June 2021 Newsletter
Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
The UCI School of Education congratulates the entire University of California, Irvine Class of 2021. This month, more than 450 students from the School of Education's B.A., MAT, and Ph.D. programs earned their degree and officially became UCI alumni. Congratulations to all our graduates, along with graduates of the UCI CalTeach and UCI SAGE Scholars Program! You can learn more about our graduates and their accomplishments below.
Commencement Videos & Photos
2021 School of Education Commencement
Ph.D. In Education Awards Celebration
Ph.D. in Education Cap & Gown Photo Album
SAGE Scholars: Congratulations & Thank You
MAT + Credential Cap & Gown Photo Album
UCI CalTeach Class of 2021 Banquet
Farewell and Thank You to Founding Alumni Chapter President, Dr. Wenli Jen!
In her tenure as the founding president, Dr. Jen '04 led the launch of the official chapter, and grew membership by more than 100 percent.
JOIN THE UCI ANTEATERS IN EDUCATION
ALUMNI CHAPTER
Membership is open to School of Education alumni and credential alumni, UCI graduates who work in education, and local educators who have attended UCI professional development programs in education. Members receive the School of Education newsletter, invitations to professional development and networking events, and more! 
SCHOOL NEWS
Emily Penner named
William T. Grant Scholar
As part of her research, Penner will explore effective pedagogy for teaching ethnic studies and how this pedagogy contributes to reducing inequality in academic outcomes for racially and ethnically minoritized students.
Adriana Villavicencio shares findings from new book
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?, from Harvard Education Press, chronicles a four-year study focused on improving the educational outcomes of 15,000 Black and Latinx males in New York City public high schools. Villavicencio, who also recently received a Hellman Fellowship Award, shares her findings during a book talk and Q&A with Douglas M. Haynes, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.
Researchers author
Gates Foundation report
Researchers from the The Next Generation Undergraduate Success Measurement Project, led by Dean and Professor Richard Arum, authored a report, "Ensuring a More Equitable Future: Assessing Student Learning and Growth in Higher Education," for the Gates Foundation's Postsecondary Value Commission.
Spencer Foundation awards Racial Equity
Special Research Grant to team
The research team will identify existing teacher recruitment practices of two university-based teacher preparation programs in Southern California and recommend promising practices for improving the recruitment of Black candidates. Research team includes Asst. Prof. Brandy Gatlin-Nash (pictured, left), who will serve as principal investigator on the project, Prof. Elizabeth van Es (center), Co-PI, and Prof. Rossella Santagata.
Jin Kyoung Hwang receives IES grant to study literacy instruction for English learners
Project scientist and alumna Hwang and her research team will research literacy instruction among students who are in the process of acquiring English language and literacy skills.
Doctoral student, professor receive Susan Samueli
Integrative Health Institute Pilot Studies Award
Alexandria Weaver (left) and Prof. Susanne Jaeggi's study will explore auditory processing in older adults. Their intervention will target skills typically developed with formal instrumental training using innovative technology with the hope to foster participants’ auditory processing.
Society for Research in Child Development names Sandra Simpkins Horowitz Program Mentor
In mentorship role, Simpkins will provide educational and professional development for a scholar from an underrepresented group.
Rossella Santagata receives Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship
The award recognizes faculty members who exhibit excellence in training, professional development, ongoing support, evaluations and feedback, and impact on learning and development.
New Bilingual Authorization Program to help meet dual immersion demand
The Master of Arts in Teaching + Credential Program now offers a Spanish Bilingual Authorization Program option, which will help meet demand for K-12 dual language immersion instructors
Spring 2021 Research Fair
The Student Affairs Office hosted a virtual research fair for undergrads and included a Zoom session, student research panel, and breakout rooms.
Climate Council engagement programs promote equity, inclusion
Launched last summer, the Advancing Ideas initiative funded three programs: Food for Thought, CFEP Book Club, and the Undergraduate Student Support Hub Mentorship Program.
Student News
In the News
  • Assistant Professor Andres Bustamante: "Stimulating STEM in the City: Co-Designing with Latinx Families to Promote Informal STEM Learning" (PBS)
  • Alumna Virginia Nguyen '03: “Finding Her Voice” (UCI News)
  • School of Education's community partnership, establishment of learning pods highlighted (EdSurge)
  • Spanish Bilingual Authorization Program launches this summer to increase number of bilingual teachers in California (EdSource)
Upcoming Events
  • June 30 - From Voice to Impact: Literacy Learning in the Time of Now

  • July 6 - Digital Storytelling Using Audio Primary Sources Workshop

  • July 7 - Teaching Hope and Resilience for Students Experiencing Trauma

  • July 14 - What Freedom Looks Like: Literacies of Critical Civic Imagination and Empathy

  • July 14 - Romeo & Juliet and Social Justice

  • July 19* - Next Generation Science Standards Tier 1 Certification Program

  • July 20 & 22 - Reimagining Science Education with Climate Change

  • July 21 - Get Free: Anti-Bias Literacy Instruction for Stronger Readers, Writers, and Thinkers

  • July 21 - Building Together: School-based Structures for Digital Equity

  • July 27 & August 3 – PBL Institute for Equity, Social Justice, and Inclusion (Grades 6-12)

  • July 28 - Educate to Liberate: Tools for Teaching Writing in the Anti-Racist Classroom

  • July 28 - Digital Inclusion in SPED: Teaching with Technology for Special Education Teachers

  • July 29 & August 5 - PBL Institute for Equity, Social Justice, and Inclusion (Grades K-5)

  • August 12* - Building an Antiracist Classroom Community Series

* Indicates event is first in a larger series. Click here to view all dates in the series.
** Subsequent workshops in this series to be held on Sept, 9, Oct. 7, and Oct. 14.
In case you missed it:
Transforming Science Teaching: Planning for the
Post-COVID "New Normal"
presented by UCI CalTeach
Community Engagement Initiatives
The UCI School of Education is home to several initiatives intended to foster community-driven solutions to education issues, problems, and inequities faced by our local communities with implications for national and global impact. As a cornerstone of a preeminent research university, the School of Education’s community-engaged initiatives link strong research knowledge and expertise to pressing local needs. 

Below are the latest updates from the Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN); the Center for Research on Teacher Development and Professional Practice (CRT); and the UCI Teacher Academy.
New Publications
Please enjoy a complete list of recent publications by our world-class faculty, graduate students, and alumni.
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