alumni, civic engagement, community engagement, education, faculty, international affairs, international education, multicultural
Karla and Sahana at Meetup Night.

Be a Friend... a Community Friend!

Our Community Friends Program matches international students with local resident volunteers to help them feel welcome and at home during their time at Lewis & Clark College.
grad-news-2020, teacher education, teacher of the year
Kate Fisher Hedeen

MAT Alumna, Kate Fisher Hedeen, named 2021 Regional Teacher of the Year by Clackamas ESD

Fisher Hedeen is among 15 other 2021 regional teachers who were nominated by Oregon’s 19 Education Service Districts throughout the state to receive this regional honor.

publication

Alumna Christy Hale, MAT ’80, illustrates Ansel Adam’s life

You may be familiar with Adams’s iconic black-and-white nature photographs. But do you know about the artist who created these images?
publication

Alumna Vicky Allen (Zander), MEd ’73, publishes American Sign Language as a Bridge to English

American Sign Language as a Bridge to English is a guide for hearing teachers of hearing students to use ASL as a ‘bridge’ to learning English as a foreign language.
Judge Jane Levy JD '04, MA '11 with her mother Susan Conway

Judge Jane Levy JD ’04 MA ’11 follows her mother to Family Court

Judge Jane Levy JD ’04 MA ’11 follows her mother to Family Court
award, feature

Alumnus Matt Utterback named Oregon Superintendent of the Year

Matt Utterback, superintendent of the North Clackamas School District, is being hailed as the best in the state.
award, feature
Sharon Chinn

Sharon Chinn, Director of Educational Career, Licensing, and Accreditation Services, recognized by OWHE

Sharon Chinn is the director of Educational Career, Licensing, and Accreditation Services and the Commencement Coordinator at the Graduate School of Education and Counseling, Lewis & Clark College. With 25-years in the field, Sharon brings to her work decades of experience networking, advocating, and supporting students, faculty, and staff as they grow in their professions.
feature
Jennie Knapp

Alumna Jennie Knapp named one of two new assistant principals for Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego School District announced Wednesday that it has filled the open assistant principal slots at its two junior high schools.
award, feature

Alumna Melissa Wilk Named 2016 Fulbright Scholar

Wilk’s nine-month Assistantship will take her to La Rioja, Spain, an autonomous community and province, where she will be studying the process of second language acquisition.
award, feature

Alumna Holly Thompson Named School Counselor of the Year

Holly Thompson, who received her Master’s of Education at Lewis & Clark Graduate School, and is currently the counselor at Rowe Middle School.
award, feature

Alumna named School Psychologist of the Year

Kate Grieve Ed.S. ’09 has been named New Hampshire’s School Psychologist of the Year in recognition of outstanding service to the profession.
award

Alumnus chosen for National Geographic expedition to Galapagos Islands

Jesse Lowes M.A.T. ’11 will travel with 34 other teachers to the Galapagos Islands in September 2015.
publication

Teaching Climate Change

Alumnus and adjunct professor Tim Swinehart takes on climate change in a new book for teachers.

Amanda Isberg M.A.T. ’10 shares tips for international teaching

In a blog about her passion for international teaching, Amanda Isberg MAT ’10 helps others navigate the profession.
feature

Grades & Grapes

Andrew Beckham BA ’98, MAT ’01 balances teaching with winemaking.
feature

Global Achiever

Sara McGowan M.A.T. ’01 combines her love of language and learning in the Spanish/English community school she founded in Costa Rica.
Mollie Dickson M.A.T. '09

Getting to the Heart of Nutrition

Mollie Dickson M.A.T. ’09 remembers relaxing at the kitchen table in her childhood home, talking with her father as he cooked tasty and nutritious meals for their family.
Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Turning 30

The graduate school celebrates 30 years of preparing teachers and counselors for lives of service.

award, feature
PorchLight Custom Counseling gathers new ideas through Lewis & Clark's Incubator+Launch program. Photo by Lacey Jacoby '16.

Alumni break down barriers to counseling with innovative approach

After discussing counseling services that were missing in the Portland area, the founders of PorchLight Custom Counseling—Justin Cox M.A. ’12, Llew Richards M.A. ’13, Mica Richards, Holly Roland M.A. ’12, and Siddarth Venkatachalam M.A. ’12 —had an idea to offer their many counseling specialties at affordable rates, around the clock.

Alumna named principal of Oregon middle school

Karen Pugsley M.Ed. ’03 has been named principal at Newberg’s Chehalem Valley Middle School.
feature

Alumni Profile: Ian Alistair Lake B.A. ’13, M.A.T. ’14

Get to know Ian Alistair Lake B.A. ’13, M.A.T. ’14, a recent graduate of Lewis & Clark’s master of arts in teaching program.

Iowa’s new head of deaf and blind schools is Lewis & Clark alum

The Iowa Board of Regents has named alumnus Steve Gettel M.Ed. ’81 as head of the state’s deaf and blind schools.
Japanese Peruvians en route to U.S. Internment Camps. April 2, 1942. U.S. Army Signal Corps Photo. National Archive.

Internment of Japanese Latin Americans subject of alumna’s teaching

In a recent commentary for the Huffington Post, Moé Yonamine M.A.T. ’10 revealed an untold story behind Japanese internment during World War II.

Alumnus uses blogging to explore war on drugs, mass incarceration

Michael Durfee M.A.T. ’07 is a historian and contributing editor to Points: The Blog of the Alcohol and Drugs History Society.

30 Years of Service to Others

In 2014, the Graduate School celebrates its 30-year history of working in the community
award, feature
Don Grotting

Oregon’s 2014 Superintendent of the Year

Growing up in southwest Oregon, Don Grotting Ed. Ad. ’00 and his four siblings lived in a house with no indoor plumbing until he was a sophomore at Coquille High School.

Alumnus named superintendent of Scarsdale, New York schools

Alumnus Thomas Hagerman has been named superintendent of schools in Scarsdale, New York.

Alumnus critiques new science standards

Retired educator Ford Morishita (’78, M.A.T. ’81) comments on the new Oregon State Board of Education’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Alumna debuts new photography collection highlighting role of grandmothers

Linnea Osterberg, M.A. ’02, is an award-winning Portland-area photographer known for her portraits of children and families. The graduate of the addiction counseling program debuted “Grandma” in spring 2014, an exhibit that honors the bond between grandmothers and their grandchildren. Her collection, displayed at some Portland businesses and scheduled for display in the fall at Smith College in Massachusetts, includes photographs of more than 50 subjects.

Rebecca Taplin is the 2014 student commencement speaker

Student commencement speaker Rebecca Taplin, M.A ’14, looks ahead to a career serving clients and working for system change in the mental health care landscape.
award
Catherine Sergeant B.A. '70, M.A.T. '75. Photo courtesy of the Madras Pioneer.

Oregon’s top librarian promotes value of her Lewis & Clark education

Catherine Sergeant B.A. ’70, M.A.T. ’75 has been named Librarian of the Year by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. Sergeant is head librarian of the Jefferson County School District, which consists of six school libraries.
alumni, media appearances, teacher education

Colin Pierce, MAT ’11, comments in Seattle Times on school funding

A Lewis & Clark alum chimes in on the topic of school funding in Washington State.
Dominique Aubry, MAT '13, attended Race Talks 2 at Jefferson High School

Alumni attend talks about race in Oregon

Along with 50 residents, students, and educators from the Portland Metro Area, multiple Lewis & Clark graduate school alumni attended talks about the racial divide in Oregon.
publication

Alumna advocates for “constructive wallowing” in new book

Counselor and self-help author Tina Gilbertson (M.A. in Professional Mental Health Counseling—Addictions ‘07) has a new book out: Constructive Wallowing: How to Beat Bad Feeling by Letting Yourself Have Them.
feature

Seniors Blossom With Horticultural Therapy

In November, Patty Cassidy M.S. ’94 led a group of senior citizens outside to put their raised gardens to bed for the winter. Standing or working from wheelchairs, they pulled up old perennials, raked and turned the dirt, and planted a crop of Austrian winter peas to infuse the soil with nitrogen.
feature

Transitions

By Barbara Allen Burke B.A. ’83, M.A. ’87
I first came to Oregon way back in the fall of 1979. I was about to start school at Lewis & Clark, and my parents drove me on the 1,300-mile trip from Colorado. I sat in the backseat along with my navy blue metal locker, a large-ish suitcase, and my electric typewriter. I was dreaming about moving into my dorm room, worried about whether my roommates would like me, and trying to fathom what college life would be like. I was pretty quiet on the trip, as I remember.

Andrew Beckham balances teaching with winemaking

A history and art major combines his passions as an educator—and winemaker.
publication

Alumna embarks on new career as children’s author

School counselor, teacher, and administrator-turned-children’s author Stephanie Shaw (M.A. in Counseling Psychology, School Counseling ‘86) has just released her first children’s book for very young readers, Bedtime in the Meadow.
award, feature
The ROOTed Recovery team with professor of Counseling Psychology Carol Doyle (left).

Starting Up

A group of counseling psychology alumni won a venture competition to create a start-up that provides cutting-edge eating disorder treatments.
newsletter

Alumnus Don Grotting earns Oregon Superintendent of the Year Award

An alumnus of the Lewis & Clark educational administration program, Don Grotting, has been named Oregon’s 2014 Superintendent of the Year.
news, newsletter, publication

New book explores how “real world writing” can engage diverse students

Jessica Singer Early, M.A.T. ‘97, recently published Real World Writing for Secondary Students, which uses the college admissions essay and other “real world” writing as a frame for how teachers can encourage students to explore their unique life stories.
American Student Assistance, financial aid, student loan counseling, student loan debt, student loans

New alumni benefit: Student loan counseling and free financial planning

The Office of Financial Aid has partnered with American Student Assistance to bring students and alumni practical tips on managing their spending and loan repayment.

Alumna is named chief academic officer in Beaverton

Maureen Callahan completed her school administration credential at Lewis & Clark in 1999.
Photo by Gary Miranda

Alumna discusses garden therapy with NYT readers

Patty Cassidy M.A. ’94, a leader in the field of horticultural therapy, shares her perspective in the New York Times Ask an Expert” feature this week.
award
Laura Todis M.A.T. '10 receives the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence. Photo by Vinit Satyavrata, Ventura County Star.

Alumna receives awards for outstanding teaching

Laura Todis M.A.T. ’10 was recently recognized for her outstanding teaching with two awards—the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE) and Teacher of the Year for the Fillmore Unified School District in California.
award

Alumnus is named Oregon Principal of the Year

James Johnston has been named Oregon’s 2013 Middle School Principal of the Year for his leadership at Alice Ott Middle School in east Portland. Johnson completed his Initital and Continuing administrator license programs at Lewis & Clark (in 2003 and 2009, respectively). Johnston’s school is the only middle school in Oregon named a “model school” by the state for two years running.

Verna Bailey M.Ed. ‘79 retires after 39 years as Beaverton principal, leaving a legacy of success

Verna Bailey M.Ed. ‘79 was the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Mississippi in 1968. She worked in the Beaverton School District for 39 years before retiring as principal of Montclair Elementary.

Kimberly Schiewe is the 2013 student commencement speaker

Student commencement speaker Kimberly Schiewe, M.Ed. ’13, is motivated by family and a commitment to serving others.

Recent Alumni Spotlight: Aukeem Ballard

Hailing from Tacoma, Washington, Aukeem Ballard ’11 used to joke about how funny it would be if he one day became a teacher. A few years and a few college degrees later, Aukeem changed his tune. After receiving his bachelors and masters degrees from Lewis & Clark, this Woodrow Wilson Rockefeller Brother’s Fund Fellow can be found teaching communication and social studies at Lane Middle School in southeast Portland.

AAEE’s “Job Seach Handbook for Educators 2013”

The latest tips and tricks for successfully navigating an education job search.
Allegra Warren and Irina Kolobova, students in the Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy program, are working at Roosevelt High School to e...

Connecting Schools and Families

A new model of counseling and family therapy is taking root at Roosevelt High School.
alumni, media appearances, teacher education

Marie Hoeven MAT ’10 finds meaning in post-Katrina New Orleans

A former superstar fundraiser for the Oregon Democratic party, Marie Hoeven MAT ’10 left politics and nonprofit advocacy for a new career where she could have a direct impact and change young people’s lives.
alumni, school counseling, video

Video: Ginger Taylor M.Ed. ‘04 discusses Portland’s Summer Scholars program

Many high school students struggle to find success during the regular school year. For them, the Portland Public Schools Summer Scholar’s program provides a second chance, an opportunity to overcome personal and academic obstacles and transform failure into success. Aluma Ginger Taylor M.Ed. ‘04, leads the Summer Scholars program, and discusses its benefits in this video.
careers, education, educational leadership

Heidi Sipe Ed.S. ‘11 will help lead changes in Oregon education

Sweeping changes may be coming to Oregon’s PK-12 education system in the coming years. Helping lead the effort will Heidi Sipe Ed.S. ‘11, who recently joined the Oregon Department of Education as the assistant superintended for the Office of Educational Improvement and Innovation (EII). Sipe completed her administrative credentials at Lewis & Clark.
feature

Building Equity in Oregon’s Classrooms

Lewis & Clark graduate school faculty, students, and alumni—particularly those associated with the Doctor of Education in Leadership program—are playing key roles in envisioning greater equity in Oregon’s schools.
alumni, careers, education, educational leadership, people, teacher education

David Parker MAT ’00 joins Newberg schools as assistant superintendent

David Parker MAT ‘00 has been named the assistant superintendent for Oregon’s Newberg School District. Parker began his education career as a science teacher and has since served as principal for numerous schools. He earned a masters degree and obtained his administrative credentials from Lewis & Clark.

The New York Times profiles the efforts of Rick Hensel, an alumnus leading his financially strapped school district to creative solutions

A New York Times story about the efforts of the Gervis School District to save money highlights the financial challenges facing rural schools and demographic changes in Oregon. Rick Hensel, the district’s superintendent and an alumnus of the continuing administrator license program, helped lead the district to a solution involving the sale of school buildings and green design.
alumni, aukeem ballard, careers, people, teacher education

New mentorship program helps Aukeem Ballard MAT ’12 and other new teachers stay on the job

In 2011-2012, Portland Public Schools saw a nearly a third of its new teachers leave after their first year. That had the biggest impact on low-income and high-minority schools, because that’s where newer teachers are more often placed. A brand-new mentorship program for new teachers, including Aukeem Ballard BA ‘11, MAT ‘12, provides them with the support they need to be successful and improve on the job.
alumni, education, teacher education

Alumna to lead Cannon Beach Elementary

Nicki Thomas MAT ‘04 is adding a new assignment to her list of education administration duties. Thomas, the assistant principal at Seaside’s Broadway Middle School for the past three years, will become the new principal at Cannon Beach Elementary School.

Professor Zaher Wahab retires to continue work in Afghanistan

After 40 years at Lewis & Clark, Professor of Education Zaher Wahab is retiring to work full-time in his home country of Afghanistan. 

Professor emerita awarded for civic service

Carol Smith Witherell, professor emerita of education, was recently awarded for outstanding service to the Portland City Club, the city’s premier civics organization.
award

Alumnus coaches first-place national constitution team

Tim Swinehart, an alumnus of the M.A.T. social studies program, coached the first-place Lincoln High School constitution team in the national We the People contest.
award

Alumnus named Washington’s Middle School Principal of the Year

Kenny Renner-Singer, M.A.T. ‘00, has been named Washington State Middle Level Principal of the Year. He is the principal at Icicle River Middle and Beaver Valley Elementary schools in Leavenworth.

Professor recognized as an “ally” of Latino educators

Carolyn S. Carr, professor of educational leadership, has been recognized as an “ally” of Latino school administrators in Oregon.
publication

New alumni book: Love & The Green Lady, Meditations on the Yaquina Bay Bridge: Oregon’s Crown Jewel of Socialism

Matt Love M.A.T. ’88 blends an eclectic variety of literary genres—along with more than 100 photos—in this homage to Newport’s Yaquina Bay Bridge, Love & The Green Lady.
publication

New alumni book, Treaties and Treachery

Kurt Nelson M.P.A. ’98 writes about the clash between native and non-native populations in the Pacific Northwest from 1853 to 1859, a key period in the region’s history in his new book Treaties and Treachery: The Northwest Indians’ Resistance to Conquest.
publication

Alumnus publishes three books—all at once—about literacy education

Allen Webb, M.A.T. ‘86, earned his degree in Language Arts and after six years of teaching high school went on to earn a Ph.D. and become a professor of English at Western Michigan University. In 2011, he published three books on literacy instruction—all at once. His books are Teaching Literature in Virtual Worlds: Immersive Learning in English Studies, Teaching Literature of Today’s Middle East, and Teaching to Exceed the English Language Arts Common Core Standards.

Professor honored for outstanding journal article

Professor Teresa McDowell is a recipient of the Anslem Strauss Award, presented by the National Council on Family Relations.

Alumna discusses options for college-going high school students in Oregonian article

Jennifer Reeves-Eisbach is a school counselor at Roosevelt High School and earned an Initial School Counseling License through Lewis & Clark in 2010. In a recent Oregonian article about the college prospects of Portland high-schoolers, Reeves-Eisbach discusses the need to plan ahead for college and for competitive scholarships.
award, feature
Image from Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian

Alumna named Oregon Teacher of the Year

Elena Garcia-Velasco M.A.T. ’97 has earned Oregon’s top teaching honor.
award

Alumna honored for outstanding teaching

Maureen Daschel M.A.T. ’87 received a statewide honor for her exemplary work as a science educator.
alumni, careers, teacher education

Alumnus studies the aesthetics of history

Sean McEnroe, M.A.T. ‘94, changed careers from being a high school science teacher to become one of a growing vanguard of Atlantic historians, who see the cross-Atlantic relations among the Americas, Africa, and Europe as sharing a collective narrative that cannot be cleanly segregated from one another’s influence. McEnroe now teaches history at Southern Oregon University. A recent article about Oregon volunteers in the Philippine Wars of 1898 and 1899 won the Joel Palmer Award for Best Article of the Year in the Oregon Historical Quarterly. McEnroe has served on the Oregon History Project Advisory Board and provided consulting and research for the Oregon Historical Society.
publication

Alumni book considers the Snake River and it’s chances for survival

Steven Hawley M.A.T. ’96, a journalist and self-proclaimed “river rat,” argues that the best hope for the Snake River lies in dam removal, a solution that pits the power authorities and Army Corps of Engineers against a collection of Indian tribes, farmers, fishermen, and river recreationists, in his new book Recovering a Lost River: Removing Dams, Rewilding Salmon, Revitalizing Communities.
publication

Alumna pens new young adult novel

Lisa Cach M.A. ’96 has written a young adults that follows a teen’s journey to a boarding school in France and her dreamscape encounters with a handsome boy from the 1500s. It’s called Wake Unto Me.
publication

One-Minute Mindfulness—50 Simple Ways to Find Peace, Clarity, and New Possibilities in a Stressed-Out World

Donald Altman, M.A. ‘04, brings the benefits of mindfulness down to earth and into everyday life. With fifty exercises and practices to build awareness and center attention, you will discover how to savor routine pleasures, build fulfillment in your work, enhance and heal relationships, change unhealthy habits, and connect to peace even in the midst of chaos or uncertainty.
New World Library, 2011. 200 pages.
Paul Copley and his wife Laurie

Late professor Paul Copley celebrated by former student

Longtime graduate instructor Paul Copley receives a fond farewell in this tribute celebrating his impact as an educator.

Alumna offers TED talk on deaf education

Jill Ellis M.Ed. ’75 discussed hearing loss in young children at a TEDx conference focused on teaching compassion.

Commencement Speaker Stephen Krashen questions whether our schools are broken

Commencement speaker Stephen Krashen has garnered attention over his assertion that poverty is the most important challenge facing schools today.
Deborah Peterson, Ed.D. '11

Graduating doctoral student sets out to strengthen Oregon public schools

Deborah Peterson is one of 279 students who celebrated commencement on June 5, 2011
feature

Jeff Rose, Ed.D. ‘08 becomes one of the youngest superintendents in the state

Jeff Rose, Ed.D. ‘08, has been described as a “rising star.” Indeed, the 38-year-old is now among the youngest superintendents in Oregon. He has been chosen to lead the Beaverton School District, the third largest in Oregon with 39,000 students.
award
Photo courtesy of the Sandy Post

Alumnus earns local newspaper’s Reader’s Choice award for Best Teacher

Alumnus and science teacher Andrew Wex M.A.T. ’05 earned a Reader’s Choice Award for Best Teacher sponsored by his local newspaper.
publication

Gimme Refuge: The Education of a Caretaker

Frustrated with life, teaching, and the inability to become a writer, Matt Love M.A.T. ‘88 escaped Portland in 1997 at 33 years of age and moved to the Oregon Coast. A year later he became caretaker of the 600-acre Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. During his decade (1998-2008) as caretaker, he helped restore the grounds to fuller ecology, discovered a love for teaching, and reinvented himself as a writer and historian who established Nestucca Spit Press and eventually won the 2009 Stewart H. Holbrook Literary Legacy Award from Oregon Literary Arts. Gimme Refuge is his passionate 177-page account of his teaching career, experience as caretaker, and awakening as an Oregonian.
award
Janice Packard M.A.T. '94 with her students at Estacada High School.

Alum named Oregon art educator of the year for 2011

Alumna Janice Packard M.A.T. ’94, a teacher at Estacada High School, was named Oregon’s art educator of the year.

Alum helps local student earn full ride to Brown

Physics teacher Rafael Bobenrieth (M.A.T.’04) inspired and encouraged student Angel Gutierrez—who will be the first in his family to attend college on a full scholarship from Brown. Read about Angel and his teachers in this Oregonian story.
Portland with Mt. Hood in background

Portland ranked among “Most Relaxed Cities” by Forbes Magazine

Forbes Magazine recently named Portland #4 in it’s latest ranking of most relaxed cities.  The ranking was based on factors that contribute to a less stressful life, including lower commute times, less hours spent in the office, and a healthier lifestyle.

Alum celebrates successful launch of summer program for ESL students

Alumnus and educator Tim Schulze’s efforts to help ESL students earned him this local media coverage about his fledgling summer program.

Alumna selected to head Oregon school district

Heather Cordie IAL ‘04 has been selected as Superintendent of the Sherwood School District. Colleagues describe her as student-centered and collaborative in this newspaper profile.
publication

The Mindfulness Code

Donald Altman M.A. ‘04 explores the four keys to mindfulness—mind, body, spirit, and relationships—in 11 concise, straightforward chapters in The Mindfulness Code.
New World Library, 2010. 272 pp.
feature

Alumnus leads initiative to improve American history education

Bill Rexford, M.A.T. ‘92 has teamed with Lewis & Clark to lead an initiative that would improve American history education in rural Oregon.
publication

Doing Literary Criticism: Helping Students Engage with Challenging Texts

Tim Gillespie, M.A. ‘04, who has taught in public schools for almost four decades, has found in the lenses of literary criticism a powerful tool for helping students tackle challenging literary texts in his new book, Doing Literary Criticism: Helping Students Engage with Challenging Texts.
Stenhouse, 2010. 324 pp.

Alumna blends diverse interests to find her perfect career

Lynn Peirce M.A. ’83 applies her counseling degreeto her work in the nursing field, offering psychiatric care for elderly patients.
award

Alumnus named president of California university

Kurt Krueger M.A.T. ’74 was elected president of Concordia University Irvine, a private, liberal arts university in California.
award
Photo courtesy of Jewell Elementary School PTA.

Alumnus named Oregon Principal of the Year

Bruce Reynolds ‘02, principal at R.E. Jewell Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, was named Oregon Principal of the Year

Alumnus Donald Grotting is named local school district superintendent

Alumnus Donald Grottinghas been selected to lead Oregon’s David Douglas school district. Grotting earned his superintendent’s license from Lewis & Clark in 2001.
award
Chris Mills M.A.T. '84 (image courtesy of The Oregonian)

Alumnus named Principal of the Year

Collaboration is key for Oregon’s Middle School Principal of the Year, Chris Mills M.A.T. ’84. Mills discusses his leadership approach in The Oregonian.

award

Podmore ’92 becomes first ASL teacher to earn national board certification

Ron Podmore M.A.T. ’92 has become the first American Sign Language instructor to earn national board certification.
award

Alum steps in to Oregon House of Representatives

Margaret Doherty, M.A.T. ‘76, is a former teacher and education advocate. She will focus on education issues in her new role as representative of Oregon House District 35. Read a profile of her.

Students’ article published in Journal of Feminist Family Therapy

Counseling Psychology students have published an article in the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy about a training tool that helps family therapists understand the impact of social, political, and economic systems on individual and family life.

Alum wins school board seat on promise to preserve world languages

Andrew Saultz, M.A.T. ‘06, recently won a school board election running on a platform to preserve world languages classes for elementary school children. 

Mollie Dickson blogs about her first year as a teacher

In 2009, Mollie Dickson received her Masters of Arts in Teaching. Now, she blogs about her experiences as first-year middle-school teacher.

feature
Rob Larson Ed.D. '08

Advancing Leadership for Equity in Oregon Schools: Rob Larson Ed.D. ’08

As director of the Oregon Leadership Network and federal liaison to Oregon’s superintendent of public instruction, Rob Larsen has secured $4 million over nine years to fund the Oregon Leadership Network; developed and implemented state policy for the No Child Left Behind Act; and advocated for numerous policy positions on children’s health care, rural education, federal appropriations, teacher development, and career and technical education.

Technologic Horizons in Education Journal profiles the work of Carla Wade

Alumna Carla Wade is passionate about teaching educators the most effective ways to integrate technology into the classroom.
award

Jessica Troutman is named educator of the year in her district

Jessica Troutman, pictured here with her family, is an alumna of the Middle-Level/High School Teacher Education program (MAT ‘06). She has been selected Educator of the Year of South Columbia County for Scappoose.
alumni, award, education, feature, national distinction

Tess Miller Named American Star of Teaching

Kindergarten teacher Tess Miller, MAT ’07, has been named Oregon’s American Star of Teaching for her success in teaching reading. The annual award is given to one teacher in each state. For more about Tess’ remarkable classroom, read the Oregonian’s profile of her.
Hubbard with students at his Ugandan Sister School.

Teaching Brotherly Love for African Sister School

Jeremiah Hubbard, MAT ‘04, leads the Southridge High School’s Uganda Sister School Club, which has raised over $20,000 for their sister school.
award

Outstanding Teaching at Valor Middle School

Jason Rodgers, M.A.T. ‘99, was awarded a Crystal Apple award for outstanding teaching at Valor Middle School in Woodburn, Oregon, where he is the Director of Bands and Choirs.
publication

Write Beside Them: Risk, Voice, and Clarity in High School Writing

In Write Beside Them: Risk, Voice, and Clarity in High School Writing, Penny Ann Kittle, M.A.T. ‘89, writes, “This is a book about teaching writing and the gritty particulars of teaching adolescents. But it is also the planning, the thinking, the writing, the journey: all I’ve been putting into my teaching for the last two decades. This is the book I wanted when I was first given ninth graders and a list of novels to teach. This is a book of vision and hope and joy, but it is also a book of genre units and minilessons and actual conferences with students.”
Heinemann, 2008, 272 pages.
feature

Empowering a New Generation of Women

The seeds of positive change are sown by thoughtful professionals, leaders, and change agents whose personal and professional lives reflect creativity, compassion, and a commitment to diversity and social justice. Such is the case with Annette Klinefelter, a graduate school alumna and founder of Portland-based advocacy group, Girls Inc. N.W. Oregon. 
award, feature

Teacher of the Year: Kathleen Larson BA ’92, MEd ’00

Kathleen Larson BA ’92, MEd ’00 was named the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club Washington teacher of the year. Her work at Vancouver’s Evergreen High School includes teaching a wide range of subjects, designing curriculum, and advocating for deaf and special education students.
publication

The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting

Laura Christianson M.A.T. ‘85 helps prospective adoptive parents and their supporters work through questions and misgivings about adoption in her new book The Adoption Decision: 15 Things You Want to Know Before Adopting. This quick-start resource helps readers understand the world of adoption, better grasp its challenges and joys, and move forward confidently on a firm emotional and spiritual footing.
Harvest House Publishers, 2007. 256 pages.

A ‘Russell Rocket’ of School Reform

As principal of Russell Academy of Academic Achievement, he raised the bar by collaborating with staff, parents, and students to set new goals and create new opportunities for success. The school is now rated “exceptional” by the state. Meet Jeff Rose M.A.T. ‘97.
publication

The Adoption Network: Your Guide to Starting a Support System

Laura Christianson M.A.T. ‘85 simplifies the process of building a support community for adoptive or foster families, birth parents, or adoptees in her book The Adoption Network: Your Guide to Starting a Support System. This workbook provides step-by-step instructions for pastors, laypeople, and others who want to launch an adoption ministry in their church or community.
WinePress Publishing, 2007. 112 pages.
publication

Fighting for Paradise: A Military History of the Pacific Northwest

Kurt Nelson M.P.A ‘98 traces the military history of the Pacific Northwest, from early Indian warfare through World War II in his book Fighting for Paradise: A Military History of the Pacific Northwest.
Westholme Publishing, 2007. 320 pages.
publication

How to Talk to Customers: Create a Great Impression Every Time With MAGIC

Tom Larkin M.A. ‘87 coauthors a text designed to demystify the most critical aspect of customer service: conversations employees have every day with customers. Filled with case studies and anecdotes, the book How to Talk to Customers: Create a Great Impression Every Time With MAGIC outlines the key tenets of the authors’ MAGIC (Make a Great Impression on the Customer) training program.
Jossey-Bass, 2007. 224 pages.
publication

Why the World Needs a Saviour Now

Rev. Harrison Gaston M.Ed. ‘80 shares his thoughts on the complexities of the spiritual condition and offers a Christ-centered model for achieving stability and positive change in his book Why the World Needs a Saviour Now.
AuthorHouse, 2007. 76 pages.
feature

A Woman of Principle

The first African American woman to attend the University of Mississippi, Verna Bailey M.Ed. ‘79 is now the principal of Beaverton’s Montclair Elementary. Each day she welcomes her nearly 340 students individually and encourages them to excel. Published June 11, 2007.
feature

Nurturing Deep Roots

Long before the movie “School of Rock” hit the big screen, Chris Gragg M.A.T. ‘04 hit upon the power of music to motivate students. The Deep Roots Music Project, brainchild of Chris Gragg M.A.T. ‘04, inspires high school students to be active readers and writers. Begun as an experiment in motivating apathetic teens, the program has spawned several creative ventures and is drawing national attention. Published April 16, 2007.
feature

Poet in the Classroom

Winner of the 2003 Oregon Book Award for The Play of Light and Dark, an autobiographical collection of poetry, she shares her passion for words with her high school students. Meet Rita Ott Ramstad M.A.T. ‘98. 
publication

Books published prior to 2006

A list of books by graduate school alumni, published prior to 2006.
feature

Heather Renz M.A.T. ‘90

Heather Renz M.A.T. ‘90 was recently named an honoree at the Disney Teacher Awards: Celebrating Creativity in Teaching. The award is given to full time teachers who exhibit innovative teaching methods.
award

Sara Johnson Named Elementary Principal of the Year

Grandhaven (McMinnville) Elementary School Principal Sara Johnson has been selected as Oregon’s 2007 National Distinguished Principal, more commonly known as the Oregon Elementary Principal of the Year.
alumni, award

Kathryn Legace ‘97 Named Principal at Mountain View High

After a competitive nationwide recruitment, Mountain View High School will have a new leader this fall, Bend’s Kathryn Legace. Legace will take over for current Mountain View High School principal Bob Jones when he transitions into a new administrative position with the Bend-La Pine Schools in July.