http://www.geocentre.ca/what-to-see/222-feet-of-history
Thursday, October 28, 2010
French Shore Tapestry Johnson GEO Centre
Please visit the French Shore Tapestry at the Johnson GEO Centre.
http://www.geocentre.ca/what-to-see/222-feet-of-history
http://www.geocentre.ca/what-to-see/222-feet-of-history
Sunday, October 24, 2010
INDUCTION CEREMONY 2010
Congratulations to our new graduates who received degrees at Memorial's convocation on Friday, October 22, 2010 at the afternoon and evening sessions. In the morning, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association, I welcomed new teacher candidates on behalf of my colleagues in the Faculty of Education.
Speech to new teacher candidates:
It is my pleasure and honour, on behalf of my colleagues in the Faculty of Education, to offer our sincere congratulations on this day of achievement to all of our teacher candidates. I bring special greetings from our Dean, Dr. Dave Dibbon who is on leave. Dave would love to be here today and he sends his warmest wishes and congratulations to you and your families.
We know that you have been dedicated to your studies and to your goal of becoming a teacher – becoming a great teacher. It is a moment in time for you, for your families and friends as you embark on a journey of discovery, challenge, joy and ‘yes’ moments of questioning about your choice But with your friends and colleagues, other teachers, you will be welcomed, guided, mentored along the way. This is the moment when the Faculty of Education marks your transition from teacher candidate to teacher and we do this in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, our friends and our colleagues in what is a common endeavour of providing the best possible education to those we serve.
I wish to extend to you my appreciation for choosing Memorial University to pursue your studies in education. We know you have other choices and we are honoured that you chose us. We also know that we offer an exceptional program if we are to judge by the comments we receive from educators in NL and other provinces where our graduates teach. An award-winning faculty, I am proud of the many faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves as recipients of awards for exceptional teaching, for research and for community service. While those first two activities are of paramount importance, Memorial University in its mission affirms is special obligation to the citizens of NL and it is in the community service that you will find many of my colleagues engaged and contributing to the development of this province.
But more about you: you have chosen to be a teacher. You know what this means. You can prepare young people to meet the world – to be citizens, fulfilled and engaged as you are, in essence, to improve and change the world. Every teacher can do this every day by actions and dedication to students in classrooms, in schools and in communities. In his book, As Near to Heaven By Sea, Kevin Major speaks of Memorial University as the most important institution in post-Confederation NL. It was through Memorial and from Memorial that teachers went back to their communities, degrees in hand, and began the great and noble task of bringing education to every place in this province. You are now part of a proud history of teachers who contributed so much to the social, economic and cultural development of this province.
Today I am pleased to congratulate you as you enter the profession. I look forward this afternoon to bestowing the hood marking you as a graduate of the Faculty of Education.
As you enter the family of alumni, we will continue to connect with you wherever you are in this province or in the world. I hope you will contact us from time to time. Let us know how you are doing.
I wish you well today, tomorrow and throughout your life and career. Know that our doors are always open. We look forward to hearing about you as you take your place in the profession and in the world.
Again, congratulations and thank you. Enjoy the day. It is yours.
Speech to new teacher candidates:
It is my pleasure and honour, on behalf of my colleagues in the Faculty of Education, to offer our sincere congratulations on this day of achievement to all of our teacher candidates. I bring special greetings from our Dean, Dr. Dave Dibbon who is on leave. Dave would love to be here today and he sends his warmest wishes and congratulations to you and your families.
We know that you have been dedicated to your studies and to your goal of becoming a teacher – becoming a great teacher. It is a moment in time for you, for your families and friends as you embark on a journey of discovery, challenge, joy and ‘yes’ moments of questioning about your choice But with your friends and colleagues, other teachers, you will be welcomed, guided, mentored along the way. This is the moment when the Faculty of Education marks your transition from teacher candidate to teacher and we do this in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, our friends and our colleagues in what is a common endeavour of providing the best possible education to those we serve.
I wish to extend to you my appreciation for choosing Memorial University to pursue your studies in education. We know you have other choices and we are honoured that you chose us. We also know that we offer an exceptional program if we are to judge by the comments we receive from educators in NL and other provinces where our graduates teach. An award-winning faculty, I am proud of the many faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves as recipients of awards for exceptional teaching, for research and for community service. While those first two activities are of paramount importance, Memorial University in its mission affirms is special obligation to the citizens of NL and it is in the community service that you will find many of my colleagues engaged and contributing to the development of this province.
But more about you: you have chosen to be a teacher. You know what this means. You can prepare young people to meet the world – to be citizens, fulfilled and engaged as you are, in essence, to improve and change the world. Every teacher can do this every day by actions and dedication to students in classrooms, in schools and in communities. In his book, As Near to Heaven By Sea, Kevin Major speaks of Memorial University as the most important institution in post-Confederation NL. It was through Memorial and from Memorial that teachers went back to their communities, degrees in hand, and began the great and noble task of bringing education to every place in this province. You are now part of a proud history of teachers who contributed so much to the social, economic and cultural development of this province.
Today I am pleased to congratulate you as you enter the profession. I look forward this afternoon to bestowing the hood marking you as a graduate of the Faculty of Education.
As you enter the family of alumni, we will continue to connect with you wherever you are in this province or in the world. I hope you will contact us from time to time. Let us know how you are doing.
I wish you well today, tomorrow and throughout your life and career. Know that our doors are always open. We look forward to hearing about you as you take your place in the profession and in the world.
Again, congratulations and thank you. Enjoy the day. It is yours.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Schools with clear purpose
This article reflects research that claims that students do well where schools have a clear mission and purpose. Religious schools are examples of this but there are others, eg schools with foci like the arts, languages, gender, etc.
http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=526356&story_id=16945031
I am particularly interested in the implications for public education. If parents choose, does this weaken a generalist approach to education that promises excellence in education for all students. Do such schools, though publicly supported, create enclaves of selected students? Do parents with higher education levels garner even more advantage for their children?
I'd like to hear your views.
http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=526356&story_id=16945031
I am particularly interested in the implications for public education. If parents choose, does this weaken a generalist approach to education that promises excellence in education for all students. Do such schools, though publicly supported, create enclaves of selected students? Do parents with higher education levels garner even more advantage for their children?
I'd like to hear your views.
Reactivating my Blog
Thanks to colleagues Dr. Dale Kirby and Dr. Mary Stordy and my daughter Kathleen Hogan for inspiring me - in different ways - to reactivate my blog. Special thanks to Kathleen for guiding me through the process.
Since my last blog, I have been involved with projects at Memorial University. Presently, I am Acting Dean of Education in the absence of our Dean, Dr. Dave Dibbon. I look forward to welcoming Dave back as do all his colleagues.
In the past two years, I have enjoyed two wonderful trips to Australia combing New Zealand on one of those. With a group of 6+ we have enjoyed travelling together and we look forward to a return to southeast Asia in the spring. Otherwise, there have been numerous and pleasant trips to Toronto to visit Kathleen and her family and our other daughter, Maureen. Happily, one of our children, John, continues to live in St. John's.
Otherwise, I enjoy my engagement in the community especially through my involvement with the Johnson GEO Centre as Chair of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Eastern Health and a member of the Janeway Foundation.
With golf season coming to a close, I look forward to having more time to blog.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Alice
Since my last blog, I have been involved with projects at Memorial University. Presently, I am Acting Dean of Education in the absence of our Dean, Dr. Dave Dibbon. I look forward to welcoming Dave back as do all his colleagues.
In the past two years, I have enjoyed two wonderful trips to Australia combing New Zealand on one of those. With a group of 6+ we have enjoyed travelling together and we look forward to a return to southeast Asia in the spring. Otherwise, there have been numerous and pleasant trips to Toronto to visit Kathleen and her family and our other daughter, Maureen. Happily, one of our children, John, continues to live in St. John's.
Otherwise, I enjoy my engagement in the community especially through my involvement with the Johnson GEO Centre as Chair of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Eastern Health and a member of the Janeway Foundation.
With golf season coming to a close, I look forward to having more time to blog.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Alice
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Article in LUMINUS
Education faculty’s green thumbs
By Heidi Wicks, BA ‘02
In the brick-wall-beige of the G.A. Hickman (Education) building, the mini-rainforest on the third floor is a welcome burst of life. Almost always, students and profs can be found nestled on the couches, absorbing the area’s natural beauty as their brains benefit from green breath.
A study at Washington State University proved that plants increase moisture in the air and stabilize humidity, in turn reducing the risk of colds and flus. They also improve air quality by absorbing pollutants, airborne pathogens, increase morale, and reduce stress – increasing productivity.
Dean Alice Collins, BA ’71, B.Ed. ’71, along with Dr. Glen Clark and Bruce Burton, BA ’82, B.Ed. ’92, M. Ed. ’94, undertook this I nitiative in Memorial’s education faculty. All three faculty members are avid gardeners at home, and appreciate the joy and beauty that a few simple plants can bring to the work place.
“It was done pretty much on the cheap,” Dr. Clark chuckled. “Myself and Bruce brought in some plants from home. Alice brought in some plants from her home, and we all contributed some pots at first, but eventually the faculty paid for more pots and we’d pick up some plants on sale from Kent, and it kind of just grew from there.”
Literally. One particular vine-type piece of foliage now climbs up the wall and onto the ceiling in the building’s ‘Green Area.’ Moreover, the whole project spawned from a single flowering amaryllis sitting in a window, to dozens of green and flowering pots all over the building.
Numerous plants were created by cutting a tiny leaf and replanting it into a new pot.
“Cutting not only creates a new plant, but also improves the health of the old plant, so it’s economical in many ways,” added Mr. Burton.
For the petite amount of care and maintenance required to maintain a project that brings such pleasure to all who roam the building’s halls, it’s worth it. And if you’re lucky enough to catch either of the Green Thumbs in the hall, you may even get a gardening tip or two.
By Heidi Wicks, BA ‘02
In the brick-wall-beige of the G.A. Hickman (Education) building, the mini-rainforest on the third floor is a welcome burst of life. Almost always, students and profs can be found nestled on the couches, absorbing the area’s natural beauty as their brains benefit from green breath.
A study at Washington State University proved that plants increase moisture in the air and stabilize humidity, in turn reducing the risk of colds and flus. They also improve air quality by absorbing pollutants, airborne pathogens, increase morale, and reduce stress – increasing productivity.
Dean Alice Collins, BA ’71, B.Ed. ’71, along with Dr. Glen Clark and Bruce Burton, BA ’82, B.Ed. ’92, M. Ed. ’94, undertook this I nitiative in Memorial’s education faculty. All three faculty members are avid gardeners at home, and appreciate the joy and beauty that a few simple plants can bring to the work place.
“It was done pretty much on the cheap,” Dr. Clark chuckled. “Myself and Bruce brought in some plants from home. Alice brought in some plants from her home, and we all contributed some pots at first, but eventually the faculty paid for more pots and we’d pick up some plants on sale from Kent, and it kind of just grew from there.”
Literally. One particular vine-type piece of foliage now climbs up the wall and onto the ceiling in the building’s ‘Green Area.’ Moreover, the whole project spawned from a single flowering amaryllis sitting in a window, to dozens of green and flowering pots all over the building.
Numerous plants were created by cutting a tiny leaf and replanting it into a new pot.
“Cutting not only creates a new plant, but also improves the health of the old plant, so it’s economical in many ways,” added Mr. Burton.
For the petite amount of care and maintenance required to maintain a project that brings such pleasure to all who roam the building’s halls, it’s worth it. And if you’re lucky enough to catch either of the Green Thumbs in the hall, you may even get a gardening tip or two.
March 3, 2008
The Editor
The St. John’s Evening Telegram
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to a letter titled “Quality of Education suffers from fast tracked-teaching” which appeared in the Feb. 29, 2008 issue of The Telegram. I wish to correct many of the errors made regarding the consecutive [“fast track”] program offered by Memorial’s Faculty of Education. The program prepares students to be primary and elementary teachers. It is to them and those who have graduated from this excellent program that I direct these comments as they should know that claims made about them and the program are erroneous.
All students in teacher education programs at Memorial University receive preparation in all aspects of teaching and learning achieved through a broad range of courses and experiences. We offer courses in diverse learner needs and a course on the exceptional learner is required on all teacher preparation programs.
The Faculty of Education admits excellent students based on criteria including university grades. The average of those in both the integrated and consecutive programs is the same and far exceeds the minimum requirements to be admitted to the Faculty. That these are students "not accepted into the regular teacher education programs because of insuffcient grades" which the letter claims is entirely false. Furthermore, the program is a consecutive sixteen-month (four semester) program and not one of less than a year as stated in the letter.
The formats are the same for all programs with most courses being offered on-site at Memorial University in St. John’s or at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook, with options for web delivery. The Faculty of Education engages full-time faculty, sessional instructors and contractual appointees whom we are fortunate to hire from the school system. Our programs are further enriched by the involvement of classroom teachers in the school experience components such as the internship. All are dedicated, knowledgeable, highly qualified professionals working collaboratively with commitment to our students, our programs and the future of the teaching profession. Many are award-winning teachers who have received, for example, the University President’s Award for Exemplary Teaching and the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.
We do not have to offer this program to make money. We have far more eligible applicants for any of our programs than we can admit. If revenue generation were our motivation, we would simply admit more students to other existing programs. We are offering this program because there is a need to which we have been responsive.
To our students: please be assured that we offer our teacher education programs with the assurance that you will be well prepared to assume the responsibilities of beginning teachers. We know this because of the reports we receive from school districts in this province and many other jurisdictions about the exceptional graduates of our programs.
The Faculty of Education appreciates the opportunity to work with educational agencies who share the same goals as we do for comprehensive education programs. We believe that working together to achieve these important goals will benefit the education system and the students we serve.
Alice Collins
Dean of Education
The Editor
The St. John’s Evening Telegram
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to a letter titled “Quality of Education suffers from fast tracked-teaching” which appeared in the Feb. 29, 2008 issue of The Telegram. I wish to correct many of the errors made regarding the consecutive [“fast track”] program offered by Memorial’s Faculty of Education. The program prepares students to be primary and elementary teachers. It is to them and those who have graduated from this excellent program that I direct these comments as they should know that claims made about them and the program are erroneous.
All students in teacher education programs at Memorial University receive preparation in all aspects of teaching and learning achieved through a broad range of courses and experiences. We offer courses in diverse learner needs and a course on the exceptional learner is required on all teacher preparation programs.
The Faculty of Education admits excellent students based on criteria including university grades. The average of those in both the integrated and consecutive programs is the same and far exceeds the minimum requirements to be admitted to the Faculty. That these are students "not accepted into the regular teacher education programs because of insuffcient grades" which the letter claims is entirely false. Furthermore, the program is a consecutive sixteen-month (four semester) program and not one of less than a year as stated in the letter.
The formats are the same for all programs with most courses being offered on-site at Memorial University in St. John’s or at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook, with options for web delivery. The Faculty of Education engages full-time faculty, sessional instructors and contractual appointees whom we are fortunate to hire from the school system. Our programs are further enriched by the involvement of classroom teachers in the school experience components such as the internship. All are dedicated, knowledgeable, highly qualified professionals working collaboratively with commitment to our students, our programs and the future of the teaching profession. Many are award-winning teachers who have received, for example, the University President’s Award for Exemplary Teaching and the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence.
We do not have to offer this program to make money. We have far more eligible applicants for any of our programs than we can admit. If revenue generation were our motivation, we would simply admit more students to other existing programs. We are offering this program because there is a need to which we have been responsive.
To our students: please be assured that we offer our teacher education programs with the assurance that you will be well prepared to assume the responsibilities of beginning teachers. We know this because of the reports we receive from school districts in this province and many other jurisdictions about the exceptional graduates of our programs.
The Faculty of Education appreciates the opportunity to work with educational agencies who share the same goals as we do for comprehensive education programs. We believe that working together to achieve these important goals will benefit the education system and the students we serve.
Alice Collins
Dean of Education
Monday, March 3, 2008
Dr. Kirby - LUMINUS EXPRESS
Please follow this link for information about Dr. Dale Kirby's Minerva Scholar Lecture Tour.
http://www.munalum.ca/express/#news8
http://www.munalum.ca/express/#news8
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