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School of Education Newsletter, Volume 4, issue 1
Update from the Dean
Dear Friends of the School of Education,
It is with great joy to share what has been going on in the School of Education at UW Tacoma over the past several months.
We returned to in-person operations on Sept. 13, 2021 after over 18 months of remote learning and teaching. Indeed, the years 2020 and 2021 have been challenging, devastating, and intense as we have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple moments of social unrest. However, the School of Education persisted during these times, finding innovative ways to continue our pre-2020 work of advancing equity and excellence in education.
This autumn 2021 version of our E3 (based on our mission: Educate, Empower, Excel) newsletter highlights some major developments in the School of Education, such as the launch of our EdS in School Psychology program in the autumn 2021 quarter, where we welcomed our inaugural cohort. We also highlight the narratives of Assistant Professor Gordon Brobbey, School Psychology Candidate Daniel Akamine, and EdD in Educational Leadership Alumna Ilda Guzmàn, all amazing and talented educators and leaders.
We also have some personnel changes to share. Angela Rambo joined us on August 02, 2021 as our new Director of Operations, replacing Cindy Valerio who resigned from UW Tacoma on June 15, 2021 to accept a new position as Administrator of UW Pharmacology after five years of outstanding service. Certification Officer/Academic Advisor Lynn Hermanson resigned on November 09, 2021 to take a new position as Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions with UW Pharmacy after over two years of exceptional service. We are searching for an Academic Advisor/Recruitment & Retention Specialist with plans for a new colleague to join us in early winter 2022 quarter.
I look forward to staying in touch. Wishing you and yours happiness and joy as we close out 2021.
Respectfully Yours,
Rachel Endo
Dean and Professor, School of Education
Get to Know Faculty Member Gordon Brobbey
Tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to UW Tacoma.
I am currently an assistant professor in the School of Education, where I primarily teach courses for the Special Education programs. I joined UW Tacoma three years ago from the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida. As a researcher, I am interested in the training of special education teachers and their ultimate success in the classroom.
As a person from a historically disadvantaged background, I was drawn to UW Tacoma’s urban mission, notably its meticulous and intentional focus on equity and diversity issues. I was also drawn to the diversity of the faculty and felt a sense of belonging in the School of Education right when I interviewed for the job. I perceived an aura of professionalism, progressive leadership, positive collaboration, mature engagement, and a genuine embrace of me that would facilitate my growth on the tenure track.
Tell us about an upcoming project you have in the works.
I am currently working on a research project with some partner school districts to understand special educators’ experiences with Washington State’s framework for evaluating teachers and principals with the Teacher and Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP). I am also involved in another research project with a group of colleagues aimed at gaining insight into the needs of special education personnel in school districts across Washington State. We hope the project will highlight thematic areas where the School of Education could even better align our programs with the needs of our partner districts to address the perennial problem of personnel shortages in special education.
Do you have a favorite quote; if so, what is it, and why does it inspire you?
My favorite quote is: “He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words” by Elbert Hubbard. Silence is golden and has saved me a lot of troubles. It has helped me to be a better listener. This quote also helps me appreciate the fact that silence is needed at certain moments in our lives, and it will take a person who knows me well to appreciate why I choose silence in some situations.
What is your favorite part about being a faculty member in the School of Education?
My favorite part is being able to impart knowledge to my students. The joy of seeing them nod in appreciation or moments their eyes light up in response to new knowledge or experiences I share is priceless! I also delight in knowing that I work with supportive colleagues who are genuinely interested in my professional growth.
Meet School Psychology Student Daniel Akamine
Note: Akamine is part of the Inaugural EdS (Educational Specialist) in School Psychology cohort, which launched in autumn 2021.
Tell us a bit about yourself, such as your background and current role.
I am from O’ahu, Hawai’i. Currently, I work at Trinity Presbyterian Church (TPC) and the Bryant Neighborhood Center (BNC) as the Community Resource Coordinator. In the past, I worked as the Education Program Manager for the Bobcat Learning Center (BLC), which is an after-school program that works alongside Hilltop Heritage students.
In my current position, I am responsible for guiding the BNC’s legacy programs that include everything from our food access, front-door ministry, and education programs. In addition, I am passionate about community partnerships and outreach; I often collaborate with youth empowerment programs, such as Alchemy Skateboarding, to provide students with opportunities to explore different avenues of learning creatively. I believe community partnerships are vital in supporting the whole-student experience.
What drew you to the EdS in School Psychology program?
I was drawn to the Ed.S. Program because I knew I needed educational training on individual education programs, social and emotional learning, and mental health to better serve the students and families I worked alongside. I also knew graduate school was one of my life goals. I saw that the program offered the education I was seeking, which drew me to apply.
What do you hope to accomplish after completing the program?
My hope after completing the program is to work alongside and give back to my Tacoma and Hawai’i communities with the skills I gain through the program. I have had the luck, opportunity, and privilege to stand on the shoulders of family members, friends, great leaders, and teachers who all supported my growth and gave me opportunities to build my confidence as a person.
Akamine was also selected as the Russell Family Foundation 2021 cohort of Jane's Fellows Program Class 9. Read more about this prestigious program here.
Meet EdD in Educational Leadership Alumna Ilda Guzman
Tell us a bit about yourself, such as your background and current role.
I am a daughter of migrant workers, a mother, a wife, an abuela, and a descendant of the Karankawa people of the coastal waters of Corpus Christi, Texas. I am the first in my family to have earned the GED to a doctoral degree. I have an AA Transfer Degree, a BA in Social Science, and a Master of Public Administration. My EdD in Educational Leadership is from UW Tacoma. I have served in the field of education for over 20 years beginning my educational career as a teacher assistant with the formerly known Washington State Migrant Council (WSMC), now Inspire Center.
My professional journey in higher education began as the Program Coordinator of the Washington State University (WSU) College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) in 2007. My heart work has continued in higher education to this day. I authored and was awarded the novel Yakima Valley College (YVC) CAMP grant and currently serve as the Director and Principal Investigator of the five year grant program. My team and I have successfully built the foundation of the first-time-ever program at YVC since its inception in 2020.
In my off time, I enjoy spending time with the love of my life, my husband of 27 years and my coranzóncitos, my granddaughter and recently born grandson. I also practice self-care on a regular basis through yoga, meditation, painting, reading, and craft projects.
What drew you to the EdD in Educational Leadership program?
I was introduced to the EdD program by an alumnus, who is also a colleague and friend of mine. Also, Ashley Walker and Dr. Chris Knaus from the School of Education drove to YVC to sit down with myself and other colleagues to introduce the program, provide us with information about what it had to offer, and the support provided to students enrolled in the program.
What drew me to the program was the flexibility in the course offerings. Being that I live in the central south region of Washington State, having the courses offered once a month on the weekends was reasonable for me to commit to and attend. I could not have come to UW Tacoma if the program required daily attendance. The weekend once a month course offerings made for my successful completion of the program a reality.
How has the program transformed you?
Never in a million years as a child would I have thought about going to college, let alone earn a doctoral degree. The EdD program also advanced my knowledge about how I engage in my communities, how I communicate with others, and opened my eyes on how I perpetuate colonial perspectives. The program offered me the opportunity to view the world through a lens that I had never used or looked through before. I learned to embrace my name. I learned that I am deserving of an advanced degree, and I learned to give myself permission to be unapologetic.
Ed.S. in School Psychology Program Launched in Autumn 2021
This update is provided by Laura Feuerborn (below right), Professor and Director of the School Psychology & MEd Programs.
The new Ed.S. School Psychology program at UW Tacoma prepares school psychologists who prioritize prevention, equity, and systemic change. We are pleased to share that we admitted our inaugural cohort this autumn 2021 quarter after a very competitive application process.
Our PK-12 students need more academic, behavioral, and mental health supports, yet many do have access to—and/or do not receive—sufficient care. For decades now, rates of mental and behavioral health problems in youth have been on the rise, with suicide rates at an all-time high. At least one in six children are diagnosed with a behavioral and/or mental health issue by age eight, and by the time they reach seventh grade, nearly half of the students in the United States will have experienced a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).
At this time when we need “all hands-on deck” to effectively support our PK-12 students and their families/caretakers in our schools, we are also experiencing a serious school staffing shortage. Like the long-standing need for more effective school-based services, there is also a long-standing shortage of school psychologists—both regionally and nationally. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that roughly 17,000 new school psychologist positions will be added by 2022, and many other positions will be left unfilled due to retirement. At the time of this writing, there are 56 unfilled positions in our region alone.
Although the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are not yet fully realized, they are only predicted to make these issues more distressing in terms of both student need and school support staff shortages. The bottom line? We need more school psychologists in our schools that create meaningful and lasting changes in our communities. To achieve this type of change (not replicate the status quo), their practices must be equity-centered, culturally responsive, proactive, and systemic.
We have created our Ed.S. School Psychology program at the UWT with the needs and strengths of our communities at the center. This program is approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) and was approved for candidacy for national accreditation through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). This program has been a long-time dream of mine since joining the UW Tacoma community in 2006.
After seven years of hard work, we are thrilled to have our very first cohort enrolled this year! Our inaugural cohort of EdS in School Psychology candidates bring significant strengths, including a wealth of diverse backgrounds and experiences. In September 2021, we had a great time gathering in person for our program orientation.
We look forward to providing more updates on our next cohort (applications are due Feb. 1, 2022) and updates on our national accreditation in the near future.
Personnel Transition: Lynn Hermanson
Lynn Hermanson, who served exceptionally well as the School of Education’s Certification Officer/Academic Advisor for over two years, resigned from UW Tacoma on November 09, 2021 to accept a new position as Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions with the UW School of Pharmacy. While we will miss her tremendously, we are also excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her to recruit the next generation of pharmacy students and pharmacists.
The School of Education is in the process of searching for an Academic Advisor / Recruitment & Retention Specialist to join us in the winter 2022 quarter. In the interim, Ed Armijo, Data & Grants Manager of the School of Education, will serve as our Certification Officer. Elizabeth Rangel and Ashley Walker are temporarily taking on academic advising until we fill the position. We will continue to keep you posted with new developments.
Noteworthy
Below are selected accomplishments of alumni, current students, faculty, and staff in the School of Education. We will provide a more extensive list of accomplishments, including grants, presentations, and publications, in our spring 2022 edition. Alumni and current students with any news to share may e-mail uwted@uw.edu (include your name, program, contact information, and summary of your accomplishments; we also invite you to include a photo).
Star Berry, a 2021 Graduate of the EdD in Educational Leadership program, received the UW Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies Prize for Best Graduate Paper for her Dissertation in Practice, which is titled “University Staff: Indigenous Sovereignty and Justice Online.” Berry's Dissertation in Practice evaluates how the websites of research universities represent their Indigenous, Transgender, and Disabled staff in severely limited ways, treating people as a "commodity" to appear institutionally diverse and inclusive while disregarding staff-led community grassroots efforts in practice and research.
Berry was also featured on UW Tacoma’s 2021 List of Outstanding Graduates.
Kurt Hatch, Professor of Practice and Director of the Educational Administration Program, was cited in a U.S. Department of Education Report titled “Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs.” A full link of the report is available here.
Hatch was also featured in a campus-wide story titled “Doing the Hard, but Necessary Work.”
Robin Zape-tah-ho-lah Minthorn, Associate Professor and Director of the EdD in Educational Leadership Program, is leading a year-long Indigenous Pedagogy Institute at UW Tacoma for 12 faculty members across campus. The IPI is hosted by the UW Tacoma Center for Equity & Inclusion. Read more about the institute here on a featured campus-wide story.
Minthorn was also recently elected to serve on the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) Board of Directors as a Board-Member-at Large.
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