Learn The power of community - OUR COMMITMENT. OUR DISCOVERIES. OUR CORE - Graduate School of Education
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Learn
THE UB GSE MAGAZINE SPRING 2021
The power of community
OUR COMMITMENT. OUR DISCOVERIES. OUR CORE.
SIMPLE:
ED ARTIFACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vibrant:
Learn
THE UB GSE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021
FEATURES
COMPLEX:
The composition notebook:
A centuries-old design and
LESSONS
6 Trajectory
its modern work
The power of community
OUR COMMITMENT. OUR DISCOVERIES. OUR CORE.
A resource and morale boost
REGULAR:
BY MICHELLE KEARNS
7 Book Stacks The composition notebook-ubiquitous, anonymous, cheap-hides a
New titles by GSE authors history that goes back centuries before it and its speckled black and
SIMPLE: white cover ascended to the school supply pantheon.
While modern purveyors sell a profusion of redesigns with recycled
SPRING 2021 • ISSUE 2
[in community] paper, dot grid pages and covers with constellations and metallic
swirls, Pennsylvania’s Roaring Spring Paper Products believes that its $2
notebook was among the first in the U.S. to debut in the 1890s.
12
Editorial & Creative Director Muted:
Amber Winters
COMPLEX:
Photo illustration courtesy Roaring Spring Paper Products
Senior Editor Community in bloom.
GSE’s work, research
Michelle Kearns
and impact lie in its
REGULAR: connections – between 28 Great Recession:
Graphic Design scholars, students, alumni,
Ellen Stay people, neighborhoods, Lessons for the pandemic era
schools, regions and from GSE alumni
Contributing Writers borders.
SIMPLE:
Bryan Hayden
David Hill
Marcene Robinson
Contributing Photographers Students from the U.S., Mexico and India learn to make comics
Samantha Kilgore and explore the effects of the pandemic on their lives and
Formal-Vibrant:
Jess Levenson understanding of the world.
Gabrielle Mannino COMPLEX: 44 Wheels Turning: “They were durable. They were cheap. No frills, no fuss, but they get
A GSE alumna wins off-road the job done ... You can fold it in half and stick it in your back pocket
Copy Editor & Proofreader motorcycle championships and … You can’t rip a page out without it being noticeable … I think the
Arthur Page as a university leader composition is just sort of a go-to in education for those reasons,” said
REGULAR:
Kristen Allen, marketing director for the 133-year-old company, which
Web Design & Production sells about 2 million a year.
William J. Belz III The classic black-and-white cover design emerged in 19th century
France and Germany. The mass-produced pattern imitated the
32
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elegant, ancient marbling technique of dipping paper into a dye bath
rippling with color, said New York City designer Aron Fay.
Contact us His curiosity about the utilitarian book that his colleagues used to
To share your ideas and stories, draft their work led him to study its evolution in rare book libraries,
email us at gsenews@buffalo.edu which he chronicled online.
Vibrant-Casual: 24 Q
&A: Digital-age Literacy: Fay then created his own fancy tribute that lay flat when opened,
DEPARTMENTS Its challenges and nuances explained. had thick paper and Italian cloth binding. In 2016, it took him 30 days
COMPLEX:
Follow @ubgse on social media to raise $100,000 on Kickstarter and print thousands in Europe. “It still
3 Ed Artifact Modern composure: A classic notebook evolves shocks me to this day,” said Fay, principal and creative director of FAY
Design.
8 On the Map Faculty, alumni and student highlights around the world His $20 notebooks, with a speckle pattern he drew, sold out in six
REGULAR:
months. His Comp.design now features wrapping paper and totes.
10 Office Hours Meet Clinical Assistant Professor Tiffany Karalis Noel The best part of his foray? Learning the history that started in about
1820 and, eventually, made it affordable for anyone to own a blank
On The Cover: A mosaic of faces of 30 Roaming the Halls A master’s student-turned-entrepreneur book ready to be filled with anything.
SIMPLE:
the people featured in the community
34 Anatomy of a Scholarship “It democratized writing,” Fay said. “Start page one, plow through
stories. Photos were submitted and write to the end of the book. You have this work. For, me,
35 Scene on Social GSE director of graduate admissions dresses up for the kids
and range from selfies showing personally, it’s important to have this record to go back to … Historically,
personality to professional headshots
36 Bulletin Board School news in brief 38 In Memoriam each of the component pieces are not necessarily of the highest quality.
and environmental cropped images. They hold together in a miraculous way.”
Muted-Formal: LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 3
COMPLEX:
Dear GSE Alumni and Friends GSE in the News Headlines from stories that
featured our faculty and students
“Another Voice: Police are ill-suited to handling mental health crises”
A
featured Sabrina Musson, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Counseling,
s we close out this extremely challenging academic year, it seems School and Educational Psychology. READ IT here
fitting to focus this issue of Learn on community and connecting.
There should be no doubt that community and connecting are “Chaos at the Capitol: Local parents, and teachers discuss
central to the work we do. I am so proud of the many ways GSE faculty, the issue with children” included an interview with Claire Cameron,
associate professor in the Department of Learning and Instruction. READ IT HERE
students, and staff reached out to lend support and provide assistance
where needed. When the Buffalo Public Schools identified a need for their
high school students, GSE’s office of educator preparation jumped right in “‘Struggling Like Hell:’ How COVID-19 Intensified the Pressure
for Teachers Who Are Also Moms” quoted Julie Gorlewski, professor and chair
and designed a mutually beneficial homework assistance program. As the of the Department of Learning and Instruction. READ IT HERE
needs for more literacy support became apparent, once again GSE, with
the very generous financial support of Liz Czarnecki, BA ‘76, EdM,’94,
created a summer literacy program for students in Buffalo. Our admissions “Remote Learning Adds Major Pressure for Teacher Moms”
featured Julie Gorlewski, professor and chair of the Department of Learning
and advising staff have been nothing short of extraordinary in reaching and Instruction. READ IT HERE
out and making connections with prospective and current students. GSE
faculty, staff, and students made clear throughout this trying year how
“Rethinking grades amid the pandemic: Back to the ABCs”
seriously we take our mission as a public research university. Throughout quoted Corrie Stone-Johnson, associate professor in the Department of
Educational Leadership and Policy. READ IT HERE
the pages of this edition of Learn, you will read story after story of people
coming together through their teaching, research, and service to help and
GSE faculty, staff, and support individuals and communities. Working with communities has been “How to tackle your child’s weight gain” featured Myles Faith, #F4B743
transformational for so many of us and indeed has provided us with new professor and chair of the Department of Counseling, School and Educational
students made clear Psychology. READ IT HERE
throughout this trying insights and perspectives. As we turn our attention to reopening GSE for in-
year how seriously person classes this fall, I am humbled and honored to be associated with such “California governor proposes dual-admissions pathway
we take our mission a talented group of faculty and staff and so grateful to partner with so many for community college students” quoted Nathan Daun-Barnett,
professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy.
as a public research dedicated community members and advocates. Indeed, there is much work READ IT HERE
university. to do to realize more inclusive and equitable, communities, but I feel certain
that we are on the just path to doing so. “Tough Talks: Families tackle current events with their children”
featured Stephanie Frederick, assistant professor in the Department of Counseling,
School and Educational Psychology. READ IT HERE
Kind Regards,
“As schools re-open across the country, there’s one thing
that has not gone away: lockdown drills” quoted Amanda Nickerson,
professor in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology. READ IT HERE
Suzanne Rosenblith
“Adult support eases effects of bullying at boarding school”
featured Stephanie Frederick, assistant professor in the Department of Counseling,
School and Educational Psychology. READ IT HERE
“COVID-19 and School Reopening: Stakeholders Explore
Merits of Reopening Schools” featured Adetola Salau, PhD student
in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning. READ IT HERE
4 LEARN MAGAZINE | FALL 2020 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 5
BOOK STACKS “Creating Sustainable “Who Decides Who Becomes
Careers in Student a Teacher?: Schools of
TRAJECTORY ALUMNI PROFILE Affairs: What Ideal Education as Sites of
Recent books published Worker Norms Get Resistance” co-edited by
by members of the UB Wrong and How to Julie Gorlewski, chair and
The story behind the story: GSE community Make it Right” edited
by Margaret W. Sallee, associate
associate professor, learning
and instruction. Published in 2019 by
“Brilliant Brown Babies” professor, educational leadership and
policy. Published in 2020 by Stylus
Routledge Press, the book extends the
discussions and critiques of neoliberalism
“Literacy Instruction Publishing, this book argues that the in education by examining the potential
with Disciplinary current structure of student affairs for Schools of Teacher Education to
GSE alumna, school psychologist and mother Texts: Strategies for work is not sustainable, as it depends contest policies that perpetuate injustice
Desiree Williams, MA/AC ’16, with her son Cortland,
Grades 6-12” on the notion that employees are in K-12 schooling. Drawing on a case
4, reading “Brilliant Brown Babies.”
(Photo courtesy Desiree Williams) co-authored by John available to work non-stop without any study of faculty collaboration, this edited
Strong, assistant professor, learning outside responsibilities, that is, the volume reimagines teacher preparation
and instruction. Published in 2020 by “ideal worker norm.” The field places programs as crucial sites of resistance to,
my activism as a school psychologist and Guilford Press, this book provides a inordinate burdens on staff to respond and refusal of, unsound education
author,” said Williams. blueprint for constructing literacy- to the needs of students, often at the practices and
As she started her book by writing it out, rich instructional units in English expense of their own families and well- legislation.
like a poem, she included Black culture and language arts, science, and social being.
history. One page has a line about coming studies and describes how to design
from kings and queens of Africa. A character interconnected text sets and plan
wears a baseball cap with an X for Malcolm lessons that support learning and
X. Another is dressed in red, black and green, engagement before, during, and after “Thinking About
the colors of the Pan-African flag designed by reading. Teaching: A Rural Social
Marcus Garvey. Studies Teacher’s Path
Cortland, now repeats phrases back to her, to Strive for Excellence”
saying things like, “I’m a king, Mommy.” “I “Negotiating Place and by Casey Jakubowski
wanted to create something that would help Space through Digital (AC, ’08). Published in 2020 by
parents teach their children,” said Williams. Literacies: Research and EduMatch, this book seeks to give
As she’s shared the book, sometimes Practice (Digital Media a voice to rural education, in this
virtually with students, she’s been heartened and Learning)” co-edited unstable time, and reflects on a wide
DIY publishing: GSE “I wanted it to be something that was
by their response. One memorable takeaway by Ryan Rish, assistant range of research and experiences. It
colorful and engaging in rhyming language to
alumna makes a children’s build on those early learning skills and,” she
from a children’s Zoom book club in professor, learning and instruction. offers all educators a reflective voice to
Washington, D.C.: As she read the page about
book from scratch and Published in 2019 by Information Age channel their own experiences on their
said, “so that Black and brown children could
beautiful skin, she could see a little girl smile Publishing, this book considers how journey, beginning to end.
finds success on Amazon read and feel proud of themselves.”
and point to herself, as if to say, “You’re talking space/place, identities, and the role of
The project was inspired by her search for
and social media books when her son Cortland was almost 2.
about me!” digital literacies create opportunities
for individuals and communities to
BY MICHELLE KEARNS Not many had Black characters. “Children
negotiate living, being, and learning
School psychologist and mother Desiree look for role models to see where they could
be in life one day,” Williams said. “I think Children look for role together with and through digital
Williams, MA/AC ‘15, got serious about media.
finishing her first children’s book the year her representation is so important. It is essential.” models to see where they
father died. Now, “Brilliant Brown Babies,” She works on this concept with students could be in life one day. I
in her regular job at Hamlin Park Claude and
which she self-published and put on Amazon think representation is so
at the start of the pandemic, sells about 10 Ouida Clapp Academy. “One of the things that
I do all the time, as a school psychologist, is important. It is essential.
copies a week.
She dedicated the book to her dad, make sure the children who come into my
Charles A. Williams, a city health services office know how brilliant and special they
Reactions like that have been their own
administrator, “who always made sure all the are,” she said.
reward. “I would write this book, or put
brown babies in his life knew how brilliant Williams credits her mother Tonja
another book out, for free,” she said. The
they were.” It aims to get that message out Williams, an associate superintendent at
experience led her to start a new one about
to more children with bright, simply drawn Buffalo Public Schools, for encouraging her to
helping children identify their emotions.
characters inspired by Charles Schulz’s address racial inequities. This led Williams
“If you are able to access your emotions and
Peanuts, and affirming lines: “Brilliant brown to GSE and course work about the African
know what to do with them,” she said, “it really
babies… have curly, curly hair … always care American experience. “We discussed things
opens up doors for your entire life.”
and share … are smart, smart, smart!” and like racial disparities in special education, as
“love to make art.” well as testing biases, which truly encouraged
6 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 7
ON THE MAP RESEARCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
BY MICHELLE KEARNS AND MARCENE ROBINSON
GSE Professor
UB and GSE alumna Jaekyung Lee
Amanda Knapp, will travel through Asia as he
studies how to make education
BS ’00, EdM ’03, more accessible to girls, immigrants
and refugees as part of his 2020-
drew on her West Virginia roots
21 Fulbright Global Scholar Award,
when she began winning off-road
one of the most competitive in the Fulbright U.S.
racing competitions with a motorcycle
Scholar Program. “My ultimate goal is to inform
graduation gift she got after earning her doctorate.
global education policy initiatives, such as the
Now as associate vice provost and assistant dean
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on
leading student success initiatives at the University of
Education, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality
Maryland, Baltimore County, she’s found a connection
education for all,” said Lee.
between racing and academia. “It’s all about keeping
Read the full story on page 37.
students on track,” she said. “You find a way within
yourself to overcome that hurdle … It’s all about having
the right support around you. Anything is possible. We
all cheer for our students. Just like racing.”
Read the full story on page 26.
Adetola
Salau, a GSE
PhD student
in the Department of
Learning and Instruction and
A GSE research a dual citizen of Nigeria and the U.S., is also
team adjusted the senior special assistant for education to
the governor of Lagos State. Her focus on
a graphic-novel transforming Nigerian STEM education to be
teaching project more hands-on and interactive came, in part,
from her years living in New York, where she
to fit COVID finished her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
restrictions, and it went She also learned as she taught STEM classes
in secondary schools in South Carolina, North
virtual and international. Carolina and California. Ahead in the fall issue:
Fourteen students from the U.S., Mexico and India a story about how Salau is applying the lessons
joined in by video calls and developed stories of her GSE coursework in real time as she
related to the issues and inequities at home and launches innovative programming initiatives
school that the pandemic highlighted. Their work for the 5 million public and private school
and drawings, developed with leadership from UB students of Lagos State.
and GSE educators, illustrated an educational truth: Stay tuned … You can read the full story in our
“Storytelling is a pathway to learning,” said Sameer upcoming fall issue.
Honwad, program coordinator and GSE assistant
professor of learning and instruction.
Read the full story on page 32.
8 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 9
OFFICE HOURS FACULTY PROFILE
Prince’s “Purple Rain” album got a lot of
play this past year. The artist is a favorite,
Meet me in my
in part because of his connection to
home – Chicago for Karalis Noel and
Minneapolis for her husband. “We both
(ad-hoc) office
grew up listening to a lot of Prince. It was
something that we both really connected
over when we met. So, when we are
feeling stressed or feeling like we need to
do something else other than stare at our
laptop screens … something that we do is
play our records. Even though it’s just the
two of us and our two cats and dog, we’ll
with Tiffany Karalis Noel
dance around the apartment. It’s a really BY MICHELLE KEARNS
great form of release for us.
The shutdowns of the pandemic highlighted how much travel means to
Karalis Noel bought this world map Tiffany Karalis Noel, clinical assistant professor and director of doctoral
with her husband, Brett after they were
married in 2018. They use it to plan and
studies, in the department of learning and instruction. As she worked
chronicle their journeys. The COVID-19 from home, she noticed how objects in her apartment, like the giant wall
restrictions elevated its importance.
“We’ve been spending a lot more time
map of the world, came through on Zoom and fostered conversation
standing in front of this map and just with the PhD students she supports through their dissertations.
saying, ‘OK, so where are we going to
go?’” she said.
Even Dexter, her new puppy, helped add levity The program could, for example, support
from his dog bed on her desk. “This is real life,” a school district leader interested in
said Karalis Noel, who also enjoyed glimpses implementing and evaluating the educational
of the cats and children from other people’s impact of an antiracist curriculum. “It’s an
screens. “It really provides an opportunity opportunity to address those problems of
to build rapport with students, and with my practice that you’re observing in your local,
Next to the wedding photo, there
colleagues, in ways that are easily prompted educational community,” she said.
is a jigsaw puzzle of Madison,
Wisc., home to the University of by what’s going on in my background.” As Karalis Noel looks ahead to this fall’s
Wisconsin where they both went Karalis Noel focuses her research on return to campus, she plans to take elements
to college. teacher education, mentoring relationships of her virtual and home office into her space
in higher education and the role of equity and at Baldy Hall. Instead of the virtual door she
inclusion in school environments. kept open for students during the pandemic,
A new doctor of education, or EdD, program she looks forward to leaving her real door
co-created by Karalis Noel won state approval open and seeing people in person again. A
this year. The online, part-time degree in small new globe she’s marked with pins of
“Learning and Teaching in Social Contexts,” places she wants to go – from the Galapagos
expects to enroll its first class next year and is Islands to Greece – will sit on her desk to foster
designed for working professionals interested conversation and help students consider the
in conducting research to solve problems in possibilities of research-related travel. “We’re
education. definitely not going to take it for granted
anymore,” she said..
KARALIS NOEL’S RESEARCH AREAS
Access and Equity
Bullying
Curriculum and Instruction
Educator Preparation
English Education
ESL/ENL/Bilingual
Gender, Culture and Equity
Higher Education
Dexter, who they got as a puppy from a Linguistic, Discourse and
Wisconsin friend last fall, has been happiest
Sociocultural Context
in his dog-bed perch on the desk. He was a
(Photo/ Brett Noel) silver lining for Karalis Noel and her husband Literacy
during the pandemic. They knew they had Professional/Staff Development
the time to give him the walks he needed. Qualitative Research Methods
“It’s just a joy to have that experience of
Race, Inequality and Education
raising a little puppy, which we both always
wanted to do and never really felt the time Social and Emotional Development
was right,” she said. “He has been a light for
10 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 LEARN MAGAZINE | FALL 2020 11
both of us during this difficult time.”
LESSONS
REGULAR:
Community matters.
It defines who we are. It aligns with our mission as a public
SIMPLE: research university and graduate school of education.
Community and its lessons strengthen academics with
innovations and evidence-based practices, improve
opportunities for people and spark creativity.
[in community]
Communities are organic opportunities. They form and
intersect. Relationships develop and learning happens when
education, ideas and impact expand.
Muted: This work is at the very core of our purpose. It’s in GSE’s DNA.
COMPLEX: Faculty ground their research in local schools. They design
projects that aid educators and address emerging issues, like
racial justice and learning in virtual classrooms.
Our students pitch in with life-changing efforts, like providing
free tutoring for a public school system when teachers,
REGULAR: students and parents struggled with the shift to online
learning.
We come together to ensure that a student struggling with the
isolation of the pandemic feels supported and included in his
SIMPLE: new GSE community so that he can imagine his future as a
leader in higher education.
Newcomers are welcomed and supported, allowing them to
“
bring a fresh perspective and to do their best work.
We offer help and expertise to a new virtual summer camp
Working with communities is designed to keep young students on track. This, in turn,
transformational. The stories in this enhances teacher preparation, giving our students a chance
Formal-Vibrant: issue of Learn highlight the seriousness to learn as they work.
”
with which we take our responsibilities By collaborating and partnering with communities we identify
COMPLEX: as a public research university. needs and find solutions. When we rally together, ideas
Suzanne Rosenblith, Dean
materialize into empowering initiatives, like the new Youth
Alliance on Education, a consortium of teens from schools
throughout the region talking about educational reform.
REGULAR:
12 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 13
REGULAR:
Ground-breaking collaboration with LGBTQIA+ concerns and getting faculty to use
preferred pronouns.
interesting and inspiring. I have never been
included in anything like this group, so it’s
teens from across Western New York “They just want to help out the students that
need it,” said Farrell. “They’re all fighting for
super exciting.”
For the GSE faculty leader
sparks new ideas for school reform everyone else in their schools.”
YAE meetings, which are open to any junior
organizing YAE, the experience
has been energizing.
SIMPLE: BY MICHELLE KEARNS
high or high school student in the region,
will continue on Zoom for the time being
“The kids truly see
themselves as change
Lily Fisher Sofia Reisman
It was 30 minutes into the very first meeting of teenagers from across but, eventually, they will include in-person agents, which is
gatherings. exactly what we
Western New York. Students were typing their thoughts about school
For now, the virtual format has yielded were hoping to
reform and change on bright yellow, orange and pink virtual sticky impressive results. Farrell has admired the foster,” said Amanda
notes. The cyber bulletin board on the Zoom call was filling up with consideration and camaraderie she’s noticed Winkelsas, assistant
as students use the Zoom chat function to dean for outreach and
their ideas about school change: praise each other for good ideas. community engagement
“They’re so excited to be a part of and a clinical assistant
“A place where mental health is not just us a voice. The adults aren’t running it. So far,
Amanda Winkelsas
something. To be so loving to each other,” professor of learning and
Muted: focused on but actually taught about to the group, known as YAE, pronounced “yay,”
said Farrell. “That’s something that amazed instruction. “The experience
Nishimwe Jeska Inwoo Shin students and staff.” has drawn about 100 students in grades 7-12
me from the get-go.” of participating is validating that
from 23 schools across Western New York.
“An open environment where you can expertise and fostering that sense of
Students met and identified priorities that
COMPLEX: express your feelings.” subcommittees are now working on: Anti- Ideas in action agency in students, which ultimately will make
for better, more equitable schools.”
racism and cultural diversity, mental health
“My ideal school would be less stressful.” From the beginning, Ava Brigham, 16, was so The project began to develop last summer
“Teachers making sure everyone
services, anti-bullying and safer schools,
improving student-teacher interactions and a
interested in exploring the ideas that came during conversations with GSE Dean Suzanne “I think this is a fantastic
understands what’s happening instead
up, like student support groups, she decided
to start up a related organization at her own
Rosenblith. The pair talked about the social program. The way that it’s
of rushing to do tests.” LESSON/INSIGHT: school in Royalton-Harland High School in
justice protests of the pandemic. As they
considered Buffalo’s own segregated school
unfolding is extraordinary.
They’re giving us a voice.
Rosaly Rosa
These suggestions came during the inaugural Ideas for change are bigger and better Middleport. system, they wanted to bring students
REGULAR: gathering of the Western New York Youth when a community works together. She won approval from
the superintendent to start
together to share their perspectives The adults aren’t running
Alliance for Education, a GSE initiative that about achieving racial equity.
brought together teens during a chaotic Students for Tolerance “The idea is that kids are the
it. Kids are running it.”
more inclusive LGBTQIA+ environment. Unity Diversity and
time so they could make their ideas experts on their own experiences
“By the end of it, I was just feeling so Inclusion, or STUDI,
known, discuss what was and have important things to say,”
much hope for what we could do with this a club focused on
important to them and said Winkelsas. “How do we give
organization,” said Jillian Farrell, a GSE creating awareness
learn how to advocate them the space to do that?”
graduate student working on her master’s and understanding. “Its Ava Brigham
COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS
for change. As
SIMPLE: the first session
degree in higher education and student
affairs. She has been surprised by the
purpose is to normalize
She is working on a summer
event for students to present their
Local organizations join the project to
help spread the word and advocate
unfolded, these things that are ideas for action and change to
students’ innovative suggestions, curiosity and for YAE-proposed changes
students were going on in the world,” said school districts and leaders. “We have
passion for finding ways to include all kinds Brigham. Because her school • Buffalo Police Athletic League
surprised by a broad range of community partners
of student perspectives in school decision is not racially diverse, a group
how good it with access to a variety of people in positions • Buffalo Prep
making. of about 10 or 20 students starting to meet
felt to discuss of power, who are able to act on the ideas • Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization
“I feel like I’ve really expanded the way I every other week began by researching and
new ideas. that the kids share. That gives me hope that
think about higher education,” she said. discussing pandemic-era civil rights protests. • Erie I BOCES
The GSE- there’s a lot of substantive change that can
From the start, Farrell was impressed by “The topic that we’re focused on right now
guided be made as a result of this whole initiative,” • Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology
students’ ideas for school change as she is the Black Lives Matter Movement,” she said.
project, with she said. “I look at younger people and I just • Buffalo Public Schools
read their YAE applications—from creating “People had a lot of good questions because
eight local feel so hopeful about the potential because
resource groups for students with mental • Community Action Organization of
Formal-Vibrant: community they had never thought about learning about their ideas are so progressive and attuned to
health concerns to reducing waste by using WNY
collaborators, it before.” equity and inclusivity.”
Jillian Farrell washable metal silverware instead of plastic. YAE also taught her about process. As • WNY United Against Drugs & Alcohol
aims to
“Every single one of them had amazing Brigham plans, she is applying the SMART Abuse
cultivate
COMPLEX: students’ ideas
things to say,” said Farrell. “I lucked out that
this is the project that was put in my lap.”
goal model she learned and is making sure
about equity in aims are smart, measurable, achievable,
The experience has broadened her own realistic and timely.
education and help
career interests. She enrolled at GSE during So far, she said, YAE has been eye-
them to organize.
the pandemic because of the strength of its opening.
“What they want to do
higher-education training and her ambition to “I love how thoughtful and intelligent
for kids is incredible,” said
coordinate college study-abroad programs. everyone in the group is,” she wrote in a
Lily Fisher, 14, an eighth grader at
Now, Farrell realizes she enjoys working with
REGULAR: Sweet Home Middle School in Amherst. “I
think this is a fantastic program. The way that
junior high and high school students. She
survey, “and hearing their different opinions
regarding problems in their schools is very
likes helping them advocate for things like
it’s unfolding is extraordinary. They’re giving
14 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 15
REGULAR:
UB Homework Help tutors come to the “That skill of building a relationship with
individual students and gaining insights into In-person literacy program morphs Google Docs. Even though she was at the
other end of the state, it was as if she was in
aid of high school students individual students, for me, as a teacher
educator, is just crucially important,” Etopio into a unique summer tutoring camp Buffalo with everyone else.
“It was really cool to see the connection
BY MICHELLE KEARNS
said. “We know you have to have a rapport
before they’re willing to learn … You have to for Buffalo students that faculty at a school can still have from far
away,” Casella said. “I think it definitely helps
SIMPLE:
Kier Bishop, 14, made his mother proud and impressed her with his trust the person who’s guiding you through
your homework … That’s a hallmark of good BY MICHELLE KEARNS
with effective learning and teaching. You
were able to have a bunch of brains thinking
confidence and focus as he transformed his freshman year grades teaching.” about something instead of just one.”
A unique lesson in community and learning emerged last summer
last semester. He had a rocky beginning as the pandemic shifts set Demonstrating another successful teaching There was another, unexpected bonus. She
strategy, Pezouvanis flexed to adjust to when the pandemic stretched on after the semester ended and GSE and Jackson became friends, a feat that has
in. When he started high school last fall at Frederick Law Olmstead,
a glitch. While she’d offered to help with began supporting the virtual summer camps set up by Buffalo’s Say been more challenging during the pandemic
he was making a transition from a smaller Catholic school to a public English, she was assigned to cover geometry when her GSE courses were virtual. It made
Yes to Education Program to keep students engaged while school
school that he was not able to step inside of. Nor did he get to meet as well. When Etopio checked, Pezouvanis
said she could handle both subjects by was out: LESSON/INSIGHT:
any of his classmates or teachers as he finished his first year. brushing up on her geometry. “That kind Connecting to a community and
After Christiana Kfouri, PhD ’21, trained 10 GSE floated back and forth on the screens. being flexible strengthens
of initiative on the part of our students is
Muted:
As he sat in on his Zoom classes, Bishop had
questions about what he was learning, but
Learning is a two-way moving,” said Etopio.
students to coach elementary school students “We had a big dance,” said Jackson. He learning.
in tutoring intervention at virtual camp and the staff realized the stakes were low. It
he wasn’t sure how to get answers. When street sites throughout the city, they discovered a was OK to focus on 15 minutes of spontaneous for a much better first year of graduate
his mother spotted an ad on Facebook, he
COMPLEX:
agreed to try “Homework Help,” a new, free
BPS students gave their tutors high marks in
the reviews. And there were more interested
“It’s given me a new lens. broader focus on community that made them
better prepared to lead. As they worked, they
kid fun. This led to a key insight: Remaining
flexible enhances learning.
school. “I felt much more at ease and
tutoring service that GSE launched to assist tutors, about 45, than there were Buffalo How can I be an advocate in found ways to keep students engaged and “Just seeing that they were able to form a
comfortable in the classroom because I knew
I had a friend,” Casella said.
with virtual learning needs when school
buildings were closed during the pandemic.
students who asked for help, said Elisabeth and out of the classroom?” coming back to the optional, virtual sessions. sense of community and successfully learn
Etopio, assistant dean of teacher education The summer program taught GSE through the summer was really important at A summer shift
UB students earned teaching credits by and clinical associate professor in the educators and counselors in training an a time when that seemed like that could be The Say Yes virtual camp program wasn’t
tutoring Buffalo Public Schools high school Department of Learning and Instruction. The important lesson about the power of really difficult,” Jackson said. what Kfouri expected. In the end, that
students who signed up for help. Pezouvanis, who signed up to earn credit
success and extra capacity have led to plans community in teaching: Feeling connected By summer’s end, Jackson had widened didn’t matter. The important thing was GSE
The program launched in November and for a course, got more out of the experience
REGULAR:
averaged about 80 appointments with UB
to continue the program next year, she said,
perhaps broadening the scope to include
than she expected. As she worked with
strengthens learning for young pupils and
graduate students.
his career interest beyond high school, which
had been his original focus. “I do love the little
educators in training got to try their skills
in a dynamic situation and build rapport
tutors and Buffalo students each week. The Bishop, she could see how rapport impacts
more school districts. “Being with kids a lot more than I thought I ever would,” with students while supporting literacy skill
popular initiative drew 125 UB volunteers – learning, just as Etopio hoped.
She has been pleased to see that some one another is he said. development.
from undergraduate education majors taking matches, like Bishop and Isabella Pezouvanis, really conducive to The virtual experiences that have become
courses in GSE’s UB Teach program to GSE LESSON/INSIGHT: Making connections from afar so common during the pandemic have been
a freshman education major, have been so learning and being
graduate students. Experiential learning benefits both Julianna Casella, a first-year PhD student
successful, they met sometimes twice a week, able to learn,” said a great opportunity. Home life on the other
teacher and student. in the counseling psychology and school
all semester long. Matthew Jackson, side of the Zoom screens, with dolls, toys and
SIMPLE: who is in his first
psychology program, was living at home in
Long Island as she worked at the same camp
pets, help everyone get to know each other.
Insights, like
year of study for a
Pezouvanis let Bishop take charge program as Jackson. For her, the experience
master’s degree in these, about
and guide each session, coaching and led to a skill-building opportunity to lead the
Matthew Jackson school psychology. community,
encouraging him to strengthen his problem- entire camp in a lesson about space.
Jackson facilitated a memorable reading flexibility and
solving skills as they worked together to She showed
session about travel and ocean life for third adaptation have
tackle homework puzzles. He zeroed in on campers a virtual
graders and was impressed by how easily great promise
his most pressing homework concerns—from planetarium
the children connected with each other in a to strengthen
English to social studies—and took time with that could switch
virtual setting. They noticed and asked about education when
geometry, which he likes for its connection to between views of
toys they could see on screen in Zoom. It students return to
his ambition to design cars. stars and drawings Christiana Kfouri
was illuminating. The summer camp wasn’t
“It’s given me a new lens,” Pezouvanis said that revealed classrooms, said Kfouri.
Formal-Vibrant:
mandatory, but because students were
. “How can I be an advocate in and out of the the constellation
making friends with each other, they kept “Once you build that rapport, they’re going
classroom?” shapes. She talked
coming back. to open up. This is a great opportunity to get
Bishop noticed changes in himself since Julianna Casella about how Orion
During a lesson about the Great Barrier to know your students,” she said. “We’re so
they started working together. He used to rush
COMPLEX: through homework, just to get it over with.
Reef, the campers came together even as
was named for a hunter in Greek mythology.
Students were soon writing in the Zoom chat
focused on this tunnel vision that we have to
meet the needs of the curriculum We have to
they lost interest. One little girl held up a
He learned to take his time and work more that they could see the scorpion and bear in
Barbie doll and another student chimed in find a way to really know our students and
efficiently. “I feel like it’s better than being the stars.
happily, “Oh, Barbie’s coming?” Soon all the really be able to meet those needs within the
sloppy and rushing,” he said. “During the lesson, a lot of the kids were
children were holding their dolls up to their classroom setting.”
His Zoom partnership with Pezouvanis led really engaged,” Casella said. “It gave me a
screens.
A photo illustration features UB undergraduate
to the sense of community he’d been missing lot of confidence in myself. It was just really
Jackson and the other staff at the arts
and tutor Isabella Pezouvanis, left, and high school at virtual high school. “It helps,” said Bishop. gratifying that I could be teaching them and
nonprofit Community Canvases decided to
REGULAR: student Kier Bishop, right. The pair worked together
during the spring 2021 semester of the pandemic.
“I g0t to actually talk to her and it’s easier to
understand stuff.”
give the campers a break. They played music
that they actually wanted to learn.”
She was also surprised by how seamlessly
(Photos courtesy Pezouvanis and Bishop) from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” as dolls
teachers shared ideas and resources on
LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 17
REGULAR:
GSE’s community supports new student work to build community within New York City
schools, where they both grew up. He signed Coalition addresses food inequity:
as he starts grad school on rocky up to be one of her mentees. Watson then
asked him to sit on the student panel that was GSE professor’s research resonates
virtual ground part of GSE’s virtual “Creating the Beloved
Community” symposium to address racism in the food crisis of the pandemic
SIMPLE:
BY MICHELLE KEARNS
and build community in schools.
BY MICHELLE KEARNS
After finishing his degree in criminology and sociology as the Guided by communities, After the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, Sarah A. Robert, GSE
pandemic started last spring, Anthony Vargas, BA ’20, enrolled in at home and UB associate professor of learning and instruction, and specialist in
GSE’s higher education and student affairs master’s program. His journey in academia was shaped by school food politics, began volunteering with Seeding Resilience.
At first, Vargas, a Marine veteran, was As the COVID-19 and systemic racism
his roots as a first-generation student. “My This Buffalo coalition of community members, nonprofits, schools
parents immigrated from the Dominican
motivated by his undergraduate work at UB pandemics set in, Vargas felt isolated and this Republic. My mother never graduated and government—organized spring 2020 to address food inequities
as a resident assistant. He set his sights on dragged him down. Three members of the from high school. My dad never graduated highlighted by the pandemic—aligned with Robert’s research. Sarah A. Robert
a career in student affairs because he knew GSE faculty showed friendship and mentored from the eighth grade,” he said. “I grew up
Muted:how transformative outreach to students
can be. When students feel like they are
him, taking time for long conversations while
cheering him on in moments when he needed
in Washington Heights in New York City. It
seems like yellow tape, like the yellow police
As a policy analyst, she works to improve
public understanding of the critical role LESSON/INSIGHT:
As she looks beyond the pandemic, Robert
hopes that increased public understanding of
part of a strong campus community, Vargas it most. tape, has become a piece of furniture for our schools play in distributing food. Local needs Volunteering fosters opportunities the critical role schools play in feeding people
COMPLEX:
knows they work harder and persist toward
graduation with confidence.
“To sit here now, as a master’s student
in this double pandemic that we’re facing,
neighborhood. From shootings and stabbings
and drug cartels … That’s what I grew up
were highlighted at the beginning of the
pandemic when school buildings closed. The
to contribute and learn. will lead to reform and equity. “Schools are
food hubs,” she said. “Let’s reprioritize how
with amazing scholars at my side and in my around.” Buffalo Public Schools estimated that fewer we spend tax dollars to reflect our societal
corner,” he said. “I’m very grateful and very Not long ago, someone asked him why he than half of the 29,000 students who relied on Chronicling new directions in practice and values – because we do care about feeding
LESSON/INSIGHT: thankful for that.” school breakfasts and lunches were getting policy is the subject of her upcoming and our neighbors.”
wanted to get a PhD. Vargas answered by
Communities need advocates to The first to help was Raechele Pope, help with hunger. fourth book: tentatively titled “Transforming
explaining how each one of his degrees is a
support their members associate dean for faculty and student affairs, tribute to the people who influenced him. “Food, and how schools fill the need for School Food Politics Around the World.”
chief diversity officer and associate professor food, are now more crucial than ever,” said Robert is co-editing it with Jennifer E.
REGULAR: of higher education, who also serves as his Robert, also director of GSE’s Social Studies Gaddis, assistant professor of civil society
This lesson in community advisor and talked with Vargas at length “To sit here now, as a Education Programs. “This is an issue of and community studies at the University of A screen shot of a Google map adapted by Seeding
reemerged for him at GSE this when he needed perspective.
year and led Vargas to focus Then, after taking three classes with
master’s student in this human rights.” Wisconsin-Madison. Resilience to show food distribution and pickup
locations throughout the Buffalo-area.
and elevate his own ambition Stephen Santa-Ramirez, a new assistant double pandemic that
toward a new goal of professor of higher education, the men had a we’re facing, with amazing “How do we use those
becoming a professor. That connection. Their shared Latinx experiences
decision followed his own and identities led Santa-Ramirez to become a scholars at my side and in relationships to transform
SIMPLE: low point as a new graduate mentor to Vargas. my corner,” he said. “I’m what matters most to the
student. He found a third champion in Terri N.
Watson, an associate professor of educational
very grateful and very community?”
leadership and human development at thankful for that..”
The City College of New York and a UB The Seeding Resilience team worked to get
Distinguished Visiting Scholar with the “My bachelor’s degree was for my mother,” food to people, support farms, encourage
Center for Diversity Innovation. He he said. “She always asked us: ‘If there’s vegetable gardens and create jobs. Its
was particularly interested in her anything you can do for me, give me that projects have included a map of grocery
degree and I know that coming to this distribution points and resource brochures
country is all worth it.’ that Robert translated into Spanish.
“My master’s degree is for my family, to Her work with community groups,
Formal-Vibrant: let them know I’m still making those strides.
“My PhD is for me and my community.
like Seeding Resilience, informs her
understanding of policy. Lately, Robert
It’s for the change that I’m going to use has been thinking about ways to keep the
connections strong. “What’s on my mind most
COMPLEX: my agency to make. Change in all of my
communities—in my Washington Heights these days,” she said, “is how do we use those
community, in my Latinx community, in relationships to transform what matters most
my first gen community, in my veteran to the community?’”
community ... All of these communities need For her, the COVID-19 crisis has
advocates in them so badly,” he said. “I’m a underscored the diminishing funding for
firm believer that mentoring works.” school food programs, and the need for
change. The variety and quality of meals
REGULAR: have also been declining as school districts
centralize kitchens, and food costs for families
and students rise.
18 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 LEARN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021 19REGULAR:
Kim realized that inclusivity is ongoing class?’” he said. “There’s this relationship-
work. As she prepares her classes, she looks engagement piece that I hadn’t been thinking GSE waives GRE for
for scholarship, writings and videos, from about as holistically before.” non-licensure programs
diverse sources, taking time to find the right While the Office of Inclusive Excellence
pronouns. hasn’t settled on its approach for future This year, GSE began a three-
“We have to do this all the time,” she said. year pilot study to better understand
SIMPLE: “I am revisiting everything. Commitment LESSON/INSIGHT:
the impact the Graduate Record
is not an option. It’s a must. It is part of our Sharing knowledge with a community Examination admissions requirement
professional competence.” fosters change and inclusion. has on potential applicants. The
requirement was removed for most
programs as a way to eliminate a
Amy Reynolds Raechele Pope
Next steps barrier to accessing advanced study.
initiatives, the website has resources culled
This year’s webinar programming from from this year’s work, including some session Program faculty have designed holistic
the Office of Inclusive Excellence was part admissions processes that will be
Creating inclusive curricula and awareness
recordings and strategies from UB and other
of a bigger partnership with the schools institutions. studied to better determine their effects.
throughout the university. Efforts ranged Overall, the programming was successful. Ryan Taughrin, assistant dean for
Muted:
from last year’s GSE Teach-In forum about Strohl expects it will inspire the planning for enrollment management, said the
racial equity to a School of Public Health next year that lies ahead this summer. decision to remove the GRE requirement
One of the keys to more inclusivity is the creates opportunity. It has allowed
BY MICHELLE KEARNS
his team to recruit more students and
COMPLEX: “Every class can use kind of community exchange that Pope and
Reynolds contributed to. make graduate school more feasible.
As part of a new UB effort to help faculty reimagine their courses to you increase the awareness of students
around social justice issues … about economic a cultural lens and “The foundation of real change comes The exam expenses include about $200
include more diverse perspectives, two GSE professors shared their inequity,” she said. “And they begin to understanding of inclusion from relationships. It comes from trust. It to take it, along with the costs of test
expertise and ideas with colleagues as one of a series of “Inclusive preparation services and materials.
understand the ways in which systems are not
working for everybody.”
to better teach all of comes from learning from one another. It
comes from talking with people who think
Pedagogy” online seminars organized by UB’s Office of Inclusive their students, not just very differently than you and maybe have
Considering social justice issues can also
Excellence. improve science teaching. Pope described the students that may had a totally different training than you,” said “The examination is not a predictor
REGULAR:
In their webinar, Amy Reynolds, professor “Our belief is that every single class can
how using news-related illustrations, like the
lead-contaminated water in Flint, Mich., helps
be from minoritized or
Strohl. “So how to break down those barriers,
the siloes that people always talk about with
of success in graduate school.”
in the Counseling, School and Educational have a diversity component, even if it’s math engage students. marginalized groups” academia is a complicated problem, but I
Psychology Department, and Raechele Pope, or science,” said Reynolds. “Every class can “So, you’re talking about science. You’re think that focusing on an issue like inclusive
associate dean for faculty and student affairs, use a cultural lens and understanding of talking about biology and then you talk about pedagogy, something that everyone who is “The GRE has often served as a
chief diversity officer and associate professor inclusion to better teach all of their students, providing clean, safe water for people to workshop about creating more collaborative a faculty member at UB does … that is how barrier in two ways, both in the cost
of higher education, outlined an approach not just the students that may be from drink … in these communities where people learning environments and increasing student we’re really going to foster change.” of the exam, and in the fact that
to analysis and self-reflection in teaching minoritized or marginalized groups.” have ignored it,” she said. “Those are science- contributions to coursework. research has consistently shown that
SIMPLE: practices.
“Very few faculty were trained to actively
A change in teaching practices that veers
away from relying on white Eurocentric
type questions with a social justice lens or an The series of six webinars averaged about
100 attendees per presentation and included
the examination is not a predictor of
success in graduate school,” Taughrin
infused lens.”
address equity issues in their coursework,” perspectives is critical, they said. “All students topics that ranged from general approaches said. “Compounding this, is the fact that
said Reynolds. need an expanded view of every topic area Faculty reflections to curriculum change to case study the exam is considered to test someone’s
She and Pope explore multicultural issues to deeply understand its impact on the world consideration, anti-racist teaching practices, ability to take a test, not to actually
in their teaching, research and writing, and on various populations,” said Reynolds. For Alex Reid, associate professor in the
and how to facilitate classroom conversations succeed.”
and have co-authored two related books Media Study Department, Pope and
about race. The waiver applies to all nine doctoral
together: “Multicultural Competence in Getting started Reynolds’ presentation was a beginning. “I
Pope and Reynolds’ presentation was programs and six master’s programs—in
Student Affairs: Advancing Social Justice and thought it was a good overview of some of
To help faculty broaden the scope of their unique because of its specificity, said Jared educational psychology and quantitative
Inclusion” and “Creating Multicultural Change the challenges and where to start,” he said.
teachings, Reynolds encourages resources Strohl, PhD ’20, diversity project coordinator Alex Reid Namsook Kim methods, information and library
on Campus.” Reid, a former professor in the English
like francesharper.com, a website aimed for the Office of Inclusive Excellence. “They science, mental health counseling,
“Including scholars of color and other department, is director of UB’s Writing Across
were really zooming in to the course-design higher education and student
Formal-Vibrant:
at assisting math educators created by a the Curriculum program. While incorporating
minoritized and marginalized groups and math education professor at the University of aspect,” he said. “I think that was the real affairs, school counseling and school
infusing cultural content and critical analysis readings from diverse perspectives is a
Tennessee. The site includes problem samples strength of their presentation.” psychology. The school will continue to
is essential to making higher education long-standing principle in literature courses,
that reveal social justice insights and help For Strohl, their focus on curriculum was require the GRE for programs that lead
he is exploring how to apply that lens when
COMPLEX:inclusive and relevant,” said Pope. “If we
are truly committed to equity, diversity,
people consider different approaches. teaching about media and emerging
particularly helpful for highlighting the
importance of incorporating student insights
to certification as required by the New
Reynolds and Pope highlighted the need to York State Education Department.
justice and inclusion, we must begin with a technologies.
include equity and diversity issues in course into coursework. Next year, GSE will re-evaluate the
massive overhaul and transformation of our Namsook Kim, GSE clinical assistant
readings, assignments, and how student work “When you’re designing a course, you’re waiver and decide whether to make it
curriculum.” professor in the Department of Educational
is evaluated. For example, Reynolds explained not just thinking about the material in your permanent, said Suzanne Rosenblith,
During their spring presentation, they Leadership and Policy, thought of Pope and Jared Strohl
that a diverse perspective can come through syllabus and the readings you have. It’s GSE dean.
reviewed strategies for incorporating a more Reynolds’ presentation as an opportunity
in a math word problem that asks students to also digging a little bit deeper into, ‘How The research showing that the test
diverse point of view in every discipline—from to self-reflect and ask, “Is what I am doing
calculate what hourly wage is needed for a are the students themselves engaging with does not predict success is compelling.
REGULAR:math to the social sciences. family to afford housing in a city like Chicago.
transformative enough?”
the course? What are the ways that you’re “Removing this barrier just makes good
“Then, inevitably, as you talk about that, bringing them into the fold of the curriculum sense,” she said.
and asking them to become part of the
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