Ms. Werner – Bolton High School
Mr. Miller III – Bunnell High School
Ms. MeMeo – Cheshire High School
Dr. Johnson – CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering
Ms. Scott – Daniel Hand High School
Ms. DeJarlais – Edwin O. Smith High School
Ms. MacKay – Nonnewaug High School
Mrs. Allen – Putnam High School
Dr. Romanova – Scared Heart Academy
Mr. Aitkenhead – Staples High School
Mrs. Able – Simsbury High School
Mrs. Churchill – The Woodstock Academy
Dario Sarmiento Loayza- Coventry School District
Timothy Sanderson – Glastonbury School District
Eileen Marquez – New Britain School District
Mikala Wells – Plainville School District
Samuel Tucker – Portland School District
Tenley Stoltz – Somers School District
Melanie Zamorski – Hartford School District
Laura LaFlamme – Suffield School District
Aleatha Pelloni, Norwich Technical High School, Cincinnati, OH Emergency Chemical Response Certification and the Emergency Chemical Response Train the Trainer Course. It was an intensive and enlightening experience that has enhanced my knowledge and skills in emergency preparedness. I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, and this certification will further enable me to respond effectively in any unforeseen circumstances.
Alyssa MacLean, Robert E Fitch High School, Diamond Cove Island, ME Exploring and having fun.
Amber Hammond, E C Goodwin Technical HS, St John USVI Spent time on St. John’s beautiful beaches
Amy McLeod, Bridgeport Reg Aqua Sci Tech, Acadia National Park Explored the beautiful national park
Amy Bigelow, Franklin Academy, Exeter, NH Phillips Exeter Academy for the week-long Anja S. Greer Conference on Mathematics and Technology. I immersed myself in the high school student experience by taking 2 classes (complete with hours of nightly homework after a full day) — Problem Solving in Geometry & Math of Gerrymandering. When not in class or doing homework, I attended a wealth of talks and small group discussions ranging from mastery-based grading to playing with bubbles to building the classroom community.
Andrea Kremzar, Trumbull High School, New River Gorge, WV I explored the trails and all that nature has to offer!
Angela Gulielmetti, Cheshire High School, ME I spent time at the beach and prepared a new course on Fin-de-siecle Vienna that I am now teaching at CCSU.
Beth McCormick, Portland High School, Alaska 1st ever cruise to Alaska from Seattle with 2 of my siblings
Bonnie Johnston, Marine Science Magnet HS, North Cascades, WA I traveled to multiple National Parks in the Southwest where I learned more about the processes that shaped the land over millions of years. I also visited multiple dams and learned about Hydroelectric power, and its impact upon human communities and the surrounding ecosystems.
Brendan Wilkosz, Berlin High School, UT Utah for grading AP Exams professionally and Maine to hike Mount Katahdin
Brett Flowers, Christian Heritage School, Acadia National Park, ME Hiked the mountains of Acadia – the Bee Hive, the Bubbles. Also biked the carriage roads through the park!
Catherine Kotula, East Windsor High School, Pensacola, FL Visited the naval museum in Pensacola and saw the Blue Angels fly which included the first female demonstration pilot in the Blue Angels: Amanda Lee.
Chase Martin, Greenwich High School, Glacier National Park, MT I completed a four day, 50 mile backpacking trip in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park. I’m passionate about hiking and backcountry camping. This was a personal, non-academic trip.
Chelsea Dodds, North Branford High School, CA Fund for Teachers grant to study John Steinbeck. Studied Steinbeck’s life and works and the setting for Of Mice and Men. I had the opportunity to visit the archives at the National Steinbeck Center and meet with leading scholars on Steinbeck.
Christopher Lacilla, Holy Cross High School, Cape Cod, MA My family went to Cape Cod this summer for a week in July. In all honesty, Cape Cod is where I find so much peace and solace. My dream is to live there one day.
Christopher Tait, Ridgefield High School, Charleston, SC We went to South Carolina to tour Charleston, go to the beach, and enjoy some family time!
Christopher Darby, Middletown High School, Kingsport, TN This summer my wife and I traveled to Tennessee and South Carolina to visit family. We also attended a family reunion in Sand Diego and visted Joshua Tree National Park.
Deb Field, South Windsor High School, NC A week hiking in the mountains, a week in OBX
Diane Szymanski-Herr, Waterford High School, ME Jackson labs PD for BIO 1107. I had a refresher on biotechnology technique and learned about bioinforatics resources and labs. I also learned how to order their free kits for my classroom.
Eileen Marquez, New Britain High School, Orlando, FL Educators Rising National Competitions are performance-based competitive events in which aspiring educators demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and leadership in education. With a blend of individual and team events, competitions are authentic, engaging opportunities for rising educators to stretch their creativity, commitment, and professionalism.
Elizabeth Criscuolo, The Morgan School, Salem, MA Visit family and introduce my new baby boy to his cousins, aunts & uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents! The picture shows my grandparents (my son’s great grandparents), my son (in the red overalls), and my son’s first cousins (the three on the right) and second cousin (baby on the left)
Ethan Brown, Bristol Central High School, Puerto Rico We stayed in the jungle, raced through the mountains, explored caves, swam under waterfalls, went to the beach, and visited the forts in San Juan.
Friso Hermans, Shepaug Valley School, CO I took the train from New York to California and Colorado. I took my bike with me, and went mountain biking in Truckee, Point Reyes, Boulder and Cody.
Gregg Basbagill, Trumbull High School, Mount Whitney, CA I wanted to summit the highest point in California (the highest point in the US outside of Alaska). This year, because of the historic snowfall in the Sierras, this was mostly a snowfield trek, requiring an ice axe and microspikes. It was a great adventure!
Holly Turner, Bridgeport Reg Aqua Sci Tech, Stellwagen Bank, Cape Cod, MA
James Vicario, Cheshire High School, Cape Cod, MA We went on a family vacation- lots of swimming, sea shell collecting and bird watching
James Royce, Xavier High School, Plymouth, MA I visted the “living museum” of the Plimouth Village, Pautuxet Village, and recreation of the Mayflower (Mayflower II) with my family.
Jennifer Wood, Mark T Sheehan High School, Disney, FL We went to Disney for a Dance the World event. My stepdaughter danced in Disney Springs and Epcot and my son loved seeing the characters and eating ice cream.
Jennifer Stefanowicz, Stonington High School, Vieques, Puerto Rico My family and I night-kayaked through the bioluminescent bay in Vieques, hiked through el Yunque, splashed in the waterfalls, explored las Cavernas del Río Camuy, and savored the delicious food.
John Girard, Plainville High School, Brunswick, ME I attended a week-long professional development sponsored by The Jackson Laboratory learning more about genomics and bioinformatics.
Josephina Ferreiro-Morodo, Fairchild Wheeler Sci Magnet, FL I spent time reading, relaxing and reviewing curriculum. Read “Ornament of the World” by Maria Rosa Menocal and “Soldados de Salamina” (reread) by Javier Cercas.
Julie Barker, Cheshire High School, Syracuse, NY Syracuse International Horse Show. My American Saddlebred “Heir Raid NKF” participated in his first horse show!
Karen Cook, Norwich Free Academy, Yorba Linda, CA Nixon Presidential Library for Gilder Lehrman Seminar on U.S. Foreign Policy
Karima El-Hamraoui, Lyman Hall High School, CO First time going to Midwest and doing road trip for 2 weeks. i visited with my youngest daughter all the State park and first time doing sand boarding
Karon McGovern, New Fairfield High School, New England Appalachian Trail Trying to complete Appalachian Trail miles from NJ to VT
Kathleen Mack, Stratford High School, Block Island, RI My family (husband, teenager, and cat) sailed to Block Island on my Hunter 340 sailboat and spent a wonderful week on a mooring in the Great Salt Pond. We hiked the Clay Head Trail and enjoyed the great weather.
I turned my car into a camper and camped all over CT and NY states. I built a platform in my car and camped off the Appalachian Trail. In the Shenandoah Valley, I saw a full rainbow.
Laura Laflamme, Suffield High School, USA 13 states to camp and kayak. Drove over 5,000 miles throughout the eastern United States. Besides camping and kayaking, I was able to upload 100’s of photos of plants for my coursework.
Lauren Korman, Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, CO, WY, SD Visiting American landmarks such as Mount Rushmore, sites on the Overland Trails, old mining towns of the west,visiting the Badlands, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, Hiking in the Rockies and Grand Tetons.
Lisa Abel, Simsbury High School, Uncasville, CT I participated in the CT Teacher of the Year Council events as a state finalist including the Empowered to Lead Symposium at Mohegan Sun and the Mystic Seaport Workshop. I served on a panel for educators about teacher experiences, learned about educational programming available to teachers in CT, and formed meaningful connections with teachers in many districts.
Lori Bennett, Wamogo Reg High School, Everglades, FL South Florida for an Eco trip with students – Everglades, toured 10,000 Islands, Snorkeled & kayaked in the Keys, toured a Turtle Hospital & Dolphin Research Facility.
Maria Miraballes, Westhill High School, WA Personally I did a 12 day road trip through the Pacific Northwest through Washington and Oregon. It was amazing. Professionally I’m a master teacher for the Gilder Learner Institute and co-taught a course with Professor Margaret O’Mara from the University of Washington.
Nicole Wilcox, Southington High School, Alaska Observe Alaska’s approach to preserving natural resources (including wildlife rehabilitation/care, agri-tourism, gold mining, marine/ aquatics and outdoor recreation) to create related hands on learning opportunities for agriculture students.
Shelley Osowiecki, RHAM High School, MO I drove to Montana with my family, including my dog, and my sister’s family to visit our extended family. We explored Badlands National Park in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The Gran Prismatic and the Little Falls are my favorite sections.
Susan Palmberg, Edwin O Smith High School, Cambridge, MA MIT for the Lemelson-MIT invention education Professional Development and to UConn for the DaVinci Program specifically the Virtual Reality session. UConn DaVinci program I learned how Virtual Reality can be used in the classroom. The takeaways I received will be used in the ECE Multivariable course. For the Lemelson-MIT workshop, I learned how students can be inventors and how I as a teacher can facilitate.
Tim Sweigard, Orville H Platt High School, Jackson Hole, Wyoming/Yellowstone and Teton National Parks
Trina Bowman, Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Plymouth, MA, We took in the sites – historic Leyden Street, 1749 Courthouse, Burial Hill, Brewster Gardens,Plymouth Rock, Plimoth-Patuxet Museum, Mayflower II
Xinyu Li, Glastonbury High School, RI Block Island, Philadelphia, and Mount WashingtonI traveled with my family during summer time and enjoyed a lot of good food, scenery, and stories we heard along the way
Alina Britchi, Daniel Hand High School, Taiwan I participated in the International Teacher Week Program (ITW2023) organized by CERN, European Center for Nuclear Research. I was one of the four American teachers and one of the 33 teachers from 24 different countries. We attended lectures given by experts in the field, collaborated in lab and group activities and visited numerous sites, many not open to the general public.
Dawn Demeo, Cheshire High School, Uruguay I did a Fulbright for Global Teaching Exchange program.
Danielle Melino, Housatonic Valley Regional HS I traveled to Ireland and Scotland in July. While there we toured Kildare National Stud Farm, Dublin, Edinburgh, Ruthven Farm, Blarney castle, Belfast, Loch Ness, and Culloden Battlefields. This was a custom Agriculture trip that I designed for students and staff.
Gina Gallo Reinhard, Bristol Central High School, Italy I am researching street art in Italy
Jessica Chapman, Norwich Free Academy, El Salvador I look a year leave to teach at an American international school in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Jeremy Taylor, Old Saybrook High School, Alberta Province, CA Visited friends at University of Alberta, and toured national parks at Banff
John LaMendola, Brookfield High School, Italy, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland Traveled with American Music Abroard Honor Bands, Choirs and Orchestras and performed in various locations throughout Europe
Joseph Deldebbio, John F Kennedy High School, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico Toured the Mayan ruins with my family. What a beautiful and captivating ancient city, such well-preserved temples & stunning coastal views.
Kacey Howard, Glastonbury High School, Peru My husband and I hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We embarked on a 5 day homage to Machu Picchu. The trail is around 25 miles and has an elevation gain of 7,972 feet!
Karen Oliver, Glastonbury High School, Magog and Quebec City (province of Quebec) Walking, bookstores, restaurants, vineyard, reading
Kristen Sparks, Coventry High School, Bermuda
Maria Sanhueza, Wethersfield High School, Peru Visited family and went to celebration of the town of Cabana.
Marianna Wikarska, Nathan Hale-Ray High School, Gaspesie
Mario Ramos, Glastonbury High School, Salamanca, España Chaperoned 13 students from Glastonbury High School
Mary-Ann Sagnella, John F Kennedy High School, Italy I interviewed multi-ethnic Italian students who live biculturalism within Italian society with a Fund for Teachers Grant. I traveled to: Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples, Caserta, Terracina and Fondi.
Miao Hwang, Miss Porters School, Taiwan Take care of my 90 year old mother and meet with teachers who teach in US.
Nora Mocarski, Canton High School, Hopewell Rocks, Canada Travelled to experience the extreme tidal change – 36 foot tide.
Phillip Youker, Trumbull High School, The Canary Islands, Spain Through a Fund for Teachers Grant I was able to visit the Canary Islands. While there I toured two world-leading observatory installations on the islands of Tenerife and La Palma.
Rita Jackson, Warren Harding High School , Brazil, Dominican Republic I participate with a Missions Team who provides clothes, books and other supplies to needy families in the poor areas in Brazil and D.R. We also do fun things with the children of the towns with songs, dances and games. We typically leave them with school supplies and other necessaties.
Sarabeth Markham, Glastonbury High School, Japan Utilizing the amazing Shinkansen (bullet train) system, I introduced my four children to the beauty, culture, and cuisine of Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo.
Stacey Scapeccia, Stratford High School, Guatemala Health ambassador with Squads Abroad
By Stefanie Malinoski
This fall in Early College Experience we’ve hosted eighteen professional development workshops for groups of Early College Experience Instructors who offer UConn courses in English, Sustainable Plant and Soil Science, American Studies, Environmental Science, Philosophy, Physics, Economics, Human Rights, European History, Sociology, Animal Science, Communications, Music, Chemistry, Chinese, and Math. Our ECE affiliated library media specialists also met for a virtual training with Babbidge Library staff. Another twenty-four events are slated to occur during the winter intersession and spring semester either in person or virtually. Notes on some of the events which occurred during the fall semester are below:
Sustainable Plant and Soil Science Instructors meet in person at Southington High School with Faculty Coordinator, Julia Kuzovkina. The workshop included diverse
activities including a field practicum on analyzing soil for specific purposes, a discussion and update on plant diseases, and learning about new trends in the landscape industry. The group also discussed students’ preparation for future careers in the Green Industry and took part in a hands-on floral workshop where teachers were introduced to beautiful fall arrangements which can be introduced in their Floral Art classes.
American Studies Instructors were provided with a copy of Ann Petry’s novel “The Street”. Shawn Salvant, Professor of English, and Africana Studies from UConn spoke to the group about the text and what it means to revisit the classic novel in 2023. Instructors led by Faculty Coordinator Laurie Wolfley then designed curriculum focused on “The Street” which was shared with all participants for future uses in their American Studies classroom.
Chemistry Instructors participated in a hands-on lab activity with Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Fatma Selampinar after hearing from Dr. Kerry Gilmore from UConn’s Chemistry Department. Dr. Gilmore’s research surrounds Green Chemistry and its facilitating impact on photochemistry. Dr. Kerry and the Instructors discussed how these chemistries can be performed in the classroom and opened up the discussion for collaborative work in the area in the development of new processes, screening natural catalysts, and bringing advanced chemical processes to their classrooms.
Economics Instructors met for their professional development workshop and heard from fellow ECE Instructor Ian Tiedemann from Greenwich High School, Scott A. 
Wolla, Economic Education Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and Ariel Solomon, Curriculum Designer, Marginal Revolution University. Ian Tiedemann highlighted his students’ who created a podcast script for the 2023 issue of the Journal of Future Economists. The theme was “Economics of Globalization”. Ian’s students submitted their podcast script titled “It’s a (s)Mall World: Globalization, E-Commerce, and Shopping Malls” which can be reviewed in the Journal of Future Economists. Scott A. Wolla’s shared a teaching activity “Teaching Market Structures with Gum” and discussed “Monetary Policy has Changed. Has Your Teaching?” Ariel Slonim, Curriculum Designer, Marginal Revolution University presented on: “Supply, Demand, Action! Harnessing interactive tools to teach supply and demand” and “Cracking the Code: Understanding GDP and Inflation through interactive tools.” ECE Faculty Coordinator for Economics, Natalia V. Smirnova discussed “Teaching Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Topics in Economics”.
Environmental Science Instructors met with Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Morty Ortega at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington, CT where they interacted with staff from the Department of Environmental Protection learning about the private lives of bears and bobcats and habitats.
Marine Science Instructors set out aboard the “Mystic Seaport Express” captained by Liz Sistare (UConn ’13), Waterfront Operations Supervisor on the Mystic River with 
Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Claudia Koerting during their professional development workshop. The group of 13 teachers conducted water testing by taking readings using instruments that measure salinity, oxygen, and temperature. They deployed a water sampler to retrieve water samples near the bottom of the river and gathered surface water samples as well. Instructors performed two plankton tows and brought samples back for microscopic evaluation. An additional two sample sites were chosen, and all samples returned with the group to the seaport sailing center where they tested for chlorophyll content using a fluorometer and performed a light/dark experiment with water from two sites. At the sailing center the group ran their analysis, looked at the plankton tow and compared oxygen uptake in the light/dark bottle experiment. Conversations were held about how these samples could inform scientists and regulators about policy guiding water use in the river. By the end of the day Instructors learned a new method, a new instrument, and made new connections and shared ideas to implement in their UConn Marine Science courses.
Philosophy Instructors met with Faculty Coordinator Prof. Mitch Green who led a discussion on “post-truth” epistemology after instructors watched, a Ted Talk by UConn Professor Michael Lynch: “How to See Past Your Own Perspective and Find Truth.”
More information and pictures from the many professional development workshops hosted this fall can be reviwed on “ECE PD Blog” on the Early College Experience website. Dates for spring workshops will be posted to the ECE website’s “Dates to Remember” section once details are finalized. We look forward to continuing to utilize the winter months with additional virtual workshop opportunities and welcome our community members to campus in the spring for more professional development events.
Un camino hacia cambios en el aprendizaje de idiomas: Apoyo y clases para los hablantes de herencia
Cuando me mudé de nuevo a mi ciudad natal y empecé a trabajar en una de las escuelas secundarias aquí en 2020, quería tener un impacto positivo en un distrito que había hecho tanto para mi. Después de sobrevivir los desafíos y el crecimiento del primer año, el próximo año tuve la energía para examinar bien como eran las cosas en nuestro programa con el deseo de ayudar a los estudiantes quienes mostraban menos interés de lo que esperaba estando otra vez en las escuelas.
Como profesora de español, en poco tiempo me enteré de que no existía un camino fácil para que nuestros estudiantes hispanohablantes llegaran a la clase de ECE que ofrecemos. Tenía unos hablantes de herencia en mi clase de Español 2, donde les enseñaba con tablas de verbos, listas de vocabulario, y un nivel de lenguaje mucho menos de lo que tenían. Al mismo tiempo, tenía una clase pequeña de ECE con una sola hablante nativa, quien yo había reclutado de mi hora de estudio. Había tanto español en los pasillos de nuestra escuela que me parecía impensable no hacer nada para mejorar las opciones para nuestros estudiantes hispanohablantes.
Cuando empecé a cuestionar nuestro programa de estudios en español, tenía cuidado con investigar y recomendar ideas que serían posibles y beneficiosas para nuestro distrito. La primera cosa que hice fue hablar con mis estudiantes quienes hablaban español y les pedí sus opiniones sobre
las clases que tomaban. Presté atención a sus dudas y les pregunté sobre la idea de aprender español en una manera diferente, una manera más natural. A todos los estudiantes les gustaba la idea y estaban emocionados. Con esta información y las investigaciones que leí, presenté a la administración algunas recomendaciones para mejor apoyar a los estudiantes y a las familias hispanohablantes. También ofrecí mi ayuda. Afortunadamente, la administración tenía interés y hablaron con los directores de las escuelas secundarias. Con el apoyo del departamento de consejeros, decidieron añadir clases de español para los hablantes nativos en el año escolar de 2022-2023.
Después de pasar la primavera de 2022 escribiendo el currículum, la clase nueva fue aprobada y este año tuvimos cuatro clases exitosas entre las dos escuelas secundarias. Tenemos la suerte de tener dos profesores muy cualificados para enseñarlas y me dicen que tienen estudiantes y familias que les han comentado el agradecimiento que se sienten por tener la oportunidad de aprender su idioma en una manera más natural y además tener una clase donde se sienten como individuos bilingües quienes traen un rico legado lingüístico consigo. Mi clase de ECE este año tiene más hablantes nativos y el año que viene va a tener aún más. Los estudiantes, sus familias, los profesores, y la administración están de acuerdo que en este caso los cambios que hemos hecho han mejorado nuestro programa y tengo muchas ganas de ver cómo va a crecer en el futuro.
By Jessica Dunn | Photos by Gordon Daigle and Mike Illuzi
UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator of the Year, Dr. Chunsheng Yang, brought back the UConn ECE Chinese Talent show to the benefit of 175 students this past March. With 100 UConn ECE Students, and about 75 UConn undergraduates, this event provided a space for students to work together to demonstrate their Chinese skills through various abilities and learn to embrace cultural diversity. As Dr. Yang explained in an interview for the UConn Daily Campus, “the Chinese talent show provides an avenue for both high school Chinese learners and UConn undergrad Chinese learners to showcase their Chinese language skills and have fun while socializing with peers both from other CT high schools and UConn undergraduate students.”
Participants from Connecticut high schools were students enrolled in UConn Chinese 1114 through UConn ECE and represented Amity Regional High School, Simsbury High School, Granby Memorial High School, Hall High School, Miss Porter’s School, and Norwich Free Academy. Along with attendance from high schools across the state, there was also a wide variety of talents showcased at the event. From a Kung Fu performance from Amity Regional High School and a Gourd Flute performance from Miss Porter’s School to an authentic Dragon Dance from Hall High School, the talent was extraordinary, and it was evident the students worked very hard throughout the year to improve their Chinese language skills and gain the confidence to perform at UConn in front of their peers.
We commend all students for their willingness to participate and look forward to offering this event to future UConn ECE students.
UConn ECE项目负责人杨春生是 2023 年度 ECE Faculty Coordinator Award获得者，他于今年3月组织了UConn ECE中文才艺秀。此次活动汇聚了100 多名UConn ECE 学生和75名 UConn 本科生，为学生提供了一个共同展示中文技能、欣赏文化多样性的平台。正如杨博士在接受UConn Daily Campus采访时所说：“中文才艺秀为高中中文学习者和 UConn 中文学习者提供了展示中文技能、与其他高中和 UConn本科生社交的机会。”
才艺秀的高中参与者都是UConn ECE中文课程的学生，包括Amity Regional High School、Simsbury High School、Granby Memorial High School、Hall High School、Miss Porter’s School 和 Norwich Free Acad¬emy。来自不同高中的同学展示了各种各样的才艺，从 Amity Regional High School 的功夫表演，到 Miss Porter’s School 的葫芦丝表演，到 Hall High School 的正宗舞龙表演，同学们个个才华横溢，在展示中文语言能力的同时，也表现出精湛的表演才能。
我们为所有参与的同学喝彩，并期待将类似活动扩大到UConn ECE的其他项目中去。
Translated by UConn ECE Chinese Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Chunsheng Yang
Participating in Science Olympiad is more than just a competition; it is an opportunity for young minds to explore their passion for science and ignite their curiosity. Teams are challenged in building and engineering events as well as written performance and experimental design. On campus, you could see everything from glider planes being flown in Hawley Armory to a Forensic Crime Lab run in the Chemistry Building. These are the experiences that create lasting memories for high school students and inspire them to join the next generation of scientists.
The success of the Connecticut Science Olympiad competition reflects the importance of cultivating scientific curiosity and encouraging students to pursue their passion for science. This would not be possible without the support of the coaches, parent and community volunteers, and the staff of the ECE program.
NEACEP Conference 2023
In their first post-pandemic regional conference, attendees from the six New England states and beyond gathered at the University of Rhode Island, Feinstein Campus in Providence for the New England Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NEACEP) on Friday, May 5, 2023. The theme was “Upward and Outward” and over a dozen breakout session centered on themes of equity, policy, and teaching and learning. Dianne Lassai Barker, National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Director of State Engagement, addressed a group of nearly 100 people with an overview of NACEP and thoughts on equity and inclusion. UConn ECE was well-represented, on the planning committee, as a sponsor, and through presentations. University High School of Science & Engineering (Hartford) Principal, Sean Tomany, and UConn ECE American Studies Instructor, Jennifer Todisco, presented “Expanding ECE Offerings and Equity”; Jake Skrzypiec and Sarah Wiederecht (Manchester High School) and Chris Buckley (Brookfield High School) UConn ECE Human Rights Instructor presented “Building Bridges: Human Rights & the Early College Experience Classroom”; and our own, Chris Todd, represented UConn ECE in two sessions. His first presentation, “Navigating the Tide: Expanding Pathways to Concurrent Instructor Certification in an Era of Teacher Uncertainty,” Todd spoke to the struggle with the recruitment and retention of teachers. He was also part of a panel for the “Expanding Pathways to Postsecondary Readiness through Dual Credit” session with others from the state: Ajit Gopalakrishnan, CT State Department of Education; John Maduko, President, CT State Community College; Anne Dichele, Quinnipiac University, CT; Karen Hynick, CEO, Quinebaug Valley Community College; and Thomas Coley, Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise Performance, CT State Community College.
UConn Pre-College Summer PCS is growing with options! With over 30 course offerings for students to experience in the areas of Fine Arts, Digital Media, Pre-Med, STEM, and Social Sciences, we are also now offering a credit course option. Students now have the opportunity to earn two credits by taking the AH 2001: Medical Terminology course. The course provides an introduction to and mastery of medical terminology. Students will be studying the location, functions, terminology and pathology of the organs of the various systems of the body will be studied. In a unique two-week format, the course will be delivered in a distance learning model during the first week followed by a second week of a hands-on, residential experience. To check out the full list of course offerings visit, pcs.uconn.edu/courses/. (contributed by Melanie Banks)
Italian Studies Workshop This winter, Italian Studies at UConn (ILCS) launched a pilot Professional Development workshop series for teachers of Italian across Connecticut and the Tri-State area. The series, entitled, “Lasciatemi cantare: Teaching Italian Language and Culture through Music,” was generously supported by funds from the Consulate General of Italy in NY and ECE and was delivered in hybrid form – simultaneously online and in person. The workshop’s four Saturday morning sessions in January and February focused on using music theory and Italian theater, opera, and popular music in the language classroom. UConn Italian Ph.D. candidates David Lara and Rosy Pitruzzello (who is also a Plainville HS teacher) led two sessions each with presentations and interactive exercises aimed at expanding the didactic benefits of incorporating different kinds of music into language instruction. The combination of language pedagogy, songs, and music videos led to lively discussions among the participants, all of whom came away with access to new materials, a collaborative space for continued development, and many practical applications for their classrooms. ILCS hopes to bring the workshop back next year with a different topic of focus. Please contact Tina Chiappetta-Miller with any suggestions at: mailto:concetta.chiappetta-miller@uconn.edu (contributed by Tina Chiappetta-Miller)
Congratulations to our UConn ECE Faculty Coordinators on their promotions
- Emma Bojinova, Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Oksan Bayulgen, Political Science
- Fatma Selampinar, Chemistry
Congratulations to Educational Leadership UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Danielle DeRosa, for defending her dissertation, Exploring Sense of Community for Undergraduate Women in Sport Management.
UConn ECE HDFS 1070: Individual & Family Development Instructor, Mr. Becker, from Daniel Hand High School gave a TEDx Talk about his passion for wellness and journey on becoming a teacher, called The skill of wellness: maximizing your health to benefit the world. He talks about, “How a transformational moment at 15 would inspire my life’s work… I teach to enhance the wellness of my students; I coach to help students become respectful, responsible, honest, & caring people who will impact the world for good.”
By Jessica Dunn | Photos by Gordon Daigle and Mike Illuzi
UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator of the Year, Dr. Chunsheng Yang, brought back the UConn ECE Chinese Talent show to the benefit of 175 students this past March. With 100 UConn ECE Students, and about 75 UConn undergraduates, this event provided a space for students to work together to demonstrate their Chinese skills through various abilities and learn to embrace cultural diversity. As Dr. Yang explained in an interview for the UConn Daily Campus, “the Chinese talent show provides an avenue for both high school Chinese learners and UConn undergrad Chinese learners to showcase their Chinese language skills and have fun while socializing with peers both from other CT high schools and UConn undergraduate students.”
Participants from Connecticut high schools were students enrolled in UConn Chinese 1114 through UConn ECE and represented Amity Regional High School, Simsbury High School, Granby Memorial High School, Hall High School, Miss Porter’s School, and Norwich Free Academy. Along with attendance from high schools across the state, there was also a wide variety of talents showcased at the event. From a Kung Fu performance from Amity Regional High School and a Gourd Flute performance from Miss Porter’s School to an authentic Dragon Dance from Hall High School, the talent was extraordinary, and it was evident the students worked very hard throughout the year to improve their Chinese language skills and gain the confidence to perform at UConn in front of their peers.
We commend all students for their willingness to participate and look forward to offering this event to future UConn ECE students.
UConn ECE项目负责人杨春生是 2023 年度 ECE Faculty Coordinator Award获得者，他于今年3月组织了UConn ECE中文才艺秀。此次活动汇聚了100 多名UConn ECE 学生和75名 UConn 本科生，为学生提供了一个共同展示中文技能、欣赏文化多样性的平台。正如杨博士在接受UConn Daily Campus采访时所说：“中文才艺秀为高中中文学习者和 UConn 中文学习者提供了展示中文技能、与其他高中和 UConn本科生社交的机会。”
才艺秀的高中参与者都是UConn ECE中文课程的学生，包括Amity Regional High School、Simsbury High School、Granby Memorial High School、Hall High School、Miss Porter’s School 和 Norwich Free Acad¬emy。来自不同高中的同学展示了各种各样的才艺，从 Amity Regional High School 的功夫表演，到 Miss Porter’s School 的葫芦丝表演，到 Hall High School 的正宗舞龙表演，同学们个个才华横溢，在展示中文语言能力的同时，也表现出精湛的表演才能。
我们为所有参与的同学喝彩，并期待将类似活动扩大到UConn ECE的其他项目中去。
Translated by UConn ECE Chinese Faculty Coordinator, Dr. Chunsheng Yang