Greetings to all. This time of year lends us to think about family, love, and peace. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Let us, in the College of Education, be the beacon for understanding, light, and love. Wishing you all a much needed winter break full of peace and love. Vicki

Dr. Jud Copeland participated in the Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS) of AASL research symposium on the new AASL National School Library Standards at the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference in Phoenix, Arizona held November 8-10.

Dr. Copeland also served on a committee to review and edit the new AASL-CAEP Standards. Both new Standards will directly impact the Graduate LIBM Program at UCA.

On October 25-27, UCA took 16 special education majors to the Arkansas Council for Exceptional Children (ArCEC) State Conference. While at the conference, UCA students participated in Professional Development sessions, facilitated sessions and attended Keynote sessions with nationally known speakers. The students also won the costume contest during the social on Thursday night. The students attended the conference with their instructors Dr. Kathleen Atkins, Mrs. Alicia Brown and Mrs. Dee Dee Cain. The students raised money to attend the conference and were also awarded SAFA funding from the UCA SGA. All students are active members of the UCA Student Council for Exceptional Children. The organization has monthly meetings

UCA Student Council for Exceptional Children sweeps the 2017-18 Arkansas Student Council for Exceptional Children officer elections! Newly elected officers are:

President - Garrett Otts- UCA

Vice President - Jose Luna- UCA

Secretary - Ricki Stevens- UCA

Treasurer- Jessica Tedder- UCA

Newsletter - Morgan Weiland- Harding

Representative – Natalie Fredrick- Harding

Membership - Kayla Hamilton-UCA

Audie Alumbaugh, UCA Alumnae and former UCA STEM Master Teacher, won the ArCEC Advocate Award. The award was established for the purpose of recognizing individuals who have promoted the welfare of persons with disabilities. A parent, civic club member, public official or any member of a community may be nominated for this award. Nominees need not be members of CEC and are not paid to work with persons who have disabilities.

Anna Cain, UCA Internship II student, was awarded the Dr. Ada Thompson Scholarship. Dr. Ada Thompson was a professor employed by the University of Arkansas who was loved and respected by teachers, students and administrators throughout Arkansas and the United States.

Ruth Eyres, UCA MSE (Special Education), was awarded the Arkansas Special Education Teacher of the Year award. The Arkansas CEC Special Education Teacher of the Year is an outstanding member of the profession whose work exemplifies the best in special education teaching. His or her work reflects significant educational success for students, continued professional development, and the highest standards of educational quality.

Mrs. Amy Thompson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education (ELSE) recently attended the Arkansas Reading Association's annual state conference held in Little Rock. Mrs. Thompson set up and worked the COE booth in the exhibit hall to recruit for all graduate programs.

Mrs. Thompson presented at the conference along with Mrs. Lisa Herrington, Clinical Instructor II in ELSE. Their presentation was entitled, "BookCreator, Booksnaps and See Saw, On My!" Mrs. Thompson also presented a session entitled "Appy Hour" which featured apps for struggling readers and literacy assessments and she presented a session in the Association of Literacy Teacher Educators SIG on her dissertation work entitled: "MAT Teacher Candidates' Perceptions of Balanced Literacy and Student Learning: Influences of Transformative Experience."

Dr. Shoudong Feng, Associate Professor in ELSE, also presented at the conference. His presentation was entitled, "Coaching Other Teachers to Succeed in Literacy Teaching."

Information about ARA can be found at: http://www.arareading.org/

On Saturday, December 2nd the department of Leadership Studies LIBM program had their portfolio presentations. It was one of the largest graduating classes in the LIBM Program with 21 students. Congratulations on a job well done!

Donna Johnson, Administrative Assistant in the department of Leadership Studies, was recently featured in the Log Cabin Democrat for volunteer work she does through the American Cancer Society (ACS).

A two time breast cancer survivor, Donna stated it all started with the first time she had breast cancer. Donna will visit ladies in the hospital that have just had surgery. Conway Regional Medical Center will give her a call when it is time for her to come make her visit. ACS provides pillows that she takes to each lady she visits and she also includes a pen, candy, a homemade card, and other items.

While Donna has been doing this for approximately 15 years, she recently gained notoriety due to reaching out to others to help make the pillows that she hands out. Donna stated ACS gives her the pillows to give out and a few months ago they ran out. She put an email out over campus asking if anyone would like to help and make pillows for me or knew of anyone that would. I got about 5 people on campus that wanted to help either to make the pillows or give money towards material for it. Mayflower school wanted to help and the rest is history!

Thanks, Donna, for all you do.

The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees held its regular meeting on Friday, December 8, 2017. During the meeting, UCA President Houston Davis acknowledged Reid Malone during Bear C.L.A.W.S. (Celebrating the Lofty Achievements of our Wonderful Students).

Reid is a senior physical education and teacher education major. He is a member of the IDEAL Freshman Leadership Team and IDEAL Alumni Leader, a resident assistant, and the Bear Den President.

Congratulations, Reid!