News - 2013
Special Education and Literacy Studies
College of Education and Human DevelopmentNews
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2013
Alumnus receives distinguished alumnus award
Robert H. Bruininks, who graduated from WMU with a Special Education degree in 1964, received the Peabody Distinguished Alumnus Award from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development.
Former University of Minnesota president receives Peabody Distinguished Alumnus Award
Posted May 16
Selena Protacio selected as fellow for STAR program
Selena Protacio, a faculty member of the Literacy Studies Unit in the department of Special Education and Literacy Studies, was selected by the Literacy Research Association to be a fellow for the Scholars of color Transitioning into Academic Research institutions (STAR) program. She will be part of the 2013-2015 cohort. The STAR program was designed to support early career scholars from minority backgrounds in conducting high-quality literacy research which addresses issues related to diversity. Dr. Protacio’s current research focuses on investigating the factors related to the reading engagement of English language learners.
Posted May 14
Two literacy studies professors present at conference
“Deepening Student Literacy and Learning: Text Sets and Inquiry” This is the title of a presentation given by Karen Thomas and Lauren Freedman, two Literacy Studies Professors, at the Michigan Reading Association Conference – March 9 and 10, 2013 in Grand Rapids. The presentation offered participants two hands-on experiences, one focused on the Industrial Revolution and one focused on Ecosystems. For each topic, Thomas and Freedman brought approximately 60 books that ranged in complexity from high to low both in terms of reading level and content concepts. Following the hands-on experiences, the participants, who were teachers and literacy coaches working with students and colleagues in grades K-high school, engaged in an in-depth discussion with Thomas and Freedman. The discussion focused on effective literacy/learning strategies that fit within an inquiry framework and would provide multiple opportunities to differentiate instruction/learning for all students grades K-12. The group also talked about the differences between traditional content centered instruction and inquiry based learning centered instruction.
Posted April 16
Special education student presents at the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children Conference
Katie Sniegowski, special education undergraduate student, presented The Educational Needs of Students with Disabilities in West Africa at the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Grand
Rapids on March 15, 2013. This is a presentation from her Honor's
Thesis. Her research was completed during the Cultural Connections
Study Abroad experience to Dekar, Senegal during Summer I, 2012. The
Cultural Connections Study Abroad is Co-Directed by Dr. Sarah Summy,
Dr. Yvette Hyter, and Dr. Santiago Valles.
Posted March 19
Special education grad receives award
Special education graduate, Ben Hill recently received the Kansas Unified School District Teacher of the Month Award at Lincoln Elementary School for his outstanding achievements in special education teaching. The USD 480/Chamber of Commerce said this about Ben:
“Mr. Hill is extremely positive and energetic. He is a team player and shows great consideration to students, staff and parents. Mr. Hill finds or creates lessons and activities to interest each student while expecting the student to participate and be responsible for his/her own learning. He pushes students to be the best student, person and citizen they can be. Congratulations Mr. Hill!!”
Posted March 12
Chair of Special Education and Literacy Studies has book published
Dr. Daniel Morgan, chair of the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies, has a new book published.
The second edition of The Tough Kid Principal's Briefcase was published by Pacific Northwest Publishing; authors William R. Jenson, Ginger Rhode, Cal Evans, and Daniel Morgan.
The Tough Kid Principal's Briefcase takes the most current research on supporting school wide and individual student behavior and translates it into a concise, practical guide.
Posted February 5
Special education interns teach in Germany
For the past 15 years, special education students have had the unique opportunity to teach overseas during their special education internship in Germany. Interns spend 15 weeks teaching while experiencing the European culture. The interns live on an American military base and the student population consists primarily of American military children. This will be the last year interns will be teaching in Heidelberg, Germany since the base is closing due to the withdrawal of American troops from Europe. Dr. Elizabeth Whitten, coordinator of special education study abroad, has begun the process of finding new placements throughout Germany for the coming years. You can visit the Study Abroad Homepage for more details on the program.
Pictured are Caitlin Goike, Julie King, Samantha Evasic, Hope Hooton and Shannon Keizer in front of the Heidelberg Castle.
Posted January 29
Dorothy J. McGinnis Obituary
Dr. Dorothy J. McGinnis was born in Dowagiac, MI on May 28, 1920, the daughter of John and Wava (Vail) McGinnis. She received a B.S. degree from Western Michigan University in 1943, a M.A. in psychology from Ohio State University in 1948 and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1963. She retired from Western Michigan University in 1986 after 40 years of service. In addition to teaching in the Department of Education and Professional Development, she was Director of the Reading Center and Clinic from 1964 to 1975, which bears her name. She was the chairperson of the committee that established WMU's Master of Arts program in reading. She helped establish the international journal, READING HORIZONS, and was its editor for seven years. She co-authored eight books, wrote many professional articles, and was a consultant to two publishing companies. She was on the board of directors of the Michigan Reading Association for 14 years and its president in 1967. She served as a reading consultant to several Michigan public schools and conducted reading conferences throughout the United States. Dr. McGinnis received the WMU Alumni Association Teaching Excellence Award in 1972 and was honored twice by the local reading association. She was a licensed consulting psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association, Michigan Psychological Association, International Reading Association, and the Kalamazoo County Association of Retired School Personnel. After retirement, she served two years on WMU's Emeriti Council and did volunteer work at the Portage Senior Center.
Posted January 15