Archives for November 2013

Kati Baldwin, middle level education major, being interviewed by Jennie Webb, retired teacher.

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) College of Education and the Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association (FCRTA) recently collaborated to provide mock interviews for its fall 2013 Internship II students. The students are spending the last semester of their undergraduate college careers student teaching in the public schools and are ready to begin searching for teaching jobs.

To help these students prepare for job interviews, the students spent 10-15 minutes one-on-one with retired teachers in a simulated interview. After the interview, the interviewer gave pointers and immediate written feedback to each student. Students were encouraged by the comments and felt better prepared for an actual interview. One of the UCA students, Barrett Parten, remarked, “I thought the mock interviews were so very beneficial for my growth as a future teacher. It was great hearing an experienced individual give me advice on how to word my answers and to pay closer attention to detail. I feel like because of these interviews, and the advice of my interviewer, I am better prepared for future job interviews!”

Because of this ongoing collaborative partnership with UCA, the FCRTA has been honored on a state level with the “2011 Outstanding Youth Service Project” award by the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. This project serves as a model for other chapters throughout the state. According to Sharon Rapp, FCRTA member, “It is both rewarding and enjoyable for members of our unit of retired teachers to conduct the mock interviews. This partnership with the College of Education allows each of us to play a small mentoring role in the preparation of the next generation of young teachers.”

Dr. Diana Pounder, Dean of the College of Education, said, “The College of Education is extremely proud to have such an active, committed group of former teachers as advocates for its students and programs with this win-win collaboration which began in 2011.”

Members of the Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association who participated in the recent mock interview project with the UCA College of Education include:
(Front row, left to right) Jennie Webb, Mary Pat Cullum, Laura Clark, Sharon Rapp
(Back row, left to right) Steve Clark, Doretta Bright, Kathryn Starr, Becky Vint, Julia Fraser, Mary Kay Joslin, Carolyn Lewis, Hervey Galloway

The following list is a sampling of recent media coverage and media mentions of UCA:

UCA professor helps create mobile app for ADHD symptoms
http://www.katv.com/story/23822608/new-mobile-app-to-help-with-adhd-symptoms

Professor’s research helps in creating award-winning mobile app
http://www.thv11.com/news/article/285533/2/Professors-research-helps-in-creating-award-winning-mobile-app

UCA professor teams up for all that wins ADHD national award and $100,000
http://innovation.arkansasbusiness.com/blog/2013/10/28/uca-professor-teams-up-for-app-that-wins-adhd-national-award-and-100000/

Professor’s research helps in creating award-winning mobile app
http://thecabin.net/news/local/2013-10-28/professors-research-helps-creating-award-winning-mobile-app#.Une85tzna70

Car Mart executive to speak at UCA
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/oct/22/car-mart-executive-speak-uca-20131022/?f=news-arkansas

Kinesiology students presented research projects at the Central States American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting hosted by Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, Mo. on Oct 17. Caroline Proctor and Steven Wilson, presented the results of a study that evaluated body composition, strength, and vertical jump ability in collegiate cheerleaders at the beginning and end of a competitive season. Terra Emerson, Hailey Frerichs and Ajah Dansby presented the results of their study which evaluated the forces experienced by females performing assisted pull-ups. Both abstracts will be published in the International Journal of Sports Science. Dr. Adam Bruenger was the faculty mentor for these research projects. This is the second consecutive year that undergraduate students from the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education presented research projects at the annual meeting.

Dr. Debbie Dailey, visiting assistant professor of teaching and learning in the College of Education, recently co-authored a chapter in a newly published book, A Century of Contributions to Gifted Education. The chapter, “A. Harry Passow: Curriculum, Advocacy, and Diplomacy for Talent Development,” focused on the life and contributions of Passow to gifted education. This book will be released at the upcoming National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) conference in Indianapolis, Indiana this month. The release of the book will be accompanied by a session and a book signing at the conference. In addition to the book release at the conference, Dr. Dailey will be present or co-present six sessions focused on STEM Education.

Mary Garnica, assistant professor, was recognized by the Arkansas Nurses’ Association as the “Advanced Practice RN of the Year” at their recent awards ceremony. Dr. Garnica has been very instrumental in legislative and policy arenas to remove barriers to the practice of APRNs so quality healthcare will be more available to Arkansans.

Steve Tucker, PhD, ATC, an assistant professor and the Interim Chair in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, was an invited speaker at the New Hampshire Musculoskeletal Institute Annual Symposium on September 14, 2013 in Bedford, New Hampshire. Dr. Tucker made two presentations entitled “The Closed Chain Approach to Shoulder Rehabilitation” and “Clinical Techniques to Quantify Scapular Upward Rotation.” The aim of the symposium is to educate physical therapists, athletic trainers and physician assistants on current evidence-based techniques that can be used in the clinical setting.

Art Lichtenstein, Director of Torreyson Library, was recently elected to a second three year term on the Board of Directors of Amigos Library Services, one of the largest library networks in the United States. Amigos membership consists of over 750 libraries and cultural-heritage institutions located primarily in the southwestern United States. Services include consortium buying, cataloging, reference, resource sharing, preservation, digital imaging, consulting, and training. Lichtenstein currently serves as Vice Chair of the Amigos Board.

Mark Spitzer, associate professor of creative writing, recently had a book proposal accepted by the University of Nebraska Press. Beautifully Grotesque Fish of the American West will be published in 2017 and will feature investigative fishing adventures for the following species: American eel, white sturgeon, eelpout, muskellunge, humpback chubs, pikeminnow (formerly squawfish), bowfin, Asian carp, paddlefish, and monster catfish (noodling).

Most Faulkner county residents have heard of Soaring Wings Ranch and the phenomenal, inspiring lengths that they go to support foster children here in central Arkansas. The ranch is a residential facility that is Christ-centered and serves children who have been abused, orphaned, abandoned, neglected, or in need of a family. With so many children, Soaring Wings Ranch could use some extra ranch-hands, especially when it comes to educating these children, and that is where the College of Education heeded the call, forming an official partnership.

According to the educational specialist for Soaring Wings Ranch, Julia Groce, “This partnership is unique because it is mutually beneficial for all involved! Soaring Wings Ranch (SWR) and Greenbrier students benefit by receiving one-on-one personalized educational support, something that is hard to come by during the school day. For SWR students this is especially helpful, as there are up to seven other children that need homework assistance in their homes after school. UCA education candidates benefit from having the experience of looking at students in a very personal way. As a teacher it is easy to look at students as a group, but a teacher must learn to focus on the individual learner to maximize educational impact. UCA students are rising to this occasion by arriving to tutoring prepared with extensive materials including educational applications for mobile devices and engaging educational support materials. UCA students are not only helping directly with academic content knowledge, but also assisting students with organizational and study skills that lead to academic success. UCA students are able to provide tutoring services to our children that would cost SWR thousands of dollars if we were to hire private tutors.”

Greenbrier Public Schools graciously agreed to host all tutoring sessions and provide a mentor for each site where students are served. Due to the professionalism of UCA students and the success of this initiative, Greenbrier has also allowed additional students to join the SWR tutoring sessions. As this partnership continues to grow, so do the children of SWR.

SWR recently hosted its half marathon in Conway, which boasted over 2,000 participants and hundreds of volunteers. Each runner received a metallic medal in the shape of expanded wings with the engraved message, “Giving Children a Chance to Soar.” UCA teacher education candidates do this everyday they serve in such a needed capacity!