April 25, 2024

UMW Hosts Virginia Education Specialist as Educator-in-Residence

The University of Mary Washington’s College of Education hosted Robert Fugate ’03, an assessment specialist for the Virginia Department of Education, for its 5th annual Educator-in-Residence. He presented as the keynote lecture at the College of Education’s Graduate Research Symposium on Saturday, April 25. 20150425_ UMW Graduate Program Ceremony Fugate’s lecture recounted his experience with UMW’s Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program. With the theme of “The Writing was on the Wall,” Fugate noted that he had first become aware of the program from an announcement posted on the mailroom wall at the middle school where he was an English teacher. Traveling between Richmond and Fredericksburg for two years to complete the program, Fugate attested to how the program rejuvenated his professional spirit and afforded him countless opportunities through which he continues to be energized, challenged and fulfilled. As an assessment specialist in limited English proficiency (LEP), Fugate manages the statewide administration of the English language proficiency assessment testing program and provides technical assistance regarding LEP students’ participation in the Standards of Learning assessments. The Graduate Research Symposium featured more than 40 research projects by current students in the education program and the presentation of several awards. Local chapters of Delta Kappa Gamma recognized two graduates: Holly Perucci for the Initial Licensure Award from Beta Eta Chapter and Stephanie Kobuchi for the Educational Leadership Award from Alpha Tau chapter. The Barbara Bishop Mann (’66) Virginia Educator Award was presented to Julia Gatusso.  This award recognizes a student pursuing elementary licensure with passion and demonstrated leadership, who is committed to teaching in a public elementary school in Virginia. For more information about the symposium and keynote address, contact the College of Education at (540) 654-1290.

Virginia Education Specialist Named UMW Educator-in-Residence

Robert Fugate ‘02, an assessment specialist for the Virginia Department of Education, has been named the University of Mary Washington’s Educator-in-Residence. He will present the keynote lecture at the College of Education’s Graduate Research Symposium on Saturday, April 25.   Robert Fugate ‘02 The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the North Building of UMW’s Stafford campus. Following Fugate’s 12:45 p.m. remarks, recognition and celebration of the 2014-2015 College of Education graduates will take place at 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Fugate’s talk will focus on his role as an LEP and how his experience at UMW, where he received a post-baccalaureate certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2003, influenced his career. As an assessment specialist in limited English proficiency (LEP), Fugate manages the statewide administration of the English language proficiency assessment testing program and provides technical assistance regarding LEP students’ participation in the Standards of Learning assessments. Fugate played an integral role in representing the Virginia Department of Education as part of the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium by serving on the WIDA Executive Committee. Fugate currently serves on the Steering Committee for the new online ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 test and as chairperson of a subcommittee for developing the score report for the new ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 test. Before he accepted the position as the LEP assessment specialist in 2007, Fugate received a master’s degree in writing from Bowling Green State University. Fugate also taught middle school in the gifted and talented education program in Berkeley County, W.Va., and English as a second language to elementary school students in Chesterfield County, Va. For more information about the symposium and keynote address, contact the College of Education at (540) 654-1034.

Educator-in-Residence Talks Leadership with Graduates

Martha Abbott ’72 believes that teachers are leaders who make an impact in the world. “[Leaders] take people to a place where they couldn’t have gone without them…and that’s exactly what teachers do,” said Abbott, executive director for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. She spoke at the fourth annual Educator-in-Residence event at the University of Mary Washington on Saturday, April 26. Martha Abbott '72, the 2014 Educator-in-Residence, shows attendees the beanie she wore as a student at UMW. Abbott earned her B.A. in Spanish with a minor in Latin from the University of Mary Washington and spent 32 years in education before joining the nonprofit sector. She also holds a master’s degree in Spanish linguistics from Georgetown University and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2004 by UMW. She gave graduates advice on impacting student’s lives and how to find success in a teaching career. “You need to have the fundamental attitude that all kids can learn,” said Abbott. “They have to feel that you think that they can learn.” She also urged graduates to be open to new and innovative ways to teach in the classroom and to stay out of the teacher’s lounge. “Teacher impact: it’s what we do,” said Abbott. “When someone asks, ‘what do you do?’ You can say, ‘I make a difference: I teach.’” Laura Gomez (left) received the Barbara Bishop Mann (right) Award. Olivia Costello received the Outstanding Master of Education Student Award. The daylong event at the Stafford campus also featured graduate presentations that included such topics as using virtual zoo webcams to teach science, employing cameras to teach English language learners and utilizing visual arts to bolster story recall and comprehension. The day ended with a number of College of Education awards. Students Anne Roberts and Merilee Grubb received the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Virginia Scholars Awards; Laura Gomez received the Barbara Bishop Mann Award; and Olivia Costello received the Outstanding Master of Education Student Award.

Education Students Share Research and Hear from Expert, April 26

Marty Abbott ‘72, executive director for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), will serve as the keynote speaker at the University of Mary Washington’s fourth annual Educator-In-Residence event on Saturday, April 26. Abbott will speak at 12:45 p.m. at the north building of UMW’s Stafford campus. martyabbott (2)Prior to the lecture, graduating students from the College of Education will present their research projects from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Abbott’s speech will be followed by recognition of the College of Education graduates at 1:20 p.m. The lecture and presentations are free and open to the public. The recipient of UMW’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004, Abbott began her career in Fairfax County Public Schools as a language teacher, foreign language coordinator and director of high school instruction. She currently leads ACTFL’s national public awareness campaign, “Lead with Languages!” which will launch in 2014. Abbott has held many roles in national organizations, including president of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, chair of the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and President of the Foreign Language Association of Virginia. Her work helped develop student standards, beginning teacher standards and performance assessments in foreign languages. Abbott received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in Latin from Mary Washington and a master’s degree in Spanish linguistics from Georgetown University. For a full list of student presentations, visit http://www.umw.edu/news/files/2014/04/ResearchPresSchedule14.pdf.

Educator-in-Residence Shares Teaching Advice

Barbara Bishop Mann ’66 taught University of Mary Washington College of Education graduates a lesson at the annual Educator-in-Residence program May 1. “You’re going to change the world. Why? Because you have to,” said Mann, who spent more than 35 years in the classroom. “Do what you have to do to get through to the kids. It’s all for them.” Mann, or Mrs. Mann as her students referred to her, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Mary Washington and began teaching elementary school in Alabama. She retired from teaching 10 years ago from Chesterfield County Public Schools. She offered sage tips to the graduating class of future teachers: “Protect your teacher voice. Suck on menthol, eucalyptus cough drops” . . . “Build relationships and support who and what you believe in. . . You can’t teach in an isolated classroom.” And Mann heeds her own advice. She served on the Virginia Education Association (VEA) Board of Directors for 12 years and as president of the Chesterfield Education Association (CEA).  She remains active in the VEA Retired Council, the CEA Board of Directors and the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Of course, she sucked on a cough drop during her remarks. “Be bold, be brave, communicate, advocate for education,” said Mann, who also is an active member of the UMW alumni community, serving on the UMW Alumni Association Board and its executive committee. In addition, she is a member of the College of Education’s first advisory board and supports UMW education students through two endowed scholarship funds. “If you work hard and you love what you do, the kids can feel it and they’ll learn,” said Mann. The daylong event at the Stafford campus also featured graduate presentations ranging from using graphic novels in the classroom to employing computer games to teach math, hands-on time in the new makerspace on the Stafford campus, and a ceremony celebrating graduates with a number of COE awards.

Educator-in-Residence Teaches a Lesson

Barbara Bishop Mann '66 was the 2013 Educator-in-Residence at the UMW Stafford campus May 1.

Barbara Bishop Mann ’66 was the 2013 Educator-in-Residence at the UMW Stafford campus May 1.

Barbara Bishop Mann ’66 taught University of Mary Washington College of Education graduates a lesson at the annual Educator-in-Residence program May 1.

“You’re going to change the world. Why? Because you have to,” said Mann, who spent more than 35 years in the classroom. “Do what you have to do to get through to the kids. It’s all for them.”

Mann, or Mrs. Mann as her students referred to her, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Mary Washington and began teaching elementary school in Alabama. She retired from teaching 10 years ago from Chesterfield County Public Schools.

She offered sage tips to the graduating class of future teachers: “Protect your teacher voice. Suck on menthol, eucalyptus cough drops” . . . “Build relationships and support who and what you believe in. . . You can’t teach in an isolated classroom.”

And Mann heeds her own advice. She served on the Virginia Education Association (VEA) Board of Directors for 12 years and as president of the Chesterfield Education Association (CEA).  She remains active in the VEA Retired Council, the CEA Board of Directors and the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Of course, she sucked on a cough drop during her remarks.

“Be bold, be brave, communicate, advocate for education,” said Mann, who also is an active member of the UMW alumni community, serving on the UMW Alumni Association Board and its executive committee. In addition, she  is a member of the College of Education’s first advisory board and supports UMW education students through two endowed scholarship funds.

EIR_3

Barbara Bishop Mann poses with Michaela Sands ’13, the 2013 Barbara Bishop Mann award recipient.

“If you work hard and you love what you do, the kids can feel it and they’ll learn,” said Mann.

The daylong event at the Stafford campus also featured graduate presentations ranging from using graphic novels in the classroom to employing computer games to teach math, hands-on time in the new makerspace on the Stafford campus, and a ceremony celebrating graduates with a number of COE awards.

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Bishop Mann ’66 to Serve as Educator-in-Residence, 5/1

Barbara Bishop Mann ’66 will share her insights from more than three decades as an educator and activist during the University of Mary Washington’s third annual College of Education Educator-in-Residence event on Wednesday, May 1. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. at the North Building of UMW’s Stafford campus. Prior to the lecture, graduating students from the College of Education will present their research projects from 1 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Mann’s lecture will be followed by recognition of the College of Education graduates at 6:30 p.m. and a reception at 7 p.m. The lecture, presentations and reception are free and open to the public. Mann retired from Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2003, after 35 years as an elementary school teacher. She served on the Virginia Education Association (VEA) Board of Directors for 12 years and as president of the Chesterfield Education Association (CEA). Mann remains active in the VEA Retired Council, the CEA Board of Directors and the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. An active member of the UMW alumni community, Mann has served on the UMW Alumni Association Board and its Executive Committee. She is a member of the College of Education’s first Advisory Board and is a supporter of UMW education students through two endowed scholarship funds. Mann received a bachelor’s in history from Mary Washington and a master’s in elementary education from Old Dominion University. For a full schedule of student presentations, visit http://education.umw.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/81/files/2013/04/Grad_Pres_Sched.pdf.