Reflections - Fall 2009

              TABLE OF CONTENTS
$100, 000 grant.........................................1
Dean’s Letter............................................2
First international tour…………...................2
Commencement………………….....................3
Loyola Medal winner.................................3
Faculty achievements...............................4
New title...................................................4
Diocesan partnerships..............................5
Ed Prep recognition...................................6
Alumni achievements................................6
Counselor Ed news....................................7
Integrating spirituality..............................8
Upcoming events......................................8
www.fairfield.edu/gseap
Fall 2009
$100,000 grant for Science Education
Two GSEAP professors started a
transformative professional devel-opment
immersion experience for
Bridgeport science teachers, thanks to a
$100,000 grant from the state Department
of Education.
Drs. Aidin Amirshokooki and Mahsa
Kazempour developed the summer pro-gram
of inquiry-based teaching and learn-ing
for middle and high school teachers
from Bridgeport public and parochial
schools.
“This competitive award is a tribute
to their expertise and experience in sci-ence
curriculum and instruction,” said
Dean Susan Franzosa. “The improvement
of science education is a high priority in
the state and it’s wonderful to know that
our faculty will be contributing to the
effort in the Bridgeport schools.”
The Teaching Quality Partnership
(TQP) Program began in July with two
weeks of workshops devoted to science
pedagogy and projects and research with
science faculty. Three more are scheduled
during the academic year. In addition to
making valuable contacts in their field,
each participant receives a stipend and
will be eligible for up to three graduate
course credits.
“We are very enthusiastic about
the opportunities this grant provides,”
said Dr. Amirshokoohi. “We expect to
deepen teachers’ knowledge of science
content standards and effective inquiry-based
instruction with the ultimate goal
of better educating and preparing students
to become scientifically literate, socially
responsible, and active citizens.”
“Teachers are the agents of change
and as such, are ultimately responsible
for enhancing students’ science experi-ences,”
said Dr. Kazempour. “Hence,
these workshops take into consideration
and address teachers’ beliefs, attitudes, and
self-efficacy with regard to science and
science teaching in an effort to enhance
their instruction and student learning.”
Graduate School
of Education and
Allied Professions
Reflections
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
A PUBLICATION OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND ALLIED PROFESSIONS