Graphic Novels 101 p. 8 An alum’s mission to end Dating Violence p. 2 Adventure in the Classroom p. 10 fall 2013/Winter 2014 warpwarp speedspeed aheadahead When kids fall years behind in reading, SED’s Donald D. Durrell Clinic is the place they go for a boost.

www.bu.edu/sed 1 Dean’s Message Contents news¬es Fall 2013/Winter 2014

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Dear Alumni and Friends, I hope you’ve been having a wonderful fall. Ours Warp started very well with an incredibly talented group of students who have chosen to attend the School of Education to prepare Speed In his speech to SED graduates at for their careers. It’s such an exciting time to be in the field of Convocation 2013 in May, actor, comedian, education, at Boston University, and at this particular School. Ahead and former physical education teacher Bill Education is in the midst of a revolution driven by rising Cosby used tales of his youthful struggles SED’s Donald D. Durrell Reading & Writing Clinic gives struggling readers a boost. to inspire tomorrow’s teachers not to expectations for what a university should provide (coupled give up on kids. Cosby, wearing a Red Sox with rising cost-consciousness); by the impact of technology ALUM SPOTLIGHT T-shirt whose letters had been transposed on what, where, and how we teach; and by an increasingly to read SED ROX, also urged the future 2 A bereaved father’s mission to teachers to recognize the importance globalized society. BU is exploring innovative ways to turn educate youth about dating violence of their vocation. “You always hear that these challenges and changes into opportunities. Over the people who can’t do, teach,” he said. “But if Cover Story past 20 years, by boosting support for faculty research and by you don’t teach, they can’t do.” 4 SED clinic boosts struggling readers recruiting increasingly talented students, BU has transformed Read more at www.bu.edu/today/2013/ itself into an internationally renowned research university Op-Ed find-that-next-bill-cosby and watch grounded in a liberal arts tradition. 7 Meant for more than NASA a clip at www.bu.edu/buniverse/ SED is advancing: its research productivity is exploding; its view/?v=KbUSr1H8. engagement with Boston Public Schools and Gateway Cities Research (e.g., Chelsea and Malden) is growing; and its international 8 Graphic Novels 101 for teachers partnerships with countries from England to India to China are expanding—all building on our deep tradition of providing In the world excellence in teaching and professional development support 10 Travel fellows bring adventure to the classroom Measuring Terror’s Toll giving back to boston ­ for our partners in practice. Whether a shooting or terrorist attack happens close to home or far public schools Even as we respond to new opportunities and challenges, faculty news away, educators are often left to triage students’ emotions, fears, Alyssa Sarkis has always wanted to be a teacher. She began tutoring and questions in the aftermath. But “we don’t know a whole lot about we remain focused on our mission to prepare the next 12 Who’s new at SED her peers when she was a student at Boston Latin School and what teachers actually do” to help students after a crisis, says “realized math was my thing. I loved seeing students get that ‘Aha!’ generation of educators to become change leaders committed Assistant Professor Jennifer Greif Green. to improving social and educational outcomes for youth SED Snapshot moment when they figured out a problem.” Now a senior at the 13 Green is helping run a BU study that will assess what impact the School of Education, Sarkis (’14) came to Boston University through worldwide. Your ongoing support—in mentoring and hiring Celebrating Carol Jenkins April 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and ensuing manhunt had on the Boston Scholars Program, which awards four-year, full-tuition our graduates, in contributing ideas for improving our students and teachers in two Massachusetts towns—Watertown and scholarships to 25 Boston Public Schools seniors each year on the programming, and in helping meet our financial obligations— COVER PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES/JAMIE GRILL Framingham. The research includes two surveys, one for parents and basis of their academic achievement and potential to contribute to is critical to our success. Connect with us through our website one for teachers. The latter—developed by Green in collaboration the community. Since the program’s founding by former BU President with Assistant Professor Melissa K. Holt and SED students—includes (www.bu.edu/sed/alumni) and through LinkedIn, like us on John Silber (Hon.’95) and former Boston Mayor Kevin White questions about how educators addressed the bombings in class, Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. We also love to get mail! (Hon.’74) in 1973, 54 Boston Scholars have graduated from SED. uk i whether they observed behavior changes in students, and what they z Like many of her Boston Scholars predecessors, Sarkis plans to themselves experienced of the attacks. Boston University School of Education teach in the Boston Public Schools system after graduation. In the Preliminary results show that nearly a fifth of teachers noticed meantime, she has returned to Boston Latin School as a math student Dean Editor more students “appeared sad” after the bombings, while 14 percent Hardin L. K. Coleman Julie Rattey teacher for the fall semester. “I want to give back to the school that reported a drop in grades. A third of the teachers whose students gave me the opportunity to come to BU,” she says, “and the best way Director of Development & Alumni Contributing Writers were subjected to the manhunt lockdown—much of metro Boston’s Relations Rich Barlow I know how is to teach there.”—Lara Ehrlich Jared Bouzan Lara Ehrlich (UNI’03) population, including Watertown’s, was ordered to stay indoors to e Su C hitos C E TT E; R ight: Jeff Fox (’14, CAS’14) U expedite the search for suspects—said they’d had to make more The Boston Scholars Program was renamed the Thomas M. Menino Scholarship Hardin L. K. Coleman, Dean and Professor Director of Educational Initiatives Andrew Thurston Amy Slate counseling referrals after the attacks. Program in 2013 in honor of the program’s 40th anniversary and the University’s Boston University School of Education Principal Designer “We’re hoping we can learn how schools can respond in future crises­ 20-year collaboration with Boston’s outgoing mayor.

Two Silber Way Produced by Matthew Guemple VE RNON DO : or be more proactive in terms of training for teachers,” says Green. Boston University Creative Services

Boston, MA 02215 L EF T (com’10) Ulanday Kristyn —Andrew Thurston To read about SED faculty news, turn to page 12. 617-353-3213; [email protected] Recyclable. 1113 Printed on Sustainable Forestry Initiative–certified paper. 2 Boston University School of Education | fall 2013/winter 2014 www.bu.edu/sed 1 Alum “The schools’ Spotlight plates are so full. But this ought and men find positive solutions to dating to be number intimate partner violence, Rachel says she violence, and sponsoring related arts pre- struggles to relate to that kind of empathy sentations in Massachusetts schools and one, in my view.” but feels that “reacting that way might be venues. Two of these presentations are “You —Malcolm Astley more effective for prevention than feeling the Man,” a one-man show depicting vari- spiteful about what happened.” Colin Gallant ous male characters’ responses to a partner (SPH’15), who wants to work with men to violence situation, and “The Yellow Dress,” from different perspectives; it was much bet- prevent partner violence, was interested to a one-woman show about a high school girl ter than being lectured to.” hear Astley’s thoughts on possible contribut- murdered by her boyfriend. “A number of Astley and Dunne also speak directly ing factors in perpetration, and was encour- young women have been reported to see about their family’s experience—at the State aged to hear “how other men are making school counselors soon after the show,” House, in media interviews, and in schools. a difference.” says Astley of the latter. At Lincoln-Sudbury This not only raises awareness; it encourages Repeatedly talking about Lauren’s death Regional High School, the play was coupled young people aspiring to work in preven- isn’t easy, but Astley says it’s good for him. with a slideshow about warning signs of tion and healing—like students at Boston “It’s a way of grieving, and trying to heal Malcolm Astley partner violence, presented by student-­ University’s School of Public Health (SPH). and prevent agony for other young women and Mary Dunne athletes on the school’s Mentors in Violence Astley spoke about Lauren’s death and about and their families and communities. That in with their daughter, Prevention team. Students commented, partner violence at Associate Professor some way helps balance Lauren’s death and Lauren, at her high school graduation “That was so powerful,” and “That was the Emily Rothman’s Preventing Intimate Partner absence.” Looking back on all that people best assembly ever,” says Lori Hodin, a psy- Violence class in April 2013. Rachel, an SPH have achieved in human rights over the cen- chology teacher and Safe School Initiatives master’s student who requested that her last turies, he told Rothman’s students, makes coordinator. The fund also sponsored a per- name not be used, was affected by Astley’s him hopeful about saving other young people Life-saving Mission formance of “You the Man” at Wayland High compassionate response to Fujita’s family: from Lauren’s and Nathaniel’s fates. “I’m School in March; Assistant Principal Allyson Astley maintained communication with quite optimistic,” he told them, “despite the In the wake of his daughter’s murder, Malcolm Astley champions education Mizoguchi says the show hit the mark where Fujita’s mother until lawyers advised him to edge in my voice.” n that he hopes will save the children of other parents. By Julie Rattey previous performances and assemblies on cease, and he shared a tearful embrace with the topic hadn’t. One male student told her, Fujita’s family after Nathaniel’s conviction, To learn more about the memorial fund, visit “I liked how the performer told the story the Boston Globe reported. As a victim of http://laurendunneastleymemorialfund.org. Malcolm Astley spent his friends said was struggling after the schools. Such education can have a signif- childhood trying to understand what couple’s breakup, is serving a life sentence icant impact: research from the National makes people tick. His parents were mental for murder, and Astley is left grappling with Institute of Justice shows that class- health practitioners, so dinnertime at the how his only child could be dead, why Fujita room-level and school-level interventions, Dating violence Astley house touched on such difficult killed her, and how to prevent this kind of including teaching about healthy relation- how to spot it, what to do about it questions as, “What makes people violent?” tragedy from happening to someone else. ships and encouraging students to report Astley (’82) continued to pursue these In response to Lauren’s death, Astley and incidents to school officials, led to a 32-to- On average, 24 people each minute become victims of the kids.” Here’s how to respond: questions at the School of Education, where Mary Dunne—Lauren’s mother—estab- 47 percent reduction in sexual violence rape, other physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in to victims: “It’s tempting to rush in and say, ‘Hey, don’t you he earned a doctorate in counseling and lished the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial victimization and perpetration in 30 New the United States. Women ages 18 to 34 experience the highest know you should get away from that guy?’ but this can actually human development. “My solution was to Fund in 2011. The nonprofit works to pro- York City public schools. In Massachusetts, rate of intimate partner violence. Associate Professor Emily make her just feel worse. It’s yet another person telling her what aim toward prevention, with the view that mote educational programs and legislation funding for healthy relationship education Rothman of the School of Public Health offers tips that teachers— to do, and giving her the message that she doesn’t possess the if educational institutions could be shaped that raise awareness about healthy teen was cut following the recession in the early and parents and friends—can use to recognize and respond to skills to do right by herself.” Teachers who’ve established a pos- appropriately, they could head off a lot of relationships and that prevent dating vio- 2000s, Boston magazine reported. In coop- unhealthy dating relationships. itive relationship with the student could gently say, “Everyone problems,” says Astley, a former Lexington, lence. “It was an effort to put something eration with state legislators, Astley’s fund What to look for: A controlling partner might dictate a sig- deserves to feel safe in their relationship, and if someone really nificant other’s clothing choices, friends, or social activities; use loves you, you’ll feel safe, happy, respected.” Massachusetts, elementary school principal in the place of something so dear that had proposes incorporating safe relationships put-downs; and threaten or enact physical violence. Withdrawing to perpetrators: “I noticed the way that you were talking to and a member of the Wayland School been lost,” says Astley, his voice catching. education into existing anti-bullying legisla- y from friends, dropping out of school activities, or starting to do so-and-so, and I don’t think that’s cool. In my experience, treating e stl Committee. “It’s ironic that I’ve ended up “And that’s what humans rightly do—try to tion. “The schools’ plates are so full,” Astley A poorly in class could be signs a student is experiencing abuse— people that way doesn’t get you very far in relationships; there are in this position.” Heartbreakingly ironic keep creating in the midst of destruction.” acknowledges. “But this ought to be number though not all victims respond in this manner. other ways to handle problems.” Rothman adds, “A lot of times, because on the evening of July 3, 2011, The fund’s top priority is developing and one, in my view.”

alcolm M alcolm How to react: Follow your school’s reporting procedure if you kids who are using unhealthy relationship behavior are also eager Astley’s 18-year-old daughter Lauren passing state legislation that requires K–12 The fund’s second and related priority become aware of dating violence. If you suspect a problem, “be a to talk about relationship problems and how relationships are sy o f sy paid a visit to her ex-boyfriend and never education on healthy selves and healthy is to support awareness and prevention by consistently friendly and openhearted go-to person for either of supposed to go.” e u rt o came home. Nathaniel Fujita, who Lauren’s relationships in Massachusetts public training guidance counselors, helping boys C

2 Boston University School of Education | fall 2013/winter 2014 www.bu.edu/sed 3 Cover Story warpwarp

SED’s Donald D. Durrell Reading & Writing Clinic has helped generations of Boston-area schoolchildren with speedspeed reading difficulties. speed aheadahead aheadWhen kids fall years behind in reading, SED’s Donald D. Durrell Clinic is the place they go for a boost. BY RICH BARLOW

“Pick a story that you want to read to me,” Each week, a dozen to two dozen students It’s early on a Cunningham (’13) says. trek to BU for between two and twelve Vikrant chooses a book of fairy tales and hours of reading, reading discussion, and Saturday morning turns to the chapter on Chicken Little (a deconstruction of the written word. Clinic and blustery cold: book on hockey great Wayne Gretzky lies tutors assess students’ literacy skills and temptingly on the table, a dab of literary then craft individualized tutoring plans. two very good ice cream for him to savor later). Keeping “Our data tell us that our students are his coat on, he reads, while rocking in his making a three-quarters of a year gain after reasons why third seat with hands between his legs. “The about 40 hours of instruction at the clinic,” sky is falling. The sky is falling. We must says Jeanne Paratore (’83), an SED pro- grader Vikrant tell the president!” His voice flatlines, so fessor and Durrell clinic director. Getting Cunningham mixes congratulations for students up to speed is crucial: a child tan- Sabharwhal his mastering the words—“That was awe- gled in inscrutable thickets of written words, some”—with some gentle coaxing to use sentences, and punctuation faces not only might prefer to be a little more expression. “Chicken Little potential embarrassment in front of school anywhere but in is kind of freaking out here, so your voice friends and teachers, but the hurdle of needs to sound like you’re freaking out Massachusetts’s mandatory, periodic stan- a classroom. too.” She demonstrates, and he puts more dardized tests. oomph in his second rendition. Yet here he is at the School of Education Vikrant, who lives in Brookline, Struggles and solutions with teacher Catherine Cunningham in Massachusetts, has been coming to this “Kids struggle in reading for a range this rectangle of a room partitioned into class since first grade—class in this case of reasons: some of them because of snug study cubicles, surrounded by easels, being the Donald D. Durrell Reading & inequitable opportunities, some of them desks and chairs, and supply shelves. Writing Clinic at SED. Founded in the 1950s because of different kinds of motivation or uk i z u Summer is months away, but under by Durrell (Hon.’69), then SED’s dean, the interests, some of them because of different Vikrant’s winter coat, the young sports clinic has helped generations of Boston-area types of learning disabilities,” says Paratore.

e s chitos fan wears athletic shorts and sneakers. schoolchildren with reading difficulties. “The majority of the students who come

4 Boston University School of Education | fall 2013/winter 2014 www.bu.edu/sed 5 cover op-ed story

to us are substantially behind, two years or for “Retelling Notes,” “Thinking Thoughts,” more,” in reading comprehension. Associate and “Tricky Words.” She struggled with the Director Evelyn Ford-Connors (’02, ’12), How to meaning of “Adidas,” she says, but knows Meant for More an SED lecturer in language and literacy that it modified the word “bag” in the book. education, recalls one seventh grader who help a “If when you first saw it, you’re like, ‘I came to the clinic with third-grade reading don’t really know what that is’—is that the Than NASA skills. struggling end of the world?” asks Rice. About 200 children have benefited “No,” says Jocelyn, adding, “I think the from the Durrell clinic since 2005, when Mayans thought it was in December.” If I wanted to, I could help send a man to Mars. it established on-site tutoring. Students reader But to be anything but a teacher would waste my potential—and my purpose. attend for two hours each weekend during Better readers, better teachers the academic year or twelve hours per Evelyn Ford-Connors (’02, ’12), associate During a study break, Jocelyn confesses that By Jeff Fox (’14, CAS’14) week in the summer. The clinic’s tutors are director of the Donald D. Durrell Reading & making an 8:30 a.m. Saturday session can be working teachers (mostly SED alums), who Writing Clinic, offers these tips for teachers tough if she’s been up late the night before. are joined in the summer by SED graduate and parents helping children who struggle But she also says the clinic makes learning students. The former are paid, which means with literacy: fun in a way school can’t: “In school, you that during the academic year, families pay don’t get to pick what topics you want to $1,690 per semester. Hiring paid, working learn about. At the clinic, we can pick what Engage in wordplay teachers enables the clinic to serve more subjects to read, like sports or fantasy.” he best essay I wrote in high from an early age that those who can, do, could help send a man to Mars or discover Have children read limericks, riddles, or jokes with students—there’s often a waiting list—and you. Call attention to idioms and turns of phrase That chance to choose what to read, plus school was about my mother. She and those who can’t, teach. What people some of the universe’s secrets. But that’s align its work with school curricula. About (e.g., can one really “catch” a cold?) This kind of the focused attention from one-on-one tutor- T wanted to teach English, I explained, are really asking is not, “Why did you go not what I want to do. 50 percent of students receive partial schol- discussion can be especially useful for English- ing, accounts for the warp-speed literacy but it was the ’70s and feminism was really into teaching?” but, “What makes you I’m not always the noble educator: in arships, but Ford-Connors would like to offer language learners. “Helping kids think about improvements many students experience— coming to the foreground. Her own teachers unable to do anything else?” So as a future certain circles, sometimes it’s easier to tell more. “I’m regularly turning children away,” words and word meaning goes a long way toward and that’s the payoff for the teachers who thought she shouldn’t waste her people that I’m a physics major supporting their vocabulary development, and she says. “We want to be that high-quality we know that vocabulary is up to 70 percent of a surrender their Saturdays to work. “During potential when she could do so and stop there. Feeling the need to service that children from all economic student’s reading comprehension.” the week, there’s so much that you want to much more with her life. She never validate your existence hollows you backgrounds can access.” be able to accomplish with kids, and you can’t ended up in a classroom. But she out eventually: trying to maintain Maximize downtime do it,” Rice says. “Class sizes are so huge was a natural educator, and growing your principles becomes less Meeting an ongoing need Transition time—such as when kids are putting nowadays that it’s hard to really get to every- up in her house, I was always her I can’t wait important than trying to maintain The benchmark National Assessment of on their coats or lining up for recess—doesn’t body.” With two or more hours devoted to a student. It was her influence that your emotions. But choosing to Educational Progress suggests literacy have to be wasted time. Engage children in a brief single student each week at Durrell, “you just inspired me to go into education. pursue education was my choice, discussion about something they read: “What’s for the day achievement among the nation’s students feel like, Oh my gosh, I did it. It’s amazing, the My essay was heartfelt, honest, and I would make the same choice your favorite character in that book and why?” has been stable or slightly better since growth I’ve seen in students.” and emotional to write, and even 100 times out of 100. I don’t think 1971, Paratore says. But given the reality If the clinic makes better readers, it also more so to read aloud to the class. that I could do more with myself Pique kids’ curiosity when we that some kids will always struggle with makes better teachers—whether they’re But a few weeks later, as I was than teach: anything else would be Ford-Connors recalls how one summer, reading, schools need to address that, and encouraging a student to read about dreams and Durrell tutors or in-service teachers visiting the chatting with the teacher who raise children a waste of my potential. Educating the problem is that making extra time for sleep—topics that fascinated him—helped spur clinic to watch and learn. “It’s translated back assigned that essay, she asked me is part of who I am, and no one reading help means cutting instruction his literacy skills and confidence. “You don’t want into my classroom,” says Cunningham, who if I really wanted to teach when should be looked down on for that. somewhere else. Many schools “don’t have to separate literacy from knowledge,” she says: teaches at an elementary school in Roxbury, there was so much that I could do. to learn that I can’t wait for the day when there children should perceive reading and writing as the money to extend their school day, and Massachusetts. “It has really improved She told me that she didn’t want to are no more educators who wish tools for finding interesting or useful information. many parents don’t have the background my instruction at my five-day-a-week job. spend her entire life in a classroom, those who they were doing something else. I themselves to provide kids the help they Working one-on-one with a student helps and she wondered why I was selling can’t wait for the day when we raise Give lagging students a preview need,” she says. “So clinics like ours are you make a great connection with a kid.” n myself short. I was rather thrown children to learn that those who can, Giving students the vocabulary they’ll need to always going to be necessary.” by this comment, and I didn’t quite can, teach. teach. I hope I can see this happen. read a particular text can boost those who are Additional reporting by Julie Rattey. A version of this Necessary for kids like Jocelyn Wong, reading below grade level. Having these students know how to respond, so I didn’t. It In the meantime, my peers and I will article originally appeared in BU Today. To see a video reread the text, and engaging them in related a vivacious fourth grader from Newton, about the Durrell clinic, visit www.bu.edu/today/ was the first time I’d heard such work to make sure that kids have Massachusetts. Several tables over from discussion, can also help. 2013/attending-bu-while-still-in-grade-school. a remark. what it takes to earn millions, win Vikrant, Melisa Rice (’08) quizzes her about Since then, I’ve grown accustomed a Nobel Prize, write a classic novel, Superfudge, the book she’s just read about Make it interactive Donations to the clinic may be mailed to: Boston to explaining why I only want to be a physics teacher, I’m used to feeling as if I and teach their kids. More than anything a boy who’s none too happy that his mom When reading aloud with children, give them a University School of Education, Attn: Carol Crossen, teacher. Sometimes the “only” is said have to prove myself worthy to be in the else, I can’t wait to see what they become. n specific character’s dialogue to say or specific Director of Finance & Administration, Two Silber Way, is about to give birth to another sibling. explicitly; sometimes it’s implied through same room as aspiring NASA engineers and parts of the text to read. This can sharpen Boston, MA 02215. Checks should be made out to This article originally appeared on the student blog In between swigs from her water bottle, children’s focus: they’ll be looking and listening “Boston University” and include “Donald D. Durrell tone of voice. Either way, it’s always there, particle physicists. But I am worthy, and I BU Culture Shock (www.bucultureshock.com). Jocelyn consults her workbook, with sections for their cue. Reading & Writing Clinic” on the “for” line. and always italicized, because we learn know it. I’m confident that, if I wanted to, I Submit your op-ed to www.bu.edu/sed/oped.

6 Boston University School of Education | fall 2013/winter 2014 www.bu.edu/sed 7 research Research ´ Graphic Novels 101 It looks like a book and feels like a book—but isn’t read like one. As graphic novels enter more classrooms, an SED lecturer helps teachers make sense of the genre. By Lara Ehrlich | ILLUSTRATION BY THIEN PHAN

aura Jiménez is an “expert reader” of graphic novels, though and one in which they will also read graphic novels about the subject until graduate school she had never read one—much less they’re studying. She will measure the students’ engagement with with expertise. A book-length story narrated through text the material and their motivation for learning, and assess if the use and illustration, a graphic novel “looks like a book and smells of graphic novels facilitates more or less learning. L like a book, and you can flip the pages,” says Jiménez, a lecturer in In the meantime, Jiménez uses her existing research on graphic the School of Education. “I thought reading a graphic novel couldn’t novels to help teachers who are already using the texts. “Because be that different from reading a book. That idea was quickly knocked most teachers are not avid readers of graphic novels, it’s difficult out of my head.” for them to know what’s good,” she says. “People really needed a Jiménez stumbled into the genre in 2009 when, knee-deep in PhD resource about how to read rather than what to read.” That’s why research about adolescent reading motivation and comprehension, Jiménez started the blog Booktoss (http://booktoss.wordpress.com), she learned that school librarians were having trouble keeping graphic where she discusses and reviews graphic novels to give teachers a novels on the shelves. Children were clearly motivated to read these foundation for working with the texts. “If we can teach educators books, and after Art Spiegelman’s Maus became the first graphic novel how to read like experts, they may be more likely to use books that to receive a Pulitzer Prize in 1992, teachers had started using them in are complex, interesting, and rich.” the classroom (many used Maus to teach about the Holocaust and So how do you read graphic novels like an expert? Jiménez memoir, for example). In their eagerness, teachers were “going directly addressed this question in her PhD research, which she draws upon from the fact that kids want to read graphic novels to putting them into in her blog to illuminate the nuanced process of reading graphic their hands, without doing much work on the benefit to readers.” novels. “If you want to understand the most effective way of reading Jiménez is doing that work now. To learn whether or not graphic in a specific genre, you go to the people who do it best—expert novels benefit students, she is developing a study involving two readers—and you study them to see what they are doing,” she says. To groups: one in which students will use the traditional curriculum, understand how to read a historical document, for instance, you would study a historian’s method for interpreting the text. “Usually an expert Tips for the Graphic is defined as a PhD in chemistry or someone who’s written 15 books on Japanese internment camps, or whatever. Graphic novel readers don’t Novel Novice have that kind of legitimacy yet.” So she established her own group of experts: librarians, bookstore owners, authors, and “the guys who hang If you don’t know Maus from Babymouse, you’re not alone. A lot out in gaming shops and can talk about every issue of Aquaman.” of teachers are “confronted with texts they don’t know how to Jiménez found that graphic novel expert readers begin by evaluate,” Jiménez says. “I try to give teachers ways of evaluating skimming the book, surveying the artwork, genre, and style before these texts even if they don’t have the expertise behind them.” even focusing on the first page. On page one, they study the Look for complexity: names? Do these women talk to background, setting, and time period. Once they are grounded in “You have to read a graphic novel each other? When they talk, is it the world of the novel, they study the characters and determine the several times, through different about something other than men?” mood of the book from the color palette—all before reading even lenses. So first, you may look one word. “It’s very active,” Jiménez says. “The ways expert readers at it as a story. What’s the Study the relationship story about? Are there complex between words and Images: attend to illustrations, including color palette and style—and even the characters? Is there more “The words and images in graphic paper the novel is printed on—are key to their evaluation process.” than one story? You should novels should push each other to Jiménez trains the students in her SED children’s literature course have the same expectations for make a greater whole than either to implement these skills when reading unfamiliar texts. While the a graphic novel that you have one is capable of on its own,” majority of her students are at first uninterested in graphic novels for a great piece of print- Jiménez writes. “When images dominant literature.” and words are closely aligned, and find reading them difficult, many gain an appreciation for the they support each other without genre once they achieve reading proficiency. A few have even gone Analyze for inclusivity: pushing too many boundaries. on to use graphic novels in their own classrooms. “SED’s research “The Bechdel Test for Women When the alignment is irregular agenda is directly tied to helping students,” Jiménez says. “My in Movies is a great way to read or disconnected (as in works such work in graphic novels is important because of the possibility that a graphic novels for inclusion,” as V for Vendetta by Alan Moore Jiménez writes on her blog. “Just and David Lloyd, or American Born different medium might provide an entry point for struggling readers, ask yourself these questions: Chinese by Gene Luen Yang), the challenge gifted readers, and help more students learn. We need to Are there two women who have works are more challenging.” know in order to best serve students in the classroom.” n

8 Boston University School of Education | fall 2013/winter 2014 www.bu.edu/sed 9 in the world

Opposite page: Paul Massicotte in the Lompoul Desert in Senegal. Above from left: Julia Keith’s Moroccan tea set; Julia Keith in an herbalist shop in Marrakech, Morocco, with one of the shop’s pet chameleons; Paul Massicotte in The Gambia; “Students respond really a javelin toss competition in Tahiti attended by Julia Keith well to personal stories— uated SED modern foreign language students. The fellowship was Translating founded in 2000 to honor Loeb, a high school Spanish teacher and committed world traveler. Before she died of cancer in 1997, Loeb they humanize teachers and instructed that the proceeds from her estate be used to support a charity or educational fund. Though she had no connection to SED, her family decided the School would provide the perfect home for a get students excited about memorial travel fellowship.

Lost in Senegal places they want to go.” It was the middle of a summer night in a Senegalese village and Paul Adventure —Leslie MacIntosh Massicotte was stuck. He was in the wrong village. A 2010 Loeb Fellow, he’d taken a beat-up Peugeot 705—Dakar’s cab of choice— to explore the countryside beyond Senegal’s capital. At some point, the driver took a wrong turn. Eventually, Massicotte (’10) found his A travel fellowship helps turn perilous Senegalese cab escapades and way back—albeit for a hefty price and after a hairy drive through the The Next Generation of Explorers Moroccan tea rituals into foreign language lessons. pitch-black bush. Leslie MacIntosh (’04), a Loeb Fellow who traveled to Chile and “I talk to my kids about it all the time,” says Massicotte, who Argentina, knows that sharing travel stories with students can help BY ANDREW THURSTON teaches French at Duxbury High School on Massachusetts’s encourage their own adventures. South Shore and often uses the situation as an imaginative exer- “The students are so curious; they want to know the places I’ve “Berber whiskey” is the customary tipple of North French teacher Julia Keith has a Moroccan tea set in her class- cise to test his students’ language skills. “I tell them, ‘It’s dark, it’s traveled to. Students respond really well to personal stories—they African hospitality. The initial glass or premier room at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Massachusetts late, you’re in an African village at night, you have to convince humanize teachers and get students excited about places they want verre, so the Moroccan proverb goes, is as bitter (and a burgeoning mint plant on the kitchen shelf at home). They’re your driver to get you to where you need to go.’” As a lesson in to go. I run into former students now and they’re the ones traveling— souvenirs from a summer 2013 trip spent exploring the culture of practical, applied French, it’s a long way from asking a textbook’s they’re bringing back stories to tell me.” as life, amer que la vie. The second, strong as love, the Francophone world. Before starting at Lincoln-Sudbury this fall Gérard or Camille, Où est la bibliothèque? Massicotte says the That would have thrilled Loeb, according to her cousin and fort que l’amour. The third, gentle as death, doux in her first teaching post,K eith (’13) was given an unusual gift: a spirit of exploration it conjures is important, too. estate trustee, Stephen Richmond. “Lisa felt that understanding que la mort. A sharp mint tea—despite the name, $7,000 fellowship to travel the world. She could choose the coun- “My students think I’m the man of all kinds of endless, crazy another culture makes a student a much better person,” he says. there’s no liquor, just a punchy gunpowder tea tries and pick the itinerary, with just one string attached: come adventures,” he says. Massicotte also traveled to The Gambia and “Nothing would make her happier today than to see what has that evolves with each steeping—Berber whiskey back with the knowledge and artifacts to make your teaching of France during his Loeb fellowship. At Duxbury, he draws on his happened to the small estate that she was able to build up over is a Moroccan mainstay. As with every culinary languages come alive. experiences—and a set of Senegalese sculpted wooden masks repre- the years.” tradition, much of the magic is in the preparation: Keith, interested in life and language in former French colonies, senting the days of the week—to teach not just French, but units on Loeb’s philosophy of teaching languages—her commitment to weav-

visited Morocco and French Polynesia. “I’ve spent a lot of time in K e ith J u lia and e M assicott u l African culture, literature, and music. ing the stories of other cultures into lessons—continues to reverberate. pointedly rinsing the small, brightly painted France, and I love France, but I think it’s very limited if you just Pa “It’s really just another way to show my students that the Keith, still new to the classroom, is deciding how she’ll fit stories about glasses; adding fresh mint leaves; pouring the tea stay in that context,” she says. “Kids are interested in broadening o f sy Francophone world isn’t limited to France, and there’s a lot more to Berber whiskey into her lessons—perhaps during a unit on shopping from a silver pot held high above the guests. their horizons.” e u rt discover and explore using French. I try to keep that in their minds at a marketplace. However she uses the ornate silver pot and six small The ceremony makes for a lively, insightful lesson into one culture’s Newcomer teachers, too. Each year, the highly selective Lisa P. and hope that someday they will feel inspired to go and use their glasses, the set is sure to serve as an evocative introduction to the thrill

approach to hospitality—and into one of its languages. Loeb Travel Fellowship provides funding to up to two newly grad- co p hotos French in a country other than France.” of exploration and the love of language. n

10 Boston University School of Education | fall 2013/winter 2014 www.bu.edu/sed 11 12 Beverly, Massachusetts. reading tutor at LandmarkHigh School in a grammarandcompositionteacher language, literacy,andculture,Frankelwas of California,Berkeley,whereshe studied completing herdoctorateattheUniversity identities asreadersandwriters.Priorto how theseopportunitiesshapestudents’ classes andothercontent-area available tostudents in literacyintervention reading andwritingopportunitiesthatare school. Hermostrecentworkexploresthe focus onadolescents’literaciesinandoutof and learninginsecondaryschoolswitha sociocultural theoriestoexamineteaching In herresearch,KatherineFrankeluses Assistant P Katherine Frankel New Faculty of Boston’s schools and families through his recent work to improve of Boston’sschools andfamiliesthroughhisrecent worktoimprove educators, counselors, andotherpartners,a distinctperspective city’s finesthighereducation institutions,hisextensiveworkwith School Committee(BSC),noting his“leadershipatoneofour Hardin Colemantoaninterimterm ontheseven-memberBoston In June2013,Mayor T Hardin C BostonUniversity SchoolofEducation fa news c ulty ulty oleman Appointed to Boston SchoolC rofessor, Literacy homas Menino(Hon.’01) appointedDean

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fall 2013 / winter 2014 family and community engagement. social and civic context of education,and on topicsincludingdiversity and justice,the Timilty Middle School.At SED heteaches Charter School, and theformerprincipalof LLC, acofounder of RoxburyPreparatory and president of UrbanSchoolSpecialists, Charter School Alliance. Heis the founder Association, andvicepresidentoftheBoston the Massachusetts Charter vice president of theboard directors for Charter Public School Foundation, second superintendent of theBoston Renaissance president and chiefexecutive officer and economically disadvantaged. He servesas equity andaccessineducation for the educator. The focus ofhiscareer is on recognition as anoutstanding urban schools, earning nationalandinternational to working with youthinBoston’s public R L C R

eadership andP linical Assistant P oger F. Harris oger F. Harris(’74) hasdevoted 38 years ommittee

olicy Studies rofessor, January 2014; he plans to seek reappointment. January 2014;he planstoseekreappointment. look forwardtocontinuing thattradition.”Coleman’s termfinishesin an excellentjoboffocusingonthe needs of students,”hesaid,“and I supporting studentperformance. “Thecurrentcommitteehasdone primary goal,Colemansaidinan interviewwithBUToday,should be developed anewschoolassignment planforfall2014.)TheBSC’s External AdvisoryCommittee for schoolassignment,which our system’sschoolchoiceprocess.”(ColemancochairedBoston’s Public School E ducational ducational American Educational Research Association. as Researcher Special Interest Group ofthe Martell istheprogramchairofTeacher race and ethnicityinthehistoryclassroom. through longitudinalstudiesandtheroleof examined socialstudiesteachereducation inquiry. Hisrecentresearchprojectshave in-service teachereducation,andpractitioner including preservice teacher preparation, development acrossthecareerspan, and professionalinterestscenteronteacher BU andUMassBoston.Martell’sresearch High School andanadjunctprofessorat also beenaBUfieldsupervisoratChelsea high schoolsocialstudiesteacherandhas schooling. and courseson multicultural andurban teaches elementarysocialstudiesmethods on socialstudiesandteachereducation.He Christopher Martell’s work primarilyfocuses E C C ducation/Social tudies linical Assistant P hristopher Martell spent 11 years as a (’11)spent11years as a Martell rofessor, Elementary

frank curran

cydney scott “You’re oneofthebestprofessorsI’veeverhad.” Celebrating years atSED is thepartnership with Trotter Elementary School in Excellence inTeaching,oneofBU’shighestteachingawards. point). TheUniversityrecognizedherwitha2013MetcalfAward for memorable lessons(she’sbeenknowntodoncostumes to makea generations ofstudentswithherdedication,encouragement,and Education program,hasinspiredandearnedtheaffectionof tribute. AssociateProfessorJenkins,directorofSED’sElementary sabbatical, theysharedthispraiseandtheirbest wishes inavideo Carol Brennan JenkinswouldretireinJune2014afterayear’s a teacher,thankstoyou.”Whenstudentsandalumslearnedthat “I don’tknowwhereI’dbe without you.”“Ifeelsopreparedtobe Among themost compelling contributions in Jenkins’s23 Stay C Join SED’s onlinecommunity. K NEW! Share your news via C class activity ideas,andwatch videos. eep upwithfellow alumsat onnected to theSchoolofEducation www.bu.edu/sed/alumni/class-notes. lass Notes

P ost, tweet, network, exchange

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arol Jenkins

ine anymoreimportant,exhilaratingworkthan teaching.” dren’s books. As shesaidat this year’sSenior Robing: “Ican’t imag - an informal basis andplansto write acoupleof educational chil- education. She willcontinue to support the Trotterpartnership on forth thechargeofjoyfullearning,”shetoldBU Today. young menand women whowillgointo these classrooms and carry believes this will beherlegacy, along with“this incredible groupof giving themthechancetowork directly with students. Jenkins prepare aspiring teachers to work instruggling urban schoolsby which hasbeen championed byDeanHardinColeman,to better Dorchester, Massachusetts. Jenkins launched the collaboration, Though Jenkins is retiringfrom SED, she’s hardly abandoning SEDBU facebook.com/ BU_SED twitter.com/ 17IvqjD http://linkd.in/ buschoolofed pinterest.com/ —Julie Ra snapshot ttey Nonprofit US Postage PAID Boston MA Permit No. 1839 2 Silber Way Boston, Massachusetts 02215

I have been given the opportunity to be the fi rst in my family to attend a four-year university— an opportunity that once seemed unreachable.

Save the Date! Elizabeth Betancourt Boston University Alumni Association Her scholarship was funded by a bequest from our donors. Frozen Fenway (BU vs. Maine) is just one of the events we have planned for Winterfest 2014. Saturday, January 11. See you at the game! A great education is a gift. Pass it on. bu.edu/winterfestBoston University Alumni Association make your impact through a planned gift. Contact us today at [email protected] or 800-645-2347. Alumni Association 14