the Department of Student Transitions as a Visiting Lecturer in Mathematics. She has taught mathematics at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Courses Monica says she has enjoyed teaching include: Pre-College Mathematics, College Algebra, Statistics, Contextual Math, Quantitative Literacy and Reasoning, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus I.

Monica completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education - mathematics emphasis from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Outside of teaching, she likes to travel, read, and spend time with family and friends.

Dr. Matthew White was recently selected to join the Department of Leadership Studies as an Assistant Professor. In addition to this role, he will also coordinate the School Leadership, Management, and Administration program as well as the Educational Leadership program while providing support to candidates enrolled in the K-12 Education Leadership concentration of the department’s Ph.D. program.

Matthew began at UCA’s College of Education last year as a faculty member in the Department of Teaching and Learning. In that position, he taught graduate and undergraduate courses while fulfilling a research and service agenda. Prior to his work at UCA, Matthew served as a teacher and administrator in a variety of Arkansas schools.

A graduate of the England (Arkansas) School District, he later earned a B.A. in History and Political Science from Arkansas Tech University, an M.S. in School Leadership, Management, and Administration from the University of Central Arkansas, an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from University of Central Arkansas, and an Ed.D. in School Leadership from Arkansas Tech University. Matthew began his career in education as a behavioral specialist in a day treatment center for teens and as an admissions counselor at a community college before pursuing his teaching license. He then worked with learners at the Atkins, Augusta, Greenbrier, Mayflower, and Pulaski County Special school districts as a teacher and administrator.

According to Matthew, “My life’s work as an educator, researcher, and school leader has been guided by the belief that all students, regardless of who or where they are, deserve to learn at high levels. This is the same commitment I will bring to my new role in the Department of Leadership Studies.”

Missed an issue? You can view past issues of the COE Newsletter by going to https://uca.edu/education/coenewsletter/.