Author: Brianna Alford

One of the most enjoyable tasks the Office of Student and Academic Affairs performs each semester is facilitating a number of scholarship programs that are funded by, or in the memory of, alumni of the College of Education and Human Development and philanthropists committed to student success. While our outstanding student recipients receive funds to help defray the cost of attending Mason, the faculty charged with reviewing applications benefit as well.  They get a glimpse into the inspiring lives of our applicants and the potential future contributions they will make to their fields of study.  The College of Education and Human Development was thrilled to recognize the undergraduate and graduate students below during the spring 2020 semester. 

Lauren Breza Hattie M. Strong Foundation Scholarship 2020 Teachers of Promise Institute	Tyler Shores Hattie M. Strong Foundation Scholarship
Matthew McGinley Hattie M. Strong Foundation Scholarship	Denise Gormley Kyle Wilson Memorial Scholarship
Breyah Jones Kyle Wilson Memorial Scholarship	Lianne LaFleur Joan Packer Isenberg Endowed Scholarship
Megan French Joan Packer Isenberg Endowed Scholarship	Alexander Bolden Bridget Healy Memorial Scholarship
Amy Jones GeMStones Scholarship	Renita Upshur GeMStones Scholarship
Monica Rohrbach Virginia Scholars Award	Eric Jimmison 2020 Teachers of Promise Institute
Ashley Maginnis 2020 Teachers of Promise Institute	Jill Widdifield 2020 Teachers of Promise Institute
Evarachel Maurojorge 2020 Teachers of Promise Institute

Note: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 Teachers of Promise Institute event, usually held in March, was cancelled this year and our selectees were not able to participate. Nonetheless, CEHD wishes to recognize the outstanding achievement that led to their selection. Congratulations to all of our scholarship and award recipients, and many thanks to our generous donors for making these awards possible!

This research message is being shared on behalf of CEHD faculty members Dr. Joel Martin, Dr. Nelson Cortes, and Dr. Shane Caswell: 

Hey everyone! We hope you’re staying healthy and safe during these challenging times. We are researchers and we want to know how Covid-19 is impacting you. By completing this survey, you will be entered for a chance to compete for a $500 Amazon e-gift card. Please click on the link and share with us how you’re feeling. Also feel free to share this with your family and friends.

In order to complete the survey, you must be 18 years of age or older (or reached the age of consent in your country) in order to participate in this study. If you’d like to check for the age of consent in your country you can click on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_consent for more information.

Below is the link for the survey

https://gmucehd.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bvYsWGyGcYBYib3

There is an initial survey that will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Following the initial survey you will be asked to complete weekly surveys that take approximately 4 minutes to complete.

 

IRBNet number: 1592393-1

If being informed is beginning to impede on your sleep schedule, increase your anxiety, or introduce an enhanced sense of isolation or depression, it might be time to consider regulating your intake of information.

In a time as fluid as this, it’s no surprise that the masses are hungry for information. Consumers are searching day and night for any update related to the novel coronavirus, and the media is happy to oblige and provide news around the clock.

While the CEHD Student Success Team is a huge advocate of being informed, we also think it’s important to keep a firm grasp on your wellness, especially during a pandemic. If being informed is beginning to impede on your sleep schedule, increase your anxiety, or introduce an enhanced sense of isolation or depression, it might be time to consider regulating your intake of information.

So how do you create the perfect balance between being informed and being well? Try out our top three tips below.

• Find credible sources: As a student, you’ve been told over and over again to cite credible sources; the same goes for gathering information about a crisis. Find a handful of reputable, reliable sources, and use them as your go-to’s when it’s time to catch up on COVID-19.
• Schedule your screen time: Instead of reading or watching the news on an “as-needed” basis, try making an effort to check in on the status of coronavirus twice a day, perhaps in the morning and right after work or studies (early evening), and put a time cap on it. This will allow you to be informed at a time that works best for you, which will ultimately help you focus on other tasks throughout the day.
  • We recommend avoiding late-night check-ins, as taking in overwhelming information before bed may cause restlessness throughout the night.
• Do your due diligence: Many people use social media to keep up with friends and family, especially during times like this. There’s nothing wrong with that! However, social media is swimming with misinformation disguised as “expert opinions.” Take “news” on these platforms with a grain of salt, no matter who shares it. For credible information, revert back to tip number 1.
  • If social media triggers your anxiety, you may consider limiting that, too. Small steps work well here – start by only checking your accounts once an hour, then every other hour, and so on, until you notice your wellness is back in check. It helps if you move the app on your phone to a less-accessible place (or delete it altogether); this way you have to think twice before finding and clicking the icon!

We hope these tips help you find some harmony in your new “normal.” Until our return, be well!  

On Next Week’s Blog: Host a virtual gathering, and follow through with it!

TO:                 Student Completing Field Experiences and/or

                       Internships in Mason’s Educator Preparation Programs

FROM:           Roberto A. Pamas, Ed.D

                       Director, TeacherTRACK @ Mason

RE.:                Update (as of 3/23/2020) from TeacherTRACK @ Mason regarding Field Experience

                       and Internship:

We know that there are many questions that you may have regarding the requirements for and associated opportunities to complete your field experience and internship. It is my hope that this communication will provide you with information that can answer some of your questions, as the situation remains very dynamic. I am confident that there soon will be additional information and greater clarity.

As the Coronavirus Crisis continues to unfold, as it’s a rapidly changing situation, we will provide updates with information as issues become more well defined, and decisions are made both by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the School Divisions of the Commonwealth, as well as by our university. Some issues remain ambiguous and uncertain as school divisions continue to monitor the context and consider if, or when, classes will continue during the spring semester.

However, despite the ambiguities (that we cannot control) we remain confident that our students who are in the midst of field experience and/or internship will either be able to complete the state’s requirements, or the state will grant exceptions so that you will complete your degree and the requirements for your Virginia license. However, now is time for patience as the public health crisis continues to evolve and as we seek further clarity from the state and decisions are made by the Commonwealth and Virginia’s school divisions.

Please check regularly for updates that will be sent in addition to the frequently asked questions below.

FAQs:

• Will I be able to graduate in May and qualify for a Virginia license with only completing part of my internship?

We are in close and regular contact with Virginia Department of Education about this and are advocating for modifications that will allow you to still meet the requirements for successful completion of field experience and/or internship. We are confident that the state will be flexible and will formulate an approach for the waiving of some requirements

We advise you to log and maintain a record of your overall direct/indirect hours completed, as well as the number of weeks of field experience and/or internship completed, prior to the closure of schools in response to the Coronavirus Crisis.  In addition, we also advise you to document and log the following: 1) total number of virtual hours instruction to PK-12 students that you have completed since the closure of schools, 2) practicum experiences prior to field experience and/or internship, and 3) total number of hours supporting and/or participating in distance learning with mentor teachers.

• Licensure Testing: Since most testing centers have closed; what guidance and/or flexibility can the Virginia Department of Education provide for students who cannot take their required exams for Virginia licensure?

The Virginia Department of Education is aware of and is considering this issue. They will provide specific guidance in the near future.

• What will happen if school districts remain closed for the remainder of the 2019 – 2020 academic year?

Mason: University instructors and supervisors will provide additional guidance and/or alternative learning assignments to meet Mason’s required course objectives.

School Districts: We are in close contact with all partner school divisions to advocate for your participation in any remote learning and/or online programs as part of your field experience and/or internship that may begin in their schools as a means to support your continued learning needs. 

For example, for students completing field experiences and/or internships in the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), FCPS recently (3/20) provided this commitment:

“While we have no way to predict how the days ahead will unfold, FCPS is prioritizing the safety of its students, employees and community. At this point, FCPS has not yet enacted a distance learning plan, however; in the event FCPS does move toward a distance learning model, (Mason) student teachers should have access to FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard), the platform that would be used for distance learning.”

• How will this pandemic impact your job search with school districts?

Mason: You should stay in close contact with Mason’s Career Services to continue exploring employment opportunities as they become known and more information is available. Indeed, we are confident, and fully anticipate, that school divisions will identify mechanisms for the recruitment, selection and hiring of teachers, and other personnel, for academic year 2020 – 2021.

School Districts: We will update you as we receive information from school divisions.  Most recently, for example, Fairfax County Public Schools (3/20) announced that they have “already offered several recruitment contracts for teaching assignments this coming fall” and will continue to interview for expected openings. We understand that other school divisions also soon will continue their recruitment and hiring initiatives. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Some Final Thoughts

It is suggested, and encouraged, that you stay in close contact with your mentor teacher and university supervisor. If there are questions that they cannot provide answers for you, do not hesitate to contact me, Dr. Roberto Pamas, Director of TeacherTRACK @ Mason at: [email protected] .

While we are dependent upon Virginia Department of Education policies and associated regulations, as well as local school division guidelines and practices, which might at times slow our efforts in getting information to you, we will continue to share information as it becomes available related to the impact of the Coronavirus Crisis on your academic program and learning needs, state regulations governing the requirements for licensure, school division practices and associated career opportunities.

In the meantime, as best as you can, please take time to care for yourselves and your family.

All the best – stay safe, healthy and well.

As part of the College of Education and Human Development’s continuing efforts to support student research here at George Mason University, we are sharing this research study participation request:

All Mason undergraduate students are invited to participate in a study about student health, sustainability, and well-being.  This anonymous online survey will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.  One participant will win a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. 

Access the survey at https://tinyurl.com/gmuchhs.

This study is being conducted as part of a graduate thesis.  Questions about the project may be sent to [email protected].  This project has been approved by the Mason IRB (IRBNet #1547164-2).