Fall 2007

University of Montevallo, College of Education

In this issue. . .

¢ Connections
 

¢ Theatrical Alliances
 

¢ Featured Teachers
 

¢ Student Spotlight

¢ Important Dates

¢ Contact Us

Renewed Commitment
An age-old compact committing the University to strong relations with the elementary, middle, and high schools of Montevallo was renewed at a recent spring retreat initiated by UM’s department of Curriculum and Instruction. The retreat was held in an effort to identify ways in which the schools and the university could mutually benefit from more involvement with one another.

School administration and faculty volunteered to provide guest lectures and welcomed UM students into their classrooms for observations. UM faculty and administration discussed their willingness to provide professional development and co-design opportunities for their students to assist in local school classrooms.

As a direct result of the retreat, Dr. Jenifer Moore involved her students in a reading clinic directed by Ms. Haley Franks at the elementary school this summer. At the request of Ms. Judy Simmons, principal of the High School, a UM consultant group was formed to serve as a resource for Montevallo schools. Counseling services are being offered to at-risk high school students by UM’s counseling department and UM’s science department has invited high school teachers and students to participate in environmental projects.

President Williams opened the meeting by expressing his support of this union and stated his interest in having others on campus become involved. Superintendent Randy Fuller’s representative, Lynn Cook, expressed the county’s wholehearted endorsement of this relationship.

Sculpting the Future Together  

Artistic Collaboration Unites Elementary and College Students in Creativity

		Paula Renzi-Callaghan, past PTO president of MES and Ted Metz, UM art professor collaborated to produce the spectacular sculpture garden that now frames the entryway into Montevallo Elementary School.  Under the direction of art teacher Al Cecil, MES students' drawings provided inspiration to Metz's students who then conceptualized selective drawings to create life-size, metal sculptures. Dr. Annie McClain, principal of MES, supported the project ensuring that the artwork of all five grade levels were represented in these garden sculptures.
Drawing by Sabine H., MES 4th grader, conceptualized in metal by UM art student, Jennifer Restauri