Thank you for your continued support of the PSU College of Education (COE)! Your enthusiasm fuels our passion for sharing the latest college news, and highlighting the incredible journeys of our inspired students, staff, faculty and alumni. And guess what? We’re about to embark on a new adventure together!
That’s right – the COE Blog is on the move. But fear not, our commitment to delivering exceptional content remains as strong as ever.
So, what’s the big move? Drumroll, please. You can now find all the amazing stories and updates you love right on the COE website! We’re bringing the same great content directly to you on our home page, making it easier than ever to stay connected with all things COE.
Now we know that sometimes change can be bittersweet. While we won’t be offering subscriptions or push notifications from this site, you’ll still receive your monthly dose of excitement through the COE eNews blast right to your inbox. Plus, we’ll be able to feature our stories across the news pages of other schools and colleges across PSU, allowing us to share our achievements with an even wider audience.
But wait, there’s more good news! Our WordPress Blog isn’t going anywhere – so any reference links will not be impacted. The site will remain live, serving as a treasure trove of past stories to browse at your leisure.
We’re thrilled about this move, and hope you are too! Let’s embrace this new chapter together and continue celebrating the incredible achievements of our COE family.
Elayna Yussen Marketing & Communications College of Education
PSU candidates for the OASP scholarship must have three years of prior licensed teaching experience and be enrolled in the Principal License program.
Portland State University’s College of Education is preparing educational leaders who represent the diversity of Oregon’s students and communities. Working with the Oregon Administrators Scholars Program (OASP), $10,000 scholarships, renewable for two years, are available for PSU students for tuition, fees, and related costs for those accepted and enrolled in an approved administrative licensure program.
Students who are ethnically diverse or Heritage Speakers of a language other than English may apply for the OASP scholarship from Nov. 1 – 30, 2023.
“As Oregon’s K-12 student population becomes more ethnically and linguistically diverse, our school administrative and leadership workforce needs to better mirror the demographics of the students in our schools. The Oregon Administrator Scholars Program seeks to address financial barriers that pose challenges for ethnically and linguistically diverse candidates pursuing their administrative license and are on the journey towards becoming a school administrator in Oregon.”
The U.S. Department of Education funding of Project O&M FLIP underscores the substantial shortage of specialized educational personnel in the U.S. for the 55,711 children with visual impairments, and nearly 55 million school-age students with visual difficulties.
Three universities, Western Michigan University (WMU), Portland State University (PSU), and University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) will train 36 scholars in Orientation and Mobility, including proprioceptive teaching techniques created by Dr. Sandra Rosen, addressing how children with visual impairments learn motor skills.
Dr. Amy Parker is the Principal Investigator for Project O&M FLIP at Portland State University.
This month begins the five-year collaboration on the project, formally titled: “Orientation & Mobility Facilitating Learning Activities Through Proprioception” (O&M FLIP). Dr. Robert Emerson, Dept. of Blindness and Low Vision at Western Michigan University, will lead the project. The Principal Investigator at PSU is Dr. Amy Parker, Associate Professor in the Dept. of Special Education, and coordinator of the Orientation and Mobility program.
“O&M FLIP is a collaborative project between Western Michigan University, Portland State University and University of Pittsburgh for scholars to learn the practice of teaching mobility using innovative techniques that build a traveler’s skills in using their sense of proprioception. This grant advances the work of Dr. Sandra Rosen, an O&M and Physical Therapist, who has developed a way of teaching that focuses on muscle memory,” notes Dr. Emerson.
“Dr. Rosen is one of the only leaders in the O&M field with a background as a Physical Therapist. Sandy has brought knowledge from both fields to create an enriched way of teaching students– a method that relies on strengthening one’s use of proprioception for mobility,” says Dr. Parker. “I’ve had the good fortune of learning these skills directly from Sandy both at conferences and in her home, and have seen the difference they make for travelers.”
This grant-funded collaboration for research and personnel training allows scholars at each institution to engage with each other through the shared coursework and enrichment activities, drawing on strengths of each program. Faculty at the three institutions will review and offer feedback, allowing scholars to benefit from the expertise at all three universities.
“Through this project, we will have the chance to learn from each other as university partners in a rare field,” says Dr. Parker, who is a 2023 Researcher of the Year for PSU in the College of Education.
The U.S. Department of Education found in 2022 that all states reported a shortage of special education personnel. The three universities working together on Project O&M FLIP have developed different programs to address the crisis-level shortage. All three universities have O&M programs accredited by the Higher Education Accreditation Council (HEAC).
The WMU O&M program is a 39-credit hour master’s program graduating professionals to work in a related service under IDEA.
Pitt offers a 26 credit hour O&M certificate program.
PSU offers O&M training as a graduate certificate or as part of a 45-credit master’s degree. This grant does not require scholars to earn a master’s degree; they have the freedom to pursue an O&M graduate certificate. PSU offers a graduate certificate in O&M for 34 credits, 25 credits for those with related, recent coursework.
In the past five years, PSU has awarded 58 O&M graduate certificates (22 as a part of O&M master’s degrees); Pitt has awarded 60 certifications in O&M (33 as part of master’s degrees); and WMU has awarded 40 O&M master’s degrees.
The total amount funded for the O&M FLIP project is $1,247,668, with $299,288 of that going to Portland and $327,505 going to Pitt. The project will span five years from Oct. 2023 through Sept. 2028.
Equity centered principal pipeline key to change in Oregon K-12 education
Tina Acker
Portland State University’s College of Education is pleased to announce Tina Acker is the new director of the national Wallace Grant in partnership with Portland Public Schools and Lewis and Clark College. The five-year, $8.2 million grant, announced in October 2021, focuses on the development of an equity-centered principal pipeline for Portland-area K-12 schools, growing the national dialogue to improve equity leadership in public education.
“Our partnership on this Equity-Centered Pipeline Initiative is one more step in our collective effort to serve children of every race, ethnicity, home language and socio-economic background,” said professor emerita Susan Carlile, the previous director of the partnership for PSU, and director of the Principal Licensure program, prior to her retirement.
“The work of this grant aligns with the strategic initiatives of our college and the Educational Administration program by recruiting and training future principals who reflect the diversity of Oregon students. I am grateful to Susan Carlile for her vision to partner with PPS on this vital work, and I am thrilled that Tina Acker will direct the project for us now,” said Dr. Tina Peterman, Interim Dean of the College of Education at PSU.
“I am excited to be returning to the place where my journey in education started and having the opportunity to grow and strengthen the program responsible for launching me into my career in education over 25 years ago,” says Tina Acker. “I have been blessed on my journey as a lifelong learner because of all of the adults who believed in me, cared for and supported me, and taught me the importance of learning, so I strive to pay it forward in some way every day. I think I can best be described as an educator whose passion is to positively impact the lives of the children, educators, families, and communities that I serve and support.”
During her career as an educator in Oregon, Acker has worked as a teacher, instructional specialist, principal, district level administrator, and senior director of professional learning. She has also served as the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) State Representative for Oregon, advocating for students and educators at the state and national levels, and is currently the Chair of the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators Policy and Advocacy Committee. In addition to her work in Oregon, she was an Administrator Internship Coach at Columbia University Teachers College in New York, and an adjunct faculty member for Concordia University Chicago and Portland, Ore.
The second youngest of nine, she loved playing school as a child, and was inspired to become a fifth grade teacher by her fifth grade teacher Ms. Deborah Green. “She was one of my role models,” says Acker. In 1997, she was hired to teach fifth grade in Portland Public Schools by Dr. Harriet Adair, another important mentor in her life. As a result of having so many strong mentors in her life starting with her mom, Acker has dedicated most of her career in education to serving as a mentor and coach to teachers and principals. This naturally lends itself to her role in this work at PSU.
“The College of Education’s commitment to the grant and providing support for aspiring principals is encouraging. I’m excited about the future, the innovative thinking, and continuing the momentum of this work. The most meaningful thing we can do as educators, in order to have successful school climates and cultures, is applying what we are learning, being willing to change, and maintaining a focus on improving outcomes for our students and families who are counting on us. I want to be directly involved in supporting the next generation of education leaders and have a lasting impact on the profession,” says Acker.
Braille and tactile literacy expert Dr. Judith Dixon will be the keynote speaker, sharing her decades of knowledge of information access to web and print materials for persons with blindness and visual impairments. The 2024 Mobility Matters conference will also feature award-winning new speakers such as multimodal graphic zine artist Rae Lanzerotti.
Image description: This is a black line drawing by Rae Lanzerotti. Three self-portraits gaze at the reader. The first has glasses with the right lens partially blocked, with text below reading, “I block the right lens with tape.” The second shows the artist’s double image, with text reading, “to prevent seeing double.” The third wears a right eye patch, and text below reads “an eye patch works too.”
Exciting new ideas
Mobility Matters welcomes new disciplines to the 2024 summit, represented by speakers such as Rae Lanzerotti, a low vision artist of prizewinning and innovative comics, who will present, “New Dimensions in Graphic Narratives.” Their “audiographic” work mixes sound, text, and somatic media, winning the 2022 Accessible Comics Design Competition and inspiring curiosity about accessible comics design at the 2023 Graphic Medicine Conference.
PSU has an international reputation for educational innovation and civic engagement, highlighted by Mobility Matters guest speakers, panelists, and attendees. Every attendee is an important part of this conference and the significant work being done at Portland State to become a leader in social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, sustainability and service learning.
Growing readers, writers and artists
For Rae Lanzerotti, sudden vision loss led to an unexpected connection with comics and graphic narratives.
“I navigated over to the local branch library, with my white cane, to look for large print books,” says Lanzerotti, “and I noticed a section on comics. Not long after, to my surprise, I started making my own memoir comics about sudden vision loss in the early pandemic. This is how it started.” Lanzerotti brings enthusiasm for the possibilities of expanding access, saying, “When people who are low vision and blind enjoy reading and creating new forms of comics, this has change potential. It invites interdisciplinary creativity, foregrounds disability justice and welcomes more readers.”
History
Mobility Matters began as an on-campus conference seven years ago with the goal to support inclusive innovation that helps people experiencing disabilities, such as blindness, to navigate the world. Today, this is an all-virtual conference gathering people from around the world and across many disciplines and industries. Our speakers and attendees are thought leaders, scientists, artists, activists, educators, students, journalists, designers, planners and accessibility professionals.
PSU’s Visually Impaired Learner program began on this campus in Portland, Oregon, 60 years ago. In 1964, it was one of the first three in the U.S., and the Orientation and Mobility program in the College of Education is an extension of this. PSU is proud of the award-winning research and collaboration of Dr. Amy Parker and Dr. Holly Lawson in this field. Their leadership guides this summit, along with a cadre of experts building community and momentum for an international dialogue about inclusive literacy and improved accessibility.
Register for Mobility Matters 2024 to join the event on February 29, 2024, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Leap Day!), for the 7th annual summit. Discussions will center around inclusive literacy, technology, and access and navigation to libraries.
Portland State University’s College of Education is seeking three Department Administrators (Office Specialist 2) to work in a fast-paced environment in either the Special Education Department or the Curriculum & Instruction Department. The Special Education Department is seeking one full-time position and the Curriculum & Instruction Department is seeking both a full-time position and a .75 part-time position.
Portland State University (PSU) is an urban university and Oregon’s largest, offering over 200 programs for Postbaccalaureate Certificates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. More than 27,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We take pride in of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement, and innovation. PSU contributes to the economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life in the Portland region and beyond. Employees describe Portland State University as a vibrant, diverse, progressive place to work and an environment that welcomes process improvement and innovation. Portland State’s 50-acre downtown campus is located in the heart of one of America’s most vibrant centers of culture, business, and technology. “Equity-driven research, teaching, and practice” is the motto of the College of Education (COE), Oregon’s largest and most comprehensive college of education. In the next five years, the COE will be nationally recognized for working collaboratively with the surrounding communities, Tribal Nations, and our students to advance equity and excellence in education and counseling. This work is sustained through our engaged research activities and our community-centered, culturally responsive professional-preparation programs with innovative models for preparing diverse professionals who are critically engaged global citizens. The COE mission is to prepare students to advance lifelong learning in diverse learning environments, including schools, postsecondary institutions, community organizations, and social service and health agencies.
Position Summary
The College of Education is seeking three Department Administrators (Office Specialist 2) to work in a fast-paced environment in either the Special Education Department or the Curriculum & Instruction Department. The Special Education Department is seeking one full-time position and the Curriculum & Instruction Department is seeking both a full-time position and a .75 part-time position. Duties will include department operations, budget and fiscal monitoring, course scheduling/enrollment management, faculty support, and other responsibilities as assigned based on the needs of the department with continuous operations. The positions report directly to the respective Department Chairs. The full-time position is 40 hours per week, and the 0.75 position is 30 hours per week between Monday through Friday.
Minimum Qualifications from Classification
– Two years of general clerical experience. One year of which included typing, word processing, or other experience generating documents; OR– An Associate’s degree in Office Occupations or Office Technology; OR– Graduation from a private school of business with a Certificate in Office Occupations or Office Technology AND one year of general clerical experience. Note: College courses in Office Occupations or Office Technology will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Additional Minimum Qualifications for this Position
Excellent communication skills – verbal and written. Ability to prioritize tasks to meet goals and deadlines. High proficiency with Excel and/or Google Sheets. Proficiency with general office software and technology programs (MS Office Suite, GSuite Apps). Ability to work well with and assist a diverse clientele. Self-directed, proactive, and demonstrated ability to initiate work.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience using Banner or similar multi-user database.
Key Cultural Competencies
Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences. Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds. Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement. Adheres to all PSU policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours
In general, Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week at 1.0 FTE and 30 hours per week at 0.75 FTE
Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
The starting hourly salary rate for these positions will be between $16.19 and $18.12. The starting salary will be dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.PSU’s excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon Public Universities: https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview.Please visit the total compensation calculator website to see the added value of PSU’s employee benefits at https://www.pdx.edu/hr/psu-total-compensation-calculator.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
Review of application materials will begin immediately.
Please submit your cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references.
Background Check Required
Yes
If you have questions
Please email coehrsupport@pdx.edu
Search Details
Posting Close Date
Application screening begins
10/11/2023
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Please describe your experience with Excel and/or Google Sheets and data analysis.(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe any working experience you have in higher education.(Open Ended Question)
* What experience do you have working with diverse people and inclusive environments?(Open Ended Question)
* How do you make your work environment efficient and comfortably handle multiple tasks (e.g., keeping track of tasks and following through)?(Open Ended Question)
* How did you first find out about this position?
PSU Website
Indeed.com
HERCJobs
Urban League of Portland
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
Oregon Employment Department
Social Media
Person Referral
Career Builder
Glass Door
Other – Please describe in the next Question
If you selected Other, please describe.(Open Ended Question)
College of Education 