The Connecticut Examiner (Tracy Sinclair is quoted on special education)
Connecticut’s 2022 Letters About Literature Contest Winners Named
The Neag School of Education, UConn’s Department of English, and the Connecticut Writing Project (CWP), co-sponsors of the 30th annual Letters About Literature contest, are proud to announce Connecticut’s winners for the 2021-22 academic year.
Each year, students in Grades 4 through 12 are invited to read a text, broadly defined, and write a letter to the author (living or dead) about how the text affected them personally. Submissions are grouped according to Grade Level (Grades 4-6, Grades 7-8, and Grades 9-12).
Each of these submissions was read and scored by Neag School alumni teacher-volunteers. Of the 558 submissions from Connecticut students this year, there were 69 students who received Honorable Mention as well as 62 Semi-Finalists. Each Letters About Literature Semi-Finalist and Honorable Mention recipient received a letter of recognition.
A second set of judges, all pre-service teachers, then read and scored the 62 Semi-Finalists—again, twice for each submission—and selected a total of nine Finalists, three per Grade Level. Then 1 student per grade level was named Winner. Each of the nine Finalists will receive a gift card. The six Finalists get $100 each and the three Winners get $200 each.
Neag School Professor Doug Kaufman, CWP Director Jason Courtmanche, and Department of English Ph.D. candidate Kiedra Taylor served as the contest’s representatives for the state of Connecticut. Read more about the contest, and continue reading for the winning essays.
Letters About Literature Finalists for the State of Connecticut
The following are the contest finalists, listed with their respective school’s and teacher’s names, and the work of literature that is the focus of their essay, with access to their winning submissions in PDF format.
Level I (Grades 4-6)
- First Place: Ella Meiers, Joelle Kilcourse, Riverfield Elementary (Fairfield), Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
- Finalist: Pavana Attonito, Katy Gale, Hindley Elementary (Darien), The Night Diary by Veera Hinanandani
- Finalist: Hannah Osborne, Meghan Sullivan, Fawn Hollow Elementary (Monroe), The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Level II (Grades 7-8)
- First Place: Mia Chen, Julie Hodgson, Mansfield Middle School, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Finalist: Jesiel Lozada, Crystal Hamer, Academy of Science and Innovation (New Britain), The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
- Finalist: Julianna Tobin, Jordyn Meyenberg, Nathan Hale Middle School (Coventry), There Is No Right Way To by Whitney Hanson
Level III (Grades 9-12)
- First Place: Ava Schmoelzer, Melissa Hadsell, Stamford High School, Selected Poems by Marina Tsvetaeva (trans. Elaine)
- Finalist: Christina Vega, Jason Efland, Suffield High School, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Finalist: Serenty LaChance, Stacy Riggio, East Hampton High School, All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Neag School Graduate Students Launch Education Research Journal
A group of graduate students at UConn’s Neag School of Education are heading up the launch of the School’s first academic journal. The journal is now welcoming submissions through the end of May for its inaugural edition, slated for publication in Fall 2022.
Under development for nearly a year, the Neag School of Education Journal is an editor-reviewed, open-access, annual journal. Founded and run by graduate students and published online through the Neag School, its primary purpose is to offer a platform for graduate students to share their research and knowledge with academic communities, and to broaden and deepen the literature of education as written and experienced by graduate students, as well as early-career scholars.
“This process of creating a journal from the ground up reflects everything that we want the journal to be and stand for: graduate student-oriented, interdisciplinary within the fields of education, communicative, and a source of pride for the works we publish and the institution we represent,” says Emily Winter, a founding member of the journal who is pursuing her Ph.D. in school psychology at the Neag School. “We are so proud of our efforts and invite all graduate students within the fields of education to please submit your works!”
The journal is placing significance on pieces that seek to “improve education and social systems in order to facilitate increasingly effective, equitable, and socially just practices for educators and practitioners from a variety of fields, perspectives, and theoretical lenses as they serve their local communities.”
“I value my role on this team because it means I am helping fellow graduate students reach their goals and potential to contribute knowledge while in this stage of their careers.”
— Gina Norman, Editor and Neag School School Psychology Ph.D. Student
‘Showcase the Student Voice’
Five doctoral students from the Neag School make up the journal’s founding board, and three additional graduate students will serve as editors.
“Graduate students contribute so much to academia during their time at school,” says Sierra Trudel, Ph.D. student in school psychology and a journal founding board member. “The Neag School of Education Journal will showcase the student voice and highlight these contributions.”
“As a student editor with the Neag School of Education Journal, I am delighted to soon take part in helping students showcase their best work,” adds Gina Norman, one of the journal editors and a school psychology Ph.D. student. “I value my role on this team because it means I am helping fellow graduate students reach their goals and potential to contribute knowledge while in this stage of their careers.”
In addition to providing graduate students and early-career scholars an opportunity to share their work more widely, the editors foresee the journal fostering collaboration among students and their colleagues. Making the journal open access was also important, ensuring that its content can serve as an available source of information for current and future practitioners, say the editors.
“Graduate students make many quiet but immense contributions to academia,” says Brenna Fitzmaurice, an editor and school psychology Ph.D. student. “Through this journal, we have the opportunity to make the voice and contributions of graduate students known to our audience. As an editor for the Neag School of Education Journal, I am grateful to have a part in their recognition.”
The journal is accepting submissions of qualitative and quantitative research articles, essays, literature reviews, and personal experience and reflection pieces.
Starting the journal has also been a learning experience for the founding board members themselves. “The Neag School of Education Journal has been, already, a wonderful opportunity to work with fellow graduate students, to learn what it is like to birth a new journal, and to interact with supportive Neag School administration, educators, and staff,” says Sandra Sears, a founding board member enrolled in the Neag School’s special education doctoral program. “I had no idea just how much the Neag School had to offer, and I am beyond excited to be part of this endeavor.”
The journal encourages submissions of a variety of manuscript types — from qualitative and quantitative research articles to essays, literature reviews, and personal experience and reflection pieces.
“The research studies and experiences that are completed by graduate students in education are varied and informative for other students, researchers, and practitioners,” says Caitlin Blacksmith, founding member pursuing her doctorate in the Neag School’s Research Methods, Measurement, and Evaluation program. “I’m so grateful to be part of the founding editorial board for the Neag School of Education Journal, which will put forward the incredible work that graduate students in education produce.”
Jennie Weiner, associate professor of educational leadership at the Neag School, is serving as the journal’s faculty advisor. “It is a wonderful thing when, as future leaders in our field, student scholars take the initiative to create inclusive spaces for their and their colleagues’ work to be uplifted and shared with the broader community — the Neag School of Education Journal will do just that,” she says. “I am so excited and proud to a small part of supporting this incredible initiative.”
“Publishing is a vital part of researchers’ lives,” says Luis Orone Ferreira, a founding member who is pursuing his doctorate in educational psychology at the Neag School. “I feel we (students, professors and academic personnel) might be planting a relevant seed for our generation and the generations to come at the Neag School of Education.”
Find submission requirements and additional details online. Submissions for the journal’s inaugural edition are due by May 31. Follow the conversation on social media with the hashtag #NeagJournal.
Neag School of Education Plans for On-Campus 2022 Commencement
For the first time since Spring 2019, the Neag School of Education community is planning to celebrate Commencement Weekend on campus at UConn Storrs.
Keynote Address
For its Class of 2022 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony, to be held the morning of May 8 at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, the Neag School will welcome as its keynote speaker Theresia Bauer, who has served as Minister of Science, Research, and Arts for the German State of Baden-Württemberg since 2011. Minister Bauer graduated from Heidelberg University in 1993 with a master’s degree in political science, economics, and German Studies and has been a member of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament since 2001.
As a member of the German Green Party, Minister Bauer has put a particular focus on education financing, cutting-edge health, and artificial intelligence research, along with innovative climate protection initiatives in higher education. This includes pioneering work with “living labs” to encourage more exchange between researchers and the public. She has also put a focus on protecting the freedom of science and the arts, and thus initiated the first award for “courageous science” to encourage young researchers in her state.
During her time as Minister, Bauer has also pushed for greater international scientific cooperation and exchange, including expanded outreach to countries in the Americas and Africa. Under her leadership, Baden-Württemberg has been at the forefront in confronting Germany’s colonial past. In 2019, Bauer guided the return of stolen cultural artifacts to Namibia and is currently part of the German drive to return the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. She has also encouraged Baden-Württemberg to play a leading role in helping resettle Yazidi refugees from Iraqi Kurdistan while pushing initiatives to help areas affected by conflict in Iraq. Due to these efforts, she accompanied 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Nadia Murad during her trip to speak to the United Nations Security Council on human trafficking in 2015.
The State of Baden-Württemberg in Southwest Germany shares borders with Switzerland and France and is home to famous university cities such as Heidelberg and Freiburg along with its capital, Stuttgart, and regions like the Black Forest. In addition to having beautiful landscapes, Baden-Württemberg is known as one of the most innovative and research-driven regions in Europe.
The states of Connecticut and Baden-Württemberg have maintained an active partnership since 1989. During this time, more than 2,200 students have taken part in the exchange program between Connecticut’s and Baden-Württemberg’s universities. Over the years, this collaboration has continued to evolve and today includes a faculty exchange program along with research cooperations such as the Human Rights Research Consortium. Next steps include extending this exchange to the field of education to help prepare future teachers for the challenges of educating in a globalized world.
During the Undergraduate ceremony, the Neag School will also present Bauer with an honorary degree, the Doctor of Humane Letters.
Featured Alumni Speaker
Former NCAA Division I women’s basketball player and Neag School alumna Batouly Camara ’19 (ED), ’20 MA will be the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony’s featured alumni speaker.
Camara is a two-time graduate of the Neag School’s sport management program, and a speaker, author, nonprofit founder, and retired professional basketball player. A native of New York with family roots in Guinea, West Africa, Camara is a proud BIPOC and Muslim humanitarian woman. She has been selected as a Forbes Sports 30 Under 30 Honoree, 2020 ESPYs Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award Winner, and a UNITE 2030 Youth Delegate, and has served as a TEDx and international speaker. She currently serves as the head girls’ basketball coach at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, and is an upcoming Ph.D. candidate in the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Sport Inclusion program.
Coming out of high school, ESPN ranked Camara as the ninth best prospect in the country. Camara commenced her career with the University of Kentucky and then played for UConn under Geno Auriemma, the winningest Division I women’s basketball coach of all time. Camara’s athletic achievements include three Final Four appearances, two years as a U18 USA Basketball invitee, as well as having been part of the Guinean National Team and playing professionally in Spain.
Camara also leads Women and Kids Empowerment (W.A.K.E), a nonprofit organization she founded that addresses girls’ empowerment and women’s sports, education, and social entrepreneurship worldwide. Through W.A.K.E., Camara seeks to give young girls opportunities and resources, and aims to create the first all-girls basketball academy in Guinea to provide girls with the resources needed to play basketball, including professional development training and scholarships. In 2020, Camara published her first children’s book, A Basketball Game on Wake Street.
UConn’s Graduate Commencement ceremony for master’s and sixth-year diploma candidates will be held on Monday, May 9, at Gampel Pavilion. Doctoral candidates will celebrate at the Jorgensen Center that evening.
Find more information online about the Neag School’s 2022 Commencement Weekend schedule.
Should Schools Invest in the Metaverse?
K-12DIVE (Michael Young is quoted on the benefits of educators using metaverse)
UConn Faculty Winning NSF CAREER Awards at Record-Breaking Pace
CT Mirror (Ido Davidesco, the first Neag School faculty to earn CAREER funding, is mentioned)
Partnering to Give Local Schoolchildren the ‘Vision To Learn’
For East Hartford Silver Lane Elementary School first-grader A’miyah Diaz and many of her classmates, getting prescription eyeglasses has been nothing but cause for celebration.
Thanks to an effort spearheaded by UConn Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives Gladis Kersaint, Neag School professor and former Neag School dean, students across Connecticut are receiving free vision screenings, eye exams, and, for those in need, prescription eyeglasses as well.
Initiating a conversation that led to the partnership of national nonprofit Vision To Learn with sponsors including Dalio Philanthropies, Connecticut Sun, and UnitedHealthCare, Kersaint saw a valuable opportunity that would serve children across the state.
To date, Vision To Learn has provided vision screenings to more than 2,400 students in East Hartford’s elementary schools. From these screenings, close to 900 students were identified in need of an eye exam, and so far, roughly 350 students have been provided a free eye exam on a mobile clinic. Students who need glasses then select their brand-new frames. Vision To Learn returns to the school in about a month to dispense and fit the glasses to each student.
“Providing eye exams and glasses to students was an easy sell to everyone I spoke with,” Kersaint said at an event held last week at Silver Lane Elementary that brought together East Hartford mayor Mike Walsh, Connecticut’s Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, representatives from the Connecticut Department of Education and numerous other agencies, as well as local parents.
“Providing eye exams and glasses to students was an easy sell to everyone I spoke with.”
— Gladis Kersaint, UConn Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives
There, students including Diaz stood at the front of the gymnasium, donning their new eyeglass frames for the first time and marveling at their reflections. “They look cute!” Diaz exclaimed after receiving the new blue frames she had chosen.
“I am most excited for you, the students, who will receive glasses today and who will advance your learning by participating fully and seeing and engaging in the work,” Kersaint told the children in the audience.
“As many of you are aware, for the past couple of years, we faced a number of challenges both as a school and as a community,” said Joe LaBarbera, principal of Silver Lane Elementary. “Today, one of the challenges will no longer be our kids’ ability to see the board or the ability to read the text in front of them.”
East Hartford Superintendent and Neag School alumnus Nathan Quesnel ’01 (ED), ’02 MA, who emceed the event, was quick to credit the Neag School for bringing the effort to fruition for the students in his district.
“I’m really proud of today,” he said. “It’s a culmination of when you have an idea, you implement it, and then you have moms and dads who are sitting in the back watching their kids being showered with love and care.
“We [work to] ‘weave webs of empowering support around kids,’ and an example of that is here,” he added. “I’m just appreciative of the Neag School and obviously to Gladis and Jason [Irizarry, current dean] for thinking of us and being much bigger than just words – they are taking action.”
“We are excited to bring free vision services to Connecticut’s children and fortunate to have Dr. Gladis Kersaint as one of strongest champions,” says Sabrina A. Davis, program manager for Vision To Learn in Connecticut.
Vision To Learn recently marked its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Vision To Learn has helped provide more than 1.5 million children with vision screenings, upwards of 340,000 with eye exams, and 270,000 with glasses — all free of charge to children and their families.
In Connecticut, Vision To Learn also serves students in Ansonia, Vernon, Manchester, East Haven, Winchester, and Thompson Public Schools, in addition to community organizations in the summer. For more information on Vision To Learn, please visit visiontolearn.org.
Neag School Named a Top 20 Public Graduate School of Education
UConn’s Neag School of Education appears for the seventh consecutive year as one of the top 20 public graduate schools of education in the United States, tied at No. 17, per the 2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings released earlier today.
Among all graduate schools of education across the nation, the Neag School stands at No. 28, while its special education program is tied at No. 17 in the U.S. News 2023 specialty program category rankings.
“Our faculty and staff are at the heart of our mission here at the Neag School of Education — to improve educational and social systems to be more effective, equitable, and just for all,” says Dean Jason G. Irizarry.
“Recognition as one of the nation’s foremost graduate schools of education is one more testament to their level of dedication to that work, as we strive to prepare teachers, school administrators, research scholars, counselors and school psychologists, sport management professionals, and leaders who are well informed, globally minded, and equipped to address the most critical issues facing our communities today.”
U.S. News collected statistical and reputation data in Fall 2021 and early 2022 from education schools nationwide that grant doctoral degrees in education; of 457 schools surveyed, 274 responded. Eleven different indicators, including total research expenditures, student selectivity, and assessment scores by peers, are used in the rankings calculations. Specialty rankings are based on nominations by deans of education schools and deans of graduate studies at education schools from the list of schools surveyed, according to U.S. News.
Check out the 2023 U.S. News Best Education Schools rankings online.
2022’s Most and Least Stressed States
Wallet Hub (Lisa Sanetti quoted about fighting stress without spending money)
Creating Brand Champions Is the True Power of Web3
ADWEEK (Neag School alumna and co-founder of CatalystU Amanda Slavin pens essay on brand management)
