September 2021 Newsletter

School of Education Faculty Awarded More Than $5 Million in IES Grants

Three UC Davis School of Education faculty teams have each received $1.7 million grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. “These IES grants are highly competitive, so it’s quite unusual for one institution to receive three awards in the same year,” said Dean Lauren Lindstrom. “It’s clear that our faculty are conducting high-quality, relevant research. The results of these studies will affect the learning experiences of many thousands of students.” 

Improving learning outcomes for students with autism in general education classrooms

PI Nicole Sparapani, Assistant Professor
Co-PIs Peter Mundy, Professor, and Nancy Tseng, Lecturer and Supervisor in the Multiple Subject Credential Program
This four-year project takes a novel approach to improving educational outcomes and supporting inclusion for students with autism by identifying teacher practices in general education classrooms that support math and literacy engagement and learning in all students, including those with autism. Read the full story.

Assessing whether online instructor professional development improves community college student outcomes

PI Cassandra Hart, Associate Professor
The research team will investigate whether the professional development being provided to online California community college instructors is translating to better experiences and outcomes for students taking remote classes, with a goal of identifying best practices that will continue improving the quality of online instruction. Read more. 

Investigating access and outcomes of expanded career technical education in California high schools

PI Michal Kurlaender, Professor and Department Chair
Co-PI Paco Martorell, Associate Professor
The research team will assemble longitudinal data from all of California’s public high schools and community colleges to assess the availability of expanded career technical education in high schools and at community colleges through dual enrollment, determine which students are benefitting, and demonstrate the impact on student college outcomes. Read more. 

PowerSchool Establishes Education Award for School of Education Teaching Credential Students

The School of Education is the first partner university selected by PowerSchool to receive a $100,000 gift to establish the PowerSchool Education Fund Award. This impactful fund will provide awards to teaching credential candidates with demonstrated financial need, with priority given to first-generation college students. The award will help cover costs such as fees for tests, background checks and applications. “As the national teacher shortage continues, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, certification fees should not create barriers or place additional burdens on anyone wanting to join the teaching profession,” said PowerSchool CEO Hardeep Gulati, pictured with Dean Lauren Lindstrom. “We’re proud to give back to our communities and help support a quality and equitable education for all.” Learn more.

Research News

Wheelhouse Research Spotlights Community College CEO Leadership During a Year of Racial Reckoning

Wheelhouse: The Center for Community College Leadership and Research has published a research brief based on interviews with 21 California community college CEOs on their experiences leading their institutions through the “racial reckoning” of the past year. In “Leading as Myself,” community college presidents, superintendents and chancellors reflect on leading conversations about race and racism on their campuses, diversifying faculty hiring, reforming and expanding curriculum, and more. Read more.

Center for Community and Citizen Science Awarded $250,000 Grant

The Center for Community and Citizen Science has received a $250,000 grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to examine the role of community and citizen science in marine protected area implementation. CCCS will study how volunteers contribute to ocean conservation efforts through participation in research and monitoring. While this collaborative research project is focused on oceans and coasts in California and Oregon, the findings may yield useful insights for environmental management and conservation writ large.

Faculty News

Prof. Yuuko Uchikoshi to Serve as Undergraduate Program Chair

Prof. Yuuko Uchikoshi has been appointed the new Undergraduate Program Chair for the School of Education. Uchikoshi served as Director for Undergraduate Programs from 2016 to 2019, when she was key to the development and growth of the School’s undergraduate Education minor, and expanded opportunities for undergraduate research and international internships. “I am very grateful for Prof. Uchikoshi’s willingness to step into this leadership role once again for the School of Education,” said Dean Lauren Lindstrom.

Welcome Associate Chair for Teacher Education Lola Muldrew 

The School of Education welcomes new Associate Chair for Teacher Education Dr. Lola Muldrew. Muldrew earned her MA in teaching mathematics and her PhD in math education at UC Davis. She most recently worked as a teacher and Summer Institute Principal at Harker School in San Jose, has managed and directed academic programs, served in teacher education roles, and has taught mathematics in various settings for almost 30 years. “My experience as a teacher and administrator makes me want to try to improve the experiences of teachers, staff, students—all members of the education arena,” said Muldrew, “and I feel like UC Davis is a place where that kind of growth is valued and takes place.”

Alumni and Student News 

Mikael Villalobos Appointed Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of UC Davis Campus Community Relations

Mikael Villalobos, ’93, EdD ’14, has been appointed Interim AVC of UC Davis Campus Community Relations. Villalobos has been serving as the Associate Chief Diversity Officer since 2014, and has overseen projects, fostered growth and served as a leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion during nearly three decades of service at UC Davis. Learn more.

Events

PowerSchool and Microsoft Webinar Series

The School of Education has partnered with PowerSchool and Microsoft on a three-part October webinar series titled “Finding Balance: Addressing Today’s Challenges with Lessons Learned from Last School Year.” Register now for the first of the series, “Assessing and Teaching with the Whole Child Top-of-Mind,” moderated by Dr. Carlas McCauley, the School of Education’s Director of Research and Partnerships, on October 7 at 11 am PT. Register and learn about all three sessions today.

Faculty Present in MIND Institute Webinar on Autism

Associate Prof. Nicole Sparapani, Prof. Peter Mundy and Multiple Subject Credential Lecturer and Supervisor Dr. Nancy Tseng discussed their novel research into student-teacher interactions in math and literacy and instructional practices for early elementary students with autism. Watch the video.

CTERIN: Faculty Present at Teacher Education Conference

School of Education faculty members presented at the 2021 Summer Virtual Conference for Supervisors of Teacher Education Network Team (CTERIN), an event held by the UC California Teacher Education Research and Improvement Network. Lecturer Lisa Sullivan gave opening remarks, introducing this year’s theme, “Building a Community of Supervisors for Equity & Justice.” Prof. Rebecca Ambrose presented on research on student teacher supervision and Lecturer Orlando Carreón served as a co-panelist for a session on humanizing student teachers and teaching them to humanize their students in turn. Find the full program, including links to webinar recordings of each. 

Show Off with School of Education Gear

Looking for a way to show off your School of Education pride? You’ll find shirts of all styles, as well as mugs, hats and more with the School of Education logo at the online UC Davis Store. Proceeds from all store sales benefit UC Davis Athletics.

Publications

• Prof. Heidi Ballard co-authored the chapter “Developing Environmental Action Competence in an Urban High School Agriculture and Environmental Program” in Research Approaches in Urban Agriculture and Community Context and the article “How Do Young Community and Citizen Science Volunteers Support Scientific Research on Biodiversity? The Case of iNaturalist,” published in Diversity.
• Prof. Kevin Gee co-authored “Chronic Absence Patterns and Prediction During Covid-19: Insights from Connecticut,” published by Attendance Works.
• Prof. Margarita Jimenez-Silva co-authored “Transforming Social Studies for English Learners through Intentional Professional Development,” a chapter in Multicultural Curriculum Transformation in Social Studies and Civic Education.
• Dean Lauren E. Lindstrom co-authored the chapter “Work-Based Learning for Students With Disabilities,” published in Handbook of Adolescent Transition Education for Youth with Disabilities.
• Prof. Paco Martorell co-authored “Expanding Student Success: The Impact of a Comprehensive College Transition Program on Psychosocial Outcomes,” published by Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness.
• Prof. Alexis Patterson Williams co-authored “(W)holistic Science Pedagogy: Teaching for Justice” published in The Science Teacher.