Department of Education Monday Minutes

Here are your Monday Minutes for January 25-29, 2021. 

From the Department Head

Dear Students and Colleagues, 

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden met with a group of teachers the day after the Presidential inauguration. The video is about one hour. You may know that Dr. Biden has decided to continue teaching at her community college in Delaware. I am excited to see our field elevated and represented by Dr. Biden!

Take good care,

 Ann Dutton Ewbank's signature 

Dr. Ann Ewbank

Micki's Desk

Deadlines

Today January 25th is the last day to Add a Course or Drop a Course using your MyInfo account.  February 1st is the last day to Drop a Course without a “W” grade. 

Important Change - How to apply for Graduation on May 1st

Attention all Education Graduate Students – If you will be applying to graduate Spring Semester on May 1st please contact your Advisor/Chair immediately.  Your Advisor will need to review your DegreeWorks and approve your request to graduate.  As soon as this has been completed, you will receive notice through MyInfo that you may submit your Online Graduation Application (instructions attached)  If you have any questions, reach out to me at edgrad@montana.edu.  February 5th is the deadline to submit your Online Graduation Application.  If you will be graduating with in multiple programs (such as Masters and Library Media Certificate) you will need to contact both of your Advisors and complete an application for both the Masters and the Certificate. 

Confirm your MSU Tuition Bill

Twenty-three Dept of Education grad students have not confirmed their bill (paid fees) will be dropped from their Spring 2021 classes at 4:30 p.m. on February 1, 2021 if not resolved. I will send out email notices the middle of this week to those still on the list.  Please see the attached pdf to confirm/pay your bill.  If you need to set up a payment, please contact Student Accounts and be held in your classes. 

If you have not completed your Required Online Education training (known as Prevention Education or AlcoholEdu) which is mandated by the Montana Board of Regents, take some time this week to complete it so you won’t have a “hold” on your student account come Summer Semester registration.  See MyInfo attachment 

MSU Writing Center:writingcenter@montana.edu  To learn more about working with the Writing Center, go to: https://www.montana.edu/writingcenter/graduate_writers.html

  • The MSU Writing Center facilitates online writing groups, called Studios, for graduate students who want to learn more about writing and improve their own writing at the same time. The goal is to create a supportive writing community of fellow graduate students.
  • Focus Friday is an opportunity for graduate writers to participate in an online writing community and to connect with other graduate students working on major writing projects

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

  • The American Mathematics Competition, hosted by the Science Math Resource Center, will be held February 4 and 10. Congratulations to the SMRC team for their service to the state of Montana!
  • Our department’s success is determined by our collective accomplishments. Share your own accomplishments with pride! Or if you hear of a colleague or student’s accomplishment, please share. Please send accomplishments and kudos to ann.ewbank@montana.edu. 

Professional Development & Engagement Opportunities

  • Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist whose motto is “The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.” The MSU Department of Education is committed to success for all. I encourage you to check out his podcast, TED Talks, newsletter, and books!
  • The Bozeman School District invites faculty to attend an “Open Mic” session on the science of reading, January 27, 5-7pm. Please see the attached flyer.
  • Webinar for Rural Educators: Join Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows Rachael Arens and Michael Guarraia from NASA on February 4th at 7pm CST / 6pm MST for the monthly 3-D Thursdays series for K-12 rural educators. This webinar will offer educators a virtual workshop with the NASA AREN Project to access kite-based “AEROKATS” and remotely controlled aquatic and land-based “ROVERS” that collect remotely sensed Earth observations. Please see the attached flyer. View the flyer. Register here. Learn more about the AEROKATS kites project at MSU
  • Please join us February 2nd at 6pm MST for the next Library Media Certificate Webinar. This month Laura Trapp, LMC mentor and elementary school librarian, will present “Collaborate with your Specialist Colleagues.” Consider collaborating with your music and physical education colleagues for a fun school-wide week of activities!  Laura will share details from her elementary school experiences. Click here to register for the webinar. Feel free to forward this announcement to your friends and colleagues. Thanks, and hope to see you there! This would be a really great opportunity for our pre-service teacher and school leader candidates.
  • Teach for America offers a workshop Decolonizing Towards Indigenizing Education on Tuesday, January 26th, from 5:30-7pm MST. representation in education and dismantle systemic inequities to expand opportunities for children. Participants will receive a $10 Grubhub gift card. 

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