I Did Not Know That!

Have you always wanted to be a teacher, but took a different career path? The Teach for Tucson Master’s Program could be just what you’re looking for. If you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution — or even a graduate degree — you might want to consider this fast-track program that prepares students to become certified to teach science, math, or Spanish for grades 7-12.

You need to have at least 24 semester credits in the area you plan to teach. The program lasts 12 months and is a full-time day program. Students usually find it difficult to fulfill working obligations during this program. Funds are available to cover part of tuition costs.

Classes for the cohort program (students progress through the program together) begin May 2006.

Contact Ann Parker for more information.

Our Busy Dean

Dean Ron Marx

We weren’t kidding when we said we had a busy summer. Let’s start with our dean:

Dean Ron Marx was interviewed on Phoenix’s KFNX Headgames Radio with Nick Lowery in early August. The show’s theme? Insight into how we perform under pressure. Here are a few of the highlights:

Marx: We have a big job ahead of us — serious dropout rate in Arizona.

Lowery: What are the sources of problems for high schools?

M: We ask more of schools now.

L: Why are we behind in science and math?

M: We should spend more time on understanding science instead of memorizing science.

L: What about kids being conditioned by TV?

M: Video games outsell broadcast TV. It’s active involvement. It might be positive. In project-based learning, the goal is to find purpose and connection to life. That is the language for learning. The UA College of Education is connecting to K-12 around the state. We are working with native tribes and building education programs that are responsive to indigenous learners. We’re also committed to early childhood education and helping schools.

To find out more about Headgames Radio, go to www.headgamesradio.com .

Some of Dean Marx’s other activities this summer?

He was asked to be a member of a focus group on K-12 education for a study conducted by the National Academies (“Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine”). The study was commissioned by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to advise on possible legislation that could enhance America’s international competitiveness in mathematics, science, and engineering.

The National Academies perform an unparalleled public service by bringing together committees of experts in all areas of scientific and technological endeavor. These experts address critical national issues and give advice to the federal government and the public. Four organizations comprise the Academies: the National Academy of Sciences , the National Academy of Engineering , the Institute of Medicine , and the National Research Council .

He was the keynote speaker for Pima Community College’s All-College Day, the kickoff event for the school year.

In addition, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano asked Dean Marx to serve on a newly formed committee, the Governor’s Committee on Teacher Quality and Support. The Governor decided it was time to have a statewide discussion about the value, training, and compensation of teachers in a 21st century economy. This committee will interact with other efforts on this issue and ensure that recommendations related to the preparation and training of teachers align with the Governor’s pending efforts on high school renewal.

Our Busy Faculty

John Pedicone

Educational Leadership Senior Faculty Fellow John Pedicone was given a Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Kris Bosworth

“Promoting Student Resiliency,” a monograph by Educational Leadership Professor and Department Head Kris Bosworth and Garry Walz, was published in June.

Language, Reading & Culture Professor and Department Head Patricia Anders recently co-authored “Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas” and co-edited “Literacy Development of Students in Urban Schools: Research and Policy.” She also co-authored a chapter in the latter: “Professional Preparation and Development of Teachers in Literacy Instruction for Urban Settings.”

Patricia Anders

And Speaking of Busy Faculty...

Yetta and Ken Goodman

Regents’ Professor Emerita Yetta Goodman and Professor Emeritus Ken Goodman are world-renowned scholars who — despite “retirement” — are in great demand as speakers. This is especially so in developing countries. Many students have attended the University of Arizona as a result of the impact the Goodmans have made all over the world.

The Goodmans have been especially active in conference participation this summer. Yetta Goodman was invited to speak at the World Conference on Early Childhood Education in Morelia, Mexico, where she was presented with an award as a Faculty of Honor in the World Association of Early Childhood Education.

They both were invited speakers at the VIII Congresso LatinoAmericano conference in Puerto Rico in June. They received an international travel grant for their trip to Africa, where they have been invited to speak at the Fourth Pan African Reading Conference in Ezulwini, Swaziland. Following this conference, they will give presentations at the University of Cape Town, Middle Campus, and the READ Project and Workshops in Johannesburg.

Our Busy Alumni

College of Education alumnus Rick Ojeda was named Nogales High School’s Teacher of the Year. Just recently, he also was awarded one of the two Nogales Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year awards. According to Ojeda, “I insist it is the preparation afforded to me by the College of Education that helped me earn these awards. I will continue to represent my college the very best I can.” He’s certainly doing a good job of that!

Anne M. Dudley, who recently received her Ph.D. from Special Education, Rehabilitation & School Psychology, is the new associate principal of Mountain View High School in the Marana School District. As a student at the College of Education, Dudley worked closely with Dean Marx and the Graduate Student Advisory Council.

Our Busy Students

Language, Reading & Culture doctoral student Depree Shadowwalker recently was named “Storyteller of the Year” by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers for her paper, “The End of a Tale: An American Icon, The Semiotics of Historical Persuasion and Stereotype Prevalence.” She presented her paper at the Southwest Popular Culture Conference in Albuquerque last May.

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