VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT N E W S L E T T E R
J A N U A R Y
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The education department is abuzz with activity! In this newsletter we are highlighting our faculty recognition, new staff members, professional development provided for alumni and the community, as well as our recruitment efforts. Be sure to scroll down for all the details.
COHORT MODEL Before fall classes began, the education department welcomed all education students back to campus with a cohort day on August 21, 2023. All students were welcomed into their new department home, Wesemann Hall. Valpo’s future educators were divided by their graduation year into their cohort groups, with upperclassmen cheerfully visiting with old friends and tentative freshmen introducing themselves to each other. All students were given a tour of our beautiful new spaces, enjoyed lunch together, and participated in creating the new micro-learning labs they will be using throughout their coursework.
During the fall cohort meeting our senior students led the group in a school safety and violence prevention session. Using programming from the Sandy Hook Promise, all cohort students earned their “Trusted Adult” certificate. Students also had time to socialize with each other while making beaded keychains to remind them of the skills they learned in the program.
STEM TEACHER RECRUITMENT FUND GRANT As part of a $300,000 grant from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the education department, in collaboration with the engineering department, has begun preparing in-service teachers for STEM teaching. Teachers will receive a STEM certification after coming to campus and participating in day-long STEM workshops once a month for the academic year. These workshops provide valuable information about STEM teaching through research-based practices and are preparing educators for implementation of STEM projects within their classrooms.
NEW STAFF Please welcome Mrs. Abby Bond to the department! Abby comes to us with a B.A. in Elementary Education from Olivet Nazarene University with middle school endorsements in science, social science, and language arts (2010). She is the coordinator of Valparaiso University’s “Engineering the Teachers of the Future'' STEM certification program. Abby works to recruit, prepare, and retain highly qualified STEM teachers in Indiana at both the elementary and secondary levels. This mission extends to both in-service and pre-service level educators. Prior to joining Valparaiso University, Abby worked as an educator in Illinois for 11 years, teaching elementary and middle school students. Along with classroom instruction, she worked to develop standard based STEM curriculum for 5th grade students. Abby’s professional interests include developing storyline curriculum units and professional trainings within the realm of STEM education.
FACULTY RECOGNITION Congratulations to education faculty Benjamin Boche, PhD and Selina Bartels, PhD on earning tenure. Each was recognized for their ongoing dedication to Valparaiso University and the education department during Opening Convocation on August 22, 2023. EDUCATION FACULTY BENJAMIN BOCHE, PHD (SECOND FROM RIGHT) AND SELINA BARTELS, PHD (RIGHT) AT OPENING CONVOCATION.
GRANT PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO SERVE IN-SERVICE TEACHERS The education department continues to offer professional development to in-service teachers as part of the grants received. The 46 teachers in the Attract, Prepare, and Retain grant group continue to mentor Educational Psychology and Classroom Management students while also attending monthly meetings focused on leadership development. Most recently, Matthew Luth, Ph.D., Herbert and Agnes Schulz Endowed Professor in Management led the November seminar. The 19 teachers in the Advancing the Science of Reading grant continue with their Mentor Leaders Community. Their monthly meetings focus on mentorship of junior students during their three-week practicum experience in evidence-based literacy practices.
FIND YOUR CALLING IN THE CLASSROOM VISIT On October 25th, the education department welcomed 66 high school students to Wesemann Hall for a recruitment event. During their visit, students explored characteristics that may influence their teaching style by making beaded bracelets, met the faculty and staff of the department, and learned about our programming and scholarship opportunities. Representatives from Admissions gave a presentation and campus tours before gathering all groups at Founders for lunch. If you know a high school student that would make a great future educator, please send their name and information to anne.parent@valpo.edu so that we can contact them with further information and arrange a campus and education department visit.
BE A TEACHER DAY Mrs. Anne Parent and Mrs. Emma Kelley represented the Department of Education at the Be a Teacher Day event at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on November 3, 2023. Over 750 high school students attended the Be a Teacher Day event sponsored by the Indiana FCCLA. Anne and Emma were able to meet students from around the state, introduce them to Valparaiso University and our four-year education program, and encourage prospective students to “find your calling in the classroom” here at Valpo. If you know any students who would make great future educators, please send their name and information to anne.parent@valpo.edu so that we can contact them with further information arrange a campus and education department visit.
ALUMNI U P D A T E
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I N F O R M A T I O N
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V A L P A R A I S O U N I V E R S I T Y E D U C A T I O N A D V I S O R Y C O U N C I L ( V E A C )
The Valparaiso University Education Advisory Council (VEAC) serves as a collaborative space for faculty, alumni, regional teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders to review Valpo’s teacher education programs, analyze trends in Valpo teacher candidate data, discuss trends in regional schools, and identify needs for professional development. If you are interested in serving as a member of the Valparaiso University Education Advisory Council (VEAC), please click this link.
V A L P A R A I S O U N I V E R S I T Y E D U C A T I O N A L U M N I S O C I A L
Alumni in attendance at our fall VEAC meeting participated in a breakout session to discuss alumni needs and support. The idea of an alumni social was brought to the table and plans are in the works for a post-holiday gathering. Stay tuned for details! If you are interested in helping to plan this or future alumni social events, please contact anne.parent@valpo.edu. A L U M N I
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We would like to bring back the Alumni Spotlight to our newsletter. Do you have an update about your career or personal life you would like to share with our education alumni? Email the details to anne.parent@valpo.edu with the subject line “alumni spotlight” for placement in a future newsletter.
PROGRAM UPDATES The education department at Valparaiso University is proud to offer several licensure programs to find your calling in the classroom for those considering a career change. We invite you to review the information below that provides information about the many opportunities that are available for those seeking a pathway to the teaching profession.
U N D E R G R A D U A T E
P R O G R A M S :
Elementary Education The elementary education major prepares teachers with insight and practical experience to positively impact young learners. This major includes a cohort experience and has embedded fieldwork with a minimum of six weeks of full-time practicum experience prior to student teaching. Pathway to 5-12 Licensure for Content Majors Content majors (English, history, science, math, and world languages) can pursue a pathway to 5–12 licensure and ultimately fulfill all requirements to be licensed at the middle and high school teaching level. Pedagogical coursework with embedded fieldwork and a student teaching semester provides extensive experiences.
G R A D U A T E
P R O G R A M S :
Transition to Teaching (T2T): Transition to Teaching (T2T) is an abbreviated program of pedagogy to prepare career professionals with bachelor degrees in fields other than education to earn licensure and teach. T2T programs include special education-mild intervention (P-12), early childhood education (P3-3), elementary education (K-6), and secondary education (5-12). Master of Ed - Initial Licensure The elementary and secondary M. ED -initial licensure program is designed for any individual who has an undergraduate degree in an area of study other than teacher education and who wants to earn a graduate degree and become licensed as an elementary or secondary school teacher.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Professional Educators Partnership (PEP) Workshops: The Professional Educators Partnership (PEP) seeks to establish mutually beneficial relationships between Valparaiso University and community educators through highly effective professional development workshops and events aimed to improve teaching and learning.
IMPORTANT DATES:
FOLLOW US!
March 4-17 | Spring Break May 3 | Dune’s Lit Fest May 6-10 | Spring Semester Exams
Make a Gift to the Education Department Enter “Education” as your designation. V A L P A R A I S O U N I V E R S I T Y E D U C A T I O N D E P A R T M E N T N E W S L E T T E R | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4