Social Justice and Educational Activist Addresses Inequality
Renowned author, activist and educator Jonathan Kozol spoketo students, faculty and guests about educational inequalityover three days in November 2017. More than 600 people filledDePaul’s student center to hear the author of “The Shame ofthe Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America”discuss how segregated education persists in public schools.DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban, PhD, introduced Kozolthe following day to Chicago-area educational leaders. Kozolalso led a discussion with COE doctoral students and visitedBernhard Moos Elementary School in Chicago’s Humboldt Parkneighborhood.
Doctoral student Jeannette Srivastava sponsored Kozol’s visit sothat she could share a transformational educational event withher classmates. “It’s really important to hear people’s literalvoices, not just through their words or their books, but to seethem in person,” she says.
“He made us laugh, and there were points that tears wereshed,” she continued. “He said really powerful things withouthesitation, with such energy. He spoke about what he calls thetesting regime in schools and how it’s killing our kids. Heemphasized that learning should be fun.”
See Kozol’s talk at bit.ly/KozolDePaul.
Hall Moderates Discussion with the Rev. Jesse Jackson at MLK Breakfast
Horace Hall, associate professor of human development, moderated a conversation with civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson at DePaul’s annual prayer breakfast in memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hall and Jackson compared the current political climate and racism with that in the 1960s. They also discussed strategies for creating what Jackson described as a “globally inclusive country.”
Forums Address Segregation, Immigration
Panelists at the college’s fall 2017 education forum spoke to an overflow crowd about issues of racial segregation and racial justice in public education, which is more segregated now than it has been since Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. The panel opened with an overview of data and trends in school segregation. Panelists discussed how government policies create and promote segregated schools and how people have resisted them. They also shared methods for integrating racial justice into classrooms and curricula. At the winter forum, panelists explored how increased hostility toward immigrants in the U.S. and the rising risk of deportation for undocumented students create fear and volatility in the classroom. Sonia Soltero, associate professor and chair of the Department of Leadership, Language and Curriculum, moderated the panel. Topics included ideas for developing sanctuary schools, policies to increase safety and opportunity in schools, know-your-rights workshops and resources for students dealing with trauma.
"Blinderman Burger Bash" Supports inSTEM
The college’s inSTEM program is great preparation for high school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, two participants told about 300 attendees at the “Blinderman Burger Bash.” For the second year in a row, Blinderman Construction and Elizabeth and David Blinderman dedicated their October fundraising event to the inSTEM program, raising more than $50,000.
“As STEM-educated professionals, David and I understand firsthand the need for more talent in our industry, as well as in all STEM-related fields. There remains a crisis of encouragement and support for girls and women to pursue STEM opportunities. To balance the STEM playing field, mentoring and resources must begin in elementary school,” says Elizabeth Blinderman. “The inSTEM program, with its role-model female leadership in STEM professions, is committed to creating this reality, and we are committed to helping them.” .
Camp participants displayed their skills when a robot broke right before a demonstration. “The students rebuilt and reprogrammed the robot on-site. Not only did they fix it, they rebuilt it a different way and liked it better. That was problem-solving in action,” says inSTEM co-director Nell Cobb, associate professor of elementary math and associate chair of the Department of Teacher Education. .
The funds from the event guarantee that the program will be held in 2018, and planning is well underway, Cobb says. New this year are Saturday experiences during the academic year, electronic badges for student portfolios and time in the science lab at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Education Alumni Honored at February Blue Demons Game
The DePaul Blue Demons men’s basketball team played in honor of the College of Education and its alumni on Feb. 7 at Wintrust Arena at McCormick Square, the new home of DePaul basketball. Alumnus Otis Dunson III (EDU ’97) (above right), principal at George B. Armstrong International Studies Elementary School in Chicago and a DePaul Hall of Fame athlete, presented the game ball.