Saint Mary’s to host panel discussion about global education issues Nov. 14

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Under-Told Stories Project, Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting and Saint Mary’s University will host a forum on “Closing the Global Gap: The complex issue of education in a global era.”

In America today, there is concern about a persistent achievement gap in our education system. Whether it is a drive to maintain global competitiveness or a desire to catch up, efforts are underway in many countries to rethink and modernize education. The mastery of reading, writing and math are no longer enough. Students need to think critically, reason, problem-solve and communicate effectively in a global economy. 

The public forum — scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. — will include a digest of the latest reporting on issues associated with youth education. International journalist Fred de Sam Lazaro will lead a distinguished panel and moderate a discussion with the audience. De Sam Lazaro is director of the Under-Told Stories Project, a program that combines international journalism and teaching at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. He is a regular contributor to PBS’ “NewsHour” and the network’s “Religion and Ethics Newsweekly.”

Panelists will include:

• Nathalie Applewhite, managing director of the Pulitzer Center

• Dr. Efe Agbamu, executive director, English Language Learners, St. Paul Public Schools

• Brother. Ed Siderewicz, assistant to the president for First-Generation and Lasallian Initiativs, Saint Mary’s University

The event is free and open to the public and will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. For more information, go to www.smumn.edu/globalgap.

Saint Mary’s education programs approved, praised by Board of Teaching, MBSA

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University’s undergraduate and graduate teacher licensure programs and its Education Specialist in Educational Administration program have been approved and lauded this winter by two state governing boards. Accreditation was approved for maximum time periods without alterations.

Accrediting agencies, when making periodic reviews of all collegiate education departments, typically cite a college or university for items that must be amended before certification is granted or extended.

“That Saint Mary’s was identified as having model programs and did not receive any requests for alterations is a testament to the strength of our programs,” said Jim Bedtke, SMU vice president for the College and the Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs. “Saint Mary’s is nationally recognized for providing quality education programs at all levels.”

Minnesota’s Board of Teaching has extended accreditation for Saint Mary’s undergraduate and graduate teacher licensure programs for the maximum seven years.

The Minnesota Board of Teaching review team noted the effective collaboration between faculty in the content areas and the education program, an advising process that is supportive and accessible, the strength of the clinical experiences, and the importance attached to the preparation of teachers at Saint Mary’s.

The review team wrote, “The Lasallian mission of Saint Mary’s is transparent and threaded through the education programs here. The students recognized the faculty’s commitment to social justice in education and indicated how they model that in their constructivist approach to teaching.”

Additionally, the Minnesota Board of School Administrators has approved the Education Specialist in Educational Administration program of the SMU Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs for the maximum five years. The Ed.S. in Educational Administration degree prepares candidates for three possible administrative licensures: K-12 Building Principal, Superintendent and Director of Special Education.

The Minnesota Board of School Administrators review team expressed appreciation for the university’s consistent mission-driven approach at all levels, from the administration to the students. The team was impressed by faculty and the preparation students receive for school leadership.

SMU invites teachers, artists to puppetry workshop Oct. 20

WINONA, Minn. — In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) will conduct a workshop on the use of puppets and storytelling in the classroom from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Bluffview Montessori School.

The workshop, hosted by Saint Mary’s University and supported in part by the Minnesota State Arts Board Arts Across America grant, will include details on how to use paper, glue, paint and chicken wire to engage students in learning about complex issues. HOBT artists will present hands-on instruction in puppetry and will discuss how to integrate the arts into the classroom in core subjects such as science. This is valid for 2 hours CEU.

The workshop coincides with HOBT’s Oct. 23 performance of “Beneath the Surface” at Saint Mary’s. During the Page Series performance, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre will present a circus of wonderment about our relationship to water beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre. Tickets are $12, $5 for students and seniors, and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

The cost for the workshop is $15. Space is limited, and registration must be made by Wednesday, Oct. 14. Contact Jennifer Fanello at the Saint Mary’s Box Office by calling (507) 457-1716 or e-mailing jfanello@smumn.edu.