GSE Adjunct Professor in BOE Race

Roseanne Kurstedt, who holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction and is an adjunct professor in GSE's literacy program, is running for Board of Education in the Westfield, New Jersey Public Schools District, along with 4 other newcomers and one incumbent. She stated that she hopes to bring her background in education to the board. She is a board member of the Education Fund of Westfield, a classroom volunteer at Franklin, and served on the budget task force to pass the bond issue to renovate Lincoln School.

To read more, click here.

Alumni Notes: Dr. John Lawry

Dr. John Lawry (GSE, '72, Educational Psychology) is professor emeritus at the former Marymount College of Fordham University. He recently published "Searching for the Right Way to Begin Class: Disengage From the Busyness of Life" in the November/December issue of About Campus (an American College Personnel Association publication).

In the article, Dr Lawry describes how, when Marymount College eliminated the prayer to the Holy Spirit as the formal opening of class, he sought to fill the silence with another spiritual ritual:

"While visiting the yoga ashram Kripalu in Lenox, Massachusetts, a former Jesuit seminary named Shadowbrook, I discovered that yoga classes there began end ended with the chanting of "OM," which was followed by the Sanskrit greeting by the instructor, "Jai Bhagwan," which roughly translates into "I honor the Divine within you," to which the students repeated the greeting. Struck by the atmosphere created by such an opening ritual, I decided to experiment with the ritual in my psychology classes at Marymount."

Click here to read the full article. (If you have trouble viewing the article through this link, and would like a copy of the article, please contact Michelle Adams at miadams@fordham.edu).

The Centers New York State Mandated Workshops: March 21 and April 1

The Rosa A. Hagin Consultation and Early Childhood Centers at GSE will offer two New York State Mandated workshops this spring, one on Child Abuse Identification and Reporting, and one on Schools Against Violence. Both workshops will be offered on Monday, March 21 and Friday, April 1, 2011 in McMahon Hall Room 109.

Click here for more information, including registration and eligibility.

If you have any questions, please contact The Centers at 212-636-6483 or SCECCevents@fordham.edu.

Alumni Notes: Steven Kaplan

Over the past 18 years, lexicographer and translator Steven Kaplan (GSE M.S.Ed. '86) has had 11 dictionaries published, 10 of which are bilingual (English-Spanish/Spanish-English) and 1 of which is monolingual. The areas covered include law, business, psychology and psychiatry, chemistry, and electrical and electronics engineering. His latest book is The Routledge Spanish Bilingual Dictionary of Psychology and Psychiatry, published in February 2011. Combined, these dictionaries provide over 700,000 entries. In the history of bilingual lexicography, no other single author has amassed nearly as many entries in such varied fields.

Click here for a list of dictionary publications.

Click here for more background and information on Steven Kaplan, who has also been a certified teacher in both the United States and Puerto Rico.

PSI Clinical Grand Rounds: "Learning To Love The Bully"

The Psychological Services Institute at the Graduate School of Education is pleased to announce:

Learning to Love The Bully: Breaking the Cycle of Violent and Destructive Behavior

This Clinical Grand Rounds presentation will focus on helping participants better understand the psychology of bullies, the history of the bully's own woundedness, as well as providing intervention strategies for working with these individuals.

Friday, March 4th
10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Fordham Lincoln Center Campus
(113 West 60th Street)
12th Floor Lounge

Call 212-636-7754 or email gsepsi@fordham.edu for more details.

Alumni Notes: Rashid Ferrod Davis

Rashid Ferrod Davis (M.S.Ed. Administration & Supervision, '03) is the founding Principal of the proposed new school, Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-Tech). The school will open with 108 students in September 2011.

He is responsible for shaping a vision and launching this first-of-a-kind public school for grades 9-14. The school- a collaboration between the New York City Department of Education, New York City College Technology, City University of New York and IBM, is designed to prepare students to fill entry-level jobs in technology fields- will rely on Mr. Davis to lead the faculty, staff and students and collaborate constructively with parents and the community.

Previously, Mr. Davis was Principal of the Bronx Engineering and Technology Academy (BETA). In that role, he revamped the curriculum and introduced 15 Advanced Placement courses, created a 9-20 support model with local colleges, and implemented a Peer Mediation program with the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Under Mr. Davis' tenure, BETA obtained more than a quarter of a million dollars in financial assistance from local Congress members, boasted an 84 percent graduation rate, and was one of 82 New York City high schools to participate in an innovative online learning project. BETA is listed on U.S. News and World Report 2010 America's Best High Schools with a Silver Medal recognition and Newsweek's national list for years 2010 and 2011 as one of America's Top High Schools.

Mr. Davis has more than a decade of experience in the New York City public school system. He was Assistant Principal of John. F. Kennedy High School in Bronx, NY and has also served as a coordinator, school leadership chairperson, union delegate and English teacher.

Mr. Davis has an undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and holds graduate degrees from Teachers College Columbia University, Pace University and Fordham University Graduate School of Education. He is currently a doctoral student at GSE, in the Urban School Leadership program.

REMINDER: Passes for Celebration of Teaching & Learning 2011

If you are a GSE current student, faculty or staff member, it's not too late to reserve your discounted tickets to attend the WNET/Channel 13 Celebration of Teaching and Learning at the New York Hilton on March 18th & 19th! We have a limited number of discounted passes available. Please contact Michelle Adams at miadams@fordham.edu for more information.

Faculty Accomplishments: Dr. Aida Nevarez-La Torre

Aida Nevarez-La Torre, Ed.D, associate professor of TESOL Education in the Divison of Curriculum and Teaching at GSE, was recently appointed Chair Elect of the Bilingual Education Interest Section of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) International Professional Organization.
The Chair Elect is one of four members of the Affiliate Leadership Council and serves with the Past Chair, Chair, Chair Elect, and Member A. As part of the Council, Professor Nevarez-La Torre will be attending the TESOL Convention and Exhibit on "Examining the 'E' in TESOL" this March in New Orleans .

Alumni Notes: Juliet Gevargis

Fordham and GSE alum Juliet Gevargis (FCRH '02, GSE '04- M.S.T. in NYC Teaching Fellows Program), Assistant Principal of Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg, NY, recently published an article entitled "Snapshots of Excellence" in Principal Leadership magazine online. "Snapshots" require school leaders to write and publish descriptions of examples of excellence that they see during a lesson observation- such as an engaging activity, an insightful student response, a project-based assessment, or a multisensory approach to learning. These mini-assessments and accolades allow educational administrators to capture and celebrate the success of their teachers and students, as well as to address areas of need for improvement in a nonthreatening way. Gevargis discusses her experiences with this technique in her own school, and encourages teachers and administrators to engage in it, for positive systemic impact.

Click here to read the complete article.

Faculty Publications: Dr. Giselle Esquivel

Dr. Giselle Esquivel, Psy.D, ABPP (Professor of School Psychology in the division of Psychological and Educational Services at GSE) reviewed "Nurturing Creativity in the Classroom" by Ronald A. Beghetto and James C. Kaufman this month in PsycCritiques (the American Psychological Association review of books).

The review, entitled "Creativity Returns to the Schoolhouse: Will Wise and Prodigal Brothers Embrace?", discusses the book's premise that creativity can be integrated with traditional academic teaching methods to facilititate learning as set out in the book.

To read the complete review, click here.

"Save Big Bird, Nova, Jim Lehrer": Dr. Bill Baker on Public Broadcasting

This morning, the New York Daily News published an Op-Ed by Dr. William F. Baker (Journalist in Residence and Claudio Aquaviva Chair in Education), in which Dr. Baker implored Congress not to pass bills that will eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting (including PBS and NPR), one of the most trusted media institutions in the United States. As President of Channel 13 for 20 years, Dr. Baker relates his first-hand experience with tens of thousands of parents grateful for the "safe haven my station provided for their kids, for being the one media destination where children can always find shows to help them learn and grow, free of any commercial agenda."


Click here to read the complete article.

Faculty In the News: Dr. Bill Baker

This week's issue of America Magazine features Dr. Willam F. Baker (Journalist in Residency and Claudio Aquaviva Chair of Education) on the cover, and an article entitled "Broadcasting Faith" by him inside. In this article, Dr. Baker discusses the influence that his Catholic faith had on his life's work, the support it provided for him throughout his illustrious career in television broadcasting, and what he is doing now and in the future to bring his work and his faith closer together.

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to view the podcast from WNET/Channel 13.

GSE Hosts Workshop For Potential Career Changers

On January 25th, GSE held an interactive workshop for people who are interested in switching careers to an education-related field. "Exploring Career Options: Testing the Reality of a Transition to an Education-Related Career" drew about 50 people, including a pastry chef, attorney, accountant, social worker, and stay-at-home mom, to the Lincoln Center campus. The event was hosted by Linda Horisk (Assistant Dean, GSE) and Annette McLaughlin (Counselor, Fordham Office of Career Services).

Attendees came to learn about GSE programs such as teaching, school counseling, mental health counseling, doctoral counseling psychology, professional diploma and doctoral school psychology, human resources education, and masters and doctoral programs in educational leadership, administration and policy.

To read the complete article in Inside Fordham, click here.

2011 Young Child Expo & Conference

Fordham University Graduate School of Education & Los Ninos Services Present:
2011 Young Child Expo & Conference
April 7-8, 2011
Hotel Pennsylvania, New York City

The conference, organized by Los Ninos Services, and sponsored by the Graduate School of Education, brings together top leaders to provide the latest information about essential topics in early childhood development. Early childhood professionals and parents will also learn about services, resources and products to help all children reach their full potential. In one unique event, this conference integrates learning about typically developing children as well as those with special needs, including autism.

At the Young Child Expo & Conference, GSE Dean James Hennessy will present the Excellence in Early Childhood Award, which recognizes early childhood professionals who are extraordinary champions and advocates for young children and their families. The recipient of the the 2011 award will be Dr. Ami Klim (Director, Autism Program, Yale University) for his groundbreaking research in early assessment of autism. Dr. Klim will also be the keynote speaker.

For more information on program and speakers, or to register to attend the conference, please visit http://www.youngchildexpo.com/.