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Rosauer Center Renovation Update

August 28, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

This summer, the Rosauer Center for Education experienced a dramatic renovation. Our central main floor was gutted to make way for a new Active Learning Center (ALC). The former computer lab was renovated to make way for a dynamic, welcoming space that completely changes the entrance to the building. Additionally, all common hall spaces were painted bringing an element of energy and color to our previously dated scheme. The construction made for a noisy, busy summer, but the reward has been well worth it. Take a look at the changes for yourself:

We were excited and eager to welcome our students back for fall semester with this revamped space available. We look forward to seeing the ALC used on a daily basis and are proud to offer such a comfortable, collaborative space to all Gonzaga University students and faculty.

Alumni Spotlight: Barb Casey, Principal Certification, ’17

August 24, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Tell us about yourself: Barbara Casey, Principal Certification, 2017
What are you doing now?: I recently accepted the position of Lead Behavior Specialist for Walla Walla Public Schools. I will lead & supervise the newly formed district behavior team in support of our district’s commitment to support the social emotional growth of all students.
Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? I attended Gonzaga for my undergraduate degree in Special Education, so I already knew I’d receive a high quality education for my administrative certificate. Gonzaga holds many of my best memories as a young student, and that was certainly added to in this program. The unwavering commitment to developing the whole person is unique at GU and what ultimately brought me back.
What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? In this program, what influenced me most was my peers. Dr. Cindy Johnson accepts exceptional candidates into her program. My cohort peers were incredible educators who pushed me to think deeper, take action, and learn more!
What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? This program deepened my belief in shared leadership. Gonzaga is a university focused on developing people, and my budding career in administrative leadership is rooted in developing others for the sake of student learning. I learned the importance of communication, ethical decision making, and identifying strengths in others.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? Without a doubt, the most rewarding aspect of working in education is witnessing student growth as a result of decisions made by adults.

Currently, I most value supporting staff members in learning new skills they can apply to positively support student behavior. The most challenging aspect in my current position is definitely ensuring that all student behavioral needs are met in ways that honor their basic rights to education with their non-disabled or behaviorally-challenged peers, while protecting the learning environment for every student.

Resources are challenging to come by, and ensuring the resources we do have are utilized in ways that are strategic and effective, without overburdening classrooms teachers, is challenging. I’m thankful my district is prioritizing social emotional health as we move forward.

7. What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? Most apparent right now is the McCleary decision and our state’s need to agree upon a budget that protects student rights to their education. Ensuring that teachers are properly trained to teach is also a critical issue. Teacher shortages are for certain, a concern.Teaching is not something anyone can do. Educating students requires extensive background knowledge in child development, understanding how learning happens, and how to enrich experiences for students.

8. What advice do you have for future education professionals? Always stay focused on your WHY. Know why you enter the field, and when times are challenging, stay focused on the fact that children are the most important work. And always take time to listen. Listen to colleagues, listen to your community, listen to families, and most importantly, listen to your students. There will be plenty of time for talking, but in order to really make an impact, you must know what those around you think!

APA Honors Dean Alfonso with Bardon Distinguished Service Award

August 22, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Dean Vincent Alfonso

SPOKANE, Wash. – The American Psychological Association’s Division of School Psychology honored Gonzaga University School of Education Dean Vincent C. Alfonso earlier this week with the 2017 Jack Bardon Distinguished Service Award.

The annual award is presented at the APA Convention to seasoned school psychologists who throughout their careers have demonstrated exceptional programs of service that merit special recognition. This award is given for accomplishments relating to:

Major leadership in the development, delivery or administration of innovative psychological services, and policy creation and implementation in school psychology;
Sustained professional contributions, including holding offices and committee memberships in state and national organizations.

The award recognizes education leaders who are at least 50 years old or have earned their doctoral degree at least 20 years prior. The division presents the annual award in honor of Bardon, who helped bring school psychology to maturity.

Recipients are professional and academic school psychologists who have continued Bardon’s work through voluntary professional service exceeding the requirements of their position and demonstrated an exceptional program of service throughout their careers.

In 2014, the national Trainers of School Psychologists Organization honored Alfonso with its Outstanding Contributions to Training award. In letters of recommendation for the award, peers described Dean Alfonso as an outstanding leader, incredible mentor, and a knowledgeable, thoughtful and visionary educator. One former student singled out Dean Alfonso for his extraordinary commitment to students.

In 2015, Alfonso began a three-year term on the APA’s Board of Educational Affairs. The APA is the nation’s largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology, and is the world’s largest association of psychologists with some 130,000 member researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students.

Alfonso, who became dean of the School of Education in 2013, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and his master’s and doctorate in clinical/school psychology from Hofstra University. His scholarly work focuses on assessment and treatment of preschool children, psycho-educational assessment, life satisfaction and well-being, professional training, stressful life events, social support, and health.

He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of dozens of articles in peer-reviewed journals, more than 20 book chapters, and six scholarly books. A licensed psychologist and school psychologist, Dean Alfonso is a frequent invited lecturer and consultant to schools, as well as professional and training organizations.

SOE Celebrates Solar Eclipse

August 21, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

The staff of the Rosauer Center took a break to observe a near-total solar eclipse this morning. Eclipse glasses and traditional pinhole viewing methods were deployed to observe the once-in-a-lifetime experience. The peak eclipse occurred just before noon, when the sky darkened and the temperature dropped several degrees. What an amazing way to close an exciting summer for the School of Education!

Dr. Diane Tunnell gazes to the sky

Gina Cooper and Jenna White enthralled by the celestial fireworks

Staff gather around Shannan Palomba to track the progress of the eclipse

Staff watching the sky together

Alumni Spotlight: Robert Wall, Leadership & Administration, ’94

August 17, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Tell us about yourself: My name is Robert Wall. I earned an MA of Arts in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction in 1994.
What are you doing now?: ? I am retired from teaching. This was after 36 years in in the classroom and for 22 of those years I was a Vice-Principal. After that I was seminar leader and student teacher supervisor for eight more years at UVic (University of Victoria). I presently work on set construction for a theatre group, Peninsula Player, in Victoria, BC, and playing with my two grandsons.
Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? My neighbour, Dr. Joe Kess, head of the Linguistics Department at UVic, recommended it highly. Kess was a graduate of Georgetown University and knew that Gonzaga had a positive affiliation with it. He felt that there would be very positive and supportive feel to Gonzaga’s Education program as well.
What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? This is a difficult question. I believe I model the personal qualities that a school community should expect from an individual. I always wished that I could do more and always strived for that. The following people offered realistic and innovative new teaching models and ideas that I was able to merge right away as the MA program progressed as well as after the program was completed: Matt Cadman, Dr. Jon Evavold, Dr. Monica Schmidt, Dr. Dick Sovde and Dr. Deborah Nieding. They were all great role models!
What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? I had been called an “Educator,” “Master Teacher,” and “Idea Man” by Principal reports in the nine schools I had worked. Gonzaga gave me the feeling from, ‘I think I can’ to a definite ‘Yes, I can improve my teaching and administration skills for my school communities.’
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? I was always a ‘Sunday night pacer’ as I planned for the next week to come. I always found that if you planned well you could almost always bring fun, new ideas and enjoyment for the students, staff and school community. Sometimes that required change or a new way of doing something. So, for me change was always the ‘challenge.’ That was one of the reasons I asked for nine school transfers so that I could challenge myself. Each school was like starting teaching all over only in a different school environment.
What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? ? I like being with kids and find a school ghost-like when the hallways are empty without them there. Like Victoria, many cities do not have a large percentage of students by population. I think it is extremely important to promote stronger understanding of the amazing talent younger people in schools are to the general public, sometimes the school’s parent communities, business, the press and government at all levels.
What advice do you have for future education professionals? To best answer this question I am going to use some quotes from my farewell retirement speech. “To me a school, my definition, has always been an ‘Information, Intergenerational, Transfer, Environment’. Or, I would say, a school is a building of four walls, with tomorrow inside. A school is more of a spirit than a physical structure… Young hope walks its corridors. Young dreams climb its stairways. Young ambitions fill its classrooms. It’s youngest building in the world. It’s a school my favourite place.” So, being an educator is hard work, challenging, and you need to work as hard as you can every year for your students. And if you do, you will find teaching to be one of the most rewarding, enjoyable and important jobs in the world. As Cicero wrote, “What noble employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of instructing the younger generation.”

Alumni Spotlight: Dara Zurfluh, Principal Certification, ’17

August 10, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Tell us about yourself: Dara Zurfluh, Principal Certification, 2017
What are you doing now?: Assistant Principal, Sumner School District
Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? I chose Gonzaga because of the high recommendation that the program was given by past graduates. I valued the beliefs of the institution and the incorporation of the student as a whole.
What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? Dr. Cynthia Johnson influenced me the most. She is a spit fire that will go to bat for her beliefs, and if she believes in you, you will have a forever ally. She has high standards that she brings everyone up to, and instills a belief in each and every student. She answers all questions at any given time of day or night, any day of the week. I am so thankful to have been influenced by her!
What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? My greatest lesson is that adequacy is not enough. I can do so much more than be average. Gonzaga and Dr. Johnson believed in me to push myself that much more.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? The most rewarding aspect of being in education is being able to influence students. They are the core, and seeing their growth is a reward like no other. The most challenging is the bureaucracy in education; the hoops and laws that administrators have to maneuver through.
What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? Funding is the most obvious issue right now. In addition, something I am passionate about and have learned a great deal about from Dr. Johnson, is the regional teacher shortage and the other mediocre institutions out there awarding certificates to students that do not fully understand the teaching pedagogy. It is frightening that so many people are earning quick endorsements to try and capitalize on the teaching shortage.
What advice do you have for future education professionals? Follow your heart, learn as much as you can, be open minded, and always continue to learn yourself!

Alumni Spotlight: Kelsi Rugo, Counselor Education, ’13 & ’15

August 3, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Tell us about yourself: Kelsi Rugo, MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Undergraduate ’13, Graduate ’15
What are you doing now?: I am a PhD student working in the National Center for Veterans Studies at The University of Utah. Here, I do research and clinical work (psychotherapy) with suicidal veterans and service members.
Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? I did my undergraduate degree at Gonzaga and knew that a Zag education would far surpass what competing universities could offer me. The holistic education and growth-oriented community at Gonzaga is unique, and quite rare.
What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? Dr. Lisa Bennett was my faculty advisor during my master’s program at Gonzaga and was a major catalyst in the transformational growth I underwent during the program. She perfectly embodies the Jesuit idea of holistic education by pushing for her students’ intellectual, spiritual, cultural, physical, and emotional growth, which laid the foundation for me to continue this work outside of Gonzaga.
What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? The greatest lesson I learned at Gonzaga was to embrace challenging and often painful growth. This never feels easy, but has changed my life in revolutionary ways and continues to shed light on the path forward from here.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? The most rewarding part of the work I do is watching veterans and service members have better and live meaningful, fulfilling lives. The most challenging part is learning to take care of myself and reconcile what I hear in my office with my beliefs about the world, as trauma and suicide work can be very depleting at times.
What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? One issue that I’m particularly passionate about (and do research on) is clinician competency. In order to provide ethical care and help people become better, we need clinicians who are healthy, well-trained, and prepared to deliver evidence-based interventions competently. However, several barriers stifle access to quality training (financial cost, training status limitations, inadequate mentoring) and eventually impact the quality of care that patients receive from these clinicians down the road.
What advice do you have for future education professionals? Do the personal work that needs to be done. Heal from your past hurts, explore who you are, connect with an empowering community, and learn hard feedback from others. This kind of personal work will not only serve you well personally, it will also enhance the professional work you do with others.

July 27, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Tell us about yourself: My name is Sharleen Jackson and I graduated with a B.Ed. degree from the University of Calgary in 1982. Additionally, I earned an MA degree in Administration and Curriculum from Gonzaga University, which I graduated with in 1989.
What are you doing now?: Currently I am a volunteer at both a hospital and within my community. I’ve had a very rewarding career in education that includes teaching, writing and editing educational curriculum, and providing educational services to adult students with disabilities.
Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? I initially chose the MA program at the School of Education at Gonzaga for a unique reason. My mother, Frances Kapp, was very interested in taking the program and asked if I would like to join her in doing so. Besides being best friends, my mother and I had very similar careers as we were both teachers. The thought of taking a two year MA degree program with my mother seemed both very educational and fun. Also, I had colleagues who had enjoyed attending Gonzaga. I felt that by taking the MA program I could apply what I learned to my role as a teacher and in future opportunities.
What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? Gonzaga had a wonderful community of tremendous educators, and I am grateful to have been taught by them. I was very influenced by Dr. Bob Bialozor, who taught courses in administration and curriculum development. He was very inspiring and enthusiastic, had a super sense of humor, and taught very innovative ideas. You could see that he had a great love for education and a keen interest in the success of all his students. My mother and I also took a course on critical and creative thinking skills that Dr. Bialozor taught in Hawaii. It was a great learning experience, and the skills taught we applied in our teaching.
What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? My greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga is that learning is infinite and a lifetime journey. Take time along the way to really enjoy the work that you do and the studies that you complete. Be of help to others and do not hesitate to ask for help yourself if need be.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? The most rewarding aspect of working in my field was in working together with students and colleagues to help students to try and achieve their personal best. When I would see students enthused with work that they had accomplished or projects that they had created I found it very rewarding. Schools, for students of all ages, are communities of learning, and I really liked that sense of community in helping students to learn. It was a privilege for me to have been a part of that.
What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? I find that some critical issues in education today are similar to those in the past. Funding and appropriate class size are both issues in education that need to be ensured.
What advice do you have for future education professionals? My advice for future education professionals is that education is a wonderful career choice to pursue. Have faith in your abilities and those of others. Work hard, be kind, and laugh often. Both your dedication to and service in education will be deeply appreciated.

July 20, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Tell us about yourself: My name is Clare Sykora (Alexander). I completed my Bachelor of Education in Special Education (’08) and Master of Education in Special Education – Functional Analysis (’11).
What are you doing now?: I am finishing up my 9th year of teaching self-contained classes in public schools and will begin to teach at the Spokane Guilds School in July.
Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? I chose GU for my undergrad degree to be able to earn both my elementary and special education certifications within four years. I chose to return to GU for my masters degree because of the concise nature of the FA program (1 1/2 years) and the flexibility of the classes when I was still working during the days. Also, it was great to be able to work with my former professors and obtain my early childhood special education certification at the same time.
What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? Dr. Anjali Barretto was immensely integral to my choice of occupation. I took her Psychology of the Exceptional Child class and the service-learning component changed how I viewed the world. I volunteered at L’Arche and quickly learned how special it was to participate in helping individuals learn skills. The joy that each successful step brings me is my motivation to continue to serve those with disabilities. Dr. Barretto’s direction and support from that point forward shaped both the way I learn and the educator I am today.
What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? The most important lesson I learned while at GU was that it doesn’t matter if each moment is perfect, it is the ultimate outcome that results in how impactful one’s work is.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? Working in the Special Education field takes patience, love, and consistency. My largest rewards come when a student achieves their goals and teaching them to be proud of those achievements. Smiles. Smiles and laughter keep me working in the field. The most challenging component of working with individuals with special needs is lack of education from those surrounding us. It takes a lot of understanding and acceptance for people to support the work we do with students and the more we can educate them on how influential our work is, the better.
What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? In my opinion, a critical issue that needs to be addressed in the field of Special Education is the need for funding to address early intervention. Although IDEA Part C partially funds early intervention, the more attention and therapies we can provide for at an earlier age, the better chance of individuals not needing interventions later in life; or for as long of a time span.
What advice do you have for future education professionals? Chocolate. There will be times, situations, and issues that will make you want to cry and moments that will make you question your choice of profession. When those moments arise, open your always stocked drawer and pop a chocolate in your mouth. Savor the flavor and laugh. Laugh because it will make you feel better and embrace the moment. It will happen again and you will always learn to keep more chocolate on hand 🙂

July 13, 2017 / cairney / 0 Comments

Tell us about yourself: My name is Dr. Frances Kapp and I have earned 3 degrees in education. My first degree is a B.Ed. degree that I graduated with in 1961 from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. My second and third degrees were earned at Gonzaga University. They are an MA degree in Administration and Curriculum which I graduated with in 1989, and a Gonzaga Ph.D. in Educational Leadership which I graduated with in 2000. I also received the School of Education award in leadership in 2000.
What are you doing now?: My current role is in writing. I co-authored a book with Dr. Kieran O’Malley called Watch for the Rainbows, True Stories of Educators and Other Caregivers of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, which was based upon research from my doctoral studies at Gonzaga. My career for many wonderful years was in teaching, and I am a retired elementary science teacher and researcher.
Why did you choose a program in the School of Education at Gonzaga? I chose the MA program at the School of Education at Gonzaga because I wanted to open the door to opportunities to expand my career in education. Some possible areas of interest for myself included curriculum, research, and administration. I also had colleagues who had taken Gonzaga educational programs and they spoke very highly of Gonzaga University and the educational programs and courses offered. I chose the Ph.D. program at Gonzaga University because I had enjoyed the Gonzaga MA program tremendously and also because I wanted to further my university training and education.
What influenced you the most during your time at Gonzaga? I was influenced by and am grateful to many wonderful educators at Gonzaga University. I was greatly influenced by Father Patrick Ford who strongly encouraged me to continue on with my educational studies after completing my MA. Father Ford was the dean of the Graduate School and later the academic vice president during my years at Gonzaga. He was a very kind man, very spiritual, a superb speaker, and really interested in the success of the students that he worked with. He was inspiring and instilled people to help others.
What was your greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga? My greatest lesson learned at Gonzaga was to take time to enjoy your studies, work hard, and pass that knowledge and training on to the students that you work with.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in your field? Most challenging? The most rewarding aspect of working in my field was in being able to help students learn successfully. I took pride in observing students smile and succeed in their efforts.
What critical issues do you see that need to be addressed in your field? A critical issue in education today is funding as this is necessary for successful programming.
What advice do you have for future education professionals? My advice for future education professionals is to put your heart with your work and enjoy what you are doing. Education is a very important field to be in and offers many rewarding career possibilities.

Gonzaga University School of Education