Category: Post

Each year, faculty in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) come together to select an outstanding student in their program to receive the honor of being named as their program award winner. Students selected for this award embody the very best of their program: they excel in their studies; they demonstrate leadership in classes and internships; and they have a genuine and tenacious passion for their discipline.

This year, faculty in Special Education have selected Mervette Rhodes as their Outstanding Student in  Special Education (Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum). Congratulations, Mervette!

Q & A with Outstanding Student in Special Education, Mervette Rhodes

What academic accomplishment are most proud of?  ​ 

I am most proud of maintaining a 4.0 GPA while teaching full time.

What organizations/affiliations have you been involved with while at Mason? ​

I completed my program through the FCPS cohort. 

What are your plans after graduation? 

After graduation, I plan to continue teaching. 

What is your favorite memory in CEHD or your favorite part of being a CEHD student? 

My favorite part of being a CEHD student was the friendships I formed with other members in the Fairfax 43 cohort.  

What advice do you have for fellow CEHD students (especially those that are not graduating yet)?

 If you are in one of the cohorts and working full-time, you can do it; push yourself to excellence in everything you do! For undergraduate students, this is a short chapter in your life. Do your best and enjoy these moments! 

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself? 

I am a mechanical engineer who used to work on aircraft carriers.  

 

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

As I sit in the spare bedroom of my townhome, the sound of AC/DC fills my house.

Am I listening to AC/DC while trying to work from home?

No. 

Is rock and roll noise pollution? 

It is when you cannot control your neighbor’s playlist volume! 

The thought, “Can you at least wait until 5:00 pm!” runs through my mind. 

How can I manage to get through my to-do list when I cannot tune out of the Best of the 80’s?!

Personally, I need something to help me get back to work and quickly!  Here are some tips I like to use. Try them to keep your distractions at bay:

Grab the headphones 

Classical music is a great way to mask other noises while continuing to be productive, or to give your workspace a lively feeling.  Check out this CEHD Concentration Station playlist!

25 minutes on, 5 minutes off

Like our bodies, our brains need breaks to function best!  Check out this Pomodoro Playlist that is designed for 25 minutes of music that promotes focus followed by five minutes of fun for a break!  

Throw the phone away

After you have your playlist going toss your phone to the other side of the room!  When one thing disrupts us, we are likely to allow that to take us down a rabbit hole of distractions.

Celebrate what you have accomplished

When you have that Friday feeling celebrate another week well-done with CEHD’s Mood Booster playlist!     

Remember to have some grace with yourself and others during this time.  You are not just studying at home, you are at home trying to study during a health crisis.  Try to set yourself up to block out those sometimes-unavoidable distractions.  When it seems like too much, reach out to the Student and Academic Affairs Office.  We can help you find the right tracks to keep you on beat!

All playlists created on Spotify by the CEHD Student Enrichment Coordinator, Brianna Alford, and our star intern Brooke. For some reason, no AC/DC was included.

Spotify is a free service in no way affiliated with or endorsed by George Mason University or CEHD.

If you are feeling like getting set up each day is taking as much time as the morning rush hour commute to campus, try these steps to find your best work space fit!

Much like the fluid situation we find ourselves in due to COVID-19 updates, your working space may be ever-changing as well.  As humans, we all have our preferences as to where and how we like to work.  If you are feeling like getting set up each day is taking as much time as the morning rush hour commute to campus, try these steps to find your best work space fit!

 

Grab your tools

What are the things you would never go to class without?  Those are the things you will need for your remote learning work space.  A computer, paper, pens/pencils should be the staples. If you’re like me, you need a little room to stretch out as well.

Stake out your space

What kind of environment do you need to be productive?  Think about the things that typically distract you and work from there to pinpoint a workspace where those distractions can be eliminated. 

No desk?  No problem!

Get creative!  Throw a table cloth over a card table for an instant new desk!  Kitchen tables can work just as well.  Pull out a nightstand for some additional space or storage.  Just be sure you are staying organized!

Don’t get too comfy

Dedicate your work space for work and your sleep space for sleep.  However, consider bringing a pillow for a chair that may be less than ideal.  The key is to find a comfort level that will keep you alert but comfortable enough to watch an hour video lecture.   

Make it yours

Add a candle, a plant, or a picture of your friends that you are not getting much FaceTime with.  Create your work space to be a place you want to go!

The workspaces in this article belong to the members of CEHD’s Student Success Team. Think you have a great set up?  Share it with CEHD_SAA on Instagram with the hashtag #CEHDWorksFromHome.  Be sure to check in next week for more steps to take on the road to academic success!