Former Curriculum and Instruction chair passes away

The GSE community mourns the loss of Dr. Judy Edwards Allen, a former faculty member and long-time chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Allen served the GSE from 1983 to her retirement in 1994. After her time with the GSE, she continued to work and volunteer in a wide range of activities. One of her areas of expertise was technology, having worked as the director of the Computer Technology Program at the Northwest Regional Educational Lab.

New GSE associate dean selected

Dean Randy Hitz announced the appointment of Dr. Micki M. Caskey to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Dr. Caskey has worked in the Curriculum and Instruction department in the GSE for 15 years. She has been a Graduate Teacher Education Program cohort leader specializing in the content areas literacy, action research, learning strategies, content enhancements, and teacher education. Dr. Caskey has also been the co-Principle Investigator for the American Indian Urban Teacher Program and faculty advisor for the Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to coming to PSU, she spent more than 20 years working with students in inner-city schools. 

GSE faculty member Deve Swaim receives national honor

Deve Swaim, MS, a Graduate Teacher Education Program instructor, cohort leader, and the program coordinator for secondary licensure in the Curriculum and Instruction Department, has been selected for induction into the North American Society for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance, (AAHPERD). This induction recognizes outstanding professionals from within the professions of health education, physical education, recreation, sport and dance.

GSE student receives national Polish American scholarship

Renata Dajnowska hosts the annual Polish Carnival, a fundraiser for her Polish Cultural Enrichment Program at PLBA “Polish School”.

The American Council for Polish Culture has announced five winners of the $5,000 Pulaski Scholarship* across the US. One of the awardees is GSE student Renata Dajnowska, who is currently in the Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction program. The scholarship is awarded to American students of Polish descent who have completed one year of graduate level study in an accredited American university.

GSE says goodbye to long-time early childhood instructor

A memorial was held at Helen Gordon Child Development Center (HGCDC) on January 6 for our esteemed colleague, Frank Mahler, an instructor in the HGCDC. He passed away recently during the winter break. He was 45.

Frank was an infant-toddler teacher at HGCDC and in recent years, the Infant-Toddler Studio Lead and an instructor for the Early Childhood Master’s Program.

“Frank was an amazing teacher, both of young children, and of students in the early childhood master’s program,” says Director Ellie Justice. “Frank was known for his creativity and his extraordinary sense of humor, as well as his high standards and dedication to the early childhood field. This is a significant loss for our community.”

Remembrances may be made to Hands to Hearts International, a nonprofit that was near and dear to Frank’s heart.
http://handstohearts.org/

GSE Fulbright Scholar facilitates Finland partnership

GSE professor Jackie Temple traveled to University of Jyväskylä, (UJ), in Finland last April as a Fulbright Specialist to assist the education faculty in strengthening their work around her specialty–inclusion.

Dr. Jacqueline Temple is a GSE professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and a prior Fulbright Scholar. Her first Fulbright experience was also to UJ in 2001-02, where she lectured and conducted research. She has since traveled to Finland many times. Her extensive work in inclusive education and leadership has earned her the title of “Fulbright Specialist.” Placement on this roster makes her qualified to serve as a grant-funded scholar who is available, upon request, to consult for Fulbright grant-funded projects.