Katrina Velasquez: Addressing Mental Health with Multicultural Sensitivity 

by Rayma Abdallah
May 24
Mental health is a topic that some people find difficult to openly discuss. Katrina Velasquez, a recent Temple University alumna who earned their graduate degree in counseling psychology from the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) earlier this month, is not one to shy away from the topic. Their passion for pursuing this degree comes from their own experiences with mental health, before and after beginning to work in the field. "Growing up, speaking about my mental health issues was taboo," Velasquez shared. "When I was older and turned to counselors, I often felt...

Grace White: Making Impact Through Early Childhood Special Education and Dance Therapy

by Rayma Abdallah
May 23
Family was the primary factor that drove Grace White, EDU '23, to pursue her degree in early childhood education with a concentration in special education at Temple University's College of Education and Human Development. White, one of four children, says her passion for making a difference in students' lives comes from her siblings.  Her older brother, Sean, was diagnosed with autism at three years old. "For me, this was a guiding hand into the world of education," says White. Her little sister, Isabella, was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and...

Special Alumni Recognition

by Rachel Berger
May 23
In the College of Education and Human Development, we are thrilled to celebrate the impressive accomplishments of our alumni. For 25 years, the Gallery of Success has honored select Owls that represent some of Temple University's most esteemed alumni.Meet the CEHD 2022-23 Gallery of Success HonoreeLynnette K. MawhinneyME '03, PhD '07Lynnette is a professor and chair of the Department of Urban Education and an affiliated faculty member in the Africana Studies Department at Rutgers University-Newark. Her research focuses on the retention and recruitment of teachers of color, and...

Josie Bursk: Ready to Make a Difference as an Early Childhood Educator

by Rayma Abdallah
May 17
Growing up surrounded by educators—her dad, grandfather and great-grandmother—Josephine "Josie" Bursk, EDU '23, aspires to become an educator herself. In high school, Bursk had the opportunity to volunteer at a preschool lab program where she met a student who made a lasting impression on her.  "He came into preschool not knowing any English, and I got to work with him every day," Bursk said. "We formed this amazing connection, and I remember, during this holiday party, when he ran up to me and started saying 'jingle bells, jingle bells.' Those were his first...

Rising from Student to Faculty: Promoting Early Literacy in Philadelphia and Beyond

by Cassy Pressimone Beckowski
May 17
Emmaline Ellis, a PhD candidate in Temple University's College of Education and Human Development, draws upon her teaching experience and love of children's literature to promote research-informed best practices for early literacy.  Emmaline Ellis, a PhD candidate in Education with a concentration in Literacy and Learners, has always had a passion for teaching. After completing her MSEd and MSW, Emmaline became a kindergarten teacher in the School District of Philadelphia."I really loved my job," Ellis shared. "I was really excited about teaching kids to read and write." But...

Graduation Spotlight: Whitney Skippings, An Advocate for Refugee Mental Health 

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
May 08
"My previous education had focused on conflict and war, and all the other things that force people to leave their home country. It would be really great if I could help those people in a different way." This is what Whitney Skippings, who will give the graduate student address at the 2023 College of Education and Human Development graduation ceremony, shares about her change of career from international affairs to counseling psychology. Before starting her master of education in counseling psychology program in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple...

Graduate Spotlight: Emily Davis, A Passion for Impact

by Rachel Berger
May 05
Emily Davis wanted to be a professional musician all her life. She started playing when she was three years old and even fulfilled a dream of playing at Carnegie Hall. Her Temple journey began as a music education major.But as she checked off goal after goal, she realized her true passion was in teaching and working with students receiving or in need of special education support.The Marlton, New Jersey native and undergraduate speaker at this year's College of Education and Human Development graduation ceremony, scheduled for Friday, May 12, says her passion is personal.Growing...

Keynote Speaker Spotlight: Adjoa B. Asamoah, Activist for Change

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
May 03
Adjoa B. Asamoah is a proud two-time Temple University graduate, CLA '98, EDU '01, and a Temple legacy, as her father, Kwame Botwe-Asamoah, is also a Temple Owl. "I selected Temple because Temple University is the first in the world to offer a doctoral degree in Africana (African American) studies," said Asamoah. "Many of the best thinkers and most renowned scholars in the discipline were there in the historic department. Add to that, the fact my father, now Dr. Kwame Botwe-Asamoah, was attending to earn his Ph.D., and it was clearly the school for me," added Asamoah.  As an...

College of Education and Human Development Keynote, Undergraduate, Graduate Graduation Speakers Announced

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
May 02
The College of Education and Human Development at Temple University is honored to announce Adjoa B. Asamoah, '98, '01, as the keynote speaker, Emily Davis '23, as the undergraduate speaker and Whitney Skippings, '23 as the graduate speaker for this year's Graduation ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023, 9:30 a.m. at The Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St. Asamoah, the keynote speaker and two-time Temple University graduate, is a lifelong racial equity champion, multiple award-winning social impact strategist, highly sought-after political power player, and history-making policy...

Teaching for Tomorrow: Using Virtual Reality to Train Culturally Responsive Language Teachers

by Cassy Pressimone Beckowski
April 27
The College of Education and Human Development's Di Liu, EdD, is using cutting-edge technology to help teachers develop culturally responsive pedagogy and create immersive language learning experiences.  Advanced, innovative technologies present exciting new directions for culturally responsive language instruction and online learning.College of Education and Human Development Assistant Professor of Instruction Di Liu, EdD, is using virtual reality (VR) to help pre-service teachers expand their multicultural knowledge as well as to create their own immersive, inclusive...

Brazilian English Teacher Training Program Promotes Opportunity for Cross-Campus and International Collaboration 

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen
April 26
This spring, Temple University had the honor to host 44 Brazilian high school teachers as part of the PDPI program, Programa de Desenvolvimento Profissional para Professores de Lingua Inglesa nos EUA, an education initiative of the Brazilian government's strategic plan focusing on advancing English teaching in Brazil. Faculty members from the College of Education and Human Development's Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program connect with the PDPI participants through lectures on teaching methodology during the span of the exchange. Jill Swavely, CEHD...

Michael Capaldi, EDU ’21 Awarded Fulbright ETA for Hungary

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
April 26
Philadelphia native Michael Capaldi, EDU '21 chose to study English Education at Temple University because he knew he wanted a career teaching English abroad. Capaldi received the opportunity of a lifetime when was awarded the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship for Hungary for the 2023 academic year. He was one of three English teachers in the country awarded the Fulbright ETA. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides funding to conduct research or creative projects, pursue graduate study, or teach English abroad. During their grants, Fulbright recipients meet, work,...

Staff Spotlight: Valerie Williams – 46 Years of Service to Temple University

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
April 20
Valerie Williams, a long-time member of Temple University and the College of Education and Human Development family, has worked with five CEHD deans and three interim deans.   Williams has worked at the university for 46 years. She started in Paley Library in the circulations department.  "Val has been instrumental in making the college feel like home to me," said Dean James Earl Davis, interim dean for the College of Education and Human Development. "Her supportive nature, generosity of spirit, and quiet care set her apart. She is a joy to work with." As a coordinator in the...

Temple Made for Building Community and Making Positive Impact

by Rayma Abdallah
April 18
To be Temple Made is to celebrate the positive impact Temple University Owls have made on the world. Temple Made Days embodies what it truly means to be Temple Made: serving, supporting and celebrating the Temple community. This year, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) hosted its first annual Cindy's Day of Service event, as one way for the college community to share our pride and give back. CEHD's Cindy's Day of Service aims to celebrate the lifelong legacy of Dr. Cynthia "Cindy" Belliveau. Belliveau, a professor of practice in psychological studies in...

Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Edoho-Eket Shares Her Journey To Leadership

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
April 18
As a student athlete, hurdler Rachel Edoho-Eket received a full track scholarship to Temple University.  "I was able to accomplish two things at once, education for free and earn this major degree that really set me up for success while running and having a great experience as a collegiate athlete," said Edoho-Eket. "I love Temple and I have always wanted to come to Temple because of the education program. Temple is so amazing." Edoho-Eket, EDU '06 began her career as a kindergarten teacher after her internship at John Moffet Elementary School in North Philadelphia. Her...

Temple College of Education & Human Development Well Represented at AERA 

April 14
The College of Education and Human Development is well-represented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of American Educational Research Association in Chicago, IL, April 13-16, 2023. The AERA conference program includes various research paper sessions, symposia, roundtables discussion, expert conversations, and workshops.   Congratulations to Avi Kaplan, professor of psychological studies in education, on being selected as one of the 2023 AERA Fellows!  The AERA Fellows Program honors scholars for their exceptional contributions to and excellence in education research.  Nominated by...

New Grant from the William Penn Foundation Supports the Next Generation of Educators

by Temple University Institutional Advancement
April 11
$875,000 Three-Year Grant Allows for the Expansion of Temple Education Scholars. In classrooms across America, students are experiencing a critical disconnect, and now a crippling shortage of teachers is being compounded by a new challenge: striking disparities between educators of color and students of color. Remedying this "leaky pipeline" of educators is a multifaceted problem, one that requires leaders in education to do more than address today's urgent need. It requires new measures that will ensure the long-term success of our schools and classrooms, and right now it's...

11 GenEd Courses To Add To Your Summer and Fall Schedule

by Rachel Berger
April 10
There are things in life we have to do, but sometimes we get to choose how we do them. Now is the time to take control of your GenEd experience at Temple with these opportunities from the College of Education and Human Development available to students in any major.  Registration is already underway for summer and fall courses. Don't miss your opportunity to register for our featured courses!  Note: Several of the courses listed below are offered in multiple semesters. Summer courses are offered asynchronously online in six-week terms. AOD 0836 Interpersonal Communication:...

GlobalSense: Global engagement shapes experiential learning for future teachers

by Rachel Berger
April 04
Forget about pushing boundaries. Future teachers in Temple University's secondary social studies teaching methods course (MGSE 3466/5466) are eliminating them. In doing so, they are developing a deeper understanding of their role in teaching middle and high school students about global citizenship.Funded by the Erasmus+ EU Program for Education, Training, Youth, and Sport, "Global Sense: Developing Global Sensitivity Among Student-Teachers," examines how online interactions between teacher candidates influence student-teachers' perceptions of teaching citizenship.The program...