CEHD News Sarah Jergenson

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CEHD News Sarah Jergenson

Special ed PhD student receives grant for research supporting students with learning disabilities

November 6, 2019
Britta Bresina

Britta Bresina, PhD student in the Department of Educational Psychology’s special education program, recently was awarded $1,000 Candace S. Bos Innovative Grant by the Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD) to support her dissertation research. Bresina is studying whether text cohesion and readers’ comprehension skill level interact to either support or hinder reading comprehension.

The Bos Award supports doctoral students, teachers, and other pupil services personnel, like Bresina, who provide services to students with learning disabilities through creative projects to enhance instruction, curriculum, action research, and service delivery.

Ohrtman presents about social media and effects on students to MMSCA

November 5, 2019
  • Ohtrman gives presentation to MMSCA
  • Ohrtman poses with MMSCA Board members at the event.

Marguerite Ohrtman, director of school counseling and MA clinical training and assistant teaching professor in the counseling and student personnel psychology program, presented “Social Media and Its Effects on Our Students” to the Minneapolis Metro School Counselor Association (MMSCA) on Friday, November 1. During her presentation, she shared current social media research as well as strategies for school counselors to use with their students and families.

Comprised of school counselors who work in the Minneapolis Public Schools and surrounding area, MMSCA is part of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, of which Ohrtman is the current president.

Funding opportunity for new special ed PhD students

October 31, 2019

The Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota is excited to offer new special education PhD students the opportunity to apply for funding in the fall of 2020 through the National Center for Leadership in Intensive Intervention (NCLII-2).

NCLII-2 is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to prepare special education leaders to become experts in research on intensive intervention for students with disabilities who have co-occurring, persistent, and severe academic (e.g., reading and math) and behavioral difficulties. Funding covers tuition, a stipend, travel for professional conferences and meetings, as well as research related materials across the four year program.

To be considered for NCLII-2 funding, students should apply to the special education doctoral program by the December 1, 2019 deadline.

Special education at the U of M

At the University of Minnesota, we have a long legacy of leading the way in the field of special education. Our special education graduate programs are consistently ranked in the top ten programs. We were ranked #9 in the nation this year.* Most importantly, our faculty, staff, students, and alumni are inspired by the idea that we can help all people succeed.

Our PhD in special education helps students become leaders in special education and train special educators.

  • 100% of our PhD students have been fully funded since 1989.
  • 100% of PhDs find jobs in their field within a year of graduation—largely due to a shortage of special education faculty across the country.

*U.S. News & World Report, 2019

Hudock receives Childen’s Mental Health Outstanding Service Award

October 21, 2019

Rebekah Hudock, pediatric neuropsychologist at the Autism & Neurodevelopment Clinic and assistant professor for the Department of Pediatrics, recently received the Children’s Mental Health Outstanding Service Award. Hudock is affiliated with the Department of Educational Psychology’s school psychology program through her role as a fieldwork supervisor and mentor to students.

This award recognizes individuals that have had extraordinary achievement and/or leadership in the field of children’s mental health.

Congratulations, Dr. Hudock on this achievement!

Turner presents at AISES annual conference

October 16, 2019
Sherri Turner

Sherri Turner, associate professor in the counseling and student personnel psychology program (CSPP), recently presented twice at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference in Milwaukee, WI.

Turner and her colleagues presented on, “Native American engineering students’ success in degree completion” and “Barriers and supports to STEM careers for Native American college students.”

The AISES National Conference focuses on educational, professional and workforce development. American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and First Nation high school and college students, educators, professionals, tribal nations and tribal enterprises, universities, corporations, and government agencies are all in attendance.

Citations

Turner, S. L., Mason-Chagil, G., Bellcourt, M., Lee, H., Smith, S., Jackson, A., & Jacobs, S. (2019, October). Barriers and supports to STEM careers for Native American college students. Presented at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference. Milwaukee, WI.

Mason-Chagil, G., Turner, S. L., Bellcourt, M., Jacobs, S. C., Colston, N., & Johnson, S. (2019, October). Native American engineering students’ success in degree completion. Presented at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference. Milwaukee, WI.

CSPP alumni speaks about cross cultural counseling

October 14, 2019
  • CSPP students pose with Derek Francis at this presentation.
  • Derek Francis presents on cross cultural counseling.

Derek Francis, a 2012 graduate of the counseling and student personnel psychology program (CSPP), recently spoke to CSPP master’s students about cross cultural counseling. Derek is the lead counselor at Minneapolis CSD and was a former school counselor at Champlin Park High School and North High School in Minneapolis.

Derek talked to the students about building Cultural Humility and how to work with students from cultures other than their own. In addition to his role with Minneapolis schools, Derek is also on the Minnesota School Counselors Association board and runs cultural affinity groups across the state.

Farnsworth discusses student engagement with Chinese principals

October 14, 2019
Elyse Farnsworth (sixth from front left side) poses with Chinese principals after her talk.

Elyse Farnsworth, lecturer and specialist program coordinator in the school psychology program in the Department of Educational Psychology, gave a talk to a Chinese delegation of principals while they were visiting the University of Minnesota in September on “Student Engagement – The What, Why and How of Creating Engaging Schools.”

Q&A with CSPP student Maya Benford

October 14, 2019

We had the opportunity to talk with Maya Benford, a student in the counseling and student personnel psychology program about her experiences, challenges, and passions.

How did your path lead to the Department of Educational Psychology and your particular major?

I graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in African-American studies and Sociology with the vague idea that I wanted to work in education, so I decided to participate in an AmeriCorps program in Minneapolis. It was through AmeriCorps that I learned that I absolutely did not want to be a teacher but enjoyed working in a school, specifically with middle school-aged students. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the small group and individual interactions, where I was able to build strong and positive relationships with students. I was also able to see how much the students benefitted from having an adult they could consistently rely on for support. I decided that I wanted to pursue school counseling, which led me to the Department of Education Psychology and the CSPP program.

What is something you’ve most enjoyed about your experience?

I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to engage and interact with students and community members in the Minneapolis area. I have learned so much from my experiences in AmeriCorps and grad school that have monumentally informed my interests and the work that I want to do.

What is most exciting about your work?

Students are definitely the most exciting part of my work. Every day I am astounded by their intelligence, creativity, and desire to make the world better for others. Also, when working with adolescents each day is an adventure which can be very exciting.

How would you describe the student experience and what does that mean to you?

I would describe the student experience as an opportunity to explore your own interests and gain the skills necessary to be a professional in the field. This is important because I do not feel restricted within the content and still feel that I am gaining valuable skills.

What has been most challenging? (What challenges are you faced with? In your job, the field, etc.)

It has certainly been challenging as a person of color going into a field that is predominantly white, but I have been fortunate enough to find networks of support in the community.

How have your professors helped you along the way?

My professors in CSPP have amazing connections and are constantly providing opportunities for networking and professional development. If there is an interest you want to explore or want to become more involved in the profession they always have ideas. Also, being licensed counselors themselves, they are great advocates for self-care and demonstrating help-seeking behaviors.

What would you like prospective students to know?

I would want prospective students to know that CSPP allows them to tailor their practicum experience to fit their interests and needs. This is marvelous because I am able to learn from school counselors in an assortment of districts and work with students from a variety of backgrounds.

How has your cohort helped you along the way?

My cohort is always ready to help and talk through any issues that may be going on in school or life in general. They have also helped me comprehend new perspectives and gain insight on the numerous subjects we have studied in class.

How do you plan to use what you are learning/your degree?

I am planning on using what I learned in CSPP to be a highly competent middle school counselor and a mental health advocate.

CSPP student chosen for 2019-20 MSCA board

October 14, 2019
Christina Solinger

Christina Solinger, an MA student in the counseling and student personnel psychology program, was chosen by graduate student representatives from the state’s school counseling programs to represent graduate students and serve on the Minnesota School Counseling Association (MSCA) board for 2019-2020.

Christina will be working with the Graduate Student Committee on the MSCA board to work on the following goals for the year: Support graduate student engagement with MSCA, to recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds to school counseling, and provide mentorship opportunities with graduate students and school counselors in the state. Christina is serving on the board with her advisor, Marguerite Ohrtman (MSCA President) and CSPP faculty member, Carolyn Berger (VP of Post Secondary Institutions).

Annual Deno Invitational Golf Fundraiser raises $1,000 for Deno Fund

October 14, 2019

This fall, friends and members of the Department of Educational Psychology and College of Education and Human Development joined Stan Deno’s wife, Dee Deno, to participate in an event that has become an annual tradition, the Deno Invitational Golf Fundraiser with its trophy, the Stanley Cup. This year’s tournament raised $1,000 for the Stan Deno Fund. Attendees included several former students of Stan’s plus CEHD Associate Dean of Research and Policy Frank Symons, CEHD Chief Financial Officer Gail Renteria, former Commissioner of Education Bob Wedl, Professor Scott McConnell, and organizers: EPsy alum as well as former student of Stan’s Doug Marston and Professor Geoff Maruyama.

Stan Deno, professor emeritus in the Department of Educational Psychology until his passing in 2016, did extensive research on why students fail to develop basic skills in reading, writing, and math. His work led to the development of curriculum-based measurement (CBM), a set of federally recognized procedures teachers use nationwide to identify and help special education students with mild disabilities who are underperforming in the classroom.

Contributions in memory of Stanley Deno can be made at:  www.give.umn.edu/giveto/standeno.

Multiple CSPP students chosen to serve on graduate student boards

October 11, 2019
  • Maya Benford
  • Darian Winslow
  • Ryan Lentz, Jena Hitt, Ellie Felber, and Darian Winslow

Multiple second-year students in the counseling and student personnel psychology (CSPP) program are serving on regional graduate student boards across the metro area. Maya Benford is serving on the Minneapolis Division Board helping to plan professional development opportunities for school counselors in the Minneapolis region. In addition, Ryan Lantz, Jena Hitt, Ellie Felber, and Darian Winslow are serving the Lakes Area Regional Board working to provide networking opportunities and professional development for the lakes area counselors. Winslow is also serving as the East Suburban Graduate Student Board member working with the board to develop opportunities for graduate students and counselors.

Kendeou publishes book, Misinformation and Fake News in Education

October 11, 2019
Panayiota Kendeou

Panayiota (Pani) Kendeou, Guy Bond Chair in Reading and professor in the psychological foundations of education program in the Department of Educational Psychology, recently published an edited book, Misinformation and Fake News in Education.

Have you ever wondered how misinformation and fake news manifest in education? The book includes chapters from leaders in the field explaining various factors that influence the endorsement and persistence of misinformation, as well as evidence-based practices aimed at reducing its impact.

For more information on Kendeou’s research, visit her Reading + Learning Lab site.

CSPP student publishes unit for ‘Teaching about Genocide ‘course

October 11, 2019
Counseling and student personnel psychology MA student Jaime Jarmin

Jaime Jarmin, an MA student in the counseling and student personnel psychology (CSPP) program in the Department of Educational Psychology, developed a unit plan for a class on “Teaching about Genocide.” It was a unit plan she originally created for an English language arts (ELA) class. However as she has since decided to become a school counselor, she decided to merge school counseling curriculum into it.

“It’s a cross-curricular unit plan that weaves together school counseling empathy lessons and ELA lessons for a novel about the Holocaust,” Jarmin explains.

Check out Jarmin’s unit plan on “Developing Empathy Through Storytelling.”

Berger presents to teachers from China on positive psychology in the classroom

October 11, 2019
Assistant Teaching Professor Carolyn Berger poses outside Burton Hall with middle and high school educators from Changsha, China.

Carolyn Berger, teaching assistant professor and program coordinator in the counseling and student personnel psychology program, gave a talk to middle and high school educators from Changsha, China on September 24 on “Implementing Positive Psychology in the Classroom.” The talk was part of the Mingda Institute for Leadership training at the University of Minnesota’s China Center.

Varma presents first Ed Psych Research Colloquium of 2019

September 26, 2019
  • Sashank Varma presents at the first Department of Educational Psychology Colloquium of 2019.
  • A student looks on as Varma presents.

On September 19, the Department of Educational Psychology kicked off its Ed Psych Research Colloquium series with a talk by Sashank Varma, Bonnie Westby Huebner Chair and professor in the psychological foundations of education program. Varma’s presentation, “From Mathematical Thinking to Computational Thinking,” centered on the philosophical question: How do people come to understand mathematical concepts?

Varma shared that over the past 50 years, cognitive scientists have provided new answers to this question in research investigating the mental representations and processes underlying understanding of the natural numbers (0, 1, 2, …) and arithmetic operations defined on this concrete number class.

Varma described how his research is advancing beyond the current frontier. He discussed his prior studies on how people use symbol systems to understand more abstract number classes such as the integers, rationals, and irrationals. Varma also shared his current research on mathematical insight and other forms of mathematical thinking that might be predictors of success in STEM fields.

Finally, he previewed his emerging research program bridging from mathematical thinking to computational thinking. As an example, Varma shared the work he and his students are doing to address the question: How humans are sometimes able to efficiently solve problems that computers find difficult?

About the Ed Psych Research Colloquium

In 2019, Department of Educational Psychology faculty will be giving monthly research presentations in the new Ed Psych Research Colloquium. The goal is to create a face-to-face experience that builds the department’s community of scholarship. The next Department of Educational Psychology Research Colloquium is schedule for October 17 and will feature John W. and Nancy E. Peyton Faculty Fellow in Child and Adolescent Wellbeing Professor Clayton Cook’s research.

Kendeou elected APA fellow

September 11, 2019
Panayiota (Pani) Kendeou

Panayiota Kendeou, professor of educational psychology in the psychological foundations of education program and Guy Bond Chair in Reading, has been elected Fellow in the American Psychological Association (APA). Fellow status is an honor bestowed upon APA members who have shown evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions or performance in the field of psychology. It requires that a person’s work has a national impact on the field of psychology beyond a local, state, or regional level. Kendeou is one of only four new educational psychology division fellows named for 2019.

For more information on Kendeou’s research, visit her Reading + Learning Lab site.

Bye, QME alumni teach RMCC workshop on R

September 11, 2019
Jeffrey Bye

Jeffrey Bye, instructor in the Department of Educational Psychology’s psychological foundations of education program and researcher in the Institute for Child Development, and Ethan C. Brown, a PhD alumni of the quantitative methods in education program and research associate in the Research and Methodology Consulting Center (RMCC), co-taught an intensive one-week R workshop (Foundations and Applications of R) through RMCC over the summer.  Many members of the CEHD community and related fields participated in the training.

Bye attends EMCL8 workshop in Estonia, joins oversight committee

September 11, 2019
Jeffrey Bye

Jeffrey Bye, instructor in the Department of Educational Psychology’s psychological foundations of education program and researcher in the Institute of Child Development, was accepted into and participated in the EMCL(Empirical Methods in Cognitive Linguistics)8: Open Science and Transparency Methods workshop in Tartu, Estonia over the summer.

Bye and other workshop attendees used open science practices to collaboratively design and pilot a novel experiment within one week. Each group’s project from this workshop will become a registered report.

Bye was subsequently named one of two junior members of the EMCL Oversight Committee, which is in charge of developing the long-term vision of the workshop series.