A Message to the College of Education Community in Support of Equal Rights and Social Justice

by Dean Gregory M. Anderson
June 01
To the College of Education Community:As many of you have witnessed in person, or via social media and television, the nation is grappling with the consequences of centuries of racial discrimination and inequality.  Recent tragic events resulting in the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have catalyzed citizens to peacefully protest racial oppression and demand equal rights and justice for all.  A crisis such as this calls for leadership that seeks to unite, not divide. Our community cannot stand by silently during these distressing times if we are an...

Testimonials from the College of Education’s Class of 2020

by Heather Goodman
May 28
On May 7, 2020, the College of Education Class of 2020 graduated. Through grit and perseverance, these Owls were able to accomplish so much during their time at Temple. As they wrapped up their time as students, our 2020 graduates shared some advice and their favorite memories during their time at the College of Education. Joei DeCarloMajor: BA and MEd in Adult...

Owls Abroad: Fulbright Scholars Prepare for Colombia and Greece

by Jessica Nicolao
May 27
College of Education students Stephanie Cuomo, EDU '20, and Jackie Kausch, EDU '20, have both been named English Teaching Assistants (ETA) in the Fulbright Student Program. The selective program places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to local English teachers. Both Cuomo and Kausch will help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the United States. Barbara Gorka, director of scholar development and fellowships advising at Temple, said the application process starts with writing a Statement of Grant Purpose, which defines...

Top 10 Reasons Why it’s Great to be a College of Education and Human Development Student

by Heather Goodman
May 26
Congratulations on joining the Temple College of Education and Human Development community- you're going to love it here. There are a variety of reasons why it's great to be a College of Education and Human Development student! Here are some of our favorites.The CommunityThe college has a close-knit community; this is a place where everyone knows your name. Whether you need help with homework, want friends to eat dinner with, or just want to chat with someone new, the College of Education and Human Development students, staff and faculty are always there for each other!The...

Ken Thurman, Long-Time Educator, Mentor and Advisor to Retire in June

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
May 26
For forty-five years, Philadelphia and Temple University have been a home away from home for S. Kenneth Thurman.  At almost 76 years young, Thurman is looking forward to the next phase of life.Thurman announced his retirement from the College of Education in October and his retirement is effective June 30, 2020. Thurman enjoyed his classroom experience and especially working one on one with his doctoral students. While at home, he is looking to explore volunteer opportunities, including working at a hospice, advocacy work in nursing homes, and working with Parkinson's disease,...

Ken Schaefer, Longtime College of Education Professor Set to Retire after 50 Years

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
May 26
Ken Schaefer decided after teaching at Temple University for the last 50 years and at the age of 77 that it was time to retire with 50 being a nice round number.Recounting coming to Philadelphia in 1970 from New York, Temple University was his first job after receiving his Doctorate from Columbia University. After hearing that Temple was a Baptist school, he shaved off his beard and got a tie.Even though his mother, father, aunts, and uncles were teachers, Schaefer didn't immediately see himself as a teacher. Schaefer was adamant that he would instead take the scholarly route...

Job Hunting in Uncertain Times: Advice from Career Development Experts

by Heather Goodman
May 20
On April 14, 2020 the College of Education hosted a Zoom presentation on how to find jobs during a time of uncertainty. Career Employer Partnerships Outreach Specialist Calie Condo and Assistant Director of Career Development at the College of Education Erica Johnston led the hour-long Zoom discussion sharing professional resources and advice on how to navigate the current job market. The following is a synopsis of Condo and Johnston's advice.Acknowledgements and ExpectationsWhile COVID-19 altered some College of Education students' post-grad plans, this outcome is not...

College of Education and Human Development launches a new scholarship challenge

by Dawn Angelique Roberts
May 19
During a recent State of the College address, Gregory Anderson, dean of the College of Education, announced the Centennial Scholarship Challenge, an initiative to promote the affordability of undergraduate and graduate degrees in the College of Education.  As part of the challenge, the College of Education will match up to $4 million in gifts over the next four years. Gifts will be used to establish new scholarship opportunities for students pursuing degrees in the field of education. The scholarship challenge received its inaugural gift of $250,000 from the Kurtz...

Strategies for Success in Online Learning

by Jessica Nicolao
April 07
The COVID-19 pandemic has left universities across the country scrambling to find alternative ways to educate students for extended periods of time. This rush to online learning has challenged students' and faculty's creativity, flexibility and patience. Temple University moved to online and alternative learning methods on Monday, March 16. To help ease the transition, the College of Education reached out to various departments asking for tips, tricks and recommendations for both students and faculty as they settle into online learning. Here is a selection of faculty advice for...

Student Success Stories: Sydney Smith, EDU ’23

by Heather Goodman
April 21
Sydney Smith, EDU '23, was in twelfth grade when she got the opportunity of a lifetime. As a participant in the Temple Education Scholars (TES) program, Smith got to take college courses as a high school student. Now, as a full-time College of Education student, Smith is one step closer to pursuing her dreams of becoming an early childhood educator in Philadelphia.The Temple Education Scholars program is a year-long dual enrollment program that is designed for college-bound high school seniors to take a full semester's worth of education courses at Temple University. Students...

First-Year Teacher Conor McDonald, EDU ’18, Tackles Online Teaching

by Heather Goodman
March 26
6:45 a.m.: 5th and 6th grade teacher Conor McDonald, EDU '18, arrives at St. Ephrem School in Bensalem, Pennsylvania and begins making copies, going over lessons and preparing for the day before his students arrive.8:05 a.m.: Classes start.2:45 p.m.: Students leave the building and McDonald heads to the library. There, he helps run St. Ephrem's after school program.5:30 p.m.: McDonald goes home and catches up on work.8:30 p.m.: McDonald prepares his lunch and puts his clothes together for the next day of school.This was what McDonald's average day looked like before the COVID-...

Faculty Spotlight: Elizabeth Diamond, PhD

by Heather Goodman
March 10
As the degree program coordinator, Associate Professor of Practice Elizabeth Diamond, PhD, is one of the leaders in the College of Education's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The CTE program aims to support a diverse and impassioned group of professionals ready to make an impact as educators.CTE is unique. It prepares career and technical professionals with the skills to teach a subject in their area of occupation. The College of Education currently offers an undergraduate non-degree program in Career and Technical Education and graduate non-degree programs in CTE...

Training prepares future teachers to recognize trauma in youth

February 17
Most teacher-preparation programs don't linger long on the concept of student mental health. But considering that traumatic childhood events have far-reaching—at times, even life-altering—consequences, from risky health behaviors to poor social-emotional development and even early death, teachers are in a crucial position to help support their students.Jean Boyer, an assistant professor of instruction in Temple's College of Education and a long-practicing school psychologist, has focused on infusing just this type of trauma-informed education—also known as...

College of Education Alumna Receives Award for Education Entrepreneurship

by Dawn Roberts
February 17
Congratulations to Temple Owl Dara Ruiz-Whalen, BSEd '95, MSEd '01, and current doctoral student, and her business partner Alana O'Reilly. Ruiz-Whalen and O'Reilly are executive directors and co-founders of eCLOSE Institute, a not-for-profit public charity (501(c)3). Setting the framework for building teacher-scientist teams to bring cutting edge research into the classroom, eCLOSE programs provide professional research training to students and teachers that bring core concepts in high school science education to life. Recently, eCLOSE was named the 2020 Greater Philadelphia...

Temple Education Scholar and Assistant Dean Interviewed on iHeart Radio

February 16
Sydney Smith, 2018/2019 TES Scholar and EDU '23, along with Juliet Curci, assistant dean of college access and persistence, were recently interviewed by Loraine Ballard Morrill, director of news and community affairs, Philadelphia Region, iHeartMedia Markets Group.Curci spoke about the work that the College of Education is doing with Temple Education Scholars and Smith shared her experience as a former TES Scholar and current COE student. Listen to the interviewSydney Smith is an Early Childhood Education major and is still actively involved with TES working as a tutor, doing...

Student Success Stories: Following Up With Masaki Bolte, EDU '19

by Heather Goodman
February 12
After graduating from the College of Education in May 2019 with a BSEd in secondary education: social studies education, Masaki Bolte is already making an impact as a social studies teacher in Philadelphia. Bolte began his journey in Fall 2019 as a full-time educator at Hill Freedom World Academy, a middle and high school in Northwest Philadelphia, teaching three different social studies classes. He spends numerous hours each week planning content, creating learning support materials and teaching. Facilitating a respectful collaborative space is a priority for Bolte and is a...

Student Success Stories: Emily Zahn, EDU '16, '20

by Heather Goodman
February 05
As a child, Emily Zahn, EDU '16, '20, dreamed of a career where she could help people. In May, that dream will become a reality when Zahn graduates from the College of Education and begins her professional career as a school counselor.Throughout Zahn's life, she focused on developing deep, nurturing relationships and had a curiosity for understanding the motives behind people's behavior. This curiosity originally led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in special education at the College of Education. While Zahn loved developing relationships with students as their teacher,...

Executive Director of Institute on Disabilities Receives AAIDD Service to the Field Award

by Susan Fullam
January 28
Celia S. Feinstein, executive director of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University's College of Education, has received the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' (AAIDD) 2020 Service to the Field Award.The AAIDD was established in 1876 and is the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals and others concerned about intellectual and developmental disabilities. With membership over 5,000 in the United States and in 55 countries worldwide, AAIDD is the leader in advocating quality of life and rights for those with...

National Mentoring Month Conversation with Donovan Forrest EDU ’20

by Heather Goodman
January 22
January is National Mentoring Month. In honor of this special occasion, we sat down with Donovan Forrest EDU '20, College of Education student and founder of the mentorship non-profit DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. Founded in 2015, DonCARES is dedicated to helping students in North Philadelphia achieve their dreams through education, mentorship and service. To listen to the audio from our conversation, press the play button below. The transcript of the conversation can be found below the audio recording.   Conversation Transcript[Music plays - "The Strip" by Mela]Heather...