GYO October NEWSLETTER
October 10th, 2022
UPCOMING EVENTS include the Networking Night and the GYO Lunch Meeting. Details below!
Networking Night
October 18th - 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Every year, the Rural School Initiative puts together a networking event for preservice teachers and rural school districts called the Rural Networking Night. This year, the event will be held on October 18, 2022, from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Buzzard Hall Atrium. They hope that you will attend this event to build connections with the preservice teachers we have here at EIU! Please use this google form to register for this event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Holly Higgins (hchiggins@eiu.edu).
P-16 Computational Thinking Network:
Pilot Classroom Grant
Applications:
Applications are now open for the Pilot Grant in the P-16 Computational Thinking Network.
The purpose of this group is to develop a regional network of P-16+ educators and stakeholders to support computational thinking and the new CS standards across the region. We also want to provide opportunities for students of all ages to visit locations that use these standards in the workplace. The Illinois Innovation Network has provided preliminary funding to support the planning and network development as part of their seed grants.
We hope to spend the next year developing a support network across the region that helps teachers and schools increase the opportunities for students related to computational thinking and computer science. This funding will support discussions, organizing resources, professional development, travel for site visits, and materials for pilot classrooms in the fall.
If you have any questions please contact Brian Reid (bdreid2@eiu.edu) or Terry Sullivan (tsullivan@eiu.edu).
Congrats to the Fall 2022 Mini Grant Recipients!
This Fall we had 7 Mini-Grant Recipients! Congratulations!
The purpose of the fund is to support future and new rural teachers in southeastern Illinois, especially those who participate in a rural teacher corps in high school, community college, or at EIU. We are pleased to announce our Fall 2022 mini-grant award winners:
Chelsea Cater
Groceries for Life Skills
Paris Cooperative HS
Heather Kistner
2nd Grade Creation Stations
Newton Elementary
Jasper County CUSD #1
Cindy Hunter
Relaxing and Calm Classroom Seating
Mary Miller Jr High
Georgetown- RidgeFarm CUSD #4
Hannah Hudson
Flexible Seating and Math Materials
Carl Sandburg
Charleston CUSD #1
Elizabeth Russell
Inclusive Classroom Resources and Tools
South Side
Effingham CUSD Unit 40
Heather Breazeale
Flexible Seating for Sixth Grade
Mary Miller Jr. High
Georgetown-RidgeFarm CUSD #4
Michelle Cowman
Group Learning Stations
St. Joseph School
Episode 16: Dr. Kathryn Havercroft
Episode 16 features Dr. Kathryn Havercroft, a professor for the Special Education Department at Eastern Illinois University. In this episode she discusses her journey to becoming a professor in Special Education. This was a great and fascinating conversation to have, with a recurring theme of "accessible education for everyone". Hope you enjoy!
Episode 17: Paul Penrod
Episode 17 features Paul Penrod, a teacher at the Martinsville Jr. Sr. High School. He primarily teaches math, but has worn many different hats over the years. Our conversation went from talking about his journey to becoming a rural educator to why he loves doing what he does. This was a great conversation to have, and I hope you enjoy it!
Episode 18: Todd Vilardo
Episode 18 features Todd Vilardo, the superintendent for the Charleston School District. In this interview we discussed the importance of effective rural education, and what makes rural education different from education in urban areas. Todd Vilardo also talks about his journey through education. This was a great and uplifting conversation, and I hope you enjoy it!
Episode 19: Dr. Alexis Jones
Episode 19 features Dr. Alexis Jones, a professor at EIU in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Foundations. In this interview we discussed several different topics including how the pandemic has effected rural education and what Dr. Jones believes to be the greatest compliment a teacher can receive. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I hope you do as well!
Podcast Guests
We have had 14 guests featured on our podcast, Perspectives in Rural Education. The guests have been teachers, administrators, ROE personnel, and current EIU students. The podcasts are recorded in the form of Zoom meetings and don't last more than 45 minutes. If you would like to be featured on the podcast, please fill out the Google Form and we will get in touch with you! If you would like to recommend someone or request someone please let us know by filling out the Google Form!
Upcoming Events:
Oct. 18: Rural Networking Night (Buzzard Hall Atrium) - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Oct. 21: GYO/STG Lunch Meeting (Induction) - 12pm - 1pm
Whether you have any questions to ask or stories to share, we'd love to hear from you!
