SPRING/SUMMER 2014

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
Year-end Challenges

Perhaps as never before, I am heartened to witness the enduring hope of SPU's School of Education graduates, who are looking forward to serving others through teaching, school counseling, and educational leadership. These graduates give me reason for great optimism about the future. In the recent tragic events we have experienced as a community, our students have been a beacon of God's love to the world, and I know they will continue to be so as they take on critical roles in our city and around the world. (Read more)

Rick Eigenbrood, Dean School of Education

TOP STORY Sink Research Asks: How Do Emotions Affect Learning? Christopher Sink, an SPU professor of counselor education and educational research, is leading a project to investigate aspects of positive psychology in elementary school students. This multinational effort aims to examine further the connections among social-emotional characteristics, a sense of meaning in life, and academic success of third- through sixth-grade students. Ultimately, the project is studying the hypothesis that happy children tend to be better learners.

Alsbury, STEM Team Tackle Rural Science Education
SPU Professor of Educational Administration and Supervision Thomas Alsbury is collaborating with North Carolina State University researchers and community advocates to assist school leaders, teachers, and students in isolated, high-minority, high-poverty schools in North Carolina. Their goal: promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers (and greater opportunities) in those isolated rural communities.

SOE Faculty Receive Grant to Study Educational Reform
School of Education faculty members Dan Bishop, Andrew Lumpe, and Robin Henrikson received a $210,000 grant from the Washington state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to conduct an evaluation of a three-year project focused on public schools in Washington. The initiative is funded by a $2.4 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation called "Transforming Professional Learning Systems for Reform: Common Core Standards." Funding will be used to conduct research on the impact of the statewide project on school district reform efforts, teacher practices, and student learning.

University Tutors, Martinez Fellows Helping to Bring Change
Two very different but vital programs are addressing real needs in today's classrooms -- University Tutors for Seattle Schools (a nonprofit founded and directed by SPU Professor of Education Greg Fritzberg) and the Martinez Fellows program (scholarships designed to help students of color). Learn more about their impact in the latest issue of Response magazine.



Alumni News

Two SOE Alumni Receive Allen Distinguished Educator Awards
The Allen Distinguished Educator program recently recognized two outstanding alumni -- Regan Drew and Mike Wierusz -- for their pioneering approaches to engineering and entrepreneurship education. Read more about Drew's experience in the Mead School District, as well as Wierusz's accomplishments at Inglemoor High in Kenmore.



Faculty Publications

Scheuerman Featured in Washington State Magazine
Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Richard Scheuerman, who has written several books about the history of the land and people of Washington, was featured in the Spring 2014 issue of Washington State, published by Washington State University.

Sink's Book Published in Korea
A new book by Professor of Counselor Education and Educational Research Chris Sink was recently published by Hakjisa Publishing in South Korea. The book, Child Adolescent Counseling and Spirituality: School Counseling in Positive Psychology, was co-authored by international research associates Drs. D.H. Kim and M. Seo.

Gritter's New Book Looks at Pop Culture, Learning
A new book co-authored by Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Kris Gritter was published this spring. Can Pop Culture and Shakespeare Exist in the Same Classroom? Using Student Interest to Bring Complex Texts to Life explains how to scaffold literature discussions using students' prior knowledge of popular culture. The book is co-written with an English professor at Hope College and the secondary principal at Seattle Christian Schools.



Giving

Through the Diversity Educators Scholarship, you can help open the way for a new generation of educators to provide positive role models while reflecting increased student diversity. Learn more about how your gift can offer fresh opportunities for students of color who dream of becoming teachers, counselors, or administrators.