“This year, people took it to a whole other level,” said Pryia Persaud, SURF Club president and organizer for the Showcase. “Instead of just posters, they created binders and brought all of their research, all of their questions, and everything they found with them to accompany their presentations. (CEDHP) has never really had enough posters and presentations to participate in the University-wide showcase, but now we do and we have our own category for the College of Education and Human Performance. That’s something we have wanted to do since last year and we were able to accomplish that goal this year.”

The spring showcase, held in room 117 in the Teaching Academy this time around, had expanded space available for presenters, and there were more than enough students participating to fill the space.

“We have around 34 presenters this time, and the majority of our presenters come from a research class that has started in the College,” Morgan Futch, graduate assistant for the CEDHP Office of Research tells us. “During the class they learn about research and are then asked as one of their final projects to present here at this poster presentation. And if they are really dedicated or get pretty excited about research, we encourage them to apply for SURE. In the end we’re hoping that we get more of our students involved there because they haven’t necessarily been in the past.”

Posters and projects once again covered a wide range of topics and research areas, from teacher retention and professional development to the benefits and impacts of recess on student success.

“My research project investigates the correlation between free, unstructured recess during the school day and development of leadership abilities or qualities,” student and presenter Meridith Doerstling tells us. “I really appreciated all the time we took in class to share with each other and Dr. Wise, and I got a lot of feedback and was able to refine a lot of what I had. So I felt a lot more confident about what I was able to put on my board and present today at the Showcase.”

The CEDHP Showcase of Undergraduate Research Findings takes place twice a year and provides students with opportunities to refine and improve their research before participating in the University’s , a part of the  at �鶹ӳ����ý.

is associate professor of English at Central Michigan University, and his work centers on teaching writing, literacy, and technology. As director of CMU’s Chippewa River Writing Project, Dr. Hicks has direct experience with the changing nature of writing and the advent of digital literacy, and he synthesizes that information into his teacher training and student lessons.

Author, educator, and international speaker offers a presentation focused on engaging students, especially those students who are the most disengaged from the classroom or the subject.

National education consultant Cheryl Ellis of will offer a unique and informative presentation on Examining the DNA of Writing – digging into the real building blocks of literacy to help students advance their skills and their interest.

, author and distinguished literacy professor, will offer attendees a framework for engaging learners in reading and writing for the 21st century.

In addition to these presentations, several sessions centered around writing and literacy are planned, including preparing students for the new Florida Standards Assessment, principles of effective writing instruction, teacher and peer feedback on student writing, assistive technology tools for writing, and many others.

Executive director Wendy Stevens and deputy director Laurie Lee from will present a fascinating talk on how to read like a writer – and how to get your students to do so too. Renowned literacy scholar and author and educational consultant and author Roberta Berglund are preparing a talk on the Florida language arts standards, and arts educator Mary Palmer will speak to how the arts can be a pathway to successful reading and writing instruction.

2015 Florida Teacher of the Year presentation will focus on reading, writing, and literacy in specific content areas, while 2014 Florida Teacher of the Year Dorina Sackman will share with attendees the winning recipe for developing literacy and content learning for students in 6-12 grades.

Additional presenters include senior research fellow at �鶹ӳ����ý’s Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government , Florida DOE writing specialist Julia Somers-Arthur, award-winning children’s author/illustrator Ethan Long, education director , and reading educator, author, and symposium organizer Vicky Zygouris-Coe.

The 17th annual Literacy Symposium takes place April 3rd at the Education Complex and Teaching Academy buildings on the �鶹ӳ����ý campus. To find out more about the Symposium or to register, visit the .

This year’s keynote author, Terry McMillan, is a bestselling author whose books have not only been loved by millions of fans but have also been successfully adapted into major motion pictures (Waiting to Exhale�����Ի���How Stella Got Her Groove Back). With her latest release, Who Asked You?, Terry McMillan continues to highlight her ability to tell emotional and moving stories that feature relatable, real-life characters. Her talk at this year’s festival will give Ms. McMillan a chance to share her life, her work, and her inspirations with new and longtime fans alike.

With 2015 marking the 150th anniversary of the end of the U.S. Civil War, author S.C. Gwynne’s book Rebel Yell, an in-depth look at the life and career of Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson, comes at the perfect time. Going beyond the history of events during and after the Civil War, Gwynne’s book examines how a once relatively unknown general with little experience came to be the successful battle leader and historic figure we know of today.

Contemporary histories are featured as well, from Sheri Fink’s depiction of the hurricane Katrina aftermath at Memorial Hospital in Five Days at Memorial, to Luis Martinez-Fernandez’s complete history of Revolutionary Cuba; from the little-known story of women journalists and the early days of food writing in Kim Voss’ The Food Section, to the untold fate of Florida farmworkers in Dale Slongwhite’s Fed Up: The High Costs of Cheap Food, to the history of how America’s game took shape in Richard Crepeau’s NFL Football: A History of America’s New National Pastime.

Moving from history to memoir, the 2015 �鶹ӳ����ý Book Festival is also excited to welcome Yamma Brown, daughter of the legendary “Godfather of Soul” James Brown, to the event. Her book, Cold Sweat: My Father James Brown and Me, offers a revealing look at a daughter searching for the love and approval of a complicated father – who also happened to be one of the most legendary musicians and performers of our time.

With science and mathematics education making headway and headlines across the country, it makes sense to bring in an expert who specializes in advancing the study of science by making it fun. Dr. Ainissa Ramirez, author of Save Our Science�����Ի���Newton’s Football: The Science Behind America’s Game, does just that through her series of science education web videos, her books, and her presentations across the country. A tireless evangelist who encourages students of all ages to pursue science, math, and engineering, Dr. Ramirez’s talks are always interesting, exciting, and engaging.

Food and fun go hand in hand, and several authors this year focus on food, nutrition, and refreshment. , author of The Fallacy of the Calorie, will offer attendees a unique cooking demonstration that illustrates his book’s guide to healthy eating that is as enjoyable as it is easy. Jen Karetnick, the “Mango Mama” of Miami, offers up a fresh take on the humble mango, and recipes from world-renowned chefs who prominently feature the tropical fruit in her book Mango. And since a cold beverage goes great with any meal, Mark DeNote, author of The Great Florida Craft Beer Guide, takes craft beer fans and travelers on a journey to the unique small-scale breweries throughout the sunshine state.

Murder, mystery, and intrigue are perfect fodder for page-turning stories, and several authors this year have thrilling books to share with readers. Randy Rawls, Carla Norton, Patrick Kendrick, James O. Born, Bob Williams, and Steph Post have all crafted fascinating fiction that will have you glued to the stories. Their discussions will offer insight into how they find their inspiration for stories, and how the setting of each book is as important to the action as the characters.

Teen readers and adults alike will enjoy hearing from young adult writers Michelle Madow, Ella Martin, Jessica Martinez, and Ellen Hopkins. From friendships to faith, from escaping fear to fitting in, each of these authors’ books features gripping storylines and tackles real problems that book lovers young and old can enjoy.

Powerful poetry from Carol Frost, Ashely Inguanta, and J. Bradley, science fiction and dystopian tales from Chris Hejmanowski and Stephanie Erickson, short stories from Cecilia Rodriguez-Milanes, fascinating fiction from Ann Hood, Nathan Holic, and Chantel Acevedo, career advice for returning troops from John W. Phillips, discussions with horror film and sci-fi filmmakers from Chris and Kathleen Vander Kaay, imaginative tales from several children’s writers – More than 30 authors are taking part in the 2015 �鶹ӳ����ý Book Festival, truly offering something for everyone.

Mark your calendars and make plans to learn more from these great authors about their books at the 6th Annual �鶹ӳ����ý Book Festival, April 18th at the �鶹ӳ����ý Teaching Academy, Morgridge International Reading Center, and Education Complex.

For the 10th anniversary event, Dr. Karen Verkler and interim Dean Grant Hayes hosted Carrie Morgridge, Vice President of the , who gave a special address to the teacher candidates, staff, and faculty in attendance. Ms. Morgridge explained the Foundation’s commitment to education, telling the students in attendance that they we entering “the most honorable field in the country.”

“The Morgridge Family Foundation holds teachers in the highest regard,” Ms. Morgridge stated. “You are going to be the change agents for our future kids. You are our future; you are making a difference each and every day.”

She also urged the room full of teacher candidates to “look to each other, lean on each other. Look here, to the people here” for the support, advice, and guidance that will be needed in a changing education landscape.

“The Morgridge Family Foundation has been one of the partner organizations at the forefront of advancing the field, especially here at the College of Education and Human Performance,” interim Dean said. “Ms. Morgridge has for many years shown her passion for and commitment to the improvement of education, and that enthusiasm and hope for the future were evident in her presentation to our HAPPY Hour Student Showcase attendees. It is a wonderful gift to have an ally that believes in and works towards the advancement of education in partnership with our faculty, staff, and students.”

Ms. Morgridge’s philanthropic efforts focus on all fields of education, including science, arts, mathematics, and more, including gifts to several colleges of education (�鶹ӳ����ý being among them). Her experiences with the Morgridge Family Foundation led her to recently publish a book, “,” which relates stories about the power of charitable giving, from the smallest contributions to larger foundation efforts. The book also touches on how strategy and networking can make even small donations exceptionally effective. In recognition of her many projects focused on developing future generations of teachers, the College of Education and Human Performance presented Ms. Morgridge with the inaugural Luminary Leadership Award, which is conferred annually to individuals and organizations that inspire and influence the transformation of education.

This year the conference’s theme focuses on collaboration across the helping professions, and the internationalization of the counseling field – recognizing and preparing for the needs of students, clients, and professionals throughout the different regions and cultures of the world. Nearly all of the sessions will incorporate information related to the internationalization of counseling and other helping professions, including the blending of best practices and various approaches to global issues.

“A lot of international students are coming into the United States for training, so how do we prepare them to make the lessons applicable both here and back home? When it comes to international counseling, the lines are not as clearly defined as they are in the United States,” says , doctoral student in �鶹ӳ����ý’s Counselor Education program and lead coordinator for this year’s counseling conference. “So a conference like this is meant to bring all of the helping professions in the United States together. Some of them have had international experiences that they share with us, and the international students are able to take this information home and apply it.”

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Jeffrey Kottler, is professor of counseling at California State University in Fullerton, and has authored dozens of highly regarded books about the counseling profession. His presentation, entitled Stories We’ve Heard, Stories We’ve Told: Life-Changing Narratives in the Helping Professions, will offer attendees an expansive view of one of the universal parts of human experience that can be extremely useful to the counseling profession – storytelling. The stories that we tell, live, see, hear, and experience all influence our ways of thinking and understanding, and utilizing that shared human practice can be beneficial to counselors and clients alike.

“One of the unique things about this conference is how intentionally we have sought to collaborate with colleagues from the other helping professions,” says Dr. Bryce Hagedorn, program director of Counselor Education at �鶹ӳ����ý. “Another aspect that makes this conference unique is its emphasis on international issues and how those impact the clients we serve. Students and practitioners alike will be exposed to some of the newer, evidence-based practices in an effort to equip them to better serve clients in the community.”

Additional presentations will include cultural immersion and the counselor trainee, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and its application at home and abroad, discussions about the part that each of the helping professionals plays in addressing client problems, and the academic needs of international students in US counseling programs.

�ճ����7th Annual �鶹ӳ����ý Counseling Conference takes place at the �鶹ӳ����ý  and buildings on the �鶹ӳ����ý campus. On-site registration will be available, and students, faculty, and professionals in the counseling fields are encouraged to attend.

The 6th Annual �鶹ӳ����ý Book Festival will feature a Teen Zone specifically for adolescent and teen readers, giving young readers an opportunity to connect with authors, foster their own love of reading, and even participate in a writing workshop specifically for their age group.

“Give kids the opportunity to read, write, share, have fun, and explore their creativity, and they will find their inner voice,” says Dr. Elsie Olan, assistant professor of language arts education. “That’s what we try to offer as part of the �鶹ӳ����ý Book Festival each year – a chance for teenagers to turn their love of reading and their enthusiasm for a good story into becoming writers themselves.”

Tweens and teens will also be invited to join Camp Half Blood where they will train and prepare for an epic quest, searching for objects that have gone missing from Mt. Olympus. The young readers and aspiring heroes in grades 5-12 will get to experience events from both the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and the Heroes of Olympus series. The activity is free but spaces are limited.

“It is important for teens to immerse themselves in literature, especially when they are reading old favorites that they come back to again and again,” Dr. Yolanda Hood, Department Head of the Curriculum Materials Center, tells us. “Bringing books to life allows teens the opportunity to understand their favorite stories on a whole other level, to dig a little deeper. Becoming a character and experiencing what the characters do helps teens think more about the motivations of the character; teens have to work through the symbolism and metaphor in order to problem solve – all while having a whole lot of fun. And, kids or teens who have never read the books leave wanting to get their hands on those books as quickly as possible. It’s a great way to reach reluctant readers.”

The Teen Writing Workshop will be open to young readers and aspiring authors ages 13-18, and offers them a chance to work with �鶹ӳ����ý faculty in small-group writing activities, get feedback from peers and published authors, and explore new genres with their own writing. The writing workshop is also free of charge, and teens can register now to reserve their spot.

The 2015 �鶹ӳ����ý Book Festival takes place April 18th, 2015, on the �鶹ӳ����ý campus. Festival activities will take place in all three buildings on the education campus – the Teaching Academy, , and Education Complex. There will also be food trucks for everyone to enjoy in between panels, readings, and activities.

Read for the Record, one of the campaigns operated by JumpStart, aims to celebrate and encourage literacy from an early age, and to prepare students for success as they move into kindergarten and beyond. Last year the program managed to break a world record as nearly 2.5 million adults and children worldwide participated in reading activities.

Dr. Lee-Anne Spalding, lecturer in the School of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership coordinated this year’s event at �鶹ӳ����ý, with dozens of students from 3 area schools participating. More than 70 CEDHP students volunteered for the event, guiding readings and activities for all of the kids. The young students participated in reading this year’s book, “Bunny Cakes” by author Roseamary Wells, then worked their way through eight baking activity stations.

“The Read for the Record event is a labor of love,” said Dr. Lee-Anne T. Spalding. “Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces makes all the planning and preparation so worthwhile. I had a great deal of support from PNC Bank, Publix, various members of the college, and our student volunteers! Not only did the children get to enjoy a morning of educational activities, but the CEDHP students were able to work with young children who, this time next year, will be in kindergarten at our local schools. At the end of the day, we all feel so good about the experience we have provided. We want to be a small part of the process of fostering a love of learning early on and through this event we accomplish just that!”

Parents and teachers were present for the event as well, watching as the young students enjoyed activities including a slotted-spoon relay, virtual cupcake creation, and more.

Jenn Froehlich, mother of one of the preschoolers taking part in Read for the Record, was impressed with the experience. “This is my first year being a part of this, and it’s been terrific. It’s a great learning experience, and it’s just an amazing event with a lot of great up-and-coming teachers. It’s terrific for everyone, both the kids and the teachers.”

Wendy Abell, teacher at Tuskawilla Presbyterian Preschool, was also glad for the opportunity to take part in Read for the Record this year. “I think anything that encourages early literacy is a good thing, so this reading initiative is amazing and we are so privileged to have been invited this year to participate.”

Amy Pylant, teacher at Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center in Parramore, added, “The children were so excited and they talked about it all the way back to school. Everything was so well organized and I can truthfully say I’ve never been on such a relaxing field trip. This will be a day we will all remember!”

Hosted by the College of Education, the event will be held on the walkways surrounding the main campus’ Teaching Academy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The theme for the competition is �鶹ӳ����ý’s 50th anniversary, and artists are invited to work individually or in teams to create images commemorating the celebration. Chalk art will be judged by local artists and art educators, and prizes from Orlando art store Sam Flax will be awarded.

Along with the art competition, local artist Lee Jones will give a presentation on Madonnari, which means “street painting” in Italian, at noon in Room 130 of the Teaching Academy.

Jones’ presentation is free and open to the public. Entry into the art competition is $5, and participants must bring their own supplies. The competition is open to 50 participants, and registration is available.

The chalk art event is part of the College of Education’s weeklong celebration of �鶹ӳ����ý’s 50th anniversary. The week will conclude with the fourth annual �鶹ӳ����ý Book Festival, which will be held at the �鶹ӳ����ý Arena from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

In past years, the conference has drawn more than 400 education students who have the chance to network with peers, teachers and student organizations.

Attendees will hear from keynote speaker Cheryl Conley, the 2011 Florida Teacher of the Year, and more than 100 students will lead 55 different presentations that cover innovative strategies in teaching. Popular topics for presentations include literacy, social studies and technology in the classroom.

“Presenting at the HAPPY Hour Showcase is a very unique experience for the student presenters,” said Dr. Karen Verkler, HAPPY Hour chair. “This experience will set them apart in the job market from the normal candidate because most current teachers have never had the chance to speak at a conference.”

Students who present at the showcase have the chance to perfect valuable presentation skills, show employers they have a desire to become a life-long learner, and learn how to write a presentation proposal. Two showcase presenters will receive scholarships at the close of the conference that allows them to attend a state conference of their choice.

“After presenting in the 2011 HAPPY Hour Showcase, it clicked that in less than  two years I was going to be a teacher and I finally saw myself for what I am, a teacher in training,” said Ashley Martin, senior Elementary Education major. “The showcase gave me confidence in myself as an educator.”

HAPPY (Having Active Participation Prepares You) Hour is a professional development initiative for students that began at �鶹ӳ����ý in 2004 has since gained recognition across the nation. The topics discussed at the workshops supplement coursework and internships.

A follow-up HAPPY Hour workshop will be held after the conference to teach student presenters how to turn their presentations into an Honors in the Major thesis, article for publication or presentation for another conference.

“Becoming involved with HAPPY Hour is what opened the doors to an exceptional educational experience” said Nicole Yello, a senior Elementary Education major. “The program instilled confidence, enabled me to grow tremendously and energized me for my career as an educator.”

The workshops, conducted by �鶹ӳ����ý faculty members and local teachers, give students insight on a range of topics that include job and interviewing tips to classroom-management techniques. The goal of the workshops is to make graduates more marketable to employers when searching for jobs.

On-site registration is available the morning of the conference in the Education Complex Lobby.

For more information contact Karen Verkler at Karen.Verkler@ucf.edu.

Students enrolled in the �鶹ӳ����ý’s College of Education take on the role of a full-time teacher for a semester, spending five days a week at their assigned schools doing everything from grading papers to giving lessons.

The internship and other school responsibilities can often force students to cut back hours at other jobs, making it difficult to purchase the professional attire they need for the classroom.

That’s why the �鶹ӳ����ý College of Education created Educational Outfitters. It is a place where �鶹ӳ����ý education students can acquire appropriate clothing without breaking the bank. The clothing is free, but students are asked to donate canned food, which will then be donated to Orange County Public Schools.

“I believe Educational Outfitters will be beneficial to all students,” said Ashley Smith, a third-year elementary education student. “Even if you work a lot, it can be hard to balance buying new professional attire with the other costs of living.”

The program launches with a fashion show at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, in the lobby of the Teaching Academy.

It will feature students and professors modeling the appropriate professional dress for teachers in various settings, from the job interview to classroom attire for elementary, middle and high school. Immediately following the fashion show students will be able to browse the available clothing in the Educational Outfitters closet located in room 103 of the Teaching Academy.

“The College of Education has really hardworking students who are about to get started in their first classrooms,” said Megan Allen, one of the founders of Educational Outfitters. “Being able to get professional clothing without worrying about the cost will help them feel more comfortable as they take those first steps.”

Allen and colleague Ingrid Cumming developed the program together. Both are College of Education educators in residence, or public school teachers who work at the university for one year to bridge the gap between �鶹ӳ����ý and public school classrooms.

They reached out to faculty, schools and businesses in Orlando, Lakeland and Tampa for clothing donations for men and women. Educational Outfitters is also working with Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that provides professional clothing and career development resources for women.

For more information about this program, check out the Educational Outfitters .