Education Department News - Le Moyne College

Spring/
Summer 2011
Volume 2 Issue 2
Education Department News
Testimonial for Dr. Patty Schmidt
Dr. Patricia Ruggiano Schmidt has been a Professor of Literacy at Le Moyne College
since 1993. Last year, she also took on the position of Principal at Cathedral Academy at
Pompei, an international school in the Roman Catholic tradition on the Northside of
Syracuse. She sees her role as a facilitator for the development of a model urban school
where children from diverse linguistic, economic and cultural backgrounds gain a global
education in an atmosphere of peace and justice.
Le Moyne College
1419 Salt Springs Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13214
Phone (315) 445-4376
Fax: (315) 445-4744
www.lemoyne.edu
2011 marks Dr. Schmidt’s 46 th year in education. After more than 20 years of teaching in
public schools, Dr. Schmidt completed her doctoral studies in Reading and Language Arts
at Syracuse University. Her dissertation, Cultural Conflict and Struggle: Literacy
Learning in a Kindergarten Program, received recognition by the International Reading
Association and was published by Peter Lang. Dr. Schmidt was the recipient of the
International Reading Association, Elva Knight Research Award. At Le Moyne, in 2006,
she received the Rev. Richard M. McKeon, S.J., Scholar of the Year Award and in 2009,
she received the Robert E. O’Brien, S.J. Service Award.
As a Professor of Literacy at Le Moyne College, Dr. Schmidt has taught courses in the
elementary and secondary programs and has developed a model known as the ABC’s of
Cultural Understanding and Communication. This model has been implemented around
the world, from Australia to Taiwan and South Africa to Sweden. It has helped elementary
and secondary teachers communicate and connect with families and communities, as well
as helping them design culturally responsive literacy lessons. Presently, as part of the
FIPSE Transatlantic Policy Grant, of which Dr. Schmidt is co-director, the ABC’s model
is being tested at 5 universities in 5 European countries and at Michigan State, California
State, University of Oklahoma, Oakland University, St. Joseph’s University, and Le
Moyne College.
Dr. Patricia Schmidt
Dr. Schmidt’s ABC’s Model has promoted the study of links between literacy learning
and culturally responsive teaching in urban and rural elementary and secondary schools.
Her books, book chapters, and journal articles demonstrate teacher adaptations of the
model for the literacy development of students from language minority backgrounds in
urban and rural schools. Dr. Schmidt was also instrumental in creating the Literacy,
TESOL, and Urban Education Masters Programs in the Department of Education.
Dr. Schmidt has published 8 books. Her most recent book, published by Teachers
College Press, is entitled Practicing What We Teach: How Culturally Responsive Literacy
Classrooms Make a Difference. To complete her publishing career, Fordham Press will
soon be publishing her co-edited book entitled, Transforming the World and Being
Transformed, initiated by the National Justice in Jesuit Higher Education Conference
Committee.
Dr. Schmidt will be retiring from Le Moyne on June 30, 2011, but she will continue to be
part of the leadership team that promotes the mission and vision of Cathedral Academy of
Pompei. She welcomes visits to this exemplary school. We will miss her expertise and
caring presence very much!
Contributions in honor of Dr. Schmidt’s retirement can be made to
Cathedral Academy at Pompei School Tuition Fund
c/o Dr. Particia Schmidt
923 N. McBride Street, Syracuse, NY, 13208

Education Department News Page 2 of 8
FROM THE DESK OF Suzanne Gilmour
When I began thinking about a new career at Le Moyne, I recalled the comments of
many teachers while I was a principal in a local school. The teachers were always very
eager to have Le Moyne student teachers in their classrooms because of the quality of
their preparation. I have since learned that this preparation is the result of the hard work
and dedication of many staff, faculty and adjunct faculty members; it is a mirror of the
vision of Le Moyne.
The students model spirit, inquiry and leadership in the Jesuit tradition. Within the
department we are seeking to enhance the opportunities for our students and graduates
to serve as teachers in local, regional, national and international settings.
Locally and regionally through our Advisory Board, we are creating enhanced
experiences for students to engage in rural, suburban and urban classrooms as well as
virtual classrooms including talk-backs from expert teachers and administrators. In
addition, Dr. Tonya Shendendoah provides students opportunities to visit the Onondaga
Nation for educational and social experiences. Dr. Bud Cooney has created a
partnership with Exceptional Family Resources through which our students have
provided over 250 hours of respite service for families of individuals with
disabilities. Dr. Sunita Singh is working with members of our local refugee community
through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Dr. Steve Fluery collaborates with
SUNY Oswego to provide multicultural experiences for our students and faculty.
Dr. Suzanne Gilmour
Congratulations
Graduates!
Please keep in
touch and let us
know where
you are and
what you are
doing.
We have several
exciting
teaching
opportunities
down south.
Nationally, with the assistance of Kim McAuliffe in our Alumni Office and Dr. Norbert
Henry, we have begun an initiative to place student teachers and alumni in schools
located in southern states where teachers are still in need. We are also working with
Dean Barron Boyd, and Philosophy professor Dr. Tabor Fisher to investigate the
possibility of a project that would house student teachers in New Orleans.
Internationally, in addition to the ongoing collaborative efforts of Professor Lauri
Bousquet, Dr. Cathy Leogrande, Dr. Cindy Choi, Dr. Diane Zigo and Gabriel Bol Deng,
we are pursuing additional opportunities in Sudan with The Reverend Darius Makuja
and Dr. Christina Michelson. As part of our partnership with Beth Scanlon and Campus
Ministry will now have an opportunity for our masters students to travel to Ecuador
during this coming J-mester; Dr. Robert Johnson has also been working with us for
possible teaching opportunities for alumni in Cairo. Dr. Wen Ma led a group of faculty
and students to China for a rich cultural experience and Dr. Diane Zigo has a project
with Gulu, Uganda. We continue to explore online courses that may be of interest to
students and alumni locally and globally.
All of these initiatives support the vision of Le Moyne while also meeting the claims for
our upcoming 2012 TEAC visit that is being supported by our Provost Dr. Linda
LeMura. Dr. Diane Zigo is leading these efforts within our department and faculty will
be meeting this summer to engage in curriculum mapping which will provide greater
continuity within the courses that are taught by faculty and numerous adjunct faculty
members. Dr. Bill Silky is leading similar efforts with our leadership programs,
including the Urban Teacher Leader Program designed specifically for leadership
within urban settings. David Ringwood, Linda Cerio, Annemarie Trait and Aurea
McNamee support these initiatives in many, many ways.
I am grateful to be part of such a vibrant and caring department. Please stay tuned for
more updates on faculty initiatives as they continue to support educators who are wellprepared,
ethical, caring global thinkers.

Education Department News Page 3 of 8
Recent Publications
Schmidt, P. R. & Lazar, A. (Eds.). (2011). Practicing what we teach: How
culturally responsive literacy classrooms make a difference. NY: Teachers
College Press.
Ponto, C. & Cosentino, T. (2011). Taking risks: Building bridges with students in
an Alternative School. In P. S. Schmidt & A. M. Lazar, (Eds.), Practicing
what we teach: How culturally responsive literacy classrooms make a
difference (pp. 69-82). NY: Teachers College Press.
Singh, S. (2011).Working with diverse language speakers in an early childhood
setting. In P. S. Schmidt & A. M. Lazar, (Eds.), Practicing what we teach:
How culturally responsive literacy classrooms make a difference (pp. 156-
167). NY: Teachers College Press.
Singh, S. (2010). Independent and collaborative writing in a kindergarten
classroom. Journal of Reading Education, 36(1), 48-53.
Le Moyne Student is Published
Diluted Concentration by Abigail Lee is a book of poetry that ranges from happy
and light to vulnerable and pensive. Some poems speak to historical moments,
while other poems reflect our soulful existence as humans and a society. In any
case, open the pages and experience the free-verse, lyrical prose written for you to
enjoy.
Abigail attends Le Moyne College, where she studies English Literature and
Education. Always intrigued with reading and writing, especially in the poetry
department, Abby has finally pulled her works together and is pleased to introduce
Diluted Concentration to the world. Born and raised in Syracuse with five siblings,
she has found her voice in writing. Abigail also plays guitar, enjoys running, and
loves to hike and be outdoors. The Adirondack Mountains have a special place in
her heart. She hopes her reader can find inspiration among the pages of her book,
just as she has found inspiration in people and places throughout her life. Written
by Author House. Congratulations, Abigail!
OUTSTANDING LE Moyne alumni connection
As a result of an initiative which has connected Le Moyne Alumni in the
Southern region of the United States, we now have several opportunities for
jobs and potential student teaching placements. Thanks to our Alumni office
and Dr. Henry for making this initiative so successful. For information, contact
Dr. Norb Henry .

Education Department News Page 4 of 8
Adjunct Highlights
Jane and Bill Neer
Bill and Jane Neer, adjuncts for the Education Department at Le Moyne College, enjoy a
spirited and lively professional collaboration with the outstanding full-time faculty to
provide our students with the experiences and background they need to be successful
classroom teachers. As long time adjuncts in this department, they have enjoyed teaching the
required literacy courses for both graduate and undergraduate students in our program. They
have extensive experience in the public schools, with Jane having taught English, social
studies, and reading, as well as serving five years as summer school principal. Bill has taught
social studies, English, and piloted an inclusive classroom in a successful co-teaching
experience. He has also been a consultant with the NYS Education Department for state
assessments in social studies. Jane and Bill each have masters degrees in reading education
as well as certificates of advanced studies in educational administration.
Bill Collins first arrived on the Le Moyne campus as a high school senior, for an interview
during the Eisenhower administration. He seemed to like the place, since he’s been here off
and on, as a student (in the ‘60s), an Upward Bound teacher (‘60s and ‘70s), a curriculum
writer (‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s), an adjunct instructor (‘80s and ‘90s), an administrator (‘90s and
‘00s), and once again, an adjunct instructor (‘00s and ‘01s).
In between, he had a 30+ year career with the Syracuse City School District, as a math
teacher, building administrator, and central office administrator, with over half of that time
spent as the K-12 mathematics supervisor. Currently, Bill teaches Foundation courses in both
the undergrad (EDU 105) and the graduate (EDG 500) programs. He also coordinates the
workshop on the Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and presents the Safe Schools
Against Violence in Education (SAVE) workshop each semester.
Bill Collins
Bill’s passion is equity. After retiring from the Syracuse City School District and joining Le
Moyne as Professional Development Schools Coordinator in 1999, one of his roles was that
of Coordinator of the Center for Urban Education. The CUE, Directed by Professor Steve
Fleury, was a state-funded program, run in conjunction with Syracuse University and SUNY
Oswego, the mission of which was to recruit, educate, get certified, get hired, and support
more teachers from underrepresented groups. The current number of minority grad and
undergrad education students at Le Moyne is significantly higher than it was when the
program began.
Students and faculty at the induction Ceremony for Kappa Delta Pi National Honor
Society for Education. Congratulations to recent inductee, Linda Cerio (second from
the right), Education Department Assistant to the Chair.

Education Department News Page 5 of 8
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM UPDATE
Dr. Robert Anderson, the founder and Director of the Educational Leadership
Program, retired last spring. Dr. William Silky has taken over the directorship of the
program. Dr. Silky spent the 2009-10 academic year as Visiting Chair of the
Education Department.
This program is for those individuals pursuing the Certificate of Advanced Studies
and New York State administrative certification as school building leaders, school
district leaders, and school district business leaders.
Dr. Bill Silky
This spring interns in the School Building Leadership and School District Business
Leadership programs presented their Problem –Solution Analysis findings to local
administrators, Le Moyne faculty and staff, and Le Moyne intern supervisors. Intern
presenters included Judy Sands, Renae Henderson, Suzanne Miller, Kathleen
Rothbaler, Patrick Wallace, and Igor Bychov.
A strong cadre of adjunct professors with a depth of experience are instructors. They
include: Dr. Robert Anderson, Dr. Charles Mellor, Mr. Ron Gorney, Dr. Ruth Klein,
Dr. Christopher Brown, Mr. Doug Kazacos, and Dr. Donna Zeolla.
Le Moyne continues to work in collaboration with the Syracuse City School District
and the Syracuse City Teachers’ Association to help better prepare urban teacher
leaders. The Urban Teacher Leader Program was begun two years ago. This
program leads to a Certificate of Advanced Studies.
Dr. Gilmour and Dr. Silky have been invited to co-edit the spring 2012 edition of the
New York State Association for Supervision and Curriculum (ASCD) publication,
Impact.
Students with Dr. Bud Cooney at the Central New York Inclusion Conference,
Bookends for Inclusion in Auburn in April, 2011. Jennifer Muller summed it up for
the participants, “Having the opportunity to attend the inclusion conference was an
uplifting and overall positive experience, I feel I have taken away many wonderful
strategies and tools to extend my professional development as an educator, to
welcome and incorporate students of diverse learning styles into my classroom
someday.”

Education Department News Page 6 of 8
Books For uganda
Dr. Diane Zigo
Thomas Frost and
Dustin Day (on right).
Dustin '12, is a history
major preparing to
teach social studies,
grades 7-12. He
participates in World
War II reenactments
several times a year.
Dustin and his "Living
History" group work
with historical sites,
schools, veterans’
organizations, and
other historical groups
to put on these events.
Their goal is to portray
the World War II GI as
authentically as
possible and to share
the experiences of the
“greatest generation”
with younger
generations.
For the past three years, pre-service teachers in literacy classes at Le Moyne
have applied their developing knowledge of literacy instruction and culturally relevant
pedagogy in a course project that culminates in the construction of textbooks for
children in the Gulu region of Northern Uganda. Professors Sunita Singh and I have
worked together to help our students design and write short, nonfiction textbooks to
teach content knowledge in a range of subjects for youngsters in a part of the world
where textbooks and teaching material are in short supply.
Originally, we worked through a program called Books of Hope
(http://www.booksofhope.org/). This year, my classes are working directly with a
sister from my community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, to send our
materials to St. Joseph’s Primary School in Gulu. We made this change because one
of the drawbacks of working with Books of Hope is that we had little contact with the
school to which we sent our books. Now, we are in regular email communication with
Sister Patricia Murphy who provides us with information about the experience and
circumstances of her students in Gulu.
This year’s books focus on such topics as the solar system, fractions, the food
chain, literary terms, parts of speech, the seven continents, and ancient civilizations.
Our students take special care in building on what background knowledge the children
in Gulu have, making all examples culturally appropriate, and using vocabulary and
resources that support English language learning. This is relevant to our pre-service
teachers because this helps them develop instructional strategies for the English
language learners and immigrant students that they will teach in their classrooms here
in the United States.
Pages from Chelsey Andreski’s book on parts of speech

Education Department News Page 7 of 8
Thank you to
our dedicated
Cooperating
teachers!
Mr. David Ringwood,
Placement Officer
Baker High School—Sheila Heaton, Gail
Goff, Kathleen Pickard, Jennifer Martin,
Julie Russo, Karel James
Bellevue MS Academy—Gerardo
Espinoza, Steven Schroth
Bishop Grimes JSHS—Susan Reeve
Camden High School—Mr. Montgomery
Career Academy—Colleen Kiah, Ingrid
Hatt
Cazenovia High School—Susan Lavrich
Cazenovia JSHS—Martin Kelly, Patty
Flocken,
Central Square Middle School—
Margaret LeVea
Chestnut Hill Middle School—Anthony
Fichera
Chittenango High School—Misty White
Chittenango Middle School—Sarah
Schultheis, Kimberly Myka,
Corcoran High School—Jill LeClair, Ben
Cassalia, Linda Keegan
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill HS—Daniel
Domachowske
Driver Middle School—Johanna Naczi,
Brenda Eschelbacher
Durgee JHS—Peter Fiorini, Kristine
Paul, Janice Hazard-Miller
E. Syracuse-Minoa High School—Jill
Valente, Roseanne Perla, Vanessa
Mullane, Melanie Kroll,
E.J. Dillon Middle School—Heather
Conklin, Nancy Mastine
Eagle Hill Middle School—Tom Bersani,
Joseph Worm
East Middle School—Patricia Lincoln
Fayetteville-Manlius HS—Chrissie
Cioppa
Frazer Elementary School—Ann
Mullen, Catherine Louer, Ann Mullen
Fulton JHS—Laura Lizotte
Gillette Rd. MS—Patty Mulvihill
Grant Middle School—Mary Beth
Piazza
Henninger High School—J. Bradley
Tucker, Shirelle Dowdell, Lynn
Pascarella, Margaret McRobbie
Homer High School—Joe Cortese,
Cheryl Carboine
Huntington School—Vanessa Randle,
Eric Kieffer, Cathy Bunce
Institute of Technology @ Syracuse
Central—Kerri Lopez
J.C. Birdlebough High School—Lisa
Sperano, Charlene Chrysler, Jennifer
Epolito, Maureen Clark, K.C. Bechard,
Sarah LaManna
Jordan-Elbridge High School—Norine
Thibault
LaFayette JSHS—Phyllis Wangerman,
Lisa Morgan Phelan, Kristen Caron, Joe
Fox, Kelly Sisto Kubeja, Vickie
Gernhardt
Lincoln Middle School—Jodi Baker,
Kelleen Abt
Liverpool High School—Pamela
Casamento, Luanne Christensen, Jim
Chrisfield,
Liverpool HS Annex—Maureen Tricase,
Gina Bedard
Liverpool Middle School—Cynthia
Beatty
Marcellus High School—Mrs. Brown,
Katherine DeForge, Jeanne Overend,
Nottingham High School—Sean Martin,
Tom Little, Elizabeth Unislawski,
Kathryn Moreau, Kate Steiger, Beatrice
Davoli
Onondaga Hill Middle School—Diane
Maglente
Onondaga JSHS—Jennifer James,
Steven James
Otto Shortell Middle School—Karen
Curry, Lisa Zamperetti, Terri Campanie

Education Department News Page 8 of 8
IMPORTANT
DATES
May 31 – July 5
Summer Session I
July 11 – August 11
Summer Session II
May 31 – August 11
Summer Session III
August 29—Fall
Semester classes for
2011 begin
October 10-11
Fall Break
December 9
Undergraduate and
Graduate classes end
P.V. Moore High School—Mark
Trabucco
Pine Grove Middle School—Michael
DeBerjeois, Chris Brown, Sue Verbeck,
Kristin Enright, Kevin Michaud,
Christopher Staub,
Porter Magnet School—Wendy Dillon
Ray Middle School—Yarusia Fichera,
Karen Pickard
Roberts Elementary School—Joe
McMahon
Roxboro Road MS—Joanne Mroczek
Skaneateles Middle School—Keri
O’Connor
Solvay High School—Peter Pecora,
Joseph Barnello, Mary Ann Lisi, Heather
Juston
Solvay Middle School—Nicole
Russell, Cheryl Fox, Kathleen Klier,
Jennifer DeVinney, Cindy Marquart,
Mrs. Lomedico, Kristen Schoonover
Soule Road Middle School—Renae
Piano
Tully JSHS—Sheryl Welch
W. Genesee High School—Gerald
Crosset, Bob Deegan, Tina
Middaugh, Frank Colabufo, Marie
Thompson, Pam Brynien, Andrea
Moore, Kate Wieczorek, Rob
Manipole, Martha Hennessey
W. Genesee Middle School—Susan
Gibbons
Wellwood Middle School—
Jennifer Krol
West Middle School—Ms. Beckley
Whitesboro High School—Charles
Hamilton
Student Teacher Award
Recipients. Steven
Carbone, Zachary
Iannicello, and Rebecca
Shultis with Professors
Cathy Leogrande and
Cindy Choi
Education Newsletter
Editors: Dr. Suzanne
Gilmour, Dr. Sunita
Singh, Dr. Norbert
Henry
Assistant: Ms. Isis
Thompson
Salem Hyde
elementary School
has been validated as
a S3TAIR mentor
school and was
awarded an S3TAIR
Grant by the New
York State Education
Department of
Special Education