May 2012 - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Helping students discoverpassion and purposemay 2012

PDC a gateway of opportunity for Preble’s KillionTo Green Bay Preble High SchoolCounselor Natalie Killion’s way ofthinking, an empty desk is a lostopportunity.That is why her action researchtopic for her Professional DevelopmentCertification (PDC)looked at increasing parentalinvolvement as a way to keepstudents more engaged in careerplanning. Ironically, Killion’sPDC work has had a similar effectupon her professional outlook,prompting her to take a leadershiprole in promoting career opportunitiesin agriculture.“My PDC action research projectfocused on how the implementationof ninth-grade IndividualPlanning Conferences (IPC’s) withparent participation impactedthe freshman failure rate of mystudents,” she said.“The PDC process motivated meto learn more about the new statecounseling model by becomingactive in the Wisconsin SchoolCounselor Association (WSCA).This involvement allowed me toassume a number of leadershiproles in the organization and builda strong collaborative networkthat is still very beneficial to metoday.”Killion played a key role in thecreation and management of anew online discussion board forWSCA members to exchangeinformation and share resources.The site provided an ideal forumfor Killion to post the resultsof her PDC action research forother school counselors to reviewand learn from. Her desire toadvocate for the profession alsoprompted her participation inthe WSCA Day on the Hill. Thereshe met with state representativesto show evidence of herdepartment’s efforts on increasedstudent success. Recently, Killionand her student services teamat Preble accepted the “Programof Promise” award at the WSCAAnnual Conference in Madisonfor their collective efforts indemonstrating accountabilityfor student outcomes throughresults-oriented data.Since completing her PDCjourney, Killion was appointed tothe Wisconsin Agricultural Education& Workforce DevelopmentCouncil and is working with theDepartment of Public Instructionto develop new state standards forCareer and Technical Education inWisconsin. One of her goals is topromote career opportunities inagriculture.“I think people are surprised tolearn that 12 percent of all thejobs in Brown County are tied toagriculture,” she said. “It has asignificant impact on our area andstate economy.”A self-described “city girl,” Killionhad visions of becoming a veterinarianwhen she was a high schoolstudent, and to that end, becameactive in FFA. She received herundergraduate degree in AgriculturalEducation from UW-River Falls,and her Master of Education Degreein K-12 Counseling from LakelandCollege. In 2003-04 Killion servedas Wisconsin’s 56th Alice in Dairyland,representing the WisconsinDepartment of Agriculture, Trade &Consumer Protection.She remains a staunch advocate forWisconsin agriculture. And her PDCwork has convinced her of the importanceof students connecting withcareer opportunities early in theirhigh school years.“Once students start to see theconnection between their careeropportunities and the work theydo in high school, they find a senseof purpose that advances thempersonally and academically,” shesays. She hopes this “career connection”can reduce truancy, increasegraduation rates, and keep thoseclassroom seats filled.Nine educators representing the school districts of Green Bay,West De Pere and Pulaski will receive their Institute for LearningPartnership’s Professional Development Certification (PDC) onApril 24, during a celebration at the UW-Green Bay campus. Thesecandidates have been approved by the Quality Review Board (QRB)for graduation after reviewing and approving their final portfolios thatdocumented their experience. The graduates and their projects arelisted as follows:Susan Barnard, library media specialist, Doty and KennedyElementary Schools, Green Bay, “How will PhotoStory3, used as apublication tool, impact student writing in fourth grade?”Megan Lindman Dorner, language arts teacher, West De Pere HighSchool, West De Pere, “How does the use of exploratory inquiry questionsand reflections as a guiding focus during a unit impact students’ depth ofthinking and ownership of the final written assessment?”Amy Gabel, ninth and tenth grade science teacher, Green BayEast High School, Green Bay, “How will the use of Content LiteracyContinuum Routines in the area of vocabulary and literacy affect studentperformance?”Paula Goeben, counselor, Sunnyside Elementary School, Pulaski,“What impact will a 12-week Social Thinking unit have on Life LongLearning Skills?”Erin Hunter, K-12 English language learner (ELL) teacher/coordinator, Westwood Elementary, West De Pere, “How wouldsystematic collaboration between the ELL teacher and the classroomteacher affect the literacy gains and math skills of the ELL student in theclassroom?”Congratulations PDC graduatesPaula Johnson, school counselor, Lannoye and Hillcrest ElementarySchools, Pulaski, “How will teaching a 12-week Social Thinking curriculum to aclass of 5th grade students impact math and reading scores?”Jeanne Lund, first grade teacher, Doty Elementary School, Green Bay,“How will the use of singing familiar rhymes and songs, along with using theprinted lyrics impact students’ word recognition skills?”Erin Pfeffer-Piaskowski, English/Language Arts teacher, West De PereHigh School, West De Pere, “What impact will using student generatedquestions have on the frequency of response during class discussions onsophomore level English students?”Ashlee Schramm, language arts teacher, West De Pere High School, WestDe Pere, “How will research writing through a literacy theory lens enhance thelearning experiences and writing analysis skills of 10th grade language artsstudents?”The PDC has been approved by the Department of Public Instructionas the only alternative licensing option in Wisconsin other than thePDP structure. Partners continue to view the program as a viable andstrong professional development opportunity. Participating districts aredetermining the Professional Development agreements for educatorsincluding how the PDC model fits their needs.When Professional Development agreements are determined ineach district, they will be communicated to the educators. For moreinformation about the PDC, contact Kim Desotell, program coordinator, atdesotelk@uwgb.edu or call (920) 465-2292 or (920) 465-5555.

Pro athletes get key ‘competition’ from UW-Green BayRob DavisThe University of Wisconsin-GreenBay doesn’t field a football team,but a veritable all-star collection ofprofessional athletes have turned tothe University to accomplish educationaldreams.Tim TerryIn December former NFL linebackerTim Terry completed his Master’sDegree in Management (Business).And this semester Dallas Cowboys’quarterback and Sturgeon Baynative Chris Greisen, and currentGreen Bay Packers Director of PlayerDevelopment Rob Davis are workingtoward Master’s Degrees in AppliedLeadership (Education) for Teachingand Learning.“There’s a perception that professionalathletes really don’t careabout education. That is so far fromthe truth,” says Associate Professorof Education James Coates, whohas worked (and is working) witha number of professional athletes.“Maybe they need to have a finalexam proctored. Or maybe they aremissing a couple classes for theirdegree. Or maybe, they want toget a graduate degree. My experiencehas been that many professionalathletes are interested intheir education andwant to prepare for acareer after athletics.”Having justcompleted 13seasons of professionalfootball,Greisen readilyacknowledges atransition is near andhe’s determined to beprepared.“I’m a realist. At 35 a lot of peoplein football already look at me asa grandpa. I’ll be 36 next season.Do I feel 36 in football terms? No,because most of the years I’ve beena backup,” said Greisen, who wasan education major at NorthwestChris GreisenPhoto by James D. Smith, courtesy of Dallas CowboysMissouri University. “A higherdegree will be a nice addition to myresume and make me more competitive.I‘m looking to use my training inApplied Leadership for teaching orcoaching or in business.“Rob Davis is following the advicehe gives Packers’ players, be theyuntested rookies or celebratedveterans: “Be prepared and takenothing for granted.”In his position with the Packers,Davis encourages players to takeadvantage of educational opportunitiesoffered by the NFL. As for hisown goals, he admits that a graduatedegree will offer him greater choices,whether that’s within the NFL or inanother arena.It isn’t always easy for professionalathletes to return to a classroom,Coates said. There are scheduleconflicts because professionalsports seasons overlap the regularschool calendar. Also, in this dayof trades and free agent signing,players aren’t certain how long theywill be in a community. And thenthere’s the perception that when anathlete pursues higher education it’sa sign that they believe their professionalplaying career is at an end.In Green Bay you can add the fishbowleffect. Coates confides he’sworked with some athletes who havesuch a high profile they can’t walkaround campus or sit in a classroomwithout drawing a crowd.Photo courtesy of Green Bay PackersDespite any complications thatmight arise in pursuing theirgraduate school goals, Davis andGreisen stress that they’re enjoyingtheir return to the classroom. Bothsay it helps send a message to theirown children about the importanceof education within their families.“I’ve always looked at myself as arole model,” said Greisen, who hasfour children. “Sometimes whenthey want me to play games withthem I have to say ‘Daddy has todo homework.’ And I think theythink that’s pretty neat and they’llget on me to get my homeworkdone.”See the full story at www.uwgb.edu/learnpart/Congratulations on National Board CertificationSix educators earned NationalBoard Certification. They wereprovided support from the Institutefor Learning Partnership andWEAC through a free workshop.“The National Board program wasthe most intensive, reflective, andempowering process I have undertaken,”said Lora Lutz, a Manitowoceducator. “It challengedme to question why I taught thatway, were students engaged, andhow was I going to measure theirlearning.““The support workshops werekey to helping me understand theNational Board requirements, gainfeedback on my portfolios, andbuild my confidence that I was onthe right path,” said Lutz.“Meeting regularly with othercandidates was helpful to knowI wasn’t the only one feelingoverwhelmed by the process, andI could talk to people who understoodwhat the National Boardwas all about. I learned how toincorporate the standards in myteaching to develop lessons thatincrease student learning.”Receiving National Board Certificationwere:Mary Fogltanz, fourth gradeteacher, JeffersonElementary School,Manitowoc, certifiedas middle schoolgeneralist.Lora Lutz, fourth-grade teacher,Monroe ElementarySchool, Manitowoc,certified as middlechildhood generalist.Cheryl Gorsuch, language artsteacher-English/speech, Lincoln HighSchool, Manitowoc,certified in youngadult language arts.Susan Tegen, literacy specialist,Howard ElementarySchool, HowardSuamico, certified inearly and middle childhood/literacy:readinglanguagearts.Brian Schley, counselor (Grades5-8), L. B. ClarkeMiddle School, TwoRivers, certified incounseling-earlychildhood - youngadulthood.Jeff Stoeberl, special educationteacher, Pulaski HighSchool, certified inexceptional needsspecialist earlychildhood - adulthood.

News and NotesCelebration of AchievementThe College of Professional Studiesis hosting a Celebration of Achievementfor the Professional Programin Education on Wednesday, May 9,2012. The event will recognize andcelebrate the 2011 Regents Awardfor Teaching Excellence, acknowledgeEducation students who willreceive scholarships for the 2012-13academic year, and introduce a newseries of Outstanding EducationAlumni Awards for graduates of theProfessional Program in Educationwhich will be awarded annually.The 2012 Education Alumni AwardRecipients:Excellence in Education —Jamie L. Froh BS ’09, MS’11Outstanding Teaching —Marcy Levine PDC ’00, MS ‘03Leadership and Service —Julie A. Brilli BA ‘87Leadership and Service —Janice L. Haven BS ‘98Outstanding New Graduate —Benjamin Markowski BS ’08, MS’10Outstanding Student Teaching —Stacy TeStroote BS ‘12Outstanding Pre-Service Teacher —Carolyn C. Bicoy BS ‘12Wildenberg is PP GrantCoordinatorJeremyWildenbergis the newPhuturePhoenixGrantProgramCoordinator.He is a full-time student seekinglicensure in UWGB’s educationprogram and teaches Arabicfor the University. He is theliaison between the PhuturePhoenix staff and the 10 tutoringsites Phuture Phoenix serves.He plans to leverage his pastanalysis, management and salesexperience to maximum effect inhis new role.Grant Awards to beAnnouncedRecipients of the Institute’sTeaching and Learning Grantswill be announced in early Mayon the Institute’s website atwww.uwgb.edu/Learnpart.National Board Information SessionA National Board Information Session is being sponsored byWEAC and the Institute from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursday, May10 at the University Union, Room 103, on the UW-GreenBay campus. Learn more about the process from the certifiedsuccessful teachers/counselors who have gone throughit. To register, call 920-465-5555 and for questions, contactJuliet Cole at colej@uwgb.edu or 920-465-5094.Golden Apple WinnersCongratulations to 2012 GoldenApple honorees:Nancie Brennan — grades 7-8reading/language arts, EdisonMiddle School, Green Bay;Michael Nichols, grades 6-12,cognitive disabilities, Syble HoppSchool, De Pere; first-grade teamof Mary Bain, Tracy Hopkins,Jennifer Lambrecht, JenniferRucchel and Nicole Schoenwalder,Hemlock CreekElementary School, West DePere; Vanessa Moran, grade3, Meadowbrook ElementarySchool, Howard-Suamico SchoolDistrict; Melissa Wojcik, grades9-12 science, Pulaski High School;Chris Hendricks, grade 5, GlenbrookElementary School, Pulaski;second grade team of StephanieHeezen and Susan McMahon,Lannoye Elementary School,Pulaski.PDC Applications DueApplications for the summer PDCcohort are due May 21, 2012.The application and programbrochure can be found at www.uwgb.edu/learnpart/pdc/.Call Patti Leary at 920-465-5063,e-mail learyp@uwgb.edu withquestions.PDC Workday PlannedAttend a PDC workday from 8:30a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, June 22 atUW-Green Bay. Cohort membersmay work on any aspect relatedto the ILP, AR or Portfolio. COG facilitatorsand sample submissionswill be available. Enrollment fee is$10. RSVP to Patti Leary: learyp@uwgb.edu by June 15, 2012.The Institute for Learning Partnershipis composed of the districtsof the Northeast WisconsinCooperative Educational ServiceAgencies (CESAs) 7 and 8,regional school boards, PK-12educators and administrators,Wisconsin Education AssociationCouncil (WEAC), ProfessionalDevelopment Academy of WEAC,Northeast Wisconsin technicalcolleges, Green Bay Chamber ofCommerce Partners in Education,regional business and communityleadership and the University ofWisconsin-Green Bay.The Institute’s mission is to promotehigh educational achievementfor all learners by providingthe framework for empoweringeducators with professionaldevelopment opportunities andresources for classroom-basedresearch.The Institute receives funding andresources from the University ofWisconsin-Green Bay, and Institutepersonnel work closelywith the University’s faculty andstaff, its undergraduate teacherpreparationprogram, and itsMaster’s Degree Program inApplied Leadership for Teachingand Learning.This document is writtenand designed in cooperationwith the Institute staff andpersonnel from UW-GreenBay’s Office of Marketing andCommunication.On the cover:Green Bay Preble HighSchool counselor NatalieKillion.