Program Investing in Wisconsin's Future Teachers One Highlight of New Impact 2030 Initiative
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FOR UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON SCHOOL OF EDUCATION ALUMNI AND FRIENDS WINTER 2020-21 Program investing in Wisconsin’s future teachers one highlight of new Impact 2030 initiative WINTER 2020-21 01 MAUREEN JANSON HEINTZ Julianna Hom, who earned a bachelor of fine arts from the Dance Department in the spring of 2020, presents a live solo per- formance on Sept. 24. Dance Department streams performances from recent grads during pandemic When the pandemic shut down the UW–Madison campus in March 2020, it halted in-person performances of all kinds. Students who would be graduating in May 2020 from the School of Education’s Dance Department suddenly and unexpectedly lost their opportunity to per- form and present their work in the H'Doubler Performance Space one last time. But faculty, staff, and students were determined to make the most of a difficult situation — and from Sept. 24-26, the Dance Department presented the “Alumni Festival Live Stream Event” via YouTube. It showcased performances and choreography from three 2020 bache- lor of fine arts graduates — Julianna Hom, Megan Schimke, and Alice Svetic — live from the H’Doubler Performance Space. The Dance Department also livestreamed its annual student Kloep- per Concert, Nov. 21-22, 2020, and plans to do the same with its Fac- ulty Concert in February 2021. Visit YouTube.com and search for: UW–Madison Dance Department MAUREEN JANSON HEINTZ 02 LEARNING CONNECTIONS The Counseling Psychology Training Clinic pivots to offer services remotely during pandemic. SARAH MAUGHAN/SCHOOL OF EDUCATION OF SARAH MAUGHAN/SCHOOL AROUND THE SCHOOL FEATURES 2 Social Sampler 22 Media Mentions Check out social media ComicsBeat.com spotlights Teacher Pledge posts from the past several Lynda Barry receiving Reu- 8 New program investing in Wisconsin's months ben Award as Cartoonist of future teachers is the first program of its the Year 3 Message from the kind offered by a public university Dean 26 Innovation Despite challenges brought Sadhana Puntambekar on by the pandemic, Impact contributing to $20 million Faculty Fellows 2030 has Diana Hess artificial intelligence ini- 16 School is bolstering support to dedicated excited for the future tiative educators, groundbreaking researchers, 4 Voices 30 Spotlight and vital mentors to next generation Students share thoughts Alum Alexa Posny provid- on fall semester unlike any ing scholarships for stu- other dents to spend a summer in Donor Support Washington, D.C. 17 Impact 2030 Dean's Leadership Circle 18 News and Notes makes believing in big ideas a reality Department of Kinesiol- 32 Class Notes ogy transitioning Athletic Check out what your fellow Training program to mas- School of Education alumni ter’s level are up to WINTER 2020-21 1 SOCIAL SAMPLER Join our Social Circle 2 LEARNING CONNECTIONS MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN Dear Friends: Since the onset of the pan- demic in March 2020, it’s no secret that our School of Education has faced chal- lenges few of us could have LEARNING CONNECTIONS WINTER 2020-21 envisioned. Learning Connections is a publication But in a year that was dif- of the University of Wisconsin–Madison ficult for so many across the School of Education world, sometimes you have Produced by the Office of no choice but to roll with the Communications and Advancement punches. When UW–Madison can- Todd Finkelmeyer celed in-person courses the Managing Editor second week of March, we Danielle Lamberson Philipp spent spring break quickly Art Director transitioning our School’s Doug DeRosa 400 classes to virtual modes Production Editor of delivery. And we did this while almost 1,000 of our Sarah Maughan Photographer employees were figuring out how to work remotely. Sarah Fuelleman Since that time, we’ve worked hard to keep nearly all of our research Alumni Relations Coordinator projects going and refocused our commitment to racial justice and Kari Dickinson Associate Dean LaVar Charleston’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Writer and Editorial Adviser Inclusion. After enjoying a very successful Summer Term, we car- Martha Vukelich-Austin ried that momentum over to the fall semester, where we delivered Claire Carlson high-quality online, in-person, and hybrid courses to our students. Editorial Advisers I’m most proud of how our School didn’t merely survive during this Correspondence and address changes: difficult period — we’ve been able to thrive. 181 Education Building A highlight for our School community came Aug. 18 — when we 1000 Bascom Mall announced Impact 2030. With an eye to the School’s centennial in Madison, WI 53706 2030, this new initiative made possible thanks to $40 million in gift 608-890-1430 funds from our alumni and friends is allowing us to bolster oppor- [email protected] tunities and significantly increase support for our faculty, staff, and students to better serve our communities, the state, and the world. Search for us on This issue of Learning Connections spotlights Impact 2030, its four pillars, and just some of the exciting work that’s being made Find us on Facebook: possible by this initiative across the arts, health, and education. This www.facebook.com/ latest issue of our alumni magazine similarly highlights high-quality UWMadisonEducation work being done across all 10 of our departments. Such efforts make Follow us on Twitter: me incredibly proud of the School of Education — and very hopeful, @UWMadEducation despite the current challenges. Follow us on Instagram: Like all of you, I can’t wait for the day when we can return to more @UWSoE typical times. Until then, our School of Education — with support from our many alumni and friends just like you — will continue Find us online: education.wisc.edu moving forward with a sense of optimism and a belief in big ideas. — Diana Hess WINTER 2020-21 3 School of Education students take on the fall semester Hybrid learning. Masks. Physical distancing. COVID-19 testing. When the fall 2020 semester kicked off at UW–Madison on Sept. 2, everyone realized it would be unlike any that had come before. But our School of Education students remained upbeat — and proved to be just as driven and inspiring as always. Prior to the start of the semester, several students shared their thoughts with us on going to college amid a pandemic, what they were excited about entering the semester, future plans, and much more. Following is a sampling of those responses: JIAN “MJ” MAO Education Studies (BS) and International Studies What brought you to UW–Mad- ison? First, the excellent quality of education at UW–Madison. Second, coming from a bustling city of more than 25 million people in Shanghai and then spending two years in Honolulu on the tiny island of Oahu, Madison felt like the right place with just enough vibe of a city but without the crowds. Also, the lakes were a good substitute for the Pacific Ocean. MADISON SHERMAN BO BLOCKER How did you choose your major? Art Education (BS) Special Education (MS) I was not certain about what I wanted to study at the very beginning, and What brought you to UW– What are you most looking for- the choices in my mind were interior Madison? Both my parents went ward to at UW–Madison? I am design or business. Second semester, here, and I’m actually named after mostly excited to network, commu- I enrolled in an education policy class the school! Also, I loved the aca- nicate with like-minded individuals, (with the Department of Educational demic opportunities available to share thoughts, build each other Policy Studies) to fulfill a general re- students. up, and be on this journey together, quirement, and I ended up loving it. progressing in the Special Education Being an international student with How did you choose your program with my cohort. my unique cross-cultural educational major? I’ve been working as an experience in both China and Amer- art teacher locally for the past two What are your career plans after ica, I have always hoped to explore years and realized that I have a graduation? After graduation, I the concepts and disciplines of global passion for it. Art Education is a will be looking for opportunities as education, relate that to my own ex- really interesting major to me, and a special education teacher in my perience, and understand its educa- I know that I can continue on to hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin. I tional and social context linking to do many things with it. want to be a part of the community the larger world. where I grew up, contribute to the The School of Education’s national advancement of special education and international reputation, along services, and advocate for change in with its extensive alumni connec- societal perceptions, striving for a tions, sets a solid foundation for fu- more inclusive society. ture job searching. 4 LEARNING CONNECTIONS ALEXUS LOR KORY PUCKER CLAIRE MINOR Elementary Education (BSE) Clinical Rehabilitation Educational Leadership and Counseling (MS) Policy Analysis (MS) What will you be focusing on during fall semester? During the Can you share a little about What brought you to UW– fall 2020 semester, my main pri- your background and what Madison? I studied abroad a few ority is getting used to my hybrid brought you to UW–Madison? different times throughout under- schedule of both in-person and To understand my decision to grad (at Arizona State), and these online classes that will kick off my enroll in the clinical rehabilitation trips were some of the highlights elementary education program. counseling program, it must be of my educational experience. Then, I will be prioritizing a new understood that my reality grow- I have always enjoyed gaining student organization my group and ing up was a bit “atypical.” I grew insight on cultures, ideas, and I co-founded called “Diverse Lead- up with Knoblock Syndrome, a worldviews that are different from ers in Education.” Its purpose will rare genetic disorder that results my own.