Category: What’s New @ UMW

The third annual EdTech Conference, supported by the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington, will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at UMW’s Stafford Campus.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Creativity and Innovation within a Community of Learners.”

The 2013 EdTech Conference will offer educators, education leaders, and those interested in education the opportunity to learn more about how technology is impacting teaching and learning.

Attendees, presenters, exhibitors and sponsors are all welcome! You will have the opportunity to network with colleagues and share and discuss ways to effectively integrate technology into the standards-based curriculum.

Attendees will:

• Learn about teaching strategies to foster innovation and imagination
• Ideas for incorporating 21st Century skills in the classroom
• Promote reflection, insight, and problem-solving skills
• Improve thinking skills in reading, math, and science
• Teach reasoning, critical, and creative thinking skills
• Link learning with divergent thinking

Who should attend:

All K-12 teachers, preservice teachers, administrators, university educators and technology specialists, parents, and those interested in educational technology.

Attendees will encounter:

• Keynote speaker
• Introduction to our new 3D Printer Lab for K12 educators and students at UMW
• Introduction to Teacher Spot, a learning community for new teachers
• Presentations by local teachers exemplifying technology integration
• Presentations by university educators and technology specialists
• Vendor exhibits and presentations
• Student and Teacher Showcase
• Door prizes

Cost to Attend:

• The registration fee is $40.00 and includes your choice of concurrent sessions, workshops, the keynote session, guest speakers, exhibitor presentations, and a catered lunch. All participants must preregister including presenters.

Location of the Conference:

• University of Mary Washington, College of Education, North Building, Stafford Campus

Date and Time:

• Friday, March 15, 2013 – 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Register to participate and/or present today by visiting our Web site: http://umwedtechconference2013.umwblogs.org/

We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, please contact: 

Teresa Coffman, Associate Professor of Education at (540)286.8094, or via email at tcoffman@umw.edu

Tamie Pratt-Fartro, Assistant Professor of Education at (540) 286-8081, or via email at tprattfa@umw.edu

The following is a message from University of Mary Washington President Richard V. Hurley:

As all of you know, on Dec. 14, after most students had departed campus for winter break, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, experienced an unimaginable tragedy. This event has had a profound impact, not only on those families directly affected, but upon our entire nation.

On the first day of classes for the Spring semester, exactly one month after the Newtown tragedy, the UMW community would like to acknowledge and honor those children and educators who lost their lives. We also extend condolences to our students and faculty and staff who have ties to Connecticut. Accordingly, a Connecticut state flag will be flown from Lee Hall throughout the first week of the semester.

At any point during the first week of classes,  I encourage members of our campus to turn their thoughts to the Sandy Hook victims and to pause at Lee Hall for a moment of personal reflection.

The S.A.C.’s “Holiday Help for the Homeless” drive went extremely well.  The donations were extraordinary – we completely filled the UMW van from floor to ceiling, including every nook and cranny.  The donations were turned over to social service staff on Wednesday, Dec.19, and were received with a lot of relief and emotion.  I was told repeatedly that these items, which included almost a dozen crockpots and many food and hygiene items, will absolutely benefit our area’s needy.  The UMW employees really came through, once again, with the items that the organizations suggested.

I’m again amazed at the unending generosity of our UMW staff.

—  Priscilla Sullivan, activities chair of the S.A.C.

Congratulations to Greg Render of the UMW Post Office who has been selected as the Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of January.

Here is what one of his co-workers said about him:

“Greg is amazing.  He is kind, efficient, generous.  He has an outstanding attitude, goes the extra mile, and spreads joy.  I would love to see him recognized in some substantial way!”

To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, send an email to Priscilla Sullivan (psulliva@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the subject line.  In your email, be sure to list the person’s name, department, work location (with the most convenient parking lot), and of course, the reason why you believe they should be recognized.  Please spread the word to other employees about this wonderful opportunity to recognize a co-worker(s).

Thank you so much for making this year’s CVC at UMW such a success…apparently we truly are the ‘small school with a big heart’!  Of the over 160 agencies of the Commonwealth that participated in the CVC, UMW ranks 23rd in total giving.  And later this winter UMW will receive the Shining Star Award at the CVC recognition ceremonies.  This award is given to those agencies that surpass the previous year’s overall contributions.  None of this  would have happened without the commitment of our UMW CVC Ambassadors and your generosity.  We will have final numbers in January, but I am happy to report that our overall giving is up this year by 145.1 percent!  And it’s not too late to contribute.

Tuesday, Jan. 15 is the last day to collect paper pledges and submit to the processing center by January 18.

Every single gift, not matter the size, counts and makes a difference. Again, thank you all, so very much.

For more information, contact Lori Izykowski.