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Chinese Scholars Explore Partnerships with Niagara University
Invited by the College of Education, three Chinese Fulbright Scholars at Yale University, Dr. Yizhong Ning, dean of the College of Foreign Languages at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU), Dr. Yin Zhang from Beijing Forestry University, and Dr. Yun Wang from Northeast Normal University visited Niagara University on the morning of October 12, 2007. Dr. Debra Colley, dean of the College of Education, Dr. Chandra Foote, chairperson of the Department of Teacher Education, and Dr. Jinyan Huang, assistant professor of TESOL at the College of Education welcomed them at the new Education building. Dr. Colley first introduced Niagara and its education programs to the Chinese guests. Dr. Ning then introduced BLCU and suggested potential partnership opportunities with Niagara.
Founded in 1962, BLCU is the only international university in China with its main task set at teaching the Chinese language and culture to foreign students. It has grown into a university of approximately 9,000 students, who are from over 160 countries and regions in the world and 4,000 students who are from China. BLCU has its Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Test Center, which was established in 1989 as the sole national organization exclusively devoted to Chinese language testing and research. The HSK, designed by the Center, is a national standardized test designed to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers. It is also internationally recognized as a language requirement. Since 2004 HSK has examined well over 500,000 candidates from 120 countries and regions.
Like Niagara, BLCU also shares the values of international exchanges and co-operations. It has successfully built partnerships with 157 universities from 31 countries in the world. Dr. Ning suggested several partnership programs between Niagara and BLCU, among which are the Teacher of Chinese as a Foreign Language Training Program, Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Program, and Chinese Teacher of English as a Foreign Language Training Program at Niagara, and student and teacher exchange programs.
On that afternoon, the three scholars were interviewed by our TESOL students at Niagara for a TESOL class project assigned by Dr. Huang.
Invited by both the College of Foreign Languages and the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange at BLCU, Dr. Jinyan Huang delivered a lecture on "Learning Strategies for ESL/EFL Learners" to graduate students at BLCU on December 17, 2007.
http://www.blcu.edu.cn/WYXY/new/ArticleShow.asp?ArtID=821
NIAGARA’S COLLEGE OF ED GOES GLOBAL
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. (Summer 2007)—
“The International Leadership Conference was truly amazing. I cannot say enough about the power of the networking and relationship building that came from this conference. It was one of the best and most meaningful learning experiences of my life.”
Kathleen M. Ellis, English Teacher & Administrative Intern
Tonawanda City School District
On July 8th 2007, Niagara University’s College of Education hosted the first International Leadership Conference in the areas of learning, teaching, leading and school development. This conference brought together 118 educators from Germany, Italy, Scotland, Canada and the United States. Presenters included representatives from each of these countries. Plans are already underway for the conference to be held in Germany in July 2008.
Thirteen graduate students from the Educational Leadership program had the opportunity to participate in a unique experience as part of their advanced studies in the College of Education.
One of the many highlights of the conference was the three keynote speakers. International author Charlotte Danielson shared her work on teacher evaluation and reflective practice. The conference provided participants the opportunity to schedule small, informal sessions with the author throughout the four day event
Former Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Scotland, Harvey Stalker presented his experiences and successes with school improvement around the world.
Buffalo City Schools Superintendent James Williams presented an inner city school district perspective and participated on an international panel with other local and global leaders.
All sessions were based on an interactive structure that encouraged dialogue, participation and the exchange of ideas on a global level.
One of the major goals of the conference was to create opportunities for partnerships between western New York school districts/organizations and those in Europe and Canada.
Social and cultural exchanges, including an international mixer, Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds and a collaborative exchange brunch further strengthened the dialogue and partnership opportunities.
Follow-up to the conference has been the establishment of an International Conference Blackboard site set up by the Educational Leadership students. The Graduate students will play a key role in the facilitation of this communication system. The Blackboard site will enable all participants from five countries to continue the powerful education dialogue started here on campus this past July and move forward discussions on issues that have a global presence.
DR. PAUL VERMETTE NAMED OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR BY
NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION FOR TEACHER EDUCATORS
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. (May 15, 2007)— Dr. Paul Vermette, a professor of education in the College of Education at Niagara University, has been awarded the R. Neal Appleby Outstanding Teacher Education Award by the New York State Association for Teacher Educators (NYSATE). Vermette, a past president of NYSATE, was honored at the organization’s 50th birthday celebration in April.
The R. Neal Appleby Outstanding Teacher Education Award recognizes individuals who have worked to nurture the intellectual, personal, and professional growth and development of teachers at various stages of their professional lives. The award is named in honor of Appleby, an educator of teachers for 20 years at Syracuse University, who passed away in 1993.
NYSATE is an organization which promotes quality programs of teacher education in New York state. It provides opportunities for individual professional growth for all persons concerned with teacher education, both pre-service and in-service.
For more information, contact the College of Education at 716-286-8560.
NU student embodies Vincentian spirit for service learning project
One of the more important aspects of the Niagara University experience is the commitment to service learning. It connects academic knowledge, insights and skills to solving real problems in the community and to effect social change. Sonia Lynch, a graduate student in the College of Education, completed her own service learning project as part of a student teaching assignment at Victory Public School in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Lynch, a native of Oakville, Ont., planned, organized, and ran a learn and serve project that involved students, ranging from junior kindergarten up to grade six, doing their own learn and serve project in the community. The project was part of Citizenship Month at the school.
Lynch had the students go to several community agencies like Greater Niagara General Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and a local senior’s residence. Before going out into the community, Lynch trained the students and staff of the school. Lynch hoped that this learn and serve project would empower students to believe that even though they are young, they can make a difference. By using real examples instead of make believe, the students could grow as individuals.
At the end of the day, students reflected on their efforts. For example, kindergarteners were asked how it made them feel to be a good citizen and drew a picture of something they did during the day. Students in grade four wrote all the words they could think of to describe a good citizen. Then, they were asked which of the words they demonstrated that day and how.
Students in grade six partnered to create a “Wanted” poster for a good citizen. It included a photo, qualities of the good citizen trying to be “caught,” and a reward for finding a good citizen. The groups then presented their posters to the class.
“The students learned and felt the benefits of good citizenship,” Lynch said. “For teachers, it was an opportunity to offer a non-traditional type of program that really benefits the students and the community,” she added.
The project was a huge success. So much so, that it was presented in Tom Quarantillo’s professional seminar in teaching class at NU. Lynch also presented an overview of her project to the department of teacher education. “Sonia's project, and the addition to my course, will certainly make a positive impact on everyone that is involved, both giving and receiving,” said Quarantillo.
Lynch, who graduated in May, was happy that the students and teachers learned so much from the project. “The community agencies also received a valuable service that saved them time and money,” added Lynch. “More importantly, it strengthens the connections to the school and the families of that community.”
St. Vincent would be proud.
School Psychology Graduate Student, Amy Harmon,
Receives State Association Award
Niagara University’s School Psychology faculty have designated Ms. Amy Harmon as their program recipient of the prestigious New York Association of School Psychologist’s 2007 Ted Bernstein Award. According to program director, Dr. Kristine Augustyniak, Amy exemplifies the highest level of excellence in academic preparation and field-based performance. After completing 55 academic credit hours and over 400 clock hours of practicum experience in a distinguished manner, Amy is preparing for her final year of supervised, paid internship in Syracuse City School District. Amy and her classmates comprise the fourth class to be conferred a Master of Science degree with Certificate of Advanced Studies from the relatively new School Psychology program at Niagara University, which boasts a 100 percent employment rate among its graduates.
A variety of factors are converging to create a strong job market outlook for school psychologists. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, “…Employment of psychologists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014, because of increased demand for psychological services in schools, hospitals, social service agencies, mental health centers, substance abuse treatment clinics, consulting firms, and private companies. Among the specialties in this field, school psychologists—especially those with a specialist degree or higher—may enjoy the best job opportunities. Growing awareness of how students’ mental health and behavioral problems, such as bullying, affect learning is increasing demand for school psychologists to offer student counseling and mental health services.” (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm ).
Median Salary
$59,457. More specific salary data.
Note: Salary data from the National Association of School Psychologists. Data are from 1999. U.S. News used the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator to express these figures in 2006 dollars.
Training
The National Association of School Psychologists publishes a list of approved graduate programs
Mental-health counselor ranked 33rd on the Money magazine list of "Best Jobs" for 2006 as reported in the May edition of the popular periodical. Occupations were selected by Money and Salary.com using US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics data on positions that will grow at an above-average pace over the coming decade and require at least a bachelor's degree. Jobs were then scrutinized according to salary (average annual pay over $50,000), number employed and annual openings. Finally, the ranking took into account stress levels, flexibility in hours and working environment, creativity and how easy it is to enter and advance in the field. Visit the following link to see the list: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/top50/index.html
The Niagara University College of Education’s graduate program in mental-health counseling has received the licensure qualifying designation from the New York State Department of Education.
The program, founded in 1994, was the first of its kind in the state. Graduate students have the opportunity to complete coursework and internship experiences with experienced faculty who hold both a Ph.D. and licensure in the profession.
“Mental health counselors have the unique opportunity to work in a diverse array of settings on many critical issues that affect children, youth, families and our community,” said Dr. Debra Colley, dean of the College of Education.
The 60-credit-hour program requires a 1,000-hour field-placement requirement. In addition to training in individual, group, couples and family counseling, the mental-health counseling program also requires a course in mediation and conflict resolution. Upon completion of the program, candidates are eligible for their licensure to practice mental-health counseling in New York state.
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