Manchester High School English teacher Kelly Shea, described by a colleague as a “rock star,” has been named district teacher of the year.

Following a national search, Sterling College has appointed Yvette McDonnell as its dean of community and work. In her new role, McDonnell will oversee a broad range of programs and services that support the well-being and holistic education of Sterling College students.

The University of Connecticut will start offering what is believed to be the only full teacher preparation program in Mandarin Chinese in January. Already with what officials say is a robust World Language program, UConn would include Mandarin to a program that already turns out teachers of French, Spanish, German, Italian and Latin.

Kristi Carriero has been named Assistant Principal of New Canaan High School. She will begin her new position on July 1.

How can teachers and schools promote creativity and innovation through education? Ronald Beghetto suggests structured uncertainty in this TEDxUConn talk, which took place this past spring in Storrs.

The Federal Commission on School Safety will have its first “field” hearing Thursday—and second meeting—at a school in Anne Arundel County, Md., that has embraced Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS. Also on hand: Dr. George Sugai, the co-director of the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports at the University of Connecticut.

Should a shooting or other traumatic event happen, schools that have positive behavioral interventions in place can respond “more quickly and more strategically,” said George Sugai, co-director of the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

During a field visit by the Federal Commission on School Safety at the Frank Hebron-Harman Elementary School in Hanover, Md., George Sugai said schools that have faithfully and consistently implemented the PBIS program — which includes interventions for students who misbehave — have seen results. If schools implement the strategy, “you’re likely to see decreases in referrals for major infractions. You’re likely to see decreases in bullying,” Sugai said.

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will visit Frank Hebron-Harman Elementary School in Hanover Thursday to learn about the school’s use of approaches to encouraging positive behavior. The visit will be the first field trip by the Federal Commission on School Safety. University of Connecticut Professor George Sugai, a top PBIS expert according to the Education Department, will speak to the commission.

This interview features the perspectives of Dr. James C. Kaufman, Professor of Educational Psychology in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut.