COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

CREATING THE

In a recent Washington Post article,

Robert J. Samuelson explained why

U.S. higher education’s “learning

system” is unique in the world by

offering continuous entry points

into the system for people when

they are most motivated to learn.

“[I]t provides second chances,”

Samuelson says. “It tries to teach

people when they’re motivated to

learn — which isn’t always when

they're in high school or starting

college. People become motivated

later for many reasons, including

maturity, marriage, mortgages and

crummy jobs. These people aren’t

shut out. They can mix work,

school and training.”

have been employed in public education for 40 years

as a teacher, counselor/advisor, and administrator at the

K-12 through higher education levels. Over these four decades

of service I have seen countless thousands of individuals who have

positively benefited by public education. Today, the decreasing

support for public education at all levels has me very concerned.

Last night I was laying awake wondering to myself, “Where

would I be without the opportunities public education has

afforded me?” The answer came quickly to mind — probably

nowhere! You see, I grew up in Osage County, Missouri in a

small town called Chamois with a booming population at that

time of around 600 people. Most of the folks in town worked for

the power plant (the tax base of the plant provided the main

source of financial support for the schools of Chamois), the

railroad, or were subsistence farmers who barely got by. By far

not a rich community, the citizens always tried hard to support

the town’s one high school and one elementary school. When

we played a basketball game the public would fill the gymnasium.

Band concerts attracted standing room only crowds. When the

baseball team needed uniforms, they got them. When the band

had an opportunity to march in an important parade, the citizens

of Chamois made sure we had the support we needed.

Today, I am afraid this kind of support for the public

elementary and secondary schools — and especially for higher

education — is waning. And that is a shame.

by Charles D. Schmitz

Dean, College

of Education

EducationEditionA PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI -ST. LOUIS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FALL 2006

“Today, the

has me

decreasing supportfor public education

at all levels

very concerned.”

yearsCOLLEGE ofEDUCATION

CONTINUED on page 8

II’ve Often Wondered Where I’d Be

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College Reaches Out with Global Initiatives

EDUCATION

Two

Edition

share lessons, activities and strategies for teaching

large classes of students who are learning about

American culture from our student teachers.

U.S. Certification for Teachers OverseasThe Transition to Teaching Program has

expanded globally to ensure that American students

at international schools have highly qualified

teachers. A year ago, Quality Schools

International (QSI) approached the College’s

Transition to Teaching Program regarding their

need for more U.S. certified teachers in their

schools. QSI operates more than 40 international

schools worldwide to educate the children of

Americans working at overseas posts. These

include the children of parents working in the

diplomatic, military, and business sectors.

The College of Education, QSI, and the Missouri

Department of Elementary and Secondary

Education worked together for nearly a year to

develop the current Transition to Teaching Program

into a complete distance learning program for

non-certified teachers at these international

schools. Upon program completion, teachers will

earn their initial Missouri teaching certificate.

Launched this fall, the program includes

17 participants from 12 countries in Europe,

Asia, and South America. Course lectures have

been recorded on DVD’s and teachers participate

in on-line discussion and “critical friends” groups.

“I have always thought it was important for me

to earn my U.S. teaching credentials because

most of my students are from the U.S.,” said

program participant Elena Sentevska, a middle

school teacher in Skopje, Macadonia where she has

taught language arts since 2000. “This program is

allowing me to become a better teacher who is

familiar with the U.S. teaching methods and

curriculum so that I can better educate our students.”

he College of Education is becoming

increasingly global in its reach and

activities. More recent initiatives include

expansion of the Transition to Teaching Program

to 12 countries and increased educational activities

in six nations, primarily in Southeast Asia through

the Center for Community College Education and

Leadership (CICCEL). In addition, six undergraduate

students are spending this semester in China for

their student teaching assignments, the second year

for this foreign experience program, and one of the

College’s doctoral students was awarded a prestigious

internship at Jean Moulin University in Lyon, France.

“The days when educators need look only

within their own cities and cultures are long

gone,” said Dean Charles Schmitz. “The world has

become increasingly global in perspective, and

any 21st century educator must also have such a

perspective. I’m delighted that we are making

great strides in reaching out to other cultures

and countries — to learn from them, and to

share what we know also.”

Undergraduates in ChinaSix College of Education teacher education

students are participating in the China Student

Teaching program in Fuxin, China, northeast of

Bejing. This Fall 2006 cohort is the third group to

travel to Fuxin and work with elementary through

middle grade students. Twenty students so far

have taken advantage of this unique opportunity

to work as teachers and travel the country ,

including stops in Bejing where our students visited

the Great Wall and Forbidden City, among other

historic locations. Since the program began in

Fall, 2005, students have learned to teach while

learning about a new culture and international

issues related to teacher education. Students

regularly communicate with the College and each

other on blogs and through email, by which they

T

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Dr. Stephen Viola, coordinator of the program, believes that while

many colleges and universities offer education programs to international

educators, the College of Education at UMSL is one of only two colleges

in the U.S. offering programs to international educators that leads to

U.S. teacher certification. Dr. Viola has consulted and worked at various

international schools throughout central and Eastern Europe.

Community College Systems AbroadThe Center for International Community College Education and

Leadership (CICCEL), housed in the College of Education, collaborates

with the American Association of Community Colleges to provide training

for community college systems abroad that seek assistance from the

United States. Some recent activities include establishing training sessions

in Thailand; presenting ideas on the community college system with

officials in Vietnam; investigating long term collaboration and training

with the Ministry of Education of Indonesia; and supporting three

graduate students for international internships in Honduras, Thailand

and Cambodia, and the Galapagos.

Kent Farnsworth, the College’s President in Residence for Community

Colleges, and other representatives from CICCEL will meet with board

members from a newly forming university in Vietnam in December to

work out an agreement for developing an associate degree curriculum at

the institution.

“The university, the first in the country to be privately owned by

Vietnamese investors, is focused on Economics and Finance, and would like

its first two years to be articulated with two or three American universities,”

Dr. Farnsworth said. “Assuming the arrangement goes through as

planned, CICCEL will develop that curriculum.”

Visiting Scholar in FranceThe College of Education was instrumental in securing a research

grant and also in establishing a research administrative internship for

Lucille Van Alstine, a doctoral student who was awarded the status of

Visiting Scholar to Jean Moulin University in Lyon, France. During her stay

in Lyon, a sister-city to St. Louis, Ms. Van Alstine researched the French

philosopher, Jacques Derrida and worked closely with a professor

who had studied with Derrida at the Sorbonne. She also made a

videoconference connection from Jean Moulin University to Ritenour High

School in St. Louis where she teaches.

Three

2006FALL

Dr. Stephen Viola

Dr. Kent Farnsworth

Lucille Van Alstine

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EDUCATIONEdition

Deb ChildsMs. Deb Childs is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning in the College

of Education as a Lecturer. Ms. Child’s fields of expertise are Special Education

and Physical Education. She comes to us from Ohio where she served as a

school principal. She will be teaching special education courses and a related

course in the Physical Education Program.

Karen CummingsKaren Cummings is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning in the College

of Education and the Department of Art and Art History in the College of Fine Arts

and Communication as an assistant professor. Her field of expertise is Art Education.

She comes to UM-St. Louis from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign

where she is completing her doctoral degree in the College of Education. She has

received awards for instruction at both the K-12 and University levels.

Martille EliasDr. Martille Elias is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning in the

College of Education as an assistant professor. Professor Elias’s field of expertise

is Literacy Education. She comes to UM-St. Louis from the University of

Missouri-Columbia where she completed her doctorate in the College of

Education. She has received awards for instruction as a Teaching Assistant.

Stacy HenningMs. Henning is joining the faculty of the Division of Counseling and Family

Therapy as a Senior Lecturer. Her field of expertise is community counseling and

supervision. She is one of most highly regarded doctoral students here at UM-St. Louis

and will complete her dissertation in Spirituality in Counseling quite soon.

Gooyeon KimDr. Gooyeon Kim is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning in the College

of Education as an assistant professor. Professor Kim's field of expertise is

Mathematics Education. She comes to UM-St. Louis from the University of Georgia

where she completed her doctorate in the Mathematics and Science Education

Department in 2004. The past two years she served as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at

the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh.

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2006FALL

Stephanie KoscielskiMs. Stephanie Koscielski is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning and the Teacher

Certification and Advising Office in the College of Education as the Director of Clinical Experiences.

Ms Koscielski's fields of expertise are elementary mathematics/science teaching methods and

language arts. She comes to the College from the St. Louis Public School District where she

coordinated the St. Louis Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Aerospace Academy and co-chaired

its second annual conference in St. Louis. Stephanie received her masters degree from the

University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Education.

Matthew LembergerDr. Matthew Lemberger is joining the Division of Counseling and Family Therapy in the College

of Education as an assistant professor. Dr. Lemberger’s field of expertise is professional school

counseling and Adlerian psychology. He comes to UM-St. Louis from the University of South

Carolina where he completed his doctorate in Counselor Education. He was one of the most highly

recruited graduates in the field of professional school counseling in the United States this past year.

Lori NewcomerDr. Lori Newcomer is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning in the College of

Education as an assistant professor. Professor Newcomer's field of expertise is Special

Education. She comes to UM-St. Louis from the University of Missouri - Columbia where she

completed her doctorate in the Special Education Department in 2002. Since that time she

served as a Research Assistant Professor in the College of Education at UMC. Using several

grants she has researched the effects of Positive Behavior Support on student behavior.

Rebecca RogersDr. Rebecca Rogers is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education

as an associate professor. Professor Rogers’ field of expertise is Literacy/Reading Education.

For the past 6 years she served at Washington University in St. Louis. She completed her doctorate

in Reading at University of New York at Albany (SUNY). She is a rising scholar in her field.

Carol WeberMs. Carol Weber is joining the Division of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education

as a Lecturer. Ms. Weber’s field of expertise is Biology. She has served as a lecturer in the

Biology Department at UM-St. Louis for 20 years. She has Masters Degrees in Biology and

Education and is completing her doctoral degree in Adult Education in the College of

Education. She will be teaching anatomy and physiology and related courses in the Physical

Education Program.

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Pa

rtn

ers

hip

Six

High School Students get a Taste of College Life Ninth graders from the Wellston School District and eleventh and twelfth graders from the Rockwood

School district participated in two summer campus programs hosted jointly last summer by the districts

and the College of Education. The College’s Teacher Certification and Advising Office worked with the

districts’ leaders, teachers and staff to organize the two summer experiences.

These first-time initiatives brought students to campus to experience college life, enroll in middle and

high school classes and become acquainted with all the possibilities of a college education. College of

Education students assisted the Wellston and Rockwood students with content needs related to their

coursework. Both programs focused on students’ futures while enhancing the academic skills they need

to achieve scholastic and lifelong career goals.

Partnering for SuccessTen Bishop Middle School students from the Wellston School District attended the “Partnering for

Success” program on campus. Students attended mathematics and communication arts courses taught by

district teachers, followed by UMSL campus tours and work with College staff and faculty in the library

and Technology and Learning Center, and lessons in the Center for Human Origin and Cultural

Diversity. Students also heard from an UMSL faculty panel in discussions about career possibilities.

A culminating project included students creating PowerPoint presentations on career choices.

S.A.G.E.S.Severing the Achievement Gap in the Education of

Students (S.A.G.E.S.) was held in the College of

Education last July. Rockwoods’ voluntary transfer

students attended daily classes and were advised by

high school counselor.

The S.A.G.E.S. Summer Academy was designed to

provide students with a life changing college preparatory

experience through university exposure, academic goal

setting, student empowerment, mentorship and career

exploration as well as academic enrichment. During

the summer camp, students had a taste of campus life

through campus tours, studying in the library and the

Technology and Learning Center, and lunch at the

Millennium Student Center.

Directors, teachers and students participating inS.A.G.E.S., Rockwood/COE summer program forhigh school students on campus

College of Education newsletter.qxd 10/25/06 11:14 AM Page 6

Vashon HighSchool/UMSLCollaborative

Last winter, 59 Vashon High students accepted a

challenge to participate in the Vashon High School/

UMSL Collaborative.

Participating students experienced a semester of

campus living while attending seminars and taking a

combination of four high school and two college level

courses. The Vashon High seniors received grades in

the two college courses comparable to those of other

beginning freshman at the University of Missouri-

St. Louis.

Over 75 percent of the participants completed the

campus-wide program and seven of them are now freshmen

at UMSL. One student, Chinera Meeks, now joins her

mother on campus as a second generation student at

the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The program was the result of mutual planning by

senior administrators in the St. Louis Public Schools and

the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Dr. Lynn Beckwith,

the Endowed Professor in Urban Education in UMSL’s

College of Education served as the liaison between

UMSL and Vashon. Plans are underway to continue

the project with Vashon High School.

2006FALL

Seven

andra I. Diamond, director and St. Louis

area coordinator for Kids Voting Missouri

has received the 2006 Barbara Ericksen

Affiliate Excellence Award from Kids Voting USA.

Kids Voting USA is a national program, housed

locally in the UM-St. Louis College of Education.

The program allows K-12 students study citizenship

and then go to Kids Voting polls on Election Day

with their parents or other adults to cast ballots on

the same candidates and issues as registered voters.

The Barbara Ericksen Affiliate Excellence Award

is national award given annually to one local Kids

Voting director who demonstrates a commitment to

the goals and mission of the program. Ms. Diamond

received the award during Kids Voting USA’s annual

meeting in early June in Tempe, Ariz. She has been

involved in the program since 1999.

Kids Voting Missouri serves 27 school districts

throughout the state and involves about 247,000

students, 16,000 teachers, 500 schools and

2,500 volunteers.

Visit www.kidsvotingmissouri.org for more

information about Kids Voting Missouri.

SSandra Diamond Wins PrestigiousEricksen Excellence Award

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Univer s i t y o f Missour i - S t . Lou i sOne Univer s i t y Bou levard201 Educat ion Admin i s t ra t ion B ldg. (MC 326)S t . Lou i s , MO 63121- 4400COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

CREATING THE

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDST. LOUIS, MOPERMIT N0.3

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and educational institution committed to excellence through diversity.

An NCATE Accreditated Institution

What would an American-made system be without plenty

of options and choices? Our higher education learning system

provides an abundance — from public, private and for-profit

universities, community colleges, training schools and online

degree programs — producing an incredibly diverse, creative,

innovative and productive population. Other countries still

hold our higher education system in high regard, with thousands

of foreign students clambering for its fruits, and other nations

adopting similar systems, especially the community college model.

As a Missouri boy of meager means, my chance in life

came first through hard work and secondly through the support

and generosity of the public. When I won a scholarship to go

to the University of Missouri because I was Valedictorian of

my high school class at Chamois (I was top in a class of 25),

I was on my way!

I was the first member of my family to garner a college

degree. The opportunities afforded me by a public university

have been instrumental in my life’s success. Today, my family

holds SEVEN academic degrees from the University of

Missouri System — my wife and I earned six and our daughter

holds one. She is now pursuing a second degree in another state.

I stand before you today as Dean of the College of

Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Thankful

for the opportunities I have had, and hopeful that the support

of the public and our government representatives will grow

over the years ahead. Public higher education in Missouri

deserves the public’s support.

I cannot imagine where this poor boy from Central

Missouri would be today without it. And I know I am only

one of legions who can say the same.

I’ve Often Wondered Where I’d Be CONTINUED from front cover

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