College of Education and Human Development

A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus…

Shayla Brown — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:43:27 +0000

A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus… Shayla Brown Thu, 01/30/2025 - 16:43

Sami Saghir graduated with his bachelor of science in tourism and events management from ��AV in August of 2024. The last component before completing his degree from the College of Education and Human Development was working with the Cirque du Soleil ECHO show. This experience was counted toward the internship period of Saghir’s degree before he entered his career with Cirque Du Soleil post-graduation.

Sami Saghir. Photo provided.

Originally planning to focus on hotel management, Saghir did his practicum at the Marriott Hotel in Fairfax, Virginia.

“I’m grateful that we have the practicum built into the program because although working at the hotel was a good experience, I was able to see that I wanted to explore different places within my field,” said Saghir.

Saghir’s career path was also affected by his professor and internship supervisor, Tina Jones.

“She brought in so many people from different fields during our event planning class. I was on a really narrow track, so it was a very eye-opening experience to learn about the different jobs that fall into the hospitality tourism field,” he said.

Saghir discovered his passion for Cirque du Soleil when he worked there as an usher at their Tyson’s Corner location in 2022 during his sophomore year.

“I was a local hire because they use a staffing agency to hire about 120 staff members to work as ushers, food and beverage, or merchandise employees in each of the cities they’re touring in,” said Saghir.

Saghir’s supervisor, who tours with the company, encouraged him to learn more about it and consider working there after the 2022 Tyson’s performances.

When the tour returned to Tyson’s Corner the following summer, Saghir connected with his former supervisor and said he was interested in pursuing Cirque du Soleil as a career post-graduation.

“I thought it was so fascinating, and I now have a full-time job with them, touring year-round as their guest experience supervisor,” he said.

As guest experience supervisor, Saghir is responsible for ensuring that every guest has a memorable and enjoyable experience by assisting all front of house departments, including ticket services, ushers, food and beverage, and the exclusive VIP experience to ensure seamless operations and exceptional service.

Saghir also hosts behind-the-scenes events, offering guests an insider's look at the magic of Cirque Du Soleil and collaborates closely with the sponsorship team at headquarters to ensure sponsor expectations are met. Additionally, Saghir works hand-in-hand with the local staff hired in each city to maintain high standards of guest satisfaction.

Sami Saghir (far right) with colleagues. Photo provided

“At the end of the day, it’s a circus, so no day is ever really the same as another one, and it also changes from city to city,” said Saghir.

For this position, Saghir has traveled to Montreal, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

“It was a career that I really wanted to pursue, so I just put myself out there, and showed my experience and enthusiasm about the job,” said Saghir.

“I would tell other students that if there’s something you really want to do with your life, just go for it and don't hesitate,” he said.

Topics

College of Education and Human Development

Using robotics to introduce AI and machine learning concepts into the elementary classroom

Colleen Rich — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:52:02 +0000

Using robotics to introduce AI and machine learning concepts into the elementary classroom Colleen Rich Thu, 01/23/2025 - 12:52

��AV researcher Erdogan Kaya is part of an interdisciplinary research team that is planning to introduce elementary students to the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning using educational robotics.

George Mason professor Erdogan Kaya with some of the educational robots his team will be using with elementary school students. Photo provided

Kaya, an assistant professor in George Mason’s School of Education, and his collaborators—Hasan Deniz of University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Ezgi Yesilyurt of Weber State University; and Refika Turgut of University of South Carolina—have been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) “Computer Science for All” program for their project, “Cultivating Artificial Intelligence Literacy through Linguistically Inclusive Integrated Elementary Curriculum via Educational Robotics.”

“Over the years, I have seen firsthand how robotics can captivate and inspire students, making complex STEM concepts accessible and more engaging,” said Kaya. “Students gain insight into how AI systems work and develop a deeper understanding of the power of AI, which promotes foundational AI literacy.”

Approximately 600 elementary students in grades 4 and 5 from schools serving underrepresented populations in Clark County, Nevada, will participate in this study. The goal of this project is to provide the students with hands-on learning opportunities that will allow them to develop an understanding of AI and its application in science and technology.

The study will also offer professional development to 25 in-service educators to equip them with the foundational knowledge of AI and machine learning needed to teach an AI-integrated STEM curriculum.

Kaya emphasized that it is essential for young learners to acquire a level of AI literacy that includes an understanding of how AI algorithms work, how AI applications are developed, and how they can be used responsibly and creatively. He hopes that by being exposed to AI and machine learning at an early age, students will develop skills that may lead them to pursue careers in STEM.

“This project is about opening doors to AI literacy for young students, especially those from multilingual backgrounds who may not see themselves represented in tech fields,” said Kaya, who grew up in Turkiye and began learning English in middle school.

After working with multilingual learners in Title I schools in Arizona, Kaya discovered that his perspective as someone who has navigated education in multiple languages gave him insight into serving this population of students effectively.

“By integrating AI and robotics early on, we are providing a foundation in STEM that not only builds skills but instills a belief in students that they can be part of AI-intensive fields,” he said.

Educational tools, including Birdbrain Technologies’ Hummingbird Robotics®, Teachable Machine, and Snap!, a visual block-based programming environment, will be used in this study. Students will be tasked with designing automated solutions to real-world challenges that exist in their home communities, such as how to make smart homes more energy-efficient or how to develop farming robots capable of harvesting strawberries. Kaya said that projects like these will allow the students to apply AI concepts in ways that they will find more culturally relevant and meaningful.

The study will also promote the responsible and ethical use of AI by asking students to engage in critical thinking regarding the broader societal impact of AI and how bias can affect AI algorithm outputs.

Teachers using the AI-integrated curricular resources developed under this project will be able to incorporate them into their existing curricula.

“Our curriculum is designed to be flexible and integrative. By combining AI, engineering, language arts, and science into integrated lessons, teachers can address multiple subjects within a single lesson, making the most of limited classroom time,” said Kaya.

The importance of teaching the principles of AI and machine learning at an early age continues to gain traction in K-12 computer science education. Kaya notes that organizations such as the International Society for Technology in Education and Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) are responding with programs such as Teach AI. In addition, CSTA is updating its standards, scheduled for release in 2026, to incorporate machine learning and AI.

At the state level, Virginia’s recent updates to the Computer Science Standards of Learning (SOLs) include requirements for machine learning, further underscoring the need to prepare students in this field.

It is these changes in the field of computer science education that influenced Kaya’s decision to pursue a second master’s degree—this one in machine learning—at George Mason. “Even though I have a CS background, I recognized that machine learning and AI are becoming crucial parts of CS education,” he said. “To better serve the needs of future teachers and K-12 students, I decided to further my own education in this rapidly evolving field.”

With this project, Kaya said the goal is to equip teachers to bring AI and robotics into their classrooms with confidence, even if they do not have a technical background. “By providing practical training and readily available materials, we hope to create a ripple effect where teachers inspire their students and make AI education a reality in their classrooms,” Kaya said.

Make a difference with the School of Education

Topics

Research

College of Education and Human Development

Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning

K-12 Partnerships

National Science Foundation

Strategic Direction

George Mason’s recreation program is helping bring parks to the people

Sarah Holland — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 18:12:27 +0000

George Mason’s recreation program is helping bring parks to the people Sarah Holland Wed, 01/08/2025 - 13:12

One of the special things about Northern Virginia is its blend of thriving city life with vast green spaces. Visitors and residents can enjoy more than 12,000 acres of parks and recreation areas across three counties and three cities thanks to the work of NOVA Parks. This fall, a brand-new park opened in Ashburn, Virginia, with a few familiar faces from ��AV at its helm.

Photo provided.

Reservoir Park is a 600-acre park around Beaverdam Reservoir. Built and operated as a partnership between NOVA Parks and Loudoun Water, the park has conservation and education at the forefront of its design. From plants that filter water runoff into the reservoir, to butterfly roofs that drain water down a singular center path onto rocks to avoid excessive soil erosion, to sustainable build materials, the park preserves the landscape while educating visitors on the lifecycle of a drop of water. Educational installations along the trail also give visitors tactile lessons: a hand pump that demonstrates the amount of force required to bring water from the reservoir to a faucet, for example.

“Most parks are built up over time, with facilities developing as community needs change,” said Paul Gilbert, executive director of NOVA Parks and the executive-in-residence of the recreation management program at George Mason. “I've never seen a park like this one, where everything is designed intentionally with a clear purpose and story in mind. It’s both beautiful and thoughtful.”

The benefits of parks are immense: increased property values, opportunities for physical activity, and mental health improvements, to name a few. “Numerous studies show that the benefits of exercise in nature far exceed exercise indoors,” Gilbert said. “It enriches lives, and it will continue to enrich lives, not just for this season but for generations to come.”

For George Mason students, the benefits of NOVA Parks extend to their education and, for some, even their careers.

Paul Gilbert (left) and Bella Trimner. Photo provided.

“There’s a strong connection between NOVA Parks and George Mason,” Gilbert said. “Through NOVA parks, students have access to internships, practicums, and careers. We help make their education not just academic but very actionable. And in return, we get high-quality employees excited to work in the parks they’ve grown up around.”

One shining example is Bella Trimner, a winter 2024 graduate with a degree in recreation management.

Trimner has a long history with NOVA Parks. She started working at Fountainhead Regional Park as a junior park ranger at 17, quickly rising through the ranks to site supervisor. “I absolutely loved it and realized that this was something I could see myself making a career out of,” she said.

Her supervisor at Fountainhead Regional Park David Deem, a current George Mason student, recommended George Mason for her education because of its nationally recognized recreation management program.

When Trimner made the decision to get her degree and make a career out of parks management, she told the park operations superintendents that she hoped to become a parks specialist in the future.

“My plan was to take that role in five years. Instead, when I had that conversation, they said, ‘Well, we’re actually building a new park that will be similar to Fountainhead. It might be exactly what you’re looking for.’”

It was. Within a year, Trimner became the first parks specialist for the new Reservoir Park. Her days are varied—from running chainsaws for trail clearing, to being an ambassador for the park, to planning park programming—but she believes her education has directly impacted how quickly she has acclimated to this new managerial role.

“I have used assignments from my classes as starting points for programming plans and shared templates with my staff. When we formalized the 8-mile trail around the reservoir, I directly referenced what I'd learned about trail planning and grading from my classes on land acquisition, resource management, and accessibility. We’re implementing an interpretational signage plan that is directly influenced by the course taught by Dr. Ellen Rodgers. There’s so much from my courses that I’m using every day in every aspect of my job,” she said.

Trimner, Gilbert said, is a rock star. “When you step into a manager position at an existing park, you’re improving upon existing procedures, programming, and facilities. But as part of the management team of a brand-new park, Bella is creating all those things. We gave her a blank slate to work with. And she’s done an amazing job.”

As a fellow George Mason graduate, Gilbert firmly believes in the great contributions George Mason offers the community. “NOVA Parks relies heavily on the recreation program at George Mason, and it’s great to have such a strong program with great talent right in our backyard,” Gilbert said.

Trimner agreed. “Seeing George Mason on a resume is a green flag for us."

From left: Recreation management faculty Laurence Chalip, Ellen Rodgers, Brenda Wiggins, Hung-Ling Liu, and Sammie Powers pose with Bella Trimner (far right) and Paul Gilbert (back center). Photo provided.

Explore Recreation Management at George Mason

Topics

Campus News

College of Education and Human Development

School of Sport Recreation and Tourism Management

Northern Virginia

NOVA Parks

Alumni

Real-time feedback is part of a holistic approach to helping new teachers succeed

Sarah Holland — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 19:13:51 +0000

Real-time feedback is part of a holistic approach to helping new teachers succeed Sarah Holland Mon, 11/18/2024 - 14:13

When you think of uses for bug-in-ear technology, futuristic communications or covert operations are probably the first to come to mind. Teaching is almost certainly not the first, or second, or perhaps not even the hundredth thing.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

But at ��AV, faculty members are always looking for unique approaches and innovative solutions to challenges. Challenges like sharing real-time feedback with education interns so they can best serve their students.

Supported by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), the Dynamic Coaching Outreach Program in Special Education: General Curriculum (DCOP) through the College of Education and Human Development and the Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities helps facilitate a “more dynamic coaching and feedback cycle” throughout the teaching internship experience through the use of technologies like bug-in-ear, video conferencing, and more. Specifically, the program supports those interns pursuing their master of education (MEd) in special education.

The special education graduate students have different needs than other MEd students, in that they are often working full-time in the classroom with a provisional license while completing their studies. Because they are provisionally licensed, they do not have mentor teachers in the classroom with them as traditional, pre-service interns do; they rely more on university supervisors during their internship to give feedback. DCOP was designed to provide new pathways for that feedback in order to address these unique needs.

When the program was originally developed in 2012, it was almost exclusively about the use of bug-in-ear technology to provide immediate live feedback to special education teacher interns in the classroom. In the past five years, the program has expanded into a three-pronged approach: using technology to enhance supervision, developing a novel eCoaching process, and incorporating professional development for both interns and supervisors.

“The eCoaching model takes a nonevaluative approach,” explained Kelley Regan, professor of education and the principal investigator (PI) on the VDOE grant. “It’s encouraging, supportive, and flexible.”

The goal of an internship for any teacher is to have the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in a live classroom environment. ECoaching has the additional benefit of more structured feedback loops from supervisors to interns to provide high-quality and more instantaneous feedback at a much greater frequency.

“You can observe a classroom over Zoom, then immediately send an email with feedback, for example,” Kristen O’Brien, associate professor of special education and co-PI, said.

But as Peggy Weiss, associate professor and co-PI, explains, it’s not just about the technology: “It’s about how they use the technology to support teacher interns in reaching the goals established with their supervisors.”

And sometimes, the most valuable techniques are the simplest. Cheryl Temple, one of the supervisors in the program, once had two interns in different schools facing the same challenges in their classroom. A facilitated video call with the three of them gave the interns an opportunity to learn from each other and brainstorm possible solutions.

Shilpi Patel, adjunct professor at George Mason and internship supervisor for DCOP, utilizes weekly virtual eCoaching sessions to provide continuous nonevaluative feedback, reflection, and goal setting for her interns. For two of her interns, she used data from classroom observations to track their progress in implementing a behavior management system; both showed marked improvement.

From left to right: Kristen O'Brien; Margaret Weiss; and Kelley S. Regan. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Beginning teachers enter one of the few professions where they are expected to perform at the same level as experienced veterans from the very start,” Patel said. “ECoaching provides essential support for novice teachers, helping them refine their instructional practices and positively influence student achievement. And it has consistently proven to be a powerful method for enhancing teacher efficacy.”

And that efficacy could be a key to keeping teachers in the classrooms. As school districts continue to grapple with teacher retention, self-efficacy and perseverance are, according to associate professor Pam Baker and co-PI, key ways to improve retention rates.

For Susan Jennings, MEd ‘23, a learning disabilities teacher at Herndon High School, that sense of confidence and self-efficacy were two of the greatest outcomes of her internship experience. When asked what she recalls as being the most helpful part of the internship, it wasn’t the technology itself, but how Patel, her internship supervisor, utilized it to give Jennings the tools she needed to succeed.

“I continue to use many of the strategies Ms. Patel shared for scaffolding lessons for learners with disabilities in my classroom,” she said, “including the lesson planning template for more engaging learner-centered lessons.”

At the end of the day, DCOP demonstrates that it’s not just about the technology: it’s the human on the other side providing the support and investment in growth that helps these teachers succeed.

“Our coaches prepare our interns to be self-reflective in developing strategies for growth and overcoming challenges,” said Regan. “It equips them to be successful when that coach is no longer in their ear.”

Discover more through the MEd in Special Education

Topics

Campus News

College of Education and Human Development

Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities

special education programs

Virginia Department of Education

George Mason’s English language teacher development program has worldwide impact

Sarah Holland — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:15:46 +0000

George Mason’s English language teacher development program has worldwide impact Sarah Holland Wed, 11/13/2024 - 11:15

English is a global language used in multiple international contexts, from science to economics to diplomacy. Because of this, many countries start English language instruction as early as kindergarten and continue mandatory instruction through grade 12.

Teachers from Uzbekistan visit Fairfax Campus on a Fulbright visitor's program. Photo Provided.

But to know English and to know how to teach English are two separate skills. That’s where the Global Online Teacher Education Center (GOTEC) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at ��AV comes in.

“There are teachers who are proficient in English, who have studied it, but they don’t necessarily know how to teach children or teenagers using the most recent approaches,” said Joan Shin, associate dean for faculty success in CEHD and director of GOTEC. “Our goal is to provide education and tools to teachers on those critical pedagogical skills like children’s learning and development, classroom management, effective communication, developing lesson plans, and so on.”

After the Teaching English to Young Learners program receiving its first grant in 2017 from the U.S. Department of State, its continued growth allowed for the chartering of GOTEC in 2021. They have secured more than $4 million in externally funded projects, all focused on teacher professional development outreach to international communities. The program has served more than 42,000 teachers from 135 countries, providing instruction in how to teach children and teenagers, as well as integrating media literacy into English language teaching.

“The State Department is very familiar with the fact that George Mason has this specific expertise in these courses,” said Shin. “We develop projects that are going to be successful because they are culturally sensitive, relevant, and sustaining.”

That expertise comes from the diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and academic expertise amongst the team’s leadership, postdocs, and graduate students. “It allows us to build the best professional opportunities for teachers all over the world,” said Anya Evmenova, professor and associate director of GOTEC.

GOTEC offers a variety of professional development opportunities, from massive open online courses to country-specific seminars in places like Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Greece, and, most recently, Turkmenistan. The courses are mostly asynchronous, using Canvas and interactive materials to build community across time zones and borders.

Some projects also include synchronous Zoom webinars, where GOTEC faculty and course participants are able to meet and ask questions.

“They come in with such enthusiasm and excitement, and you can see the lightbulbs go off as they connect ideas,” said Jered Borup, associate professor and associate director of the center.

One instructor, adjunct faculty member Ginny Doherty, noted that what she found participants needed most were examples of activities to keep their students engaged and practicing the language in the classroom. Along with discussion board posts where students can share ideas, techniques, experiences, and activities, videos are crucial to this: Participants can watch videos of Shin and other center affiliates demonstrating the techniques taught in the course.

All the modules are designed to encourage participants to consider how these pedagogic strategies and tools can be adapted and applied to their specific cultural contexts. And the content is meant to be shared. “Materials have been licensed through Creative Commons, with the hope that anyone to be able to access the content and to reuse, remix, and utilize it in a way that makes it as meaningful and relevant to all the teachers in their regions,” explained Shin.

They call this “cascading”—an intentional design choice that encourages participants to share and spread what they’ve learned. Their Uzbekistan project, for example, had core trainers and regional peer mentors participate in the full program. Those participants then engaged with teachers in their local communities, using both the content from the module and additional activities and professional development materials they created independently based on what they learned.

“We want them to learn from each other,” Shin said.

GOTEC’s mission to advance research and pedagogy in online teacher education extends to its own scholars as well. “Our graduate research assistants and postdocs are an integral part of the center,” Borup said.

George Mason alum Woomee Kim, PhD Education ’22, is one example of this. Kim, who began as Shin’s research assistant during her PhD program, is now a postdoctoral fellow with the center. “I got to learn so much from working hands-on on these projects, and I felt empowered to contribute my expertise and knowledge while having ample opportunities to learn and develop as an educator and scholar,” she said. “It’s a great model for what a graduate assistantship should look like."

Even though GOTEC serves educators from around the globe, the sense of George Mason pride and spirit is strong among participants. The courses are particularly popular with Fulbright students, who will often visit George Mason’s Fairfax Campus when in Washington, D.C. GOTEC participants have visited classes on Fairfax Campus to talk with current students about their experiences with international education. One of the coaches in the Uzbekistan program found the course so impactful that they proceeded to apply to CEHD’s PhD program.

Said Shin, “we want them to feel like they are still part of our George Mason community.”

One of the webinars with the Uzbekistan participants. Photo provided.

Discover more with GOTEC

Topics

College of Education and Human Development

international education

U.S. Department of State

Global Online Teacher Education Center

Campus News

��AV recognized for supporting military families through collaboration

Colleen Rich — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:17:27 +0000

��AV recognized for supporting military families through collaboration Colleen Rich Mon, 11/04/2024 - 09:17

��AV was recently recognized as a member of the Northern Virginia team that earned one of the four national Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards for 2024 from the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).

Now in its 20th year, the award recognizes and celebrates partnerships between military installations and nearby school districts that support K-12 children from military and veteran families, addressing their unique challenges that come from frequent relocations. There are approximately 1.6 million military-connected children in the United States, with nearly 80% attending public schools. Each year, the coalition honors schools and military installations from around the world for their “exceptional and sustainable” efforts in celebrating military children.

George Mason is part of the Fairfax County Military-Connected Youth Process Action Team, a collaboration between Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and George Mason’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative. This team works to support military-connected students as they transition in and out of FCPS, ensuring their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs are met through ongoing events.

“This program is another terrific example of how George Mason’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative works to bring together faculty expertise, community partnership, and experiential learning for our students in service of the broader military and veteran population,” said Keith Renshaw, MVFI director, professor in the Department of Psychology, and George Mason’s senior associate provost for undergraduate education.

Studies show that military children typically move six to nine times between kindergarten and high school graduation—about three times more often than their nonmilitary peers—as their parents change duty stations. These frequent moves can make it difficult for them to feel connected to their communities, a factor that is crucial to their success and well-being. Around 900,000 military children have experienced a parent being deployed, adding another layer of complexity to their lives.

George Mason and Fort Belvoir officials worked directly with Renée LaHuffman-Jackson, the director of family and school partnerships for FCPS.

And that collaboration proved effective.

“This award recognizes the value of community collaboration and working together to support the population,” said Jennifer Drake Patrick, an associate professor at George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development and a military spouse. “It shows the power of coming together rather than working individually.”

Help from Mason came through consulting in course development for Fairfax educators in understanding military culture and strategies to engage and support military families and in collaborating to develop training for Student Ambassador Programs in area high schools. These initiatives serve to help K-12 schools create a more welcoming and supportive culture for military-connected students and their families.

“We want the students with military connections to come in and feel connected,” Drake Patrick said.

Learn more about MVFI

Topics

Campus News

Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)

College of Education and Human Development

K-12 Partnerships

Military

Strategic Direction

$1.2M NSF-funded fellowship aims to foster diversity in quantum science workforce

Colleen Rich — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:09:11 +0000

$1.2M NSF-funded fellowship aims to foster diversity in quantum science workforce Colleen Rich Mon, 10/28/2024 - 10:09

��AV received a $1.25 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch a postdoctoral fellowship program that will prepare recent PhD graduates to be leaders in quantum education and workforce development research. The program focuses on addressing challenges in quantum education, particularly in building an inclusive and equitable workforce.

Jessica Rosenberg. Photo by Office of University Branding

The ��AV Quantum Education Research Postdoctoral Fellowship will be led by Jessica Rosenberg, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of education for the Quantum Science and Engineering Center.

“It’s an opportunity to bring together recent PhDs from different disciplines to think about the problem of building a diverse and equitable workforce from varying angles while also providing an environment for them to build and strengthen their careers in STEM education research,” said Rosenberg.

She will work alongside co-principal investigators Paula Danquah-Brobby, associate dean of access, belonging, and community engagement in the College of Science; Jill Nelson, an associate professor in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC); and Nancy Holincheck, an assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), to engage with fellows, provide mentorship, and assist in research projects.

According to Rosenberg, postdoctoral researchers occupy a unique and sometimes challenging phase in career development, where the level of support can vary significantly. They are learning to lead their own projects and take responsibility for forging their future careers, but they still need to develop additional skills. In the program, postdoctoral fellows will receive essential mentorship and networking opportunities and encouragement to develop their own projects and collaborate on existing ones. By working in a small cohort, participants will receive the guidance necessary to make the most of this critical stage in their careers.

“George Mason is a leading institution in the quantum education space,” said Rosenberg. “We are positioned well to provide a meaningful fellowship like this, to bring in folks and help them to really think through challenges and start their careers.”

“Fostering an inclusive and equitable workforce starts in the classroom,” said Danquah-Brobby. “It has been well established that diversity of thoughts, perspectives, lived experiences, disciplinarity, among others, is positively associated with scientific discovery, innovation, and achievement. To successfully rise to the myriad 21st-century challenges, centering diversity, inclusion, and equity throughout and across the STEM ecosystem is absolutely essential.”

The quantum field is rapidly evolving and expected to make significant impacts in the coming years, driven by initiatives like the National Quantum Act, which aims to accelerate quantum research and development. The U.S. government is increasing investments in quantum technologies that, Rosenberg explained, are poised to enhance various applications including communications through quantum cryptography and advanced sensing techniques. Notably, quantum sensing has already shown substantial progress, with potential uses in oil prospecting and military positioning, especially where GPS is unavailable.

Additional support of the grant will come from CEHD faculty members Supriya Baily, Sujin Kim, Shekila Melchior, and Lisa Tullo; Shá Norman, College of Visual and Performing Arts’ director of diversity; Erikca Brown, associate director for inclusive education; Christi Wilcox, CEC’s director of programs and research; Weiwen Jiang, CEC postdoctoral research associate; and Benjamin Dreyfus, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

During July 2023, Jessica Rosenberg coordinated the Pathways to Quantum Immersion Program, which helped high school students learn about the promise of quantum technologies.

Photo credit:

College of Science

Discover the Quantum Science & Engineering Center

Topics

Research

Quantum Science and Engineering Center

College of Science

College of Education and Human Development

National Science Foundation

workforce

Strategic Direction

Education policy students meet with Virginia policymakers on the Hill

Colleen Rich — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 19:12:48 +0000

Education policy students meet with Virginia policymakers on the Hill Colleen Rich Wed, 10/09/2024 - 15:12

��AV professor Jeffrey K. Grim took his HE 711 Policy Analysis in Higher Education class to the U.S. Capitol to learn about the education policymaking process.

George Mason professor Jeff Grim with students Zayd Hamid, Damaris Benton, Victoria Barrett, Charlie Kreitzer, Amanda Corso, Tim Diggins, Hannah Park, Ssu Yu (Steve) Chen, and Susan Gardner. Photo provided

The group, which included master’s and doctoral students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Education and Human Development, met with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and Virginia Representative Bob Good, each of whom sit on their respective higher education committees.

The group also met with the president and staff from the American Council on Education, an organization that researches and advocates for policy change.

This is the third time Grim has offered the trip—and also his third semester teaching at George Mason in the Higher Education Program.

“Every semester I have taken my classes into Washington, D.C., to explore different facets of higher education,” said Grim. “Being so close to D.C., it is hard to pass up the opportunity to take advantage of learning about higher education from the epicenter of higher education policy.”

In previous semesters Grim has also taken classes to U.S. Department of Education, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

Graduate student Victoria Barrett said the experience reaffirmed her decision to attend George Mason. "It was an experiential learning opportunity that very few institutions can match," said Barrett, who is in the Higher Education Program. "After a quick Metro ride, my classmates and I were able to see firsthand how higher education policy takes shape.”

Barrett added that she valued the opportunity to hear multiple perspectives on how federal and state governments can or should support higher education in the United States.

Topics

Students

innovative classes

Capitol Hill

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

College of Education and Human Development

NSF grant will help enhance equity in math education through technology and data literacy

Colleen Rich — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 20:57:40 +0000

NSF grant will help enhance equity in math education through technology and data literacy Colleen Rich Tue, 10/01/2024 - 16:57

��AV School of Education professor Jennifer Suh was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in support of her project “Framework for Integrating Technology for Equity (FIT for Equity).” Working with Suh as coprincipal investigator is Theresa Wills, also of the School of Education in the College of Education and Human Development.

Jennifer Suh. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The project aims to strengthen teachers’ abilities to use technology in transformative ways. By developing data literacy lessons that incorporate transformative technologies, Suh and her team will address community-based challenges and humanize mathematics through culturally relevant tasks.

By combining modern technology with effective teaching practices, it is possible to create a dynamic learning experience that will inspire a new generation of mathematicians and problem solvers.

This project builds on the ongoing research that Suh and Wills have conducted in increasing teacher awareness of the importance of equity in education and their work in developing the tools and resources for teachers.

“This project aligns perfectly with our passion for educational technology, equitable instruction, and curriculum development. The FIT for Equity project expands on the Equity-Centered Transformative Technology (EqT-Tech) framework created by our team,” said Suh, who teaches in the Mathematics Specialist Leadership and Elementary Education PK-6 Programs. “It aims to enhance equity in mathematics classrooms by integrating culturally relevant math teaching principles and emphasizing data literacy, which is a key focus at both state and national levels in math education.”

Through the EqT-Tech framework, Suh and her colleagues previously developed a lesson analysis tool to help teachers choose technology for the math classroom in judicious ways. For this work, Suh and her EqT-Tech colleagues received the National Technology Leadership Initiative Fellowship in Mathematics award.

Theresa Wills. Photo by the Office of University Branding

“Traditional teaching methods often fail to engage students or address their individual learning needs,” Suh said. “FIT for Equity aims to bridge this gap by leveraging technology and interactive learning to make math more accessible and relevant.”

The FIT for Equity project will be implemented in phases, starting with an innovative professional development model called “Inclusive Lesson Study,” which brings together teachers, students, and community members to cocreate lessons.

“We will get to work in classrooms to understand how teachers consider equitable implementation of technology into their inquiry-based data literacy lessons,” said Wills, an associate professor in George Mason’s Mathematics Specialist Leadership, Secondary Education 6-12, and Elementary Education PK-6 programs.

The project will be piloted in Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan, in collaboration with researchers at Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, Ohio), Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro, Tennessee), and Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan). Each university is in a diverse school district.

University researchers will work with teachers in their respective school districts to provide them with specialized training on how to integrate these new methods into their classrooms. The effectiveness of the lessons will be evaluated through continuous feedback and refinement.

The project will explore how emerging technologies, such as dynamic graphical software, adaptive learning and collaborative platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), geographical information systems (GIS), virtual reality (VR), and others can provide access to inquiry-based learning, and foster mathematical identity and agency.

The project will examine how formative assessment tools can assist in tailoring instruction to individual student needs. In addition, it will illustrate ways in which collaborative platforms can enhance collective learning, and how technology can amplify mathematical thinking processes. The research team will also look at how data tools and GIS can provide insights into lessons around social justice issues, thus making learning more inclusive and relevant.

“We hope to contribute to the development of innovative teaching strategies that can be scaled and adapted to diverse educational settings, ultimately making a significant impact on mathematics education,” said Suh.

Suh and Wills also hope that the FIT for Equity project will bring greater alignment to K-12 mathematics education with the new Virginia math Standards of Learning (SOL) focused on data literacy.

“This project emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for students’ future academic and career success. By focusing on data literacy, the project also prepares students for a data-driven world, equipping them with the skills needed to navigate and analyze complex information.”

Explore George Mason's College of Education and Human Development

Topics

Research

College of Education and Human Development

National Science Foundation

K-12 Partnerships

First-year setter Tuana Ozarpaci is learning fast about the U.S. and Division I volleyball

Sarah Holland — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 19:52:52 +0000

First-year setter Tuana Ozarpaci is learning fast about the U.S. and Division I volleyball Sarah Holland Thu, 08/29/2024 - 15:52

The heavier volleyball used in NCAA Division-I play and the different feel from its international counterpart isn’t the only change to which ��AV’s Tuana Ozarpaci is quickly acclimating herself.

Photo by Rafael Suanes/Mason Athletics

Living in a foreign land, far away from home for the first time, the 18-year-old first-year setter from Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, is taking a crash course, learning volumes both on the court and off as she settles in at her new home-away-from-home.

“It’s a whole new change, but it’s a good change,” said Ozarpaci, an economics and sports management major. “I just want to focus on my studies, volleyball, and my personal growth.”

Attending a university far from friends and family can have its challenges, but Ozarpaci is adapting well to her new environment and her new volleyball family.

In early spring 2023, Ozarpaci announced her intention to play for George Mason, becoming coach Megan Shifflett Bachman’s first commit for the incoming class of 2024. Ozarpaci chose George Mason over University of Texas, DePaul, and Loyola Marymount, citing the close relationship she had quickly developed with Shifflett Backman and current Patriots players via Zoom and her desire to find a new home preferably on the East Coast.

Ozarpaci had initially drawn the university’s attention with her impressive performance on the Turkish club team Galatasaray Sports Club, where she played in 414 sets across 133 matches and led her team with 1,000+ assists each season as the starting setter for the past three consecutive seasons.

Shifflett Bachman was on maternity leave when she heard of Ozarpaci’s decision to come to George Mason. “She was just one of those athletes who really stood out,” Shifflett Bachman said. “What she could do with the ball was impressive and immediately caught our attention.”

The number of international student-athletes playing Division I women’s volleyball has slowly risen in recent years, but they still comprise just under 6% of all Division I players, according to the latest NCAA statistics.

But Ozarpaci could play a key role for a George Mason team that looks to improve last year’s 9-21 record. Setters are the team’s quarterbacks, meaning they usually touch the ball on every play to set up teammates. Having a keen on-court awareness, knowing her teammates and accurately placing the ball are skills that are imperative for that position.

Ozarpaci will get her opportunity this fall, with the Patriots returning just one setter from last year’s team.

“Being a freshman—especially as an international student—is always going to be hard, no matter what,” Ozarpaci said. “But the coaches are making me feel safe and welcome while pushing me to improve and learn how to do things better.”

She had visited the United States with her parents and older sister before enrolling at George Mason, but the family had never been to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area before arriving in Fairfax on Aug. 1. Now, she is ready to brave this chapter on her own.

A huge basketball fan, Ozarpaci already plans on being a regular at EagleBank Arena this winter, at least when she’s not too busy with classes or sampling American culinary delights, such as Chick-fil-A and Dunkin, both on the Fairfax Campus. Ozarpaci has become a big fan of both.

“I’m loving it here, it’s beautiful, and I feel like I’m going to grow a lot,” Ozarpaci said.

Get the schedule for George Mason's fall sports

See what makes our students All Together Different

A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus…
January 30, 2025
Art history students’ museum exhibit unearths four centuries of Indian history
January 29, 2025
Physics PhD student is using machine learning techniques to unlock the key to predicting solar flares
January 28, 2025
Cybersecurity students prepare for inaugural DistrictCon Hacker Conference
January 27, 2025
Schar School Biodefense Students Selected for Distinguished Fellowship
January 23, 2025

Topics

Students

Mason Athletics

Student Athlete

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

College of Education and Human Development

international students

first year students

College of Education and Human Development

A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus…

Topics

Using robotics to introduce AI and machine learning concepts into the elementary classroom

Make a difference with the School of Education

Related News

Topics

George Mason’s recreation program is helping bring parks to the people

Explore Recreation Management at George Mason

Related news

Topics

Real-time feedback is part of a holistic approach to helping new teachers succeed

Discover more through the MEd in Special Education

Read more stories from the College of Education and Human Development

Topics

George Mason’s English language teacher development program has worldwide impact

Discover more with GOTEC

Related News

Topics

��AV recognized for supporting military families through collaboration

Learn more about MVFI

Related News

Topics

$1.2M NSF-funded fellowship aims to foster diversity in quantum science workforce

Discover the Quantum Science & Engineering Center

Related News

Topics

Education policy students meet with Virginia policymakers on the Hill

Related Stories

Topics

NSF grant will help enhance equity in math education through technology and data literacy

Explore George Mason's College of Education and Human Development

Related Stories

Topics

First-year setter Tuana Ozarpaci is learning fast about the U.S. and Division I volleyball

Get the schedule for George Mason's fall sports

See what makes our students All Together Different

Topics

College of Education and Human Development

A tourism and events management student runs away with the circus…

Topics

Using robotics to introduce AI and machine learning concepts into the elementary classroom

Make a difference with the School of Education

Related News

Topics

George Mason’s recreation program is helping bring parks to the people

Explore Recreation Management at George Mason

Related news

Topics

Real-time feedback is part of a holistic approach to helping new teachers succeed

Discover more through the MEd in Special Education

Read more stories from the College of Education and Human Development

Topics

George Mason’s English language teacher development program has worldwide impact

Discover more with GOTEC

Related News

Topics

����AV recognized for supporting military families through collaboration

Learn more about MVFI

Related News

Topics

$1.2M NSF-funded fellowship aims to foster diversity in quantum science workforce

Discover the Quantum Science & Engineering Center

Related News

Topics

Education policy students meet with Virginia policymakers on the Hill

Related Stories

Topics

NSF grant will help enhance equity in math education through technology and data literacy

Explore George Mason's College of Education and Human Development

Related Stories

Topics

First-year setter Tuana Ozarpaci is learning fast about the U.S. and Division I volleyball

Get the schedule for George Mason's fall sports

See what makes our students All Together Different

Topics

��AV recognized for supporting military families through collaboration