Tag: College of Education

USF News

USF Offering Book Study Series for Educators

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) College of Education is offering book study series that provides educators with common interests an opportunity to engage in educational topics and immediately apply them to the classroom and learning environment. Texts selected for the series focus on improving instruction and increasing student growth.

Schooltalk: Rethinking What We Say About and To Students Every Day
Mica Pollock, Author
April 12 – May 17, 2021 | online
Earn 15 PD hours
$50 plus cost of book

Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
Zaretta L. Hammond, Author
May 17 – June 14, 2021 | online
Earn 9 PD hours
$50 plus cost of book

About the Book Study Format

Participants should note the following items regarding the book study series:

  • Upon registration, participants should purchase the book (book purchase information is available at registration) and begin reading the text at their leisure.
  • The link to the book study platform and specific due dates for activities will be sent to the preferred email (submitted with registration) the week prior to the start of the book study.
  • The text will be divided into sections. Participants will complete discussion posts with feedback to others and a final reflection explaining application of text to profession.
  • A moderator will participate in discussions, as well as review and provide feedback on final reflections.
  • Licensed Illinois educators must complete all required discussions/activities as assigned to receive professional development hours. No partial hours will be awarded.
  • Participants successfully completing a book study may choose to apply the experience toward one graduate credit. Additional fee applies for this option.

Visit stfrancis.edu/real/professional-learning/ to register for either book study or to explore additional educational opportunities.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 51,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

Free Professional Development Opportunities for Educators

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) College of Education is offering educators free professional development through the new REAL Talk for Teachers webinar series. More information on REAL Talk and other upcoming education workshops and conferences at USF is available at stfrancis.edu/real/professional-learning.

REAL Talk for Teachers (and future teachers) Series
Classroom Hacks: Remote & In-Person with Julie Hafner and Jen Pierson
March 2 | 6–7 p.m. | Free
Have you ever wondered how some teachers make it seem so easy? Many amazing educators have learned tips of the craft to make the classroom flow smoothly. Even simple changes can make a big impact. Learn tips to make your remote and in-person classroom even better!

Visit stfrancis.edu/real/professional-learning/ to register.

REAL Talk for Teachers (and future teachers) Series
Resumes, Interviews, and Getting Hired with Courtney Orzel and Pete Sullivan
March 16 | 6–7 p.m. | Free
What do hiring administrators look for in resumes and during the interview process? Valuable insight for those just starting out and experienced educators exploring new opportunities.  Learn how to tighten up a job search, stand out as an applicant, and connect with those who can support job search efforts.

Visit stfrancis.edu/real/professional-learning/ to register.

REAL Talk for Teachers (and future teachers) Series
Licensure Update with the Will County ROE
April 19 | 6–7 p.m. | Free
Our friends at the Will County ROE will join us to chat about current license renewal requirements and process, endorsements, and the latest news from the Illinois State Board of Education.

Visit stfrancis.edu/real/professional-learning/ to register.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 51,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

Scholarship Opportunity Supports Students of Color Who Aspire to Become Teachers

Joliet, Ill. – Local data has shown that there is a sharp contrast between student and teacher demographics. In fact, a large gap currently exists between the percentages of students of color and teachers of color in Joliet’s schools. A scholarship opportunity offered by the University of St. Francis (USF) for qualifying students of color who aspire to become teachers is helping to address this gap.

The Multicultural Education Recruitment in Teaching (MERIT) Scholarship at USF provides a four (4) year scholarship up to $8,000 per year for eligible seniors applying to USF as a first-year freshman, as well as a two (2) year scholarship up to $2,000 per year for eligible students applying to USF as a junior-level transfer. Awards are offered in conjunction with other scholarships/grants and will apply to the direct cost of USF full-time undergraduate tuition and fees. This scholarship opportunity is open to all eligible high school and community college students.

Scholarship requires that applicants are:

  • a student of African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, or Native American origin;
  • a U.S. Citizen or eligible non U.S. Citizen with demonstrated financial need;
  • a high school or transfer student with a GPA of 3.00 or higher, and
  • able to commit to teach in Joliet public schools for either two or four years upon graduation from USF.

Scholars are selected based on qualities that indicate their potential to become exemplary teachers. Visit stfrancis.edu/merit to apply today or to request additional information. Review of applications will begin March 1, 2021 for the 2021–22 academic year.

The MERIT project is a partnership between the University of St. Francis (USF), Joliet Township High School District 204, Joliet Public Schools District 86, Joliet Junior College, and the surrounding community.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 51,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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MERIT Scholarship
USF News

Honor Society Donates School Supplies to Joliet District 86

Joliet, Ill. – With the start of the new school year just around the corner, members of the University of St. Francis (USF) chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education made sure to do their part to help students in Joliet District 86 prepare for the first day of classes.

On Monday, August 3, the group donated 17 boxes of school supplies to District 86 in an effort to create 15 backpacks filled with school supplies for students in need. 

“On behalf of Joliet District 86, I would like to thank the University of St. Francis Kappa Delta Pi members for their donation of boxes and boxes of school supplies for our students. We appreciate your partnership and ongoing support,” said Joliet District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse, Ed.D.

The collection and donation were the result of Kappa Delta Pi’s annual spring service project.

“The student officers made all the contacts with District 86 to propose a service plan to them. We had originally planned to conduct the drive in the spring term, but in light of the COVID-19 impact, they kept the drive going throughout the summer and had a wonderful result,” said USF Professor and Kappa Delta Pi Counselor Madonna Murphy, Ph.D.

Murphy added that both current and alumnae members of Kappa Delta Pi participated in the drive.

(Joliet District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, USF Kappa Delta Pi President Kathryn Gutzman, USF Professor and Kappa Delta Pi Counselor Dr. Madonna Murphy and USF Kappa Delta Pi Treasurer Cindy Chavez, KDP Treasurer).

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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

Doctoral Candidate Named 2020 Illinois Assistant Principal of the Year

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is proud to announce that Abir Othman, a doctoral candidate in the USF College of Education, was named the 2020 Illinois Assistant Principal of the Year by Horace Mann and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA). 

Othman is currently the Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Ill. The Assistant Principal of the Year winner was selected from a pool of region nominees provided by the 21 Regions of the Illinois Principals Association. The IPA will formally recognize Othman as part of its Education Leaders Annual Conference in February.

As an educator with over twenty-two years of experience under her belt, Othman has utilized a variety of experiences to shape her career to date. She has served Consolidated High School District #230 for the past 17 years alone, including her current role as Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Victor J. Andrew High School, and previous roles as Associate Principal of Student Services and Dean of Students at Victor J. Andrew High School, and Head Dean of Students at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Ill. 

She has also taught middle and high school English, sponsored numerous clubs and activities, and was an administrator at Universal School in Bridgeview, Ill. While she has enjoyed this variety of educational leadership roles, Othman believes her own personal journey has ultimately fueled her drive to serve others.

“My family immigrated to the United States when I was six years old with hopes of fulfilling the American Dream. My parents worked diligently so that we could become American citizens and pushed us to acquire further knowledge, given that they both were not afforded the chance to attend school. My drive for success in my personal and professional journey and the desire to pay it forward has enabled me to become an educator. This is the opportunity I have dreamed of attaining my entire life, which is a chance to further my education in order to better serve those impacted by me,” she said.

Othman also feels that her current coursework at USF is helping to prepare her for future professional aspirations, which she hopes will include a principalship in the near future and eventually, many years later, a superintendent position.

“I know that education will always be my passion, and given the support of my family and my USF professors and cohort, I feel very confident that I am capable of completing the doctoral program at USF. Having such knowledgeable professors at USF has definitely been beneficial for me. They have given us practical application for real life and in our aspiring leadership roles,” she said.

“The program is thorough in providing every aspect of Educational Leadership. I love that we problem solve, learn from each other and generate ideas together for relevant school matters. My experience with USF’s Leadership program coincides with my values of putting the needs of others first, showing empathy and compassion, creating strong relationships, celebrating student and teacher successes, and being a resource for students. This is why I know I will be prepared for the next phase of my professional journey,” Othman said.

Learn more about USF’s Ed.D. program in Educational Leadership here.

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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

Program Co-sponsored by USF’s College of Education Recognizes Forest Park I.E. School for Character Efforts

Joliet, Ill. – Character.org, a national advocate and leader for character development in schools and communities, recently announced that 84 schools and 7 districts in 15 states are certified as National Schools of Character. Among these honorees is Forest Park I.E. School, the first Joliet school to be recognized as a National School of Character and the only Illinois National School of Character this year. 

 “We are pleased to announce and celebrate the schools and school districts who have earned this national recognition,” said Arthur Schwartz, Ed.D., president of Character.org. “Each of these schools and school districts has put in place a comprehensive approach to help their students understand, care about, and consistently practice the core values that will enable them to flourish in school, in relationships, in the workplace, and as citizens.” 

“Mr. Jacob Darley, principal, along with the Forest Park I.E. faculty and staff have created a school-wide character-building environment based on four pillars: responsibility, resourcefulness, respectfulness and responsiveness. These pillars permeate the entire school curriculum, service projects and school climate where the whole child philosophy cultivates character development in each child,” said Madonna Murphy, Ph.D., USF College of Education professor and Illinois Schools of Character Program coordinator. “The committee was especially impressed by the exemplary intrinsic motivation program at the school.  Forest Park I.E. School has a goal to help develop students of character who will grow to become productive members of society who are responsive to the needs of others.”

Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse, Ed.D., commends the entire Forest Park I.E. School community on the honor.

“On behalf of the Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors and the entire administration, we congratulate Forest Park on this national recognition. I applaud the students, staff, and parents for working together to make Forest Park a successful school,” Rouse said.

The Illinois Schools of Character program is sponsored by the College of Education at the University of St. Francis and the Will County Character Coalition established by James Glasgow, Will County States Attorney. The goal is to promote character education throughout Will County, in schools, youth organizations, parks and sports programs. 

After being named National Schools of Character, schools serve as models and mentors, helping other educators transform their school cultures and improve academics and student behavior. Darley and the Forest Park I.E. Character Committee are willing to assist any Joliet school seeking to become a National School of Character.

For more information about Schools of Character program, visit stfrancis.edu/academics/college-of-education/character or contact Madonna Murphy at mmurphy@stfrancis.edu.

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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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