In his capacity as a board member of MSF / Doctors Without Borders USA, Nabil Al-Tikriti co-organized and moderated a June 7 workshop on migrant populations preceding the MSF USA 2012 General Assembly in New York City. Panelists included Dr. Alison Mountz of Wilfred Laurier University, Dr. Apostolos Veizis of MSF Greece, and Ivan Gayton of MSF Nigeria. The workshop description was as follows: “In this workshop, participants will explore the peculiar challenges faced when trying to gain access to migrant populations. Is it possible to adequately serve a population which often intentionally avoids detection, resides primarily in urban contexts, constantly moves or aspires to move, displays inordinate ethnic and linguistic diversity, and exists in a legal limbo vis-a-vis the legal authorities under which MSF operates? What level of legal risk should MSF international staff be prepared to accept vis-a-vis Frontex, Homeland Security, and other actors legally tasked with controlling, limiting, channeling, and preventing migration?”
College of Education Hosts State Social Studies Education Summer Leadership Meeting
The Virginia Consortium of Social Studies Specialists and College Educators (VCSSSCE) held its Summer Leadership Meeting at UMW’s College of Education on Friday, June 8.
The organization comprises stakeholders in Virginia history and social sciences education, including social studies specialists, college educators, museum professionals, social studies education non-profit professionals and representatives from the Virginia Department of Education.
John P. Broome, assistant professor in curriculum & instruction and director of undergraduate secondary and preK-12 education programs in the College of Education, serves as the State Instructional Committee Chair for the organization.
Stephen Farnsworth Featured on CTV News
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies, was a featured guest on CTV News Channel on Wednesday, June 6. In the segment, Farnsworth discusses the implications of Gov. Scott Walker’s win over Tom Barrett in Wisconsin’s recent recall election.
Farnsworth spoke to WMAL radio on Wednesday, June 6 and Wednesday, May 30 about the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial race.
Pat Reynolds Breaks Ground on Culture Shock Research
Patricia Reynolds, assistant professor in the College of Education, presented the plenary talk at the Tea for TESOL event held on the Stafford Campus on Saturday, May 26. Her presentation, “Learning the Ropes: How Children Cross Cultures,” described her grounded theory research into the stages of culture shock in immigrant school children.
Tea for TESOL is an annual professional development event for faculty, students, alumni and area teachers who specialize in teaching English to speakers of other languages. It was hosted by the Department of Foundations, Leadership and Special Populations in the College of Education.
Faculty-Led Study Abroad Trips Reach Milestones
Carol Quinn has been back in the United States for less than a week and she is already thinking of her next trip to Europe.
The University of Mary Washington senior was one of nine students who visited London, Amsterdam, Wurzburg, Munich and Vienna with the Psychology in Europe study abroad trip. The students, led by Associate Professor of Psychology Dave Kolar, spent two weeks at historical and cultural sites relevant to the study of psychology.
“The trip inspired me to return and do some of my own traveling in Europe,” Quinn, a psychology and sociology major, said. “I’m eager to go back. I wasn’t ready to leave at all!”
This summer, more than 100 students are studying abroad, either as part of UMW faculty-led trips, or through programs at other universities or organizations. Members of the UMW field hockey team recently traveled to Italy with Coach Lindsay Elliot to train and compete on an international scale.
Some trips have become UMW staples, like “European Capitals – London, Paris, Berlin, Prague and Vienna,” now in its 20th year, “Spain for All,” celebrating its 10th anniversary and “Psychology in Europe,” in its fifth year.
Denis Nissim-Sabat, professor of psychology, developed the Psychology in Europe trip to expose students to the history of psychology they learn about during the year.
“History comes alive for them,” he said, noting the students’ opportunities to visit sites from a Holocaust concentration camp to Sigmund Freud’s house.
For Jose Sainz, director of the Center for International Education and associate professor of Spanish, the Spain for All program’s success is due to its emphasis on academic, cultural and personal experiences and its ability to adapt to students’ needs. Although the program started 10 years ago solely with Spanish courses, now it offers courses across disciplines, as well as service learning opportunities and internships.
“After a decade leading students, we still get messages on Facebook and emails from students who are now long gone from campus indicating that attending the program was one of the highlights of their time at UMW,” Sainz, leader of the trip, said.
Sainz and Associate Professor of Spanish Marisa Martinez-Mira will take 34 students to Spain this summer, from June 24 through July 27.
For two decades, the European Capitals program has been going strong. This year’s group of 16 students, led by Jack Kramer, distinguished professor of political science, and Porter Blakemore, associate professor of history, will return on Friday, June 8 after four weeks of travel.
According to the political science department’s newsletter, the trip includes a briefing with a member of the British Parliament, a private tour of the Palace of Westminster, a tour of Versailles, a concert of classical music provided by the Imperial Orchestra in Vienna and a briefing at the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin.
According to Kate Jordan, study abroad program assistant in the Center for International Education, summer study abroad programs like Spain for All and European Capitals are appealing for students because they require less time commitment than a semester-long or full-year program, while offering unique coursework.
“Not only do short term faculty-led study abroad programs give students flexibility in their course choices, but they have the opportunity to have an amazing intercultural experience at the same time,” she said. “Summer study abroad is also less expensive than many semester abroad programs, making it more attractive for some students. In today’s increasingly competitive job market, students with international experience definitely have an edge.”
Second Annual EdTech Conference Unites Virginia Educators
Former state technology leader of the year John Hendron assured a group of more than 100 teachers, administrators and instructional technologists at the University of Mary Washington that they still hold a significant role in education.
“Despite the ubiquitous availability of technology, students still need us,” said Hendron, webmaster and supervisor of instructional technology for Virginia’s Goochland County Public Schools. “You are here to inspire a legion of students.”
Hendron, who was recognized as state technology leader of the year in 2006 by the Virginia Department of Education, spoke at the second annual EdTech Conference on Saturday, June 2 titled “Leading through Change: Teaching, Learning, and Technology.”
The conference also included breakout seminars, with such topics as “Integrating an iPod Touch into an Elementary Classroom,” “Cooking Up SMARTER Lessons-A Recipe for Success” and “iPads in the Math Classroom.” One session, “Frames and Share, You Can Do It!,” featured presentations from J.W. Alvey Elementary School students who created short movies and presentations.
The conference was founded by Teresa Coffman, associate professor of education, and Tamie Pratt-Fartro, assistant professor of education, to provide a venue of support for a community of learners around important topics such as teaching and learning, pedagogy and student success.
“This EdTech Conference was started to unite teachers and administrators from various K-12 school systems throughout Virginia for a day-long conference on learning and teaching with technology,” said Coffman.
Laurie Abeel Leads Virginia Teams to Destination Imagination Global Finals
Laurie Abeel, associate professor of education, is the Virginia Affiliate Director for Destination Imagination (DI), the largest creative problem solving program in the world. DI focuses on creative problem solving skills, critical thinking, leadership and team work.
This year, 1,276 teams from 45 states, seven Canadian provinces and 13 countries made the Destination Imagination Global Finals, the largest celebration and competition of creativity and problem-solving skills of its kind. Virginia had 45 teams represented at Global Finals which took place at the University of Tennesee.
Abeel oversees seven regions in Virginia, along with the state tournament and advancing teams to Global Finals. Many teams from Stafford County were also among the 45 teams representing Virginia. Anyone interested in learning more about this program is encouraged to contact Abeel and check the Destination Imagination website, www.idodi.org.
Adria Hoffman’s Article Appears in Journal
Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships in the College of Education Adria Hoffman’s article “Representin’ and Disrespectin’: African-American Wind Band Students’ Meanings of a Composition-Based Secondary Music Curriculum and Classroom Power Structures” appears in the journal Music Education Research through Taylor & Francis Online. To review the article, click on this link: : http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14613808.2012.685458
UMW Students Create Online Gallery for James Monroe Museum
A group of UMW students in a spring 2012 digital history course created an online gallery of political cartoons for the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library. Students Andrew Becken, Rachel Icard, Rachel Luehrs and Heather Thompson archived the museum’s collection of 114 political cartoons dating from the 1890s to 1960s.
The students worked with James Monroe Museum staff, the Division of Teaching and Learning Technologies and faculty members in the Department of History and American Studies, including Claudine Ferrell, Porter Blakemore and Jeff McClurken. James Monroe Museum Director Scott Harris originally brought the project idea to Professor McClurken and the students worked extensively with James Monroe Museum Curator Jarod Kearney throughout the project.
The archive is available online at http://jmpolitoons.umwhistory.org/.
The digital history course also included projects on James Farmer lectures, UMW buildings and Southeast Virginia historical markers.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio Offers Family Tours
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont offers family tours. This year’s theme is World Travels and highlights Gari and Corinne Melchers’ many trips that inspired their life here at Belmont. This inter-generational experience allows visitors of all ages to engage in a guided tour of the historic house museum and art gallery spaces. Tours are customized to meet a family’s needs and interests and are approximately one hour in length. Included in regular admission price, prior registration for family tours is not necessary. After the tour, guests are encouraged to extend their experience by sketching outside or exploring the garden while working on our scavenger hunt. Family tours are available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day except for Wednesdays.
For more information, visit http://garimelchers.umw.edu/.