News and events

What's happening in the College of Education and Counseling

Valentine’s Day Extravaganza: Event to Promote Inclusion

Valentine’s Day represents a day of showing love to others. This past Valentine’s Day, Saint Martin's students and alumni partnered with peers from Penn State University, The Behrend College, to host the first ever virtual Valentine’s Day Extravaganza: Event to Promote Inclusion. This event promoted inclusion and community and disability awareness. Saint Martin's students in SED 461: Instructional Methods for Teaching Exceptional Learners collectively found a way to make this event happen while maintaining health and safety regulations. Collaborating with college students across the country, Trina Stets, Todd Russel, and Fernando Torres welcomed individuals from Washington to Pennsylvania to celebrate and build community together! Several students in SED 359: Introduction to Exceptionalities and members of the Saint Martin's community joined in expressing the many ways we can act as an inclusive community. Special thanks to Hummingbird Studios for promoting and sharing the event. Contact the Valentine’s Day Extravaganza committee to help plan our next amazing 2022 celebration! (Dr. Karen Widdowson at kwiddowson@stmartin.edu)

College of Education and Counseling awarded $20,000 Advancing Equity Grant!

This 2-yr grant was awarded to Saint Martin’s Educator Preparation Programs by the Professional Educator Standards Board. The grant is designed to address persistent inequities in Washington’s P-12 education system and in educator preparation programs.

The grant will be used to develop and provide professional development for education field supervisors in partnership with school district leaders, the regional Educational Service District (ESD), and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). This professional development will equip supervisors and leaders to identify culturally responsive instruction that advances or inhibits equity teaching practices. Grant members include CEC instructors, staff, and students; district representatives from North Thurston, Tacoma, Tumwater, Bethel, and Olympia school districts; ESD113 and AWSP members; and community advocates for equity.