March 2021 Newsletter
School of Education Panel Discusses
the Future of P-12 Education

After a year that involved a global pandemic, nationwide school closures, remote instruction, and protests for racial equity, the role of education has never been more critical for the future of democracy. The pandemic heightened existing gaps and disparities and exposed a need to rethink how we design schools and instruction. As schools plan for post-pandemic classrooms, what will P-12 education look like and what should it aspire to accomplish? This panel discussion, "The Future of P-12 Education," originally aired during UCI's 2021 Stay @ Homecoming celebration. Featuring: Associate Professor June Ahn, Dean and Professor Richard Arum, Distinguished Professor Greg Duncan, and Professor Elizabeth van Es.
Asst. Prof. Dowell named
Faculty Innovation Fellow
“I greatly appreciate UCI’s culture of innovation and the ways in which it values and provides support for translating cutting-edge research into practical applications for the world," said Assistant Professor Nia Dowell.
Researchers receive award from EF+Math Program to adapt innovative Fraction Ball game at SAUSD schools
"Our pilot work showed the students who were randomly assigned to play six 50-minute sessions of Fraction Ball during P.E. class made significantly greater gains on a fraction knowledge test than students assigned to remain in P.E.," said Assistant Professor Andres Bustamante.
Prof. Jaeggi receives NIH grant to study memory interventions in older adults
Susanne Jaeggi and a team are studying interventions that may ultimately contribute to mitigating cognitive decline in older adult populations.
Partnership with PBS Kids Studies Conversational Agents, AI
The School of Education's Digital Learning Lab, led by Professor Mark Warschauer, has partnered with PBS KIDS to conduct research into how conversational agents powered by artificial intelligence can enhance the learning benefits that children receive from hearing stories aloud and from watching videos.
Doctoral candidate signs MIT Press book deal
The book, authored by doctoral candidate Yenda Prado, will present the first case study focused on digital technologies’ potential to facilitate inclusion for linguistically and culturally diverse students with disabilities.
Doctoral students Sharin Jacob and Sirui Wan
selected as 2021 Grad Slam finalists
Grad Slam is a UC systemwide competition that showcases and awards the best three-minute research presentations by graduate scholars. This competition not only highlights the excellence, importance and relevance of UCI graduate scholars and their research, but it is also designed to increase graduate students' communication skills and their capacity to effectively present their work with poise and confidence. Jacob (above, left) and Wan were named among 10 UCI finalists, and presented their research on March 4.
Doctoral student receives Otto W. Shaler Scholarship
Undarmaa Maamuujav received the 2021 Otto W. Shaler Scholarship in support of her dissertation research, which includes academic writing and rhetoric, second language writing and acquisition, critical reading, and the role of technology in writing and literacy development..
OCEAN Updates
Established in fall 2018, the Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN) is a network of research-practice partnerships between the School of Education and K-12 schools in Orange County. At each site, a School of Education faculty member and doctoral student work with school leadership to identify the greatest needs and goals of the school, and in turn conduct research that will positively impact both the school and greater Orange County.

In a short 30 months, the partnerships have generated research, improved learning opportunities and outcomes for K-12 students, and supported students and families during remote learning. Below are a few stories of recent work.
Rowing in the Same Direction
With a variety of stakeholders in tow, a School of Education OCEAN partnership with Rea Elementary and the Newport-Mesa Unified School District is improving teaching and students’ mathematical thinking and reasoning.
A Model for Inclusion
Now in its third year, the OCEAN partnership between the UCI School of Education and TLC Public Charter School is generating novel research into ways that technology can foster an inclusive environment for culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities.
A grant awarded to a team of researchers, led by Associate Professor and OCEAN Director June Ahn (pictured), is addressing threats to educational opportunities in low-income communities of color during the pandemic.
Alumni Corner
Supporting the Future by Honoring the Past
Inspired by a mentor and retired administrator, Vicki Vasques (’81) recently made a $10,000 gift in honor of School of Education legendary teacher educator Mary Roosevelt. “I have a special place in my heart for education and Mary, who had a huge impact on my life," Vasques said. "I’m so grateful and fortunate to be able to give back, and hopefully, I can continue to invest in our future teachers.”
Q&A with California Teachers of the Year,
School of Education alumni
Laura Gómez ('96; above, left) is a third-grade teacher at Glenn L. Martin Elementary School in Santa Ana, and Jim Klipfel ('93) is an 11th-grade U.S. history teacher and swimming coach at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita. The two educators were among five teachers statewide to be named 2021 California Teachers of the Year.
CFEP News
The Center for Educational Partnerships (CFEP) - a robust unit within the School of Education - creates collaborations that support student preparation for and success in higher education. The CFEP's programs support K-12 teacher and student development, transfer students, and UCI undergraduates from all majors. With the support of the CFEP, the School of Education is creating opportunities for students to achieve the American dream.
The Edge magazine
The Center for Educational Partnerships publishes The Edge magazine to address the most common challenges high school and transfer students face. The Spring issue focuses on addressing challenges that students are facing amidst the current learning environment.
CFEP develops internal Black Lives Matter initiative
CFEP staff are also leading campus initiatives to dismantle systemic racism at UCI, and has created its own anti-racist literature-focused Book Club. The overarching goal is to improve CFEP programs and practices to serve its students, families, and schools better.
CFEP Assistant Director leading WACUBO annual service project
CFEP Assistant Director Patricia Anderson is serving as project lead for the Western Association of College & University Business Officers (WACUBO) Annual Conference. Anderson will lead fundraising efforts for Anchorage-based Fairview Elementary.
In the News
Distinguished Professor Greg Duncan quoted in Yahoo News on poverty and the Expanded Child Tax Credit

Research by Assistant Professor Jade Jenkins and doctoral candidate Jennifer Duer detailed in Start Early.

UCI Science Project program director Kelley Le (pictured, right) pens op-ed for Ten Strands: "Reimagining Science Education with Climate Change"

Alumna Emily Matthews honored as a Newport-Mesa Unified School District Teacher of the Year (Daily Pilot)

Shannon Olson (BA '04, MAT '06) on becoming a best-selling children's book author in We Are Teachers: "I Couldn’t Find the Book I Wanted for My Class…So I Wrote It Myself"

Work from a School of Education OCEAN partnership highlighted in the Los Angeles Times: "How much learning loss have Newport-Mesa Unified students suffered during the pandemic?"
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • March 17 - Cultivating Genius and Joy: An Equity Model for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy, featuring Gholdy Muhammad, Associate Professor, Georgia State University, presented by the WRITE Center

  • March 23 - CRLP PLC Leadership Series: A Focus on Equity and Closing the Gap for Our Current Times





  • April 15 - What Works Best for Literacy Instruction? Visible Learning for Literacy in History/Social Stuides and ELA, featuring Douglas Fisher, Professor, San Diego State University, presented by the WRITE Center

  • April 20 - CRLP PLC Leadership Series: A Focus on Equity and Closing the Gap for Our Current Times


  • April 28 - UCI Giving Day (Save the Date!)

  • April 28 - Quad Text Sets: A Framework to Engage All Learners in Scientific Practices and Work Towards Mastering Complex Texts, presented by UCI CalTeach

  • May 6 - UCI Presents National Teacher Appreciation Day (More details to come -- Save the Date!)



  • May 26 - Developing Place-Based, Agricultural Science Distance Learning Materials that Include Indigenous Knowledge and Practices, presented by UCI CalTeach


For more information on upcoming professional development opportunities,
please visit 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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