Faculty of Education News Blog

In this newsletter:

• Gown and Hood Rentals for Convocation
• Parking on Campus
• Community Report
• Spring and Summer Moodle Courses & Grade Entry
• Student Awards
• Save the Dates!
• Teaching & Staff Opportunities in the Faculty of Education
• Hurrahs!

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GOWN AND HOOD RENTALS FOR CONVOCATION

Tomorrow is the last day for orders for gown and hood rentals for convocation.  Faculty can visit   https://www.buildagrad.ca/upeifaculty for more details and to place your order.

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PARKING ON CAMPUS

Effective today, parking permit enforcement is relaxed in general parking lots A, B General, D and E until the fall semester begins  Designated permit lots and parking meters continue to be enforced year round.

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COMMUNITY REPORT

The Faculty of Education has released it’s first Community Report recently, highlighting many of the activities and accomplishments happening in our Faculty.  The report can be accessed here. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Tim Goddard and student Shauna Richards for their extensive work on the preparation of this report.

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SPRING AND SUMMER MOODLE COURSES & GRADE ENTRY

UPEI is updating to a newer version of Moodle for the spring and summer session. Because of this, the courses for the Spring/Summer session are being generated on the upgraded version of Moodle. This version of Moodle is available at moodle31.upei.ca (courses will be available there).

Importing Teaching Materials to the New Version of Moodle:

If you have teaching materials from previous versions of your next semester courses, you can import those materials into the new version of Moodle by doing a Backup and Restore.  The E-Learning Office has a video that shows each step of the process which you can watch here: Moodle Backup and Restore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D47ThVmqzA. The E-Learning Office can help you with this process if you need assistance.  You can contact them at moodle@upei.ca

Final grade submissions:

With the switch to myUPEI system, instructors will be required to submit final grades via Moodle starting with the Spring and Summer semester. To help with this change, the E-Learning Office has created some guides to assist with the new process. Guides on Direct Grading, Importing Grades from the Moodle Gradebook and Importing Grades from a Spreadsheet can be found here.

If you have any questions or if you need support with Moodle you can reach the E-Learning Office at moodle@upei.ca

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STUDENT AWARDS

Congratulations to Grace Wanjohi, for being awarded the Excellence in Academic Writing Award at the Global Perspectives End of Semester Celebration held 20-Apr-2017!

A number of BEd students will also be honoured in the upcoming weeks at the Graduation Banquet, the Senior Class Luncheon and Convocation.  If you can participate in any of these events, please extend congratulations to our deserving students.

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SAVE THE DATES!

Please reserve the following dates for some important events in our BEd Program:

• May 3 – ePortfolio Presentations (Alana has sent out an invitation to this)
• May 4 (afternoon) – International and Indigenous De-briefing
• May 9 – Orientation for class of 2018 (practicum advisors at 10:50; faculty & staff are asked to attend at 11:50 for introductions)
• May 13 (morning) – Convocation (meet at the clock right after convocation for photos with Education students from the Class of 2017)

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TEACHING & STAFF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

The deadline is closing soon on a number of opportunities currently posted in our Faculty.  As of today, the following opportunities are posted:

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

• 14A17 – Tenure Track Position – Educational Leadership – Faculty of Education (review of applications begins 12-June-2017)

SESSIONAL POSITIONS

• 02RI17R3 – Sessional Instructor (Summer 2017) – closes 04-May-2017
• 48SI17 – Sessional Instructor (CELN Program, Fall 2017/Winter 2018) – closes 01-May-2017)
• 49SI17 – Sessional Instructor (Fall 2017) – closes 24-Apr-2017
• 50SI17 – Sessional Instructor (Winter 2018) – closes 24-Apr-2017

STAFF POSITIONS

• 30E17 – ADS5, Facilitator – ELC – Faculty of Education (part-time term position) – closes 26-Apr-2017

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HURRAHS!

Congratulations to Sean Wiebe on the publication of an article co-written with Claire Caseley Smith, a previous graduate student.  Their article, “A/R/Tography and Teacher Education in the 21st Century,” can be found in the McGill Journal of Education and accessed here.  We are also very proud that this article comes out of some JERG funding.  Congratulations, Sean.

Congratulations, also, to Jane Preston for her latest co-authored, peer-reviewed publication in the International Journal of Leadership in Education.  The article is entitled “Perceptions and practices of principals: Supporting positive educational experiences for Aboriginal learners.”  The first 50 “clickers” can get a free copy of the article by clicking the above link.  Congratulations, Jane  

In this newsletter:

• 3-Minute Thesis Competition
• UDL Conference – May 31-June 2, 2017
• Edcamp Charlottetown 2017
• Time to Write Retreat
• Call for Applications: The Pat Clifford Award
• Memorial Hall Elevator
• Presidential Recognition Awards – Final Call for Nominations
• Fall and Winter Sessional Postings
• Hurrahs!

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3-MINUTE THESIS COMPETITION

On March 28, 2017, the Graduate Student Association (in conjunction with the UPEI Office of Graduate Studies and Student Union) hosted the annual 3-Minute Thesis Competition at The Wave.  With the assistance of one voluntary visual slide, graduate students orally explain their research in three minutes.  The first-place winner of the event was Logan MacIntyre (PhD student, Biomedical Science).  For the event, there was a good representation from the Faculty of Education.  Livia Li (MEd, Global Perspectives) was a contestant, and Brittany Jakubiec (PhD student) and Dr. Jane Preston (faculty member) were two of the four judges.    

3-Minute Thesis judges: Dr. Jane Preston, Dr. Kathy Gottshall-Pass, Dr. Brian Wagner, and Brittany Jakubiec

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UDL CONFERENCE – MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2017

The Faculty of Education will be hosting the second Pan-Canadian Conference on Universal Design for Learning on May 31-June 2^nd, 2017.  The Conference offers participants five streams: K-12 teachers, Higher Ed instructors, Student Services, Instructional Designers and Students.   The intention of the conference is to create an opportunity for practitioners from different sectors, from across the country, to come together, exchange on UDL practices, and to share their vision for the future.  The Conference also hopes to encourage an interdisciplinary dialogue and to offer participants a multi-faceted overview of current Canadian initiatives.  The keynote will open the conference on the Wednesday night and breakout sessions will be scheduled through the Thursday and Friday.

The Call for Submissions is open and abstracts will be accepted until 15-Apr-2017.  Registration has already launched.  We are hoping to encourage faculty members to submit proposals on aspects of their research and practice that touch on UDL.  We also encourage everyone to promote and discuss the conference with their networks and school contacts.  For more details, please visit their website.

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EDCAMP CHARLOTTETOWN 2017

#edcampcharlottetown 2.0 took place on March 11^th in the Management building.  Despite the intense cold and temperatures in the -30oC that morning, about thirty participants converged towards Market Place that day and brainstormed on themes around Open.  2017 is the Year of Open in Education and the topic seemed a good starting point for a free-flowing, dialogical event such as Edcamp.  There were people from all sectors of Education and the event was also multidisciplinary as is often the case with Edcamps: the silos were indeed broken that day and many sections of the PEI community were represented and took part.

There were lots of emergent discussions that sprouted and people were directed towards break away rooms for circle reflections and exchanges.  First: what is Open?  For many participants it was a first discussion on something they realized was very much part of their everyday life and practice, but for which they had not yet found a terminology or articulated a reflection.  How will a culture of Open in Education transform our views of the curriculum?  What does Open mean for assessment? How will our role change as educators?  More detailed questions also arose: Is UDL compatible with Open?  How intricately connected is our mastery of technology in our vision of Open?

The discussions throughout the day were both enriching and eye opening.  For most participants, first time Edcampers, the most potent take-away was the feeling they experienced, that unique Edcamp discovery: a day of PD that is democratic, non-hierarchical, relaxing, truly relevant to each person’s concerns, and fun!

Edcamp Charlottetown with this second installment becomes a fixture at UPEI and a new vibrant tradition.  We hope that many of you can join us next year, either on the day itself or as part of the Organizing Committee.  For more details about joining the Edcamp Charlottetown momentum in 2018, please contact Carolyn Thorne, Ashley Clark or Frederic Fovet.

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TIME TO WRITE RETREAT

Registration is now open for the May 17-21 offering of Time to Write: UPEI’s faculty writing retreat.  The retreat is open to tenured and tenure stream University of Prince Edward Island faculty in any Department/Faculty/School.

The May retreat takes place at Stanley Bridge Resort. The cost to each participant is $200, and includes four night’s accommodation, meals and snacks during the retreat.

Space is limited. For more information, contact Dave Atkinson, Research Communications Officer.

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – THE PAT CLIFFORD AWARD

The Canadian Education Association’s 2017 Pat Clifford Award for Early Career Research in Education is currently accepting applications/nominations.  For details on how to apply or nominate a talented researcher, please visit their website. The deadline for applicatinos is 31-May-2017.

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MEMORIAL HALL ELEVATOR

As many of you are aware, the elevator in Memorial Hall has been out of operation for the last couple of weeks due to flooding.  Facilities Management advises that the service provider is still sourcing the parts for the extensive repairs required. The expected date of repair is currently unknown. We apologize for an inconvenience this may cause.  If you or a student are affected with accessibility issues, please contact our administrative office (MH402) so that we can work with Facilities to explore alternative arrangements for you.

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PRESIDENTIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS – FINAL CALL FOR NOMINATION

Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit recognize outstanding performance and dedication of UPEI’s faculty and staff.  Up to 10 Presidential Awards will be awarded during a Celebration of Colleagues to be held Wednesday, 23-May-2017, at 2pm in McMillan Hall.  Nominations for the Presidential Awards are being accepted until 31-Mar-2017.

Details on the criteria for nominating a colleague for a Presidential Award can be found here.

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FALL AND WINTER SESSIONAL POSTINGS

Available sessional instructor postings for the Faculty of Education during the Fall 2017  and Winter 2018 terms are due to be posted in the next few days.  Please watch the HR sessional listings for opportunities which meet your interests and qualifications.

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HURRAHS!

This coming Thursday (06-Apr-2017), Dr. Bonnie Stewart will be delivering the closing keynote for Keene State College’s Open Education Spring Speaker Series.  Bonnie will present “Digital Identity and Leading in the Open.” Congratulations, Bonnie!

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In this newsletter:

• Spring and Summer 2017 Book Orders
• Changes to Travel Expenses Policy
• Volunteer Opportunity
• Academic Writing Retreat at Brock University
• Daffodil Sales
• Hurrahs!

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SPRING AND SUMMER 2017 BOOK ORDERS

The UPEI bookstore is once again looking for textbook orders for the upcoming semester. Book orders for the Spring/Summer semester can be submitted by email or through the on-line order form.

Please submit your book orders to the UPEI Bookstore as soon as possible.

Please be sure to send the correct ISBN, especially for text packages and/or e-books to ensure ordering of the proper text books.

If there is no text book required for a course, it would be greatly appreciated to notify the Bookstore so that a note can be made on the student text list. Also, please indicate if your course is cross listed.

Please include the ISBN for any access codes/e-books that your course offers in your order. Please indicate if the access code is a requirement for the students to pass the course, or if it would be recommended for studying.

The Bookstore would like to be able to give students more options for course materials at the Bookstore. (Binder editions, E-texts, Softcover, Used Books etc)

If you require students to have other course materials such as specific calculators, dissection kits, clickers, graph paper, notebooks etc. you can email the Bookstore to ensure there are sufficient quantities in the store. Many students take advantage of the different forms of payment they offer such as charging to their student account, so being able to offer the supplies as well as the text provides them with the convenience of purchasing everything together.

The Faculty encourages all instructors to utilize the service of the bookstore as much as possible.

Your cooperation is much appreciated.

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CHANGES TO TRAVEL EXPENSES POLICY

Please note that the University’s Travel Expenses Policy has recently been updated.  Among the updates, the policy no longer requires the approval of the Vice-President Academic and Research for Travel Report and Claim forms related to research accounts, excepting travel by a Dean. The Dean will still approve claims to provide oversight to ensure that the travel expenses are eligible, reasonable and incurred in the performance of duties on behalf of the University and in accordance with the Travel Expenses Policy. The full policy can be reviewed here.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Would you like to help heal wounds, resolve misunderstandings and generally make a real difference in the lives of others around you?  Would you like to do all this and more without ever leaving UPEI?  Well, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!  Read on!

We are looking to train 3 or 4 students to help deliver an interactive anti-colonial workshop.  This workshop, of approximately 75 minutes duration, seeks to completely shatter stereotypes and help non-Indigenous peoples grasp the complex history of what really happened here in the Americas, and specifically here on Prince Edward Island.  This moving exercise cannot be done without facilitators!  This is why we need you.  If your appetite for justice and reconciliation has been whetted, please respond for more information.  Training will consist of 3 or 4 sessions of about 1.5 hours each, and will be conducted around your convenience – mornings, days, evenings or weekends.

If interested, please contact Dr. John Doran.

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ACADEMIC WRITING RETREAT AT BROCK UNIVERSITY

Brock University will be hosting their Faculty of Education Writing Retreat at Crieff Hills from June 11-15, 2017.  The program combines extensive quiet writing time with collegial discussion through works in progress groups and informal workshops.  The goal of the retreat is for each participant to produce a scholarly paper (e.g., an article ready for publication, a chapter towards a book, or a conference paper).

The retreat will include a 90-minute workshop by Dr. Pauline Sameshima (Lakehead University) and Dr. Sean Wiebe (UPEI) entitled “Poetic Inquiry: Imagination as the Energy of Social Generation.”

To reserve a space at the retreat, confirmation is required by 23-Mar-2017.  Details are available in the attached flyer.

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DAFFODIL SALES

The Canadian Cancer Society is gearing up for their annual fresh cut daffodil sales and UPEI is lucky  to be a part of the pre-sale campaign.  Daffodils will be delivered to UPEI on 27-Mar-2017.  Bundles of 10 daffodils will be available for $8 each.  Payment would be required on delivery of the order.  The deadline for orders is 2pm on 16-Mar-2017.  An order form is available in the Administrative Office (MH402).

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HURRAHS!

Congratulations to Erin Woodford, a sessional instructor with our Faculty, on publication of her article “Passion, Creativity and Gratitude” in the Winter 2017 issue of the CAP Journal.  You can read Erin’s article here.

In this newsletter:

• Edcamp Charlottetown 2017
• Time to Write Retreat
• Indigenous Author in Province
• Invitation for Written Submissions: CAP Journal
• In Memoriam

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EDCAMP CHARLOTTETOWN 2017

The Faculty of Education will host the second Edcamp Charlottetown on March 11th from 9am-3:30pm.

Edcamps are often described as ‘un-conferences’: democratic, freeflowing gatherings with no predetermined speakers or session titles.  Edcamps focus on channelling the voice of participants and exploring the themes that are relevant and pressing on the day.

Edcamps are open to educators, students, and community members – anyone with an interest in education is welcomed. We hope you will attend this dynamic day of dialogue, networking and brainstorming. You can find more information here.

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TIME TO WRITE RETREAT

Registration is now open for the May 17-21 offering of Time to Write: UPEI’s faculty writing retreat.  The retreat is open to tenured and tenure stream University of Prince Edward Island faculty in any Department/Faculty/School.

The May retreat takes place at Stanley Bridge Resort. The cost to each participant is $200, and includes four night’s accommodation, meals and snacks during the retreat.

Space is limited. For more information, contact Dave Atkinson, Research Communications Officer.

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INDIGENOUS AUTHOR IN PROVINCE

Eden Robinson, a fiction writer of Haisla heritage, will read from her new novel Son of a Trickster at Conferderation Centre Art Gallery.  The reading is part of Winters Tales and takes place 13-Mar-2017 at 7:30 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the UPEI Faculty of Arts and Department of English, and the Canada Council of the Arts. A book signing will follow. The public is invited and admission is free. For further information phone 566-0389.

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INVITATION FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSION: CAP JOURNAL

The Canadian Association of Principals (CAP) is requesting written submissions for their next publication with the theme: “Who’s Populating Our Classrooms?” If you have articles or studies of approximately 1000 – 1250 words, CAP would be pleased to consider them for this issue. The deadline for submissions is 24-Mar-2017.

Please see the attached flyer for more information. Works can be e-mailed directly to Terry MacIsaac (CAP Eastern Vice President, & CAP Journal Editor), or feel free to contact him if you have further questions.

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IN MEMORIAM

The Faculty of Education was saddened this week with the news of the sudden passing of Kelli Seaward.  Kelli was doing contract work with the Faculty in our Nunavut learning coach training.

Kelli’s obituary can be found here.  Visitation will be held at the Belvedere Funeral Home on Saturday, 04-Mar-2017 from 2-4pm.  Kelli’s funeral will take place at Park Royal United Church on Sunday, 05-Mar-2017, at 1:30pm.  The Faculty will be making a donation to the PEI Humane Society in memory of Kelli.  We offer our deep condolences to her family, students, and colleagues.

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In this newsletter:

• Call for Nominations – Presidential Recognition Awards
• A Note from Visiting Scholar
• Upcoming Seminars
• Autism in Education Webinar
• Call for Papers
• Important Dates in CIHR Spring 2017 Project Grant Competition
• Hurrahs!

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – PRESIDENTIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

Presidential Recognition Awards of Merit recognize outstanding performance and dedication of UPEI’s faculty and staff.  Up to 10 Presidential Awards will be awarded during a Celebration of Colleagues to be held Wednesday, 17-May-2017, at 2pm in McMillan Hall.  Nominations for the Presidential Awards are being accepted until 31-Mar-2017.

Details on the criteria for nominating a colleague for a Presidential Award can be found here.

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A NOTE FROM VISITING SCHOLAR

From January 2–31, 2017, through her presence, language, culture, and interactive nature, Anhui (Ann) Wang complemented the vibrancy of our staff and students in Faculty of Education at UPEI.   As a Visiting Scholar, she represented Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.  Her visit helped to further embellish the relationship between our universities.

Ann offered the following words to the Faculty on her departure:

 What I really want to say is, “thank-you.”  I was on this beautiful, peaceful island for one month.  I still remember how excited I was when I first saw Jane and her family at the airport.  There are lots of unforgettable things that happened to me during my time here.  Below I outline a few of these memorable events:

1. I attended four MEd courses taught be Lara, Frederic, and John.
2. I participated in the MEd Global Perspectives orientation for the January 2017 cohort.
3. Jane and I completed our data collection, which involved interviews with 21 participants.
4. I partook in an Indigenous sweat with Elder Noel Milliea in a First Nation community.
5. I experienced a cheese fondue with Ashley.
6. I line danced with a local women’s group.
7. I experienced ice fishing and blueberry smoothies with Sylvain.
8. I did a presentation about customs and the educational system in China for Tim’s BEd students.
9. I partook in a Chinese Spring Festival celebration with Chinese people from Henan Province.
10. I was honored to have participated in a farewell supper hosted by Dean Ron MacDonald.

I am especially grateful for the opportunity to have lived with Jane (Zachary) and Ashley (Cory) during my time here.  I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone in the Faculty of Education at the University of Prince Edward Island.  These experiences have provided me with valuable memories that enriched my life and will remain with me forever. 

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UPCOMING SEMINARS

Please note the following upcoming seminars in the Faculty of Education!

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AUTISM IN EDUCATION WEBINAR

the most recent Autism in Education (AIE) webinar, “Unstuck & On Target: An Executive Function Curriculum” presented by Lauren Kenworthy, Ph.D., is available on the AIE website.

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CALL FOR PAPERS

Journal of Adult Learning, Knowledge and Innovation – A new open access journal, Journal of Adult Learning, Knowledge and Innovation, is now acccepting papers.  Details for the journal can be found here.  For further information and manuscript submission details, please contact the Editor-in-Chief.

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IMPORTANT DATES IN CIHR SPRING 2017 PROJECT GRANT COMPETITION

Those interested in seeking CIHR funding to support their research during the Spring 2017 Project Grant competition should note the following important dates:

• Registration Deadline: 30-May-2017
• Application Deadline: 13-Jun-2017
• Anticipated Notice of Decision: 23-Nov-2017
• Funding Start Date: 01-Oct-2017

Competition details will be available in the funding opportunity in the coming months.

To confirm, there will be two competition deadlines in 2017. The Spring 2017 competition will have an application deadline of 13-Jun-2017, and the subsequent competition will have an application deadline before the end of 2017, with a funding start date of 01-Apr-2018.

For more information, visit their website.

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HURRAHS!

Dr. Tim Goddard has a new article published. His review of Carney Strange & Hardy Cox (Eds.), Serving diverse students in Canadian higher education, has been published in Educational Review [DOI: 10.1080/00131911.2017.1281604] and is now on Taylor & Francis Online. A limited number of free eprints are available here.  Congratulations Tim!

In this newsletter:

• Condolences
• Destination Imagination Volunteers Wanted
• IEAL-J Conference
• Another Wonderful International Dinner
• Sessional Postings

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CONDOLENCES

Dear Colleagues,

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DESTINATION IMAGINATION VOLUNTEERS WANTED

The Second Annual Destination Imagination (DI) PEI Provincial Tournament takes place March 11 at East Wiltshire Intermediate School.  The Department of Education, Early Learning, and Culture is seeking volunteers to help in a number of areas, but the biggest need is for appraisers (judges).  Training will be provided on Thursday, 02-Mar-2017 (Stormdate of Friday, 03-Mar-2017) in Room 208 A&B in the Holman Building in Summerside.

Information on Destination Imagination can be found here.  Additional information on challenges can be found here.

If you have any questions, please contact Kieran Hennessey or Vicki Allan-Cook.

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IEAL-J CONFERENCE

Dr. Tim Goddard will be a Keynote Speaker at the Institute for Educational Administration and Leadership-Jamaica (IEAL-J) Conference, which is scheduled for 2nd & 3rd March 2017, at Knustford Court Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica.  The theme for the conference is “Educational leadership & sustainability: Current realities, future possibilities.”

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ANOTHER WONDERFUL INTERNATIONAL DINNER

The International Dinner and Silent Auction, held 28-Jan-2017 and was a great success!  Thank you to everyone who came out to participate in this important event to support our specialization students that travel to international and remote locations for practicum.

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SESSIONAL POSTINGS

Available sessional instructor postings for the Faculty of Education during the Summer 2017 term are due to be posted later this week.  Please watch the HR sessional listings for opportunities which meet your interests and qualifications.

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In this newsletter:

• International Dinner and Silent Auction
• UPEI Healthy Activity Challenge
• Luminaries & Greeting Cards
• Faculty Council Meeting
• In the News

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INTERNATIONAL DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION

UPEI’s Faculty of Education International Dinner & Silent Auction  takes place from 5pm to 8pm on Saturday, 28-Jan-2017 (storm date: Sunday, 29-Jan-2017) at Jack Blanchard Hall on Pond Street.  Please plan to attend to support our specialization students who travel to international and remote locations for practicum and enjoy a lovely dinner created by Chef Emily Wells of the Mill & Local 343. Tickets ($30/seat) are limited, so you are encouraged arrange for tickets as soon as possible.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Carolyn Francis.

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UPEI HEALTHY ACTIVITY CHALLENGE

Is a healthier lifestyle part of your New Year’s resolutions?  There is way for you to get moving and have a little fun competition with co-workers!

The Healthy Activity Challenge at UPEI is an opportunity for you and a group of coworkers to participate in a fun eight week physical activity challenge. The challenge involves a team of 6 individuals. Benefits include free access to the indoor track at Sports Centre and to the membership fitness classes from January 23 – March 19, 2017, a blood pressure clinic, lunch n’ learn sessions and prizes. Registration deadline 19-Jan-2017, please click here for more details. 

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LUMINARIES AND GREETING CARDS

Christian Lacroix is coordinating the UPEI Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life scheduled to take place 20-Jan-2017.  Luminaries (candles placed in special bags that bear the names of cancer survivors and loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer) will be displayed during the relay, and they will be featured in a ceremony honoring the caregivers who support(ed) individuals with cancer.  These luminaries are for sale in the main office for $5 each.  Payment can be left with Karen-Anne.

In addition to this, Christian is fundraising as a member of a team in the relay, and has a goal set at $5,000.  To help achieve this, he has produced a series of greeting cards with the help of a talented kid who’s mom had cancer.  He is selling those  for $10 per package of 7 cards.  (Please see attached poster).  The cards would be delivered as soon as possible. Karen-Anne will also collect for these.

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FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING

The next Faculty Council Meeting is Friday, 20-Jan-2017.  If there are agenda items that need to be discussed at this meeting, please contact Karen-Anne by Monday, 16-Jan-2017.

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IN THE NEWS

Today’s Guardian features an opinion article by Tess Miller:  Are PISA Results Valid?  You can read the article at the above link.

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In this newsletter:

• Happy Birthday Carolyn!
• 18th Biennial Conference on Teachers and Teaching (ISATT 2017)
• Global Conference on Education and Research (GLOCER) 2017
• Welcome Miss Morency!
• Happy Holidays

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLYN

Today the Faculty celebrated a milestone birthday for Carolyn Francis with a potluck luncheon in the Student Lounge.  It was a lovely turn out to relax a bit together leading into the holidays, and to enjoy some conversation and celebration.

Wishing you a very happy birthday, Carolyn!

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18th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE ON TEACHERS AND TEACHING (ISATT 2017)

The 18th Biennial Conference on Teachers and Teaching (ISATT 2017) takes place at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain from July 3-7, 2017.  A call for abstracts is currently open, with a deadline for submissions on 28-Dec-2016.  Details on the conference can be found here.

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GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (GLOCER) 2017

The Global Conference on Education and Research (GLOCER) 2017 takes place from May 22-25, 2017 at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus in Sarasota, FL.  GLOCER 2017 aims to bring together researchers, scientists, scholar and scholar students to exchange and share their experiences, new ideas, and research results about all aspects of Global Education and Research and discuss the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted. Prospective authors are invited to submit full or abstract only (and original research) papers (which are NOT submitted/published/under consideration anywhere in other conferences/journal). The deadline for submitting abstracts is 01-Feb-2017.

Details on the conference can be found here.

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WELCOME MISS MORENCY!

Congratulations to Casey Burkholder on the birth of her beautiful daughter Frances Eleanor Morency.  Frances arrived on 08-Dec-2016 and weighed 8.2 lbs.

Frances Eleanor Morency

Book lover in training 🙂

Welcome to the world, Miss Morency!

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

In this newsletter:

• December Faculty Council Meeting Cancelled
• Nunavut in November
• Digital Teaching & Learning Practices Showcase
• Autism in Education (AIE) 2017 Symposium
• UPEI Internal Publication Awards
• Invitation for Written Submissions: CAP Journal
• Hurrahs!

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DECEMBER FACULTY COUNCIL MEETING CANCELLED

Due to a light agenda, the December Faculty Council meeting that had been scheduled for 15-Dec-2016 has been cancelled.  The next Faculty Council meeting will be Friday, 20-Jan-2017 from 1pm-3pm.

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NUNAVUT IN NOVEMBER

Some of our Faculty of Education colleagues recently travelled to Iqaluit, NU to attend meetings with the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education.  While there to discuss the CELN program and Learning Coach Training, Ron MacDonald, Jane Preston and Erin Morozoff also engaged with the CELN ED509 class being taught by Erin Woodford and visisted Aqsarnit Middle School to observe their grade 6 guided reading.  Thank you Ron, Jane and Erin for representing our Faculty in Nunavut!

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DIGITAL TEACHING & LEARNING PRACTICES SHOWCASE

Since October, six Holland College instructors have been participating in a hands-on Digital Literacies professional development course offered in conjunction with the University of Prince Edward Island.

The course has focused on supporting instructors in integrating digital platforms, practices, and literacies into their existing courses. Please come and show support for your colleagues as they share the highlights from their newly redesigned courses. Get introduced to Slack, Tiki-toki, Piktochart, Glogster, and Powtoon, as well as to some creative uses of SAM, and consider how the critical literacies being integrated into these Holland College courses might benefit your own teaching and professional learning.

The 1 hr showcase will be short, sweet, and give us all something to celebrate as we slide into the holidays.  The event takes place 16-Dec-2016 from 1:30-2:30pm at 20W Charlottetown Centre, Holland College.

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AUTISM IN EDUCATION (AIE) 2017 SYMPOSIUM

Registration is now open for the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority’s (APSEA) Autism in Education (AIE) 2017 Symposium, to be held in Halifax on May 2 & 3, 2017.  Details of this event can be found in the attached poster, or on their website.

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UPEI INTERNAL PUBLICATION AWARDS

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INVITATION FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: CAP JOURNAL

The Canadian Association of Principals (CAP) advocates for Principals and Vice-Principals at the national level. Working with other national educational groups, CAP presents the views and opinions of Principals, Assistant-Principals, Vice-Principals and other school administrators regarding a variety of issues and in many different forums.

CAP is requesting written submissions for their next publication with the theme: “Work Life Balance”. If you have articles or studies of approximately 1000 – 1250 words, CAP would be pleased to include them for consideration. The deadline for submissions is 27-Jan-2017.

Please note the CAP journal has a print version and an electronic publication. Amendments to accommodate space requirements may be necessary, however any revision would be approved prior to publication. Works can be e-mailed directly to Terry MacIsaac (CAP Eastern Vice President, & CAP Journal Editor).  Submissions are preferred as a Word document, 1000 – 1250 words in length. Authors should include a writer’s biography, not to exceed 40 words, containing designation, credentials and/or any relevant experience.  Please do not hesitate to contact Terry MacIsaac if you have further questions.

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HURRAHS!

There are many things to celebrate this week!

Congratulations to Lyndsay Moffatt on the publication of a new article, “Start with a Seedling: Uncovering the Kindergarten Language and Literacy Curriculum One Leaf at a Time” in Language & Literacy.

Also newly published is an article by Linyuan Guo-Brennan, Carolyn Francis, Elizabeth Townsend and Michael Guo-Brennan.  “Multi-stakeholder partnership in teacher education and development: The impact of international teaching on host schools and communities in Kenya” was published in Comparative and International Education.

Congratulations to Dr. Tim Goddard, who will be a Keynote Speaker at the Institute for Educational Administration and Leadership-Jamaica (IEAL-J) Conference, which is scheduled for 2nd & 3rd March 2017, at Knustford Court Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica.  The theme for the conference is “Educational leadership & sustainability: Current realities, future possibilities.” The other Keynote Speakers are Professor Stephen Jacobson of UCEA, and Sir Patrick Allen, Governor General of Jamaica. You can learn more about the conference here.

In this newsletter:

• Mystery Solved! – Ho Ho Homicide
• Call for Applications: UPEI Internal Research Grant (IRG) Program – 2017 Competition
• Deadline for Fall Semester Grades
• NCTR PEI Education Day Postponement
• Storm Policy

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MYSTERY SOLVED! – HO HO HOMICIDE

On Friday, 25-Nov-2016, the Faculty of Education put on its second Night of Mystery murder mystery party that brought together staff, faculty and international students for a ‘night of North Pole naughtiness!’ More than 40 people attended a shindig hosted by Santa Claus himself, to discover that Jangle the Elf (Cory Mugridge) had killed Jingle the Head Elf (Dr. Ron MacDonald, Dean of Education) in order to cover a toy manufacturing conspiracy!

Congratulations to those sleuths who uncovered the truth, as well as our award winners Alyssa Liang (Best Dressed), Catherine McAleer (Best Performance), and Sarah Muthee (Most Money)!

A gallery of images from our exciting evening has been added to the blog’s Celebration Album.

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: UPEI INTERNAL RESEARCH GRANT (IRG) PROGRAM – 2017 Competition

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DEADLINE FOR FALL SEMESTER GRADES

All course grades for the Fall 2016 semester are due to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by noon on 21-Dec-2016.

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NCTR PEI EDUCATION DAY POSTPONEMENT

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STORM POLICY

We have already had our first storm day of the academic year! We would like to remind instructors that the storm policy for the Faculty is available in the Handbook for Instructors linked to this blog through the menu bar above.  Please take a moment to review the storm policy section.

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