Nyana Cofer: A Catalyst for Change

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen

February 26

Nyana Cofer, a Temple Teacher Residency (TTR) graduate from the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University, understands the significance of "having the right person to look up to." The Philadelphia native shares she had "a rough upbringing" and "didn't have a role model" in school who looked like her and came from a similar background. "I'm the oldest of six siblings. We grew up in the Frankford area, where I witnessed and experienced firsthand the negative effect of violence, drug issues, poverty and the lack of resources in my own community,"...

It takes a village to raise a child: the Family Friends program

by Mya McKeown

February 22

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University is a pillar in the Philadelphia community, thanks to the various programs aimed at creating lasting changes and community engagement. One of those programs, called Family Friends, provides caregivers of children with special needs with well-deserved respite through their programming, along with access to resources for the families, while fostering long-term relationships between caregivers, mentors, and children. "The mission of the program is to reduce stress and isolation for the caregivers, and...

Special Education Programs Prepare Owls to Support Others in Reaching their Potential

by Rachel Berger

February 21

"At Temple, you can be who you want to be, do what you want to do. Strive toward goals irrespective of challenges you're confronted with. Everybody has the potential to learn, to have impact. Every life has meaning and value to some person, some people, some community. As educators, it's our responsibility to ensure every individual reaches their potential and can achieve their goals and experience the good life that they imagine for themselves."This, says Jason Travers, professor and program coordinator of the special education program at Temple University's College of...

Sometimes, it starts with a “hi!”

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen

February 13

A "hi" is all it takes for a love story to unfold. At least, this is true for Nick and Laura, a #TempleMade couple through and through.Nick Adams, EDU '16 and '21, and Laura Bonanni, EDU '17, knew each other when they were undergraduate students in the College of Education and Human Development. The two met while participating in the Jumpstart program, a national early childhood organization that trains students to work with preschool children in under-resourced neighborhoods to promote high-quality early learning for all."We weren't in the same major and didn't see each other...

Temple University Hosts the 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Conference on March 15

by Dawn Angelique Roberts

February 11

The Temple University School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and ABA Programs, in collaboration with the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia, and CORA Services, proudly announce the 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Conference on Friday, March 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will occur at Temple University's Howard Gittis Student Center, Rooms 200, 217, and 220, located at 1755 N. 13th Street. "This conference serves as a unique opportunity for professionals,...

Promoting Gender Equality Worldwide: Ammani Ahmad-Khan’s Journey to UN Advocacy

by Dawn Angelique Roberts

January 31

After finding her footing at Temple University and graduating in 2021 with a degree in human development and community engagement (HDCE), Ammani Ahmad-Khan is now impacting the global stage. As a consultant for UN Women, she helps develop policies and programs that promote gender equality worldwide.Ahmad-Khan's journey to Temple was not without its challenges. Moving from London to a rural town in western Pennsylvania during high school posed a significant adjustment. She reflected on this period, saying, "I didn't find my feet. I was a sophomore in high school; kids are mean....

Impacting Philadelphia One Owl At A Time

by Mya McKeown

January 30

Oftentimes, when students choose to major in Human Development and Community Engagement, they know that they want to help others. The College of Education and Human Development provides HDCE students with the skills necessary to leave their communities better than they found them.Originally starting his student career in 2011, senior Kyle Macklin first pursued a degree in film, but left school as he struggled with substance abuse. Later, during his recovery, he heard about the William Way LGBT Center through their 12-step programs. The William Way LGBT Center is a hub for...

Elsie Jones: Finding Passion Through Youth Education and Engagement

by Rayma Abdallah

January 30

As graduation is quickly approaching, senior Elsie Jones reflects upon how Temple University has guided her closer to discovering her life's passion. Jones, a Human Development and Community Engagement (HDCE) major in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), did not originally know that this was the path she would take. Fast forward four years and she could not be happier with her decision. As a New Hope, Pennsylvania native, Jones has always been familiar with Philadelphia and was looking for a college experience in a new area. When the Covid-19 pandemic...

Service Rooted in Mission of the College, Passions of the People

by Rachel Berger

January 30

The College of Education and Human Development faculty and staff have an abundance of expertise, and they regularly share their expertise in their research and with students. But, our faculty and staff are also eager to share their expertise to benefit the community. Here are just a few of our faculty and staff members who serve on panels and boards in service of others. Institute of Education Sciences (IES) PanelistsWe have several faculty serving the scientific community as IES Panel Reviewers and/or Chairs:Judy StullLaura PendergastAnnemarie HindmanMoreover, after...

Second Annual Cindy’s Day of Service Set

by Dawn Angelique Roberts

January 29

Throughout her life, Cynthia Belliveau demonstrated a heartfelt and unwavering commitment to serving her community and supporting her family, friends, students, and colleagues. The College of Education and Human Development is honored to uphold the legacy of community service with the upcoming Second Annual Cindy's Day of Service. Cindy's Day of Service is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni, alongside Cindy's family and friends, will continue the meaningful work that was so important to Cindy, combining her love of...

Owls in the Community: Martin Luther King Day of Service

by Dawn Angelique Roberts

January 25

The College of Education and Human Development community united on Monday, Jan. 15, to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and observe the 95th birthday of the civil rights pioneer. Faculty, staff, and students actively participated in meaningful activities on and off campus.On-campus initiatives involved crafting cards for Soldiers' Angels and collecting hygiene items for Cradles to Crayons, with drop-off locations in the Dean's Suite and Shimada Resource Center until January 29.Off-campus endeavors included cleaning Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and Norris Homes Community Center...

Empowering Students Through Practical Program Evaluation: A Hands-On Approach

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen

January 25

Evaluation is a critical component in designing and operating effective programs and interventions. Program managers and policymakers frequently utilize evaluations as an accountability tool in making decisions about programs to fund, modify, expand or eliminate. Kelly McGinn, assistant professor in the Psychological Studies in Education department in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), designed the hands-on Program Evaluation course, which she also teaches, to equip students, especially students in the human development and community engagement program (HDCE...

Psychoeducational Clinic Provides Practical Experience for Students; Service to Families, Schools

by Rachel Berger

January 24

Throughout the city, the region and beyond, there is significant need for psychological and behavioral services for school-aged children. When a student's needs impact their learning, school and district psychologists and mental health professionals can offer a wide range of evaluations and services. In fact, they are legally obligated to do so. But the demand far exceeds the resources available within many schools and districts.The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University helps address the gap through its Psychoeducational Clinic. The clinic takes...

TechOWL Adapts Toys for Children with Disabilities for the Holidays

by Thomas DiAgostino, Alanna Raffel and Caitlin McKenney

January 11

TechOWL, a part of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, sponsored its fourth Annual Holiday Switch-Adapted Toy Drive in the fall of 2023, distributing 140 free switch-adapted toys across 23 counties in Pennsylvania. Students from Temple University, Widener University, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Pennsylvania, collaborated in creating 3D printed switches and adapting battery-operated toys to make them usable for children with disabilities.According to Kim Singleton, Senior Director of Assistive Technology at the Institute, empowering...

Owls in the Academy

by Rachel Berger

November 30

The College of Education and Human Development is proud to celebrate our Owls in the Academy, our alumni who continue to make advances as researchers, faculty and administrators in higher education. Meet a few of our notable alumni who have recently started new faculty or administrative positions.Shana Levi-Nielsen, Temple UniversityWho says you can't go home? Dr. Shana Levi-Nielsen earned her PhD in school psychology at Temple and returned to join our faculty. She is a nationally certified school psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst. She also taught in elementary...

Award Winning Owl: James LeGette

by Mya McKeown

November 29

James LeGette excels on and off the field. The special education student in the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University, expecting to graduate in 2024, received the Otto and Della Englert Scholarship, a prestigious award given to high-achieving students in the special education program.While being enrolled full-time at Temple, LeGette also works as a youth mentor, camp manager, and special education assistant teacher for emotional support classrooms. In each of these roles, he is committed to being an encouraging, uplifting, and inspiring mentor for the...

Award-Winning Owls

by Compiled by Rachel Berger

November 29

When our Owls soar, they are not alone - they lift the community on their wings. Research, experiential learning, and community engagement span across disciplines in the field. Below is a sampling of some of our award-winning Owls making an impact here and beyond. CEHD Alumni Honored with Lindback Awards for Distinguished Principals and Teachers For the 2023-24 academic year, 16 distinguished CEHD alumni working in the School District of Philadelphia public schools were recognized for their excellence in teaching and leadership. These Owl honorees are listed below, and were...

Temple Teacher Residency Alumni Building Learning Resources for High School Students

by Rayma Abdallah

November 28

Three College of Education and Human Development alumni are contributing to building their school community in three very different, yet impactful, ways. Earlier this year, Francis "Frank" Ridgway, Tabatha Castillo and Florenca Shaho - all graduates of the Temple Teacher Residency (TTR) program and all employed at George Washington High School in Northeast Philadelphia - were awarded a $2,500 grant during a professional development program organized by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. The Temple Teacher Residency is an accelerated master's program that focuses on...

Barbara A. Wasik: Illuminating Paths in Early Childhood Education

by Dawn Angelique Roberts

November 28

In the dynamic realm of early childhood education, one name stands out as a beacon of innovation and impact—Barbara A. Wasik, the distinguished PNC-Endowed Chair in early childhood education in the College of Education and Human Development. With a career spanning 35 years, Wasik's pioneering work in early language and literacy interventions has earned her prestigious awards and transformed the landscape of early childhood education.Recently, Wasik, alongside esteemed colleagues Annemarie Hindman and JeanMarie Farrow, received the Katharine G. Butler Trailblazer Award...

$3M Grant Project to Improve Schooling Experiences and Academic Outcomes for Multilingual Learners

by Ivy Hoa Nguyen, in collaboration with Tamara Sniad, Sabina Neugebauer and Megeara Mabry

November 28

Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Twi, Portuguese, Khmer, Bengali, Portuguese, Vietnamese are only a few of the 173 languages spoken by students and families in the School District of Philadelphia. Like many large cities in the United States, Philadelphia's sizable and increasing population of Multilingual Learners of English (MLEs) brings new responsibilities and opportunities for schools. As local schools change and grow to include students from many language backgrounds, it is essential that teaching is high quality, as well as accessible, and that all educators create spaces where...