Renowned literacy educator Patricia Cianciolo, professor emeritus in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University, died on Jan. 18, 2012. Cianciolo, a faculty member at MSU from 1964 to 1996, was an expert in children’s response to literature and book illustrations, as well as in the teaching and learning of literature in the elementary grades.… Read More »
Everything seemed perfectly ordinary to Juleen Jenkins-Whall as she sat with her 10th grade chemistry class during a Traverse City West High School assembly —that is, until State Superintendent Mike Flanagan popped in for a video chat, and announced that Jenkins-Whall had just won the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Dubbed by Teacher Magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the award recognizes outstanding work in the… Read More »
August “Jerry” Benson, a former Michigan State University associate professor, advisor and alumnus, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2011. He was 94. Benson’s career at MSU spanned from 1964-83. He earned his master’s degree (’59) and Ph.D. (’69) from the MSU College of Education. According to family, Benson was a proud Spartan fan and a goodwill ambassador for MSU. He was… Read More »
When it comes to giving back to the community, Spartans are leaders — and the heartwarming story of John Shinsky and his orphanage in Mexico is no exception. Growing up for Shinsky was far from typical. When he was only seven years old, his father suffered a fatal heart attack, and shortly after that, his mother placed him in an orphanage for a chance… Read More »
Sonya Gunnings-Moton has spent much of her career improving educational opportunities for young people, especially those growing up in under-served or under-resourced communities. She is a faculty member and two-time graduate of the Michigan State University College of Education, which presented her with its prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award on Nov. 11, 2011. Dr. Gunnings-Moton serves… Read More »
All along, Michigan State University child development graduate Katie Kosko has learned that good teaching requires stopping to reflect on strategies in the classroom. So when the reality of her first full-time experience – the yearlong internship – set in, she took that message seriously. Kosko entered the annual Michigan Student Teacher/Intern of the Year… Read More »
Nearly ten years have passed since the horrific events that occurred on September 11, 2001. This upcoming Sunday will be a day of remembrance and unity for millions of Americans who witnessed the events first-hand or on live television. But what of today’s children, who were either too young to comprehend the day’s importance or not yet born? Ira David… Read More »
Thomas Crisp, who received his Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching and Educational Policy from the Michigan State University College of Education in 2008, has been awarded the Elva Knight Research Grant from the International Reading Association. Recipients of the honor receive up to $8,000 to fund two years of research that pertains to reading and literacy. Each… Read More »
Valerie Suszko, who graduated from Michigan State University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in special education, has been named the 2011 Woman of the Year by Greater Lansing Woman magazine. As a Special Olympics coach and special education teacher at Washington Woods school in Holt, Suszko is regarded as an inspiration and a hero by students,… Read More »
Gerry G. Stroman (pictured, third from right), a 1977 graduate in counseling, was recently honored with the College of Education’s Crystal Apple Award for her distinguished career in education. Stroman is currently assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and affirmative action at Indiana University Kokomo. The Kokomo Tribune published a great article about her.
