Summer 2024

2023-2024 UConn ECE Professional Recognition Awards

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By Jessica Dunn

 

Each year, we look forward to receiving and reviewing hundreds of nominations for the Professional Recognition Awards and working with the review committees to select the winners. With that said, it is no easy task, as we have over 2,000 members of the UConn ECE community, mak­ing it very difficult to choose just a few professionals who stand out each year. But once selections are made, the hard part is over, and the celebrations begin.

 

UConn Early College Experience hosts an annual Awards Ceremony for all winners to publicly recognize and thank them for their dedication and commitment to the UConn ECE Program. Those recognized have exceeded program expectations and excelled in preparing their high school’s students for the next level in their education. Candidates are nominated by their colleagues, students, administra­tion, and UConn Faculty for their exemplary instruction and management of the UConn ECE Program.

 

On April 25, 2024, we hosted our annual Awards Ceremo­ny for award winners, family, and friends on the UConn Storrs Campus. Our award winners and guests gathered at the UConn Alumni Center for an elegant sit-down din­ner where they were welcomed by Office of Early College Programs (OECP) Executive Director, Christopher Todd as well as UConn’s Interim Associate Vice Provost, Amit Savkar.

 

The night was filled with speeches from UConn OECP staff along with program partners to personally recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of each winner. This year we had the great honor to recognize thirteen Professional Recognition Award winners along with six award winners of the Silver Jubilee Award (25-year partners). The night was filled with heartfelt speeches, tears of joy, laughter, and celebration as winners, accompanied by their family and friends were able to pause and acknowledge the great im­pact they have on the lives of their students, their commu­nity, and those who work alongside them.

 

Congratulations to all recipients of this year’s awards. Your dedication, expertise, and outstanding contributions have truly set the standard for excellence within the UConn ECE Community. The UConn ECE Program would not be successful without the passionate and dedicated partners we are honored to work with, and we are grateful for all you do.

 

Principal Award for Program Support & Advocacy

Keri Hagness, The Morgan School

Thomas E. Recchio Faculty Coordinator Award for Academic Leadership

Natalia Smirnova, Economics, University of Connecticut

Site Representative Award for Excellence in Program Administration

Kevin Barbero, James Hillhouse High School

Instructor Award for Excellence in Course Instruction

Kyle Candia-Bovi, English, Suffield High School

Austin Cesare, U.S. History, Joseph A. Foran High School

Gina Corrado, Spanish, Cheshire High School

Christina Hernández-Williams, Spainish, Cromwell High School

Heather Watts Mathieu, Biology, Montville High School

“Rookie of the Year” Award for Excellence in First-Year Course Instruction

Gemetta Neal-Goulet, Educational Leadership, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts

Margaret Clifton, English, RHAM High School

Award for Outstanding Research in the Field of Concurrent Enrollment

Scott Campbell, English, University of Connecticut

Kathrine Grant, English, Connecticut Education Assoc.

Carissa Rutkauskas, University of Connecticut

Silver Jubilee Award

Julie Barker, Physics, Cheshire High School

María DiVirgilio, Spanish, Lyman Hall High School

Cathy Fedeorowicz, Mathematics, Seymour High School

Gan Manelli, Europeon History, Masuk High School

Amy Nocton, Spanish, Edwin O. Smith High School

Tina Riccio, Spanish, Southington High School

 

 

 

Student Scholarships

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By Jessica Dunn

 

Through a rigorous review process, the UConn Early College Experience Office scholarship committee se­lected six outstanding 2023-2024 UConn ECE Students as scholarship recipients. Each student has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship applicable to any institution. All recipients are high school seniors, who have completed at least one UConn Early College Experience course and have demonstrated outstanding achieve­ment in their project submissions. Additionally, applicants are evaluated using a holistic rubric that considers various factors including academic success, future academic aspirations, and demonstrated financial need.

 

View the 2024 UConn ECE Scholarship Winner video.

 

Excellence in the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences

Winners demonstrate academic achievement and a potential for future academic and professional accomplishments in a field focusing on the Arts, Humanities, and/or Social Sciences.

 

ARIANNA ANDERSON
Pathways Academy
of Technology
and Design		 TAINA TOLSON
Greater Hartford
Academy of the Arts

Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics

Winners demonstrate academic achievement and a potential for future academic and professional accomplishments in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics.

 

GIANNI DRAB
Robert E. Fitch
High School		 MUKTHA RAMESH
Rocky Hill High School

Excellence in Civic and Community Engagement

Winners are academically successful, are already making a positive difference in their town or neighbor­hood, and are inspiring others to do the same. The students chosen for this award are UConn ECE Students who demonstrate ambition and self-drive evidenced by outstanding achievement in both school and their community.

 

TESSA FABIANO
Stamford High School		 DANIELLE KANTER
Fairfield Ludlowe
High School

Celebrating our student staff

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As the Office of Early College Programs works to sustain our unprecedented growth, the program continues to rely heavily on the support, insights, and dedication of our OECP student workers. Undergraduate and graduate students alike, our ECE student staff works tirelessly to provide customer service to our students and families, support student and instructor events, and keep our communication and social media presence relevant and timely. OECP has a long tradition of leveraging the power of student workers. In fact, the majority of the full-time program staff began their journey with OECP as student workers.

 

Yara Medawar, Graduate Assistant

PhD Candidate, UConn, Civil and Environmental Engineer­ing

“I am very excited to join UConn’s Office of Early College Programs, where I look forward to sup­porting and inspiring the next generation of students. I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to contribute to innovative educational initiatives that bridge high school and college experiences, fostering academic excellence and personal growth among our students.”

 Amanda Mueller, Student Administrative Assistant, 4 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni

Rockville High School (‘20); UConn, Molecular and Cell Biology with a Minor in Psychological Sciences, (‘24); UConn, Genetic Counseling (Rising 1st year graduate student)

“What I enjoy the most about working with UConn ECE is the kind and supportive program staff and giving back to a program that has given so much to me!”
Caroline Lynch, Graduate Assistant

Master’s Student, UConn, Higher Education and Student Affairs

“As a former ECE student myself, I am very excited to contribute to a program that has so positively impacted my education.

Additionally, I am looking forward to the opportunity to complement my graduate education in such a hands-on and valuable way!”

 Siva Sekhar Medisetty, Graduate Student Worker/ Data Dashboard Designer

Master’s Student, UConn, Business Analytics and Project Management

“I’ve truly enjoyed collaborating with my colleagues and witnessing the collective creativity and dedication that drives our work forward. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the innovative projects we’ll tackle together!”
Christ-Anne (CJ) Jean-Francois, Student Administrative Assistant, 2 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni

Central Magnet High School (class of 2021); UConn, Political Science and Psychology major; rising junior UConn ECE Alumni

“What I enjoy most about working with the ECE program here at UConn is how understanding and kind everyone on the team is, and their commitment to helping me grow in my role and fostering my independence.”

 Emma Winston, Student Ad­ministrative Assistant, 2 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni

Sacred Heart Academy (class of 2022); UConn, Majoring in Psychology and Philosophy; rising junior

“Working with the kindest and most compassionate staff at ECE. I also love contributing to a program that assists these students in reaching higher in their education and really exploring what they’re passionate about.”
Whitley Sumpter, Student Ad­ministrative Assistant, 2 years of experience

Hayesville High School (class of 2022); UConn, Social Work major; rising junior

During my time working with UConn ECE, I have gained many valuable skills that will not only help me in future career endeavors but in life. What I have learned has allowed me to evaluate and solve problems much more efficiently, and my confidence in my abilities to handle issues that arise inside and outside of work has grown exponentially. No matter what kind of day I am having, it is nice to know that I will be walking into a supportive work environment with staff who go above and beyond, whether I need help with a project or even just to talk. I am incredi­bly grateful that through UConn ECE, I have met some of the most kind and genuine people who have played a large role in shaping my experience at, and love for, UConn.

 Julia Swanson, Student Adminis­trative Assistant, 2 years of experi­ence, UConn ECE Alumni

East Catholic High School (class of 2020); UConn, Elementary Educa­tion, minor in English and Speech Language Hearing Sciences; rising senior

“I’ve enjoyed working with the ECE team because they foster inclusivity, support one another, and create a welcoming environment. ECE held a Christmas party that included all staff, featuring food and a gingerbread house competition, which the student staff won! The ECE staff are incredibly kind and caring, always ensuring everyone feels included and supported.”
Charlotte Daigle, Student Ad­ministrative Assistant, 1 years of experience, UConn ECE Alumni

Wethersfield High School (class of 2023); UConn, Major: Pre- Teach­ing/Elementary Education Minor: HDFS; rising sophomore

“Working in the UConn ECE office I have enjoyed interacting with parents and students and seeing how helpful this program is for them when tran­sitioning into college. Seeing that the work we put in every year pays off when we see how grateful these students are.”

 Elizabeth Hinkson,

Student Content Creator, 2 years of experience

Norwood High School (class of 2022); UConn, Nursing; rising junior

“As a Content Creator at UConn ECE I have enjoyed cre­ating innovative content for students. The supportive staff motivates me to improve daily, which has been an enriching experience.”
Sameul Alam, Student Content Creator, 1 year of experience, UConn ECE Alumni

Wethersfield High School (class of 2023); UConn, Marketing with a minor in Business Management & Communications; rising sophomore

“As a content creator for UConn Early College Experience, I enjoyed interviewing around the UConn campus, speaking to instructors, participating in meetings, and being motivated by the supportive com­munity within the office.”

 

 Brayden Bloom, Student Content Creator, 6 months of experience, UConn ECE Alumni

Ridgefield High School (class of 2023); UConn, Finance; rising sophomore

“UConn Early College Experience has given me the chance to work with some amazing people and get more involved. I really enjoy getting to meet new students and staff every day, as well as getting to be more comfortable with our campus.”

 

Professional Development Workshops

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By Stefanie Malinoski

 

Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, UConn Early College Experience partnered with dedicated Faculty Coordinators to offer 50 professional development workshops to certified Instructors. These opportunities were designed to enrich teaching practic­es, foster interdisciplinary connections, and broaden educators’ perspectives. Some highlights from the spring semester are below. Please be sure to review the UConn ECE Professional Development Blog on the UConn ECE website for details from all spring workshops and pictures from the events.

 

Environmental Science

Dr. Morty Ortega, ECE Faculty Coordinator for Environmental Science, met with 32 Environmental Science Instructors for a “Journey through Ecotoxicology” with graduate student Anika Agrawal. Ecotoxicology focuses on studying the effects of toxic chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals on ecosystems. Anika Agrawal, a PhD Candidate in Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) at UConn studies the effect of mercury in oysters in the Long Island Sound.

 

Spanish

UConn ECE Faculty Coordinators from Spanish, Profs. Gustavo Nan­clares and Eduardo Urios-Aparisi met with more than 60 Spanish In­structors to listen to Prof. Maria Acosta Cruz, Professor of Spanish in the Language, Literature & Culture Dept at Clark University. Prof. Acosta shared her talk “Ecocrítica, cultura y nación: La cultura puertorriqueña a través de cinco siglos” (“Ecocriticism, Culture, and Nation: Puerto Rican Culture Through Five Centuries”) with the teachers.

 

Educational Psychology

Prof. Joseph Madaus, our UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator from Educational Psychology, gathered with instructors for a virtual meeting and thought-provoking discussion with young adult author Terry Trueman. Trueman’s novel, “Stuck in Neutral,” used in ESPY 1100: Introduction to Special Education courses, offers insights into the lived experi­ences of individuals with cerebral palsy and sparked meaningful conversation among participants.

 

French

UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator from French, Prof. Florence Marsal met with 30 UConn ECE certified French Instructors to hear from Joëlle Vitiello, Pro­fessor of French and Francophone Studies at Ma­calester College for her talk “Enseigner les trésors d’Haïti” (“Teaching the Treasures of Haiti”). In addi­tion, Mary Catherine Decoteau, Career Consultant from UConn’s Career Services, spoke to teachers about enhancing and highlighting career competen­cies in UConn French courses.

 

Biology

Dr. Tom Abbott, ECE Faculty Coordinator for Biolo­gy, met with a group of 34 UConn ECE certified Biology Instruc­tors and embarked on a groupcampus trail walk. The theme for the daywas “In the “Heat” of the Moment, For­ests Move Center Stage”. The field walk took the group through small forest stands and provid­ed Instructors with a unique perspective on ecological dynamics and biodiversity in the Storrs area.

 

English

UConn ECE Faculty Coordinator from English, Prof. Scott Campbell and Graduate Assistant Adam Mc­Lain curated a dynamic conference for 80 UConn ECE certified English Instructors on UConn’s Hart­ford campus. The theme for the conference was “In­quiring About Writing: Syllabi and Texts in the ECE English High School Classroom”. From exploring literary theory and art to engaging with inquiry and identity at the Wadsworth Atheneum, the confer­ence fostered collaborative dialogues and innovative pedagogical approaches.

 

Latino and Latin American Studies

Prof. Anne Gebelein, UConn ECE’s Faculty Coor­dinator from Latino and Latin American Studies, met with a group of 20 LLAS 1190: Introduction to Latin America and the Caribbean Instructors on the Hartford campus. The day included a presentation and discussion with special guest Lorenzo Martinez Ruiz about challenges to indigenous sovereignty in Nicaragua. Lorenzo is an indigenous leader of the Rama-Kriol peoples in southeastern Nicaragua. His firsthand insights into indigenous rights activism un­derscored the complexities of sovereignty and land rights issues in the region, provoking critical reflec­tions among participants.

 

New Instructor Orientation

In addition to our spring professional development workshops, UConn ECE celebrated a significant milestone by welcoming 297 newly certified in­structors into our community in May. Among them, 238 fresh faces joined us for New Instructor Orien­tation which was held on the Storrs campus, mark­ing it as our largest Orientation gathering to date.

This comprehensive event covered essential as­pects of Early College Experience from Instructor responsibilities to student engagement strategies. Noteworthy presentations by Student Success and Engagement Librarian, Ery Caswell, and Educational Technologies expert, Jordan Vinikoor, enriched par­ticipants’ understanding of available resources and technological tools. Additionally, instructors had the opportunity to connect with their Faculty Coordina­tors and fellow newcomers in dedicated afternoon sessions to ensure teachers are fully prepared to begin offering UConn courses in the fall.

As the academic year draws to a close, it’s evident it has been characterized by no­table achievements and successes. Look­ing forward, we aim to double down on these accomplishments to provide our UConn ECE community with even greater opportunities for continued growth.

2024 NEACEP Conference hosted at UConn

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By Carissa Rutkauskas

 

The University of Connecti­cut Early College Experience Program hosted the 2024 New England Alliance of Concur­rent Enrollment Partnerships (NEACEP) annual conference on Friday, May 17, 2024 in the UConn Student Union. Approx­imately one-hundred dual/ concurrent enrollment and early college professionals and advocates from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as several experts from outside of New England were in attendance. The event was kicked off by a warm welcome by Kari Suder­ley, NEACEP President/ Direc­tor of Early College Programs, University of Maine and Dr. Amit Savkar, Interim Associate Vice Provost CETL, University of Connecticut.

 

During the Plenary Session, participants had the opportu­nity to hear from six program directors, a school superinten­dent, and a state chief perfor­mance officer as they offered insights into the landscape of dual and concurrent enroll­ment programs in their respec­tive states. The panel high­lighted key aspects of their programs such as program structure, partnerships, goals, achievements, and advance­ments, sparking further discus­sion and idea sharing from the audience.

 

A total of 14 breakout sessions were featured throughout the day, covering various aspects of early college programs, re­search, equity, policy, and sup­port resources. Topics ranged from stakeholder perspectives on research, alumni insights, collaborative initiatives for improving early college ac­cess, and disrupting racist systems to promote student success. Sessions also delved into advanced course pat­terns, educator pathways, dual enrollment policies, diverse learning landscapes, career pathways advising, support for multilingual students, recogni­tion in early college programs, targeted support for trade oc­cupations, and a comprehen­sive look at Connecticut State Community College’s early college programs. The confer­ence concluded with closing remarks from Kari Suderley, door prizes, and the distribu­tion of certificates. Participants left with valuable insights and a growing network of connec­tions in the field.

 

Special thanks to the following partners for participating in the Plenary Session:

  • Christopher Todd, Executive Director, Office of Early College Programs, University of Connecticut
  • Salvatore Menzo, EdD, Super­intendent of Goodwin Uni­versity Magnet Schools
  • Ajit Gopalakrishnan, Chief Performance Officer, Connecticut State Department of Education
  • Beth Doiron, Director of College Access and NHED Programs & Initiatives Community College System of New Hampshire
  • Jerry Appell, Early College Coordinator, River Valley Community College -Community College System of New Hampshire
  • Amy Hubbard, Executive Director of Early College, University of Maine System
  • Mercedes Pour, Director of College Access and Secondary Partnerships, Maine Community College System
  • Phylitia Jamerson, Executive Director of Early College, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Education

 

 

 

Explore a complete list of topics, presenters, and slides on the NEACEP conference website.

 

 

Course Offerings and Expanded Access

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By Christopher Todd

 

One of the most important fundamental principles in public policy is that the more complex a change, the less one can force that change upon stakeholders. Look to any state or federal education mandate, and one can understand the complexity of change. Simply mandating or forcing students to take advantage of the multitude of dual credit opportunities their school provides doesn’t lead to success. However, creating a robust catalog of offerings that allows for choice, and aligns with student interests will ultimately shift the landscape of dual credit opportunities in Connecticut.

 

In his book “Inquiry Mindset”, Trevor Mackenzie writes Passions create opportunities for deeper learn­ing as students are highly motivated and willing to explore them further. Their proper knowledge of the topic accelerates and amplifies their inquiry. Student interest and passion must drive the opportunities we look to create in an expanded course catalog. As the UConn ECE program quickly approaches 100 unique UConn course offerings, the program stands on the precipice of determining which new courses to add to our catalog, and as such, advocates with the appropriate university leadership within corre­sponding disciplines. The program will continue to look for disciplinary gaps in our course offerings and will work to bring in new course offerings that align with partner school needs, relevant career pathway pursuits, and most importantly student interests and passions.

 

Taking this into consideration, the UConn ECE program is excited to share new course offerings available during the forthcoming 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years. These courses align with the program’s strategic vision of expanding course offerings in a way that addresses both disciplinary gaps and student interests and needs.

 

ASLN 1102: Elementary American Sign Language II (4 credits)

Continued development of basic knowledge and understanding of conversational ASL.
BUSN 2235: Personal Financial Literacy (3 credits)

Introduction to essential topics in personal finance for individuals and entrepreneurs. Financial literacy, personal finance topics including recordkeeping, budgeting, risk, insurance, credit, purchasing decisions, savings/invest­ment options, income taxation of individuals and small businesses, and retirement savings.
CHIN 3210: Chinese Conversa­tion and Composition I (3 credits)

Development of ability to communicate in Chinese, orally and in writing.

CHIN 3211: Chinese Conversations and Composition II (3 credits)

Development of ability to communicate in Chinese, orally and in writing.
CSE 1010: Introduction to Computing for Engineers (3 credits)

Introduction to computing logic, algorithmic thinking, computing processes, a programming language and computing environment. Knowledge obtained in this course enables use of the computer as an instrument to solve computing problems. Representative problems from science, mathematics, and engineering will be solved.
KINS 1100: Exercise and Wellness for Everyone (3 credits)

Overview of the five pillars of health (exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress and relationships); role of exercise in health promotion and disease prevention across the lifes­pan; impacts of exercise in leisure time, culture, community, careers and the workplace.
MATH 1070Q: Mathematics for Business and Economics (3 credits)

Linear equations and inequali­ties, matrices, systems of linear equations, and linear program­ming; sets, counting, probability and statistics; mathematics of finance; applications to business and economics.
PUBH 1001: Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)

This course describes the history, philosophy, and science of public health. Students will identify biological, environmental, and social determinants of health from a comprehensive perspective. They will apply these principles to define health problems, evaluate possible causes, and recommend effective public health responses to health concerns. By doing so, students will learn about career opportunities and the complementary role public health plays with health care and voluntary and governmental organizations in protecting the public’s health.

To learn more about each course offering and UConn ECE Instructor requirements, we encourage you to visit our entire course catalog.

 

Addendum

ME 3295: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3 credits)
  • SolidWorks for Industrial Design option
  • AutoCAD for Industrial Design option
NUSC 1165: Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits)
An introduction to the principles and concepts of nutrition with emphasis on the nature and function of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins, and their application to the human organism.
ARE 1110E: Population, Food, and the Environment (3 credits)

The role of agriculture in the growth and development of societies throughout the world. Economic, social, and environmental problems of food production and resource needs in developing and advanced societies.

 

Teacher Appreciation

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By Carissa Rutkauskas

 

National Teacher Appreciation Day was May 7 and National Teacher Appreciation Week was May 6-10. For UConn ECE, we are extending our teacher appreciation and recognition throughout the summer! After receiving hundreds of instructor nominations from UConn ECE students, we are recognizing our top 15 most frequently nominated UConn ECE Instructors on our social media over the summer months. These exemplary educators also received their choice of a UConn ECE hoodie or a UConn ECE insolated picnic basket. Below is a snapshot of what students had to say about their UConn ECE Instructors.

 

Mrs. Altimari, Amity Regional High School, SPAN3178 & 3179: Intermediate Spanish Composition & Spanish Conversation: Cultural Topics - Mrs. Altimari is the brightest, friendliest, and warmest ray of sunshine I have ever met. She’s helped me so much with my fluency in Spanish while still making sure the class is stress free, fun, and engaging. She isn’t happy unless you’re happy, and she’s the best teacher I have had.

 

Mrs. Caruk, Hall High School, BIOL1108: Principles of Biology II - Her ability to plan out her entire year and execute that plan is always done flawlessly. She gives her students plenty of time to prepare for their exams while being available for extra help very often.

 

Mr. Condosta, Ridgefield High School, ERTH1051: Earth’s Dynamic Environment - He has a personality that could light up any room, enthusiasm and a true love for the subject that is contagious. Every day I walk into his classroom, I walk in smiling, and by the time I leave it’s always too soon.

 

Mr. Dempsey, St. Joseph High School, HIST1502: United States History Since 1877 - Mr. Dempsey is the best!! Such a dedicated teacher who puts a lot of effort into presenting slides, grading research papers, exams and projects while having the best jokes and sarcasm!!!

 

Mr. Fagan, Rocky Hill High School, PHYS1201Q: General Physics I - I am able to understand even the most complex topics because Mr. Fagan breaks it down in a way that makes sense logically. He is very encouraging and believes that everyone is capable of doing well!!

 

Ms. Field, South Windsor High School, MARN1003E: Introduction to Oceanography with Laboratory; NRE1000E: Environmental Science - Not only has she given us inspiration to lead our lives both inside and outside of the classroom, she is able to give us critical constructive criticism that improves both our writing and abilities to creatively think of different solutions for problems that we face in class.

 

Dr. Harvey, Wilton High School, ENGL1007: Seminar and Studio in Academic Writing and Multimodal Com­position - Dr. Harvey makes UConn English one of the most enjoyable classes I have ever taken. I look forward to coming to class every day because although the course is challenging, she always makes sure that her students are enjoying learning.

 

Mr. Mizak, Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School, ECON1000: Essentials of Economics - As a student who struggles to keep up, in a class as high octane as his is, I find Mr. Mizak to be an instructor who knows the value of hard work and perseverance, an instructor that can instill a good work ethic through meaningful lessons and hard objectives. Through class discussion and meaningful dialogue in a classroom that promotes a difference in opinion and an equal work environment, Mr. Mizak is hands down the best teacher I’ve had in years.

 

Mrs. Niles, Lyman Hall High School, HDFS1070: Individual & Family Development - Ms. Niles is very kind and cares about her students. She creates fun lessons that are engaging for every student to help us learn the topic at hand.

 

Mrs. Norige, Torrington High School, BIOL1107 & 1108: Principles of Biology I & II; SPSS 3230: Biotech­nology- Science, Application, Impact, Perception - I am so grateful to have a teacher that cares for her students education as much as Mrs. Norige. She not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures a love of learning, instills confidence in her students, and prepares them for success both academically and personally.

 

Ms. Schager, Staples High School, HRTS1007: Introduction to Human Rights - The class feels incredibly personal and uplifting while also being a rightful challenge. The amount of writing and research I’ve had to do is almost unparalleled as of recently, and I love doing the work so much.

 

Ms. Turcotte, Jonathan Law High School, CHEM1128Q: General Chemistry II - She is really passionate about what she does and she shares/spreads that energy to us. She also makes our class really fun and feel like a family.

 

Mrs. Walston, The Morgan School, PHYS1201Q: General Physics I - She always teaches with so much energy and enthusiasm that makes the whole class excited and engaged to learn.

 

Mr. Wilson, East Haven High School, POLS1602: Introduction to American Politics - Mr. Wilson is an amaz­ing teacher and friend to all, making our learning experience not only fun, but also engaging. His use of humor and engagement with the class is unlike any other history teacher I’ve had, and it’s clear he loves his job.

 

Mr. Wisniewski, Berlin High School, BIOL1107: Principles of Biology I - Mr. Wisniewski always finds ways to connect with his classes in a more casual/personal way than any other teacher I’ve seen, and he encourages his students to personalize his room a bit, make it a bit more homier for everyone. He also gives the best concise notes I’ve ever taken for a course of this difficulty, and I’m really glad that I had the privilege of being a student of his this year!

 

 

Wallace Stevens Poetry Contest

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UConn ECE Wallace Stevens Poetry Contest

 

By Sean Frederick Forbes

 

The theme of this year’s ECE newsletter “Doubling Down on Success” reminded me of the card game blackjack. My grandfathers and uncles used to play blackjack during summer family gatherings, so I was familiar with the phrase “doubling down.” In blackjack, the term means to double one’s original bid in exchange for only one more card; it’s a move that suggests great surety of winning, despite the potential risk of losing. The Merriam-Webster dictionary offers a secondary definition of the term: “to become more tenacious, zealous, or resolute in a position or undertaking.” With all that said, perhaps the theme for this essay can be: “Doubling Down on Poetry,” since a poet must set to the page a sense of surety in their written creation despite the potential risk of being misunderstood by others. Writing poetry in any form or style is no easy undertaking especially in the high-tech world we live, in which digital distractions abound. There will always be poets, committed to painstakingly crafting verses to be read.

 

This year the ECE Wallace Stevens poetry contest received twenty-three poetry packets. My fellow judges, Sophie Buckner and Anh Le—both PhD candidates in the English department at UConn and creative writers—and I selected four poetry packets by Brooke Vazquez, Yimin Wu, Mikayla Vazquez, and Jenny Li as the first, second, third, and Hon­orable Mention prize winners, respectively. On a cold, yet sunny, Friday morning in February, Sophie, Anh and I held a Zoom meeting to deliberate and select the winners, and the three of us noted how enriching, innovative, and vibrant all of the submissions were. Four poets stood out to us since each packet captivated our individual and collective poetic sensibilities.

 

The title of Brooke Vazquez’s poem “Alphabetic Entomopho­bia,” introduces the reader to a different type of alphabet, one in which the irrational and per­sistent fear of various insects, is front and center with dazzling details that act as verbal and visu­al somersaults when read aloud. What’s most striking in these thirteen couplets is the merging of scientific and poetic language to create a rhythmic flow to the narrative: “uliodons savored her physique with silk / veins crawl with starving, matured maggots,” causing the reader to engage with the dynamic lives of insects in nature.

 

In five distinctive stanzas, Yimin Wu’s “Pomelo Peel” offers a com­plex and layered braided narrative as a speaker confronts cultural and social constructs regarding skin color, ethnic identity, and otherness. In the final stanza, the speaker eats a pomelo, its juices “sewing between cracks within / The rinds of my amber, pomelo heart,” a heavy image to decipher.

 

Mikayla Vazquez’s “Land of the Brave Lord” is a narrative poem written in four sequences about the Indigenous peoples of South America and the Caribbean, the Arawaks. Each sequence acts as a portal into the spiritual and ritu­alistic aspects of their lives. The speaker states, “The stars were crafted for the Arawak people, cultivated with crystals gathered from the darkest of caves, and the gold at the depths of their rivers;” a truly mythic-poetic vision.

 

Jenny Li’s “Loud Whispers” offers a seemingly simple end rhyme scheme in semi-regular rhyming couplets, which upon first glance one might not detect the cascad­ing rhetorical and sound effects established. Toward the end of the poem, the speaker thinks about the intensity of the battery of loud whispers, and states, “In the trees / With the breeze / The leaves flee / I want to be free;” with a gift of hope offered in the final image.

First Place

Brooke Vazquez

 

Brooke Vazquez, a junior at Rockville High School, has earned numerous accolades for her work, including a platinum award in the 2020 Connecti­cut Student Writer contest, two Silver Keys from the 2021 and 2022 Scholas­tic Arts & Writing contest, an honorable mention in the 2023 Nancy Thorp Poetry contest, and many more. Brooke’s future in the literary world looks promising as she continues to pursue opportunities to innovate and promote her work.

 

“I love writing, specifically the genre of poetry as it is a major outlet for me and a way to express my feelings on greater issues, primarily for women. For me, writing is the ability to paint a picture of a moment in time using words, and I try to implement that notion in my own work.”

 

Second Place

Yimin Wu

 

Yimin Wu is a junior at Hall High School and the Vice President of the school’s Creative Writing Club. He enjoys writing poetry, reading manhua, and listening to music.

 

“Through writing poetry, I’ve formed a stronger sense of self-identity and shared my cultural heritage. My pieces often deal with envy and Chinese-American struggles, which I hope to share with the rest of the world and foster a little more understanding of the immigrant experience.”

Third Place

Mikayla Vazquez

 

Mikayla Vazquez, a junior at Manches­ter High school, is most recognizable by her untamed curly hair, and visceral love for creative writing. She enjoys creating a variety of poems and prose that explore the human experience, and all the happy, strange moments within it. When she’s not buried in her comforter reading, she’s either thrifting, or not drinking enough water.

 

“I gifted my mom a poem for Mother’s Day in 2022, and it was the first time I had ever seen her cry. It made me realize just how much words are a way to make people feel a range of emotion, and poetry is the most bare, and deeply personal form.”

 

Honorable Mention

Jenny Li

 

Jenny is a high school senior at Montville High School. At Montville, she studies various AP and ECE classes in order to feel prepared for her future pursuit in nursing. Although writing isn’t one of her passions, she does spend some time whenever she is free to write down ideas and poems that come to her. For the most part, she spends her free time either studying, at work, or through social media consumption.

News to Know

Posted on by

 

By Carissa Rutkauskas

 

Congratulations on your retirement!

Congratulations to Glenn Lewis from Berlin High School on his retire­ment. Mr. Lewis has taught UConn SPAN 3178 and SPAN 3179, Interme­diate Spanish Composition and Span­ish Conversation: Cultural Topics, since 2012. His unique gift to ECE classrooms was bringing alive the language, culture, and history through his storytelling based on his extensive travel experiences in the Hispanic and Portuguese worlds, and his Chilean heritage. In his retirement, Mr. Lewis will move on to his third career teach­ing Buddhist philosophy and practice, and eventually living part time in the White Mountains and in Chile.

 

Congratulations to Maria Vilardo from Crosby High School in Water­bury on her retirement. She entered teaching as a second career and has been teaching for 19 years, nearly 12 of them in Waterbury. Ms. Vilardo has taught UConn’s History 1502: US History Since 1877, since 2020 and describes her affiliation and partner­ship with UConn ECE as her “crown­ing achievement as an educator.” In her retirement, she plans to enjoy life, relax, read, and travel. She has already traveled to Europe and South Amer­ica and extensively throughout the Caribbean. In the future she would like to visit Japan and Singapore.

Promotions

Congratulations to Dr. Evan Perkoski, one of Early College Experience’s Faculty Coordinators or his promotion to associate professor and tenure.

Conference Attendance

Franklin Academy (East Haddam) UConn ECE Political Science and Human Rights Instructor Fahd Rafiq was awarded UConn ECE Instructor Conference Funding to attend the 2024 International Studies Asso­ciation Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA in April, where he presented a research paper on Nation­alism and identities in South Asia, an article version of his dissertation. He also co-presented on forming na­tional identities, mass culture, and land rights. Dr. Rafiq was able to attend several sessions, including foreign policies, using role theory and Arab Spring 2.0, and civil war research.

UConn ECE Student Successes

Congrats to UConn ECE Student Maya Bynoe from Pathways Acad­emy of Technology and Design for: being a nine-time scholarship winner; admission to University of Con­necticut School of Business Honors Program; achieving 28+ credits by fall enrollment; having started a business which now has product placement inside of a local store; served as sec­retary for the Greater East Hartford Community Fund.

 

Hanh Tran, Saint Thomas More School. “Thanks to the amazing courses from UConn ECE, I am able to discover my new interest in eco­nomics, especially microeconomics. Initially, I didn’t think economics was an excit­ing subject to take but it was great to finally learn something practical and I figured out that what I’ve learned can be applied positively to my consump­tion habit. As a result, I received an Excellence in Economics Award from Saint Thomas More high school!”

 

UConn ECE Student Perspectives

Jia Yi Lu, Bristol Eastern High School. “Recently, I passed my Calculus final with an exceptional score. I don’t think I would’ve been able to achieve this without the help of my ECE Instructor.”

 

Reygina Pierre, Ledyard High School. “Having gone through the ECE experience I have more confi­dence in myself in the field of animal science classes I took.”

 

Jonathan Plona, Wolcott High School. “I did really well in my ECE courses, earning A’s in them. I learned a ton from my instructors and earned college credit. It was a great experience,and I’ll be taking ECE courses again next school year.”