Friday Memo 12/19/14

Last Friday Memo of 2014

I know this phrase is often overused, but it is hard to believe how fast time flies. First semester 2014 has come to a close and now the glorious Christmas season is upon us. As we reflect on all of the good work and forward progress we have made, it is exciting to look forward to 2015 and all that the new year has to bring to our division and MBU.

This past week we worked on the following:

• Mary Ann Conaway and I discussed the counseling program. Our school counselor students will be participating in the pilot state performance assessment for counselors. Jan Speck has attended statewide meetings to learn more about the pilot. Our office will assist in the organization and tracking of the pilot program.
• Erica Bumpers, Angela McGowan, Kathleen Wendt, Tom Knuckles, and I led the student teaching orientation on Tuesday. Thanks to all of the MBU university supervisors who attended the orientation to meet this spring's student teachers. This event is one of my favorites because these students are typically anxious and excited about their upcoming student teaching challenge. See pictures below.
• Office Staff Christmas Party - The Education Division office staff celebrated the season with a Christmas party. See pictures below.
• Feasting Day - Staff and some faculty attended the university feasting day. Wow - so much good food! Feasting Day is a wonderful event to kick off the Christmas break. See pictures below.
• Mobile Learning Initiative - I am working with Ashlee Johnson, MBU Development Director, on finding a grant that may be applicable to our Mobile Learning Initiative. I created a Needs Assessment and Ashlee will be working to find a grant that may fit our needs.
• Erica Bumpers attended a state-wide Director of Field Experience meeting in Columbia on Wednesday. Hap Hairston presented important information that impacts our field experiences.
• Library Visit - I visited the MBU library to check out some leadership and grant writing books to read over break. The library staff was eager to help me find quality reading material. We are also working with the library to update our PK-12 curriculum for instructors to use in their instruction. If you have a few extra minutes, visit the library. I would also like to thank the library for creating a table with the new library items listed. This format makes it easier to see what's new in the library that can impact our teaching to meet the current demands in schools today. The latest list was sent in an attachment to the email sent today, 12/19.
• SimSchool - David Collum continues to collect and analyze data on the effectiveness of the simulated field experience. This alternative to face-to-face field experience helps students interact with a diverse group of learners without negatively impacting "real" students. This alternative also provides a virtual experience for students who live far away from a diverse educational setting.
• Scheduling - Mary Ann Bouas and I finalized the Spring 2015 schedule. We will be submitting the Fall 2015/Spring 2016 schedule on Friday, January 9th. Please let Mary Ann know if you would like to adjust the days/times of your classes for next year. Now is your opportunity. For example, if you currently teach on T/R and you want to switch to M/W/F, or if you want to change the times of your class(es), please let Mary Ann know. We can probably accommodate your request, but we must know the week we come back after break.
• Tonia Crane, David Collum, and I are still working on final revisions to the EDUC 203 Teaching in a Diverse Society syllabus. We are hoping to have the students do some field experiences in diverse classrooms in the Parkway school district. I am working on establishing those arrangements, thanks to Terri Moore for her contacts in Parkway.
• Apple TV installed in FLD 308 - If you teach a class in FLD 308, be prepared for the front of the room to look different. Due to the shaking of the projector, a flat screen tv has been installed. Two wipe boards will be installed to the right and left of the tv. An Apple box has been installed so you will be able to airplay your iPad or iPhone to project on the screen. You will also be able to project from the computer, just as you could in the past. Alicia Noddings is piloting the use of her iPad in this classroom. Professional development will be offered in the future regarding the use of the apple box and iPad. See pictures below.
• Other important news - New State Commissioner was named - Margaret Vandeven. Shelton Smith has been invited to serve on a special task force with the new commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Paul Katnik, to discuss some proposals from MPEA - Missouri Professors of Education Administration.

Upcoming Dates to Remember
Full-time faculty inservice - Friday, January 2nd
Spring 2015 classes start - Monday, January 5th

Blessings this Christmas,
Melanie