LETTER FROM THE DEAN

As I write this, much of the world seems to have pushed the “pause” button because of the coronavirus. I am hoping that by the time this issue is posted, we will have begun to resume some of our normal activities.

The pandemic has impacted education and the School of Education in many ways, and we’ve had to innovate, adapt and sometimes postpone our work. But, as usual, educators are working hard to help the students and adults we work with keep their brains active.

In the media here, I’ve read stories about a Milwaukee Public Schools teacher who organized an effort to make sure students were cared for and fed. Teachers wrote personal notes to their students, and others called to offer emotional support. I heard of one teacher who called up one of her fourth-grade students to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. I’m sure she’s not the only one.

At the same time, most teachers and administrators are adjusting to the new reality – moving classes and content online for students in ways that keep them engaged with learning. Our own faculty at the School of Education are adapting courses so our future teachers, administrators and community leaders can continue educating students. A special shoutout to Kristin Gaura, our educational technology consultant, and the university’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL),which is supporting faculty and teaching staff in making this happen in just a few short weeks. Simone Conceição, professor of administrative leadership and expert in online learning, is sharing information and working with media in answering questions about making online learning successful.

Meanwhile, we are working with others at UWM and the state’s Department of Public Instruction to figure out how to carry on with field experiences and assessments of teacher candidates.

Many health care workers, first responders and previously unsung heroes like grocery store clerks are doing incredible work and risking their own health to get us through these troubled times, but teachers are getting their share of praise. Parents and families struggling to “home-school” their children during extended quarantines are gaining a new respect for teachers. Television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes summed it up humorously when she tweeted: “Been homeschooling a 6-year old and 8-year old for one hour and 11 minutes. Teachers deserve to make a billion dollars a year. Or a week.”

This issue spotlights many stories of the day-to-day heroic work educators like alumni Amy Zientek, Jeff Stempniewski, Tina Jones and Schuyler Ramsey are doing in schools and the community. We also salute the many donors who support our students in their education, often in honor of loved ones. The Marguerite Pavlic-Gostomski Scholarship, for example, is made possible by the combined contributions of five siblings who set it up to honor their amazing mother.

One section of this issue, which we shared in the university’s annual research magazine, looks at the work many of our faculty members like Tatiana Joseph, Leanne Evans and Lynn Sedivy are doing with English language learners, helping them adapt to a new language while valuing and supporting their own culture. With the support of the Women’s Giving Circle, alumna Danielle Robinson worked with Professor DeAnn Huinker to bring a new view of scientists and mathematicians of color to her urban classroom. We also share the long-time work of faculty members like Marty Sapp, who researches the value of hypnosis and how it intersects with mindfulness.

Our faculty researchers like Donna Pasternak, Sara Jozwik and Candance Doerr-Stevens are looking at the effectiveness of new techniques and better ways to collaborate with educators. As a school of education, we are also encouraging more young people to think about becoming teachers through the Educators Rising/Grow Your Own program. Several of the high school students who have completed this program are now in their first year at UWM.

I hope that you enjoy this issue, either in hard copy or online, and that the world has pushed the “forward” button by the time it reaches you.