Blog 2.0

Montclair State University, the largest four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution in New Jersey, is offering a Hispanic Student College Institute on August 1-3, 2017 for rising high school juniors and seniors.

There will be no cost for your students to participate and attend.

Through the Hispanic Student College Institute, they will:

• Engage in career exploration and goal-setting initiatives
• Attend college-planning workshops
• Participate in a majors fair and mock college interviews
• Live on campus in Machuga Heights

Institute participants will be eligible for scholarships to attend Montclair State University in the future and will receive certificates of completion to include on their résumés. Academically committed students who identify as Hispanic are encouraged to apply online. Applications are now available, and space is limited.

For more information, please contact Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions Jordanna Maziarz at hsci@montclair.edu.

MINDFULNESS IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN LIFE

MONDAY, JUNE 25TH

8:00 AM-3:30 PM

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY HALL- 7TH FLOOR CONFERENCE CENTER

FOR REGISTRATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONFERENCE FLYER

The Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department at Montclair State University is conducting a survey to better understand the ways that schools and districts provide literacy-related training and coaching.  In particular, the department is interested in assessing employment conditions for Reading Specialists and teachers who have received a Masters of Reading.  The department is also exploring developing new literacy-related Masters and Certificate programs that are responsive to needs identified by those working in the field in New Jersey. In addition, the department would like to expand the type of professional development opportunities it offers, and so is interested in hearing about what types of topics and structures would be attractive to people working in different contexts.

If you are interested in sharing your thoughts about these topics and completing the survey, please click on this link

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Erik Jacobson, Graduate Program Coordinator of the Masters of Reading, at jacobsone@mail.montclair.edu

Thank you for your time.

Masters of Reading

Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department

Montclair State University

Dr. Erik Jacobson, Program Coordinator

jacobsone@montclair.edu

(973)-655-3471

Overview

Two different degrees are offered:

• Masters of Reading (with Reading Specialist Certification)
• Reading Specialist Certification (for students who already have a Masters)

The MA in Reading (33 credits) and the Reading Specialist Program (30 credits) prepare educators to meet present and future demands as literacy specialists.  The program emphasizes practice informed by current theory and research and provides a range of learning experiences that enhance candidates’ understanding of what it means to be an effective literacy educator.  Program graduates will be prepared to serve in a wide array of educational roles in a variety of settings.

It is expected that students will graduate with a broad and multifaceted understanding of literacy, including key developmental, cultural and sociopolitical dimensions. Students will also be able to identify and respond to important shifts in literacy practices, such as those involving the use of digital technologies. Program graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively provide literacy instruction, engage with colleagues about ways to enhance practice and advocate for the field as a whole.

Beginning in May 2017, we will be offering an Accelerated Hybrid version of the Masters of Reading (enabling students to complete the degree in 18 months).

Sample Courses

READ 500    Literacy Foundations   

READ 501    Techniques of Reading Improvement in Secondary Schools                           

READ 502    Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs                                    

READ 503    Literature for Adolescents                                                                   

READ 524    Teaching Multiethnic Literature in P-8 Classrooms                                        

READ 508    Critical Thinking and Literacy

READ 511    Case Studies of Reading Difficulties                                        

READ 513/514    Supervised Clinical Practicum

READ 505     Research Seminar in Literacy

READ 515      Literacy Strategies for the Inclusive Elementary Classroom

READ 519      Language and Early Literacy Development

Faculty Areas of Interest

Tina Jacobowitz (Department Chair)

Literacy in the content areas / Teacher dispositions for democracy / Teaching for critical thinking / Teaching an and for a democracy

Melissa Collucci         

Emergent literacy / The development and implementation of successful, authentic language arts blocks / Linguistically responsive teaching

Margaret Freedson

Early literacy development and bilingualism / literacy instruction / teacher preparation

Erik Jacobson

Adult literacy practice and instruction / Supporting adolescent writers / Literacy and technology / Content area literacy / Teaching with graphic novels and manga

Michele Knobel

New literacies and digital technologies / In-school and out-of-school literacy practices

Dierdre Paul

Teaching and learning with multiethnic children’s literature / Popular culture literacy / The Millennial morphing of the digital divide / Closing the school discipline gap

Erik Weiner

Critical literacy / Cultural studies / Critical pedagogy / Social theory

Linda Wise

Social context issues in literacy development / Teacher education

TO REGISTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE

To all Teachers and School Counselors:
Please share this with parents, colleagues and friends who might be interested.
Montclair State University's renowned Gifted & Talented Program still has several spots remaining in its Summer Session I (July 5 - July 22) and Summer Session II (July 25 - Aug 12) programs.

Email: giftedmsu@mail.montclair.edu

This high-quality, student-focused enrichment program is one of the nation's oldest and most comprehensive programs.  For 35 years, we have been offering a challenging and engaging program that contributes to and supports every student in meeting or exceeding academic standards and experiencing positive social-emotional growth.

Popular courses in our 2, three-week sessions for K-12 students include:

• 1-4 grades Learning Communities:
  • Tech Pioneers
  • Junior Naturalists
  • Budding Performers
  • World Explorers
  • Future Picassos

• 5-6 and 7-12 grades:
  • Einstein's Astrophysics
  • Workshops on Writing (WOW!) Series
  • Architectural Design Series
  • Engineering Design: 3D Printing
  • Digital Media Production Series
  • RAPs (Robots as Problem Solvers)
  • JAVA Programming
  • CSI Forensics
  • App DevelopmentOnline courses offered (grades 4-8) are Python Programming (Session II) and Wild Weather (Session II).

The program takes place in our state-of-the-art buildings and classrooms at the University, and options are available for half-day, full-day and extended-day programs.

Be a part of this exciting learning opportunity!  To learn more, please view our brochure:

http://www.montclair.edu/media/montclairedu/giftedandtalented/documents/Gifted-and-Talented-BrochureWEB_FINAL.pdf

For more information and to register, visit our web site:

http://www.montclair.edu/gifted/

On behalf of the College of Education and Human Services, Secondary and Special Education and the College of Science and Mathematics we invite you to participate in a brief survey to help design a program targeted to build capacity for teaching computer science in New Jersey.  

To participate please CLICK HERE

Accelerated Hybrid Masters of Reading Program

The Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department at Montclair State University is now offering an Accelerated Hybrid Masters of Reading Program.  The program is designed for those who wish to pursue a master’s degree through a shorter, intensive period of study.  Students enrolled in the program complete their Masters in 15 months, beginning in the summer and ending the next summer.  The 11 courses in the program will all be offered either in hybrid format or fully online, and the program is designed with working teachers in mind.

We are currently accepting applications for the first cohort, starting in May of 2017.

Applications must be received by April 14, 2017.

We will be at the Graduate School Open House on February 26th, and additional information can be found on the program website.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the Accelerated Hybrid Master in Reading please contact:

Dr. Erik Jacobson, jacobsone@montclair.edu or 873-655-3471

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the g

Graduate School at Montclair State University at graduateschool@montclair.edu or 973-655-5147.

***

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CLICK BELOW FOR THE ACCELERATED HYBRID PROGRAM WEBSITE:

https://www.montclair.edu/cehs/academics/departments/ecele/academic-programs/ma-reading-accelerated-hybrid/

New Jersey Future Educators Association (NJFEA) Middle School Conference will be hosted at Montclair State University on Tuesday, June 7^th between 9am and 2pm.

This program is planned for students in grades 6 through 8 who aspire to become future teachers.

We are looking for interested presenters to facilitate a 1-hour session on a topic relevant to middle school students interested in teaching (e.g., leadership in education, teaching special populations/subjects, diversity and inclusion, college exploration, bullying, STEM, etc). If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please go to:  tiny.cc/NJFEAProposal.

Proposals will not be accepted in email format. The deadline for submitting a proposal is February 5, 2016.

The New Jersey Future Educators Association (NJFEA) is the largest organization in our state for high school and middle school students who aspire to become future teachers. We have NJFEA chapters high schools and middle schools throughout our state. Students may also join as individual members. Membership for the 2014-15 school year is now open! Please see the attached flier for details.

Membership is only $8 per person which entitles you to

• receive  Go Teach, the official FEA magazine
• participate at NJFEA state-wide conferences and programs
• participate at the NJEA annual convention,
  
• meet peers who aspire to become teachers
• participate in statewide competitions & service projects
• receive Smart Board, our monthly newsletter
• get featured on our NJFEA website, in newspapers, and on television
• stay connected to important state and national issues on teaching
• be recognized for academic achievements through the FEA Honor Society
• learn about college scholarships for future teach
• be eligible for the NJFEA Outstanding Achievement Award
• share the pride of teaching through NJFEA chapter
• ADVISERS: Receive a free copy of the FEA Handbook for Chapter Advisers

We are waiving the $125 fee for new chapters that start-up between July 1-November 1. Funding for NJFEA is provided by the New Jersey Education Association.

Please e-mail or call me at 609-771-2464 if you need additional information. We look forward to your participation in NJFEA.

Good wishes,

Larry Fieber

Laurence R. Fieber Executive Director,  
Center for Future Educators, The College of New Jersey 

State Director, New Jersey Future Educators Association  

MSU Students, graduates and beginning teachers in elementary education are invited to participate in a tryout of an innovative new assessment involving Modeling and Explaining Content, Leading a Classroom Discussion and Eliciting Student Thinking tasks designed for the new ETS® National Observational Teaching Exam (NOTE). This tryout offers an opportunity for participants to join with ETS and be at the forefront of developing a new, innovative teacher licensure assessment. Participants will be compensated $100 for completing a 2.5-hour session.

Those who want to participate in the tryout should:

• email collaborate@ets.org indicating their interest in participating; and
  

• report to an on-campus tryout location.

Participants will receive task-specific directions on-site as they complete the tryout. Scores will not be provided. Send an email to collaborate@ets.org with “NOTE Tryout” in the subject line to partner with ETS for this important assessment. Participation in this research is voluntary, and there is no penalty for choosing not to participate.

More information is provided in the attached flyer. NOTE is being designed to evaluate prospective teachers’ ability to elicit student thinking and assess teachers’
ability to facilitate a class discussion.

The College of Education and Human Services is hosting a panel discussion on April 13, entitled

Public Education in the Trump Era: A Panel Discussion.
Please save the date!
Date: Thursday, April 13
Time: 5:30 - 8:00
Place: 7th Floor Conference Center, University Hall

The election of Donald Trump has led to a dramatic shift not only in this country's leadership, but also in perceptions of some of our key democratic institutions.  Among those institutions are the media, the courts, and public education. 

Given our unwavering belief in the critical role of public schools in sustaining our democracy, we are sponsoring a panel discussion to examine the implications of the Trump administration for public education in the U.S.  Speakers will discuss the role of education in a democracy and explore the particular roles of education at national, state, and local levels.  They will consider the current and anticipated impacts of policies and actions of the Trump administration for education in national, state, and local contexts and point to ways we can support public education as a pillar of democracy.

The panelists will be Zoe Burkholder, Educational Foundations Department; Stan Karp, Education Law Center; Monica Taylor, Secondary and Special Education Department; and Leslie Wilson, History Department.

We hope you can join us.  An RSVP request will follow soon.

Dear Network Member:
I would like to request your participation in a research project. Drs. Helenrose Fives and Nicole Barnes from Montclair State University are interested in understanding teachers’ beliefs about motivation and the purposes of assessment. They are attempting to gather responses from practicing teachers to better understand these beliefs.
Please follow the link below and respond to the questionnaire about your beliefs about motivation and assessment. The questionnaire is 60 items long and should take you about 10-20 minutes to complete. The questionnaire is completely anonymous and all findings will be reported in summarized form.

Link to questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TeachersBeliefsAboutAssessment

Please take the time to support this work. Thank you!
Sincerely,
MSUNER