Crossing Interdisciplinary Lines

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio co-sponsored a terrific interdisciplinary conference on Saturday. Several faculty members in our department joined forces with faculty members from the Counseling and Educational Psychology departments within the College of Education and Human Development. There were over 70 students from across the three departments in attendance who learned from listening to exemplary school leadership teams. There were three teams composed of the principal, counselor, and educational psychologist from each campus representing one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. Each team hailed from different school districts in the San Antonio area. The morning began with a panel discussion in which all of the school leadership team participants had an opportunity to respond to questions that students had developed prior to the panel. It was wonderful to see the true example of cohesive leadership that the team members exhibited. They were truly "teams" that respected, trusted, and supported each other. During the second half of the morning students attended break-out sessions divided by role (principals, counselors, educational psychologists) for a more focused session.  Before convening, all of the panelists and students came back together to share what they had learned during their individual break-out sessions and to complete an evaluation of the conference. Several students indicated that they found the information shared by the panelists very helpful as they plan to work collaboratively with their respective leadership teams once they are in those roles. The school leadership team panelists stated that they also enjoyed their participation in the interdisciplinary conference and hoped that we would invite them back in the future. We definitely plan to make this an annual event. One of the prinicpals put it best when he said that what keeps him and his team going is the sincere level of care that they have for children. That is the perspective that we must all identify with as we proceed with the immense responsibility of training future school leaders.

UCEA Announces Search for Associate Directors

UCEA Announces Search for Associate Directors or Co-Directors in the Following Program Areas:

• The Barbara L. Jackson Scholars Program
• UCEA Program Centers
• International Initiatives

Working as an UCEA Associate Director provides an exciting opportunity for service at a national level. As an Associate Director, you would work with the UCEA Executive Director and the UCEA membership to support UCEAʼs program efforts.

The Associate Director for the Barbara L. Jackson Scholars Program would work to promote the mission, vision and goals of UCEA through the development of scholars and mentors involved in the Barbara L. Jackson Scholars program.   Specifically, the Associate Director in this program area would: 

1. Provide leadership, visibility and coordination for the Jackson Scholars Program.
2. Serve as Chair of the Jackson Scholars Advisory Board.
3. Facilitate the process of identifying and selecting participants and mentors for the Jackson Scholars Program.
4. Design and implement development opportunities for the Jackson Scholars and Mentors (e.g., scholar workshops at AERA 

The Associate Director for UCEA’s Program Centers would work to promote the mission, vision and goals of UCEA through its program centers.   Specifically, the Associate Director in this program area would:

1. Provide leadership and visibility for UCEA’s Program Centers.
2. Serve as Chair of the Program Center Advisory Board.
3. Coordinate the Review of Program Centers.
4. Facilitate the Call for and Review of Program Center Mini-Grants.
5. Facilitate the Call for and Review of Graduate Student Fellowships. 

The Associate Director for International Initiatives would work to promote the mission, vision and goals of UCEA through the development of international programs and partnerships relevant to UCEA’s goals.   Specifically, the Associate Director in this program area would:

1. Provide leadership, visibility and coordination for UCEA’s International Initiatives.
2. Serve as an ambassador for UCEA to leadership scholars, practitioners and organizations in other countries.
3. Design and implement opportunities for international programs and partnerships relevant to UCEA’s goals. 

UCEA Associate Directors serve for three-year terms, which can be renewed twice. UCEA provides an annual travel allowance for all UCEA Associate Directors. Associate Directors attend up to two annual governance meetings and engage in telephone and web conferences as needed.

To apply for a UCEA Associate Director position, please send a letter of interest describing your qualifications for this role, your CV and a letter of support from your department chair and/or dean to ucea@virginia.edu. It is preferred that institutions provide UCEA Associate Directors at least one course release annually during their term as Associate Director as well as travel support. If you are interested in applying, please send a letter of intent by April 30.  The application deadline for the Associate Director positions listed in this call is June 30, 2013. Please contact UCEA headquarters (434-243-1041) if you have questions about these positions. We would be happy to talk with you about the positions and address any questions you might have.

Second Annual Film Festival is now open for Video Submission!

The 2013 UCEA Convention will play host to the second annual UCEA Film Festival at this year's convention in Indianapolis! UCEA has opened an opportunity for submissions of 5-minute videos that explore broadly the landscape of quality leadership preparation, including our research and engaged scholarship, our preparation program designs and improvement efforts, our policy work, and the practice of educational leaders. 

• Video Running Time - 5 minutes or less
• Deadline for video submissions – July 31, 2013
• Filmmakers will be notified of the videos selected for the 2013 UCEA Convention by September 1, 2013. Video submission materials WILL NOT be returned
• Videos must be submitted on a DVD formatted in MPEG video Region 1/North America. Each DVD must be accompanied by a completed and signed submission form. Mail DVD and submission form by July 31, 2013 to:

Jennifer Friend, Associate Professor, ELPF

University of Missouri-Kansas City

328 Education Building, 5100 Rockhill Road

Kansas City, MO 64110

If you are interested in serving as a reviewer, please contact Dr. Julia Ballenger by May 1, 2013. Contact information: Julia.Ballenger@tamuc.edu  936.554.9300

Her Name was Miss Booth

Her name was Florence Booth. Miss Booth, to me. I was a fourth grader. She was not the first fourth grade teacher in my life, nor was she the last. I knew Miss Booth for about four months. My parents moved 27 times during the first 25 years that they were married, so I popped into and out of schools like popcorn. I don’t remember the names of 95% of my public school teachers. But, I remember Miss Booth’s name—even her first name. How is that possible? I even have a picture of Miss Booth standing by my side with her arm draped over my skinny shoulders. That photo is the only one of its kind from my childhood.

Before and after I met Miss Booth, with few exceptions, my experiences of school were those in the back row where the “good, quiet” children sat. Yes, eventually I was also tall, so my position in the back row held. From the back row, I missed much of what went on in most classrooms. But, in Miss Booth’s classroom, I knew someone was watching and listening as I cautiously lived in the small space of my desk—the only space that I felt was mine.

I remember, in detail, that desk with the lid you could lift. Miss Booth had us “clean out” our desks at regular intervals, and I came to know a space and its contents in a way that I had never known anything else. Could it be that my love of papers and books took root at that time?

Miss Booth noticed that I cherished papers and books, and probably wondered why I did not heed the things she wrote on the board. Later when she told my parents that I couldn’t see the black board, they thought it was her imagination. But, when eye exams were conducted by the school nurse, I couldn’t see the top, large “E” on the chart. My parents were mortified. Glasses, the first ones in our family of six, opened yet another world for me. Finally I saw the secret messages that Miss Booth wrote on the board. I was riveted.

“I think I will call you Curious Cryss!” Miss Booth again. At the time, I was craning my neck over my classmate’s shoulder to see the book that another reading group was discussing. Miss Booth continued, “Please stop poking your nose into other people’s business and get back to your own work!” My silent whine followed, “I was just listening.”

Seemingly I had no choice. With new senses open to the ever-fascinating world, I started to watch and listen out of the corners of my eyes and ears. I became the quintessential observer, and when asking covert questions of my classmates who were learning other interesting things, I became the intrepid interviewer with an insatiable curiosity. I was extremely engaged.

My insatiable curiosity drove me unwittingly to the academic life. By the time I was 11, my bedroom was full of tall, neat stacks—each stack a different topical project. When mom wanted to vacuum, I explained, “These are important. I might need extra credit!” I created these research projects during my free time—my own weird brand of fun. The journey continued.

The ground for research and scholarship was established.

UCEA Convention 2013 - Call for Proposals Now Open!

The University Council for Educational Administration is pleased to open the 2013 Call for Proposals.

Access the UCEA Convention Proposal Submission Site to submit your proposal, sign up to as a reviewer, and volunteer to serve as a chair/discussant.

Proposals must be submitted by May 10th, 2013 in order to be reviewed and considered for inclusion on the 2013 UCEA Convention program.

When preparing your proposal, please consider the 2013 UCEA Convention Theme.

Click here to submit your convention proposal for consideration