The Penn GSE Magazine

Fall 2021

This online edition represents the content of the Fall 2021 hard copy issue that went to print on October 28, 2021.

The cover of the Fall 2021 issue of The Penn GSE Magazine. [Alt-tag: The cover of the Fall 2021 issue of The Penn GSE Magazine. The page is divided into tiles with images of Penn GSE faculty and students, protestors drawing signs, a map of the USA, a statue of George Washington, and the title “PENN GSE Fall 2021” on a red block. Headlines read “Education and Democracy”; “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”; “Immigration, Education, and Coming of Age”; “Pathways to Excellence in Teaching.”

Photos by Penn GSE, iStock.com/Andrii Tokarchuk, Maskot/Maskot/Getty Images, TarnPisessith/Shutterstock.com, Lora Reehling, Ginger Fox, iStock.com/f11photo

Cover Story

Independence Hall in Philadelphia appears against a blue sky, beside the sun shining behind a leafy tree

Education and Democracy: Penn GSE Faculty and Students Work to Advance Civic Life

As a complex era fuels urgent questions about the state of American democracy, faculty and students at Penn GSE are examining key issues of freedom, voice, and dialogue while helping foster respectful discussion within the classroom and beyond.

 

Masthead

The Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania

Board of Advisors

Douglas R. Korn, W’84, Chair

Deborah L. Ancona, C’76, GED’77
Olumoroti G. Balogun, GRD’20
Brett H. Barth, W’93
Allison Jane Blitzer, C’91
Wallace Boston, GRD’10
Harlan B. Cherniak, W’01
Jolley Bruce Christman, GED’71, GR’87
Beth S. Ertel, W’88, WG’92
Jeffrey L. Goldberg, W’83, WG’89
Patricia Grant, GED’01, GRD’04
Joel M. Greenblatt, W’79, WG’80
Andrew Harris Jacobson, WG’93

Marjie G. Katz, GED’90
Lois M. Kohn-Claar, C’88, GED’88
Gustave K. Lipman, W’94
Jeffrey S. McKibben, W’93
Gregory A. Milken, C’95
Andrea Jill Pollack, C’83, L’87, GED’17
David N. Roberts, W’84
Francisco Jose Rodriguez, W’93
Molly P. Rouse-Terlevich, C’90, GED’00
Michael J. Sorrell, GRD’15
Navin M. Valrani, W’93, GED’18
Steven M. Wagshal, W’94

The Penn GSE Magazine is produced by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, 3440 Market Street, Suite 560, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Reproduction of these articles requires written permission from Penn GSE. ©2021 by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Please contact Penn GSE at 215-898-9704 for references. Please contact alumni@gse.upenn.edu to update your address.

Pam Grossman
Dean

Melissa R. Calvert, GED’00
Publisher

Juliana Rosati
Editor

Editorial Board:

Sara Cantwell
Abisha David, GED’21
Jane L. Lindahl, GED’18
Jennifer Moore
Kat Stein

Design:

Print edition and web graphics by Ten Eleven Design

Web design by Penn GSE IT Web Team

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Franklin Building, Suite 421, 3451 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206; or 215-898-6993 (Voice).

 

 

 

Letter from the Dean

Headshot of Dean Pam Grossman in a blue jacket and white blouse on Locust Walk

Dear Alumni and Friends,

This fall has been a time of renewal and reconnection at Penn GSE thanks to our return to in-person operations. I am so pleased that we have successfully welcomed faculty, staff, and students to campus after seventeen months of remote learning and work. Whether you are in circumstances similar to or very different from these, I hope recent months have brought you the opportunity for interactions and experiences you value.

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An important part of our transition back has been to aid in the transitions of our neighboring schools. Our Office of School and Community Engagement and several of our faculty contributed to a wonderful summer program that blended learning and fun to help five public schools in Philadelphia welcome back students and teachers, in collaboration with Penn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships. Given the disruptions and inequities of our times, there has truly never been a more important time for preparing and supporting teachers, and I am so proud of how our teacher education programs featured in this issue address this crucial need.

While there has been much to celebrate this fall, it remains a very challenging time in our world. A stirring lecture in September by best-selling author Dr. Jill Lepore, who gave the Steven S. Goldberg and Jolley Bruce Christman Lecture in Education Law, addressed deep divisions and a constitutional crisis in our nation. As you will read in our cover story, Penn GSE faculty and students have been doing incredible work to address our nation’s civic challenges by reimagining how to engage young people in the ideals of a democratic society.

This fall has also been a time of loss at Penn GSE. In August, exemplary staff member Betty Deane passed away after a truly remarkable tenure of nearly fifty-five years at the School. I hope that the tribute in this issue will bring back fond memories for the very many alumni whose lives she touched. I was grateful that we could gather in person to remember Betty on campus as a community after so many months apart.

I have also been grateful to get to know the new members of our community in person, from students, to staff, to faculty. Our several new faculty, whom you can read about below, include Professor of Practice Andrea Kane, a former superintendent with strong record of building professional capacity and supporting educational leaders; and Richard Perry University Professor Roberto Gonzales, first Penn Integrates Knowledge professor to hold an appointment at GSE. A world-renowned scholar of the lives of immigrants in the United States, Dr. Gonzales is also featured in the article “Immigration, Education, and Coming of Age.” 

We have been thrilled to welcome Raquel M. Arredondo as Penn GSE’s inaugural assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Arredondo is leading schoolwide efforts with the goal of promoting an inclusive learning and working environment. Diversity, equity, and inclusion work could not be more important or resonant today, as our four stories of alumni illustrate.

We have also begun to celebrate on campus the great success of the Extraordinary Impact Campaign, which concluded as part of the University-wide Power of Penn Campaign. As you will read in our feature, the campaign far surpassed its goal, raising funds for priorities across the School, including our building expansion, for which we will hold a groundbreaking in the spring.

Of course, our community extends far beyond our campus to you, our alumni and friends. Through your commitment to education and your support of the School, you make our mission a reality no matter the challenges and opportunities of the landscape. As always, thank you for being a part of Penn GSE.

Pam Grossman signature

Pam Grossman
Dean, Penn Graduate School of Education
George and Diane Weiss Professor of Education

Editor’s note: This issue of The Penn GSE Magazine went to print on May 17, 2021.

News

Faculty Bookshelf

Core Practices for Project-Based Learning: A Guide for Teachers and Leaders

by Pam Grossman, Zachary Herrmann, Sarah Schneider Kavanagh, Christopher G. Pupik Dean

Published June 2021 by Harvard Education Press

Dean Grossman and Penn GSE colleagues draw on their research with teachers, educational leaders, and curriculum designers to offer a framework and set of strategies for implementing project-based learning. Centering on teaching practice, this work moves beyond project planning to focus on the complex instructional demands of a student-centered approach.

Cover of book Core Practices for Project-Based Learning: A Guide for Teachers and Leaders

Cover of book Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn

Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn

by Jonathan Zimmerman, with cartoons by Signe Wilkinson

Published April 2021 by City of Light Publishing

See this issue’s cover story to learn more about Dr. Zimmerman’s work.


Sport Finance: Where the Money Comes from, Where the Money Goes

by Karen Weaver

Published August 2021 by Kendall Hunt Publishing

Cover of book Sport Finance: Where the Money Comes from, Where the Money Goes

Find other recent books by Penn GSE faculty in the Faculty Bookshelf

Features

Four tiled images include a professor speaking in front of a blackboard, Independence Hall against a clear sky, a white graphic illustration of the map of USA against a dark blue background, and protestors creating human rights signs. A large red block in the center reads “Education and Democracy.”

As a complex era fuels urgent questions about the state of American democracy, faculty and students at Penn GSE are examining key issues of freedom, voice, and dialogue while helping foster respectful discussion within the classroom and beyond.

A black and white photo of Betty Deane from 1987 is next to a translucent image of the Graduate School of Education building. Text on the image reads “Penn GSE Remembers Betty Deane.”

The Penn GSE community mourns the loss of longtime staff member Betty Deane, who served an extraordinary tenure of more than five decades at the School.

A free-hand digital illustration of a clenched fist containing a bright, red-colored heart. Text says “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

Penn GSE alumni in educational leadership roles are at the forefront of organizations’ efforts towards advocacy, overcoming barriers, creating paths to success, celebrating differences, and more.

A logo made of dark blue, light blue, and bright red blocks appears against a dark blue background. The logo reads, “Extraordinary Impact: The Campaign for Penn GSE.”

Penn GSE exceeded the largest fundraising goal in its history, dramatically increasing support for priorities across the School.

Profile shot shows Dr. Roberto Gonzales with hands crossed and looking over his right shoulder, against a gradient backdrop with blue and red color tones. White text on the image reads, “Immigration, Education, and Coming of Age.”]

The first Penn Integrates Knowledge professor to hold an appointment at Penn GSE, Dr. Roberto Gonzales discusses the journey that led to his research on immigrant populations and envisions next steps in his new role.

A professor wearing a white shirt and striped tie addresses a classroom of students who are listening and taking notes. The screen in the background has a large pi symbol] [Photo caption] Dr. Zachary Hermann is executive director of Penn GSE’s Center for Professional Learning, which offers virtual programs to support educators at various levels in the face of changing educational environments.

One of many virtual offerings of Penn GSE’s Center for Professional Learning, the Strategic Leadership Certificate program is helping educators strengthen their effectiveness and deepen their impact.

A view behind several students in a classroom, each with a raised hand. Text reads “Multiple Pathways to Excellence.”

Recent graduates of Penn GSE’s three teacher education master’s programs are implementing what they’ve learned, showing a deep commitment to their students’ futures as they teach mathematics, English, and science.

A photo of red and blue balloons with the Penn GSE logo appears beside a blue panel that says “Penn GSE Alumni Weekend 2021.”

Celebration of Educators Recognizes Leaders and Awardees

Dean Grossman announced the 2021 Education Alumni Award recipients, and a panel shared perspectives on finding strength in the face of adversity, supporting mental health, and rallying to improve social justice.

Noteworthy

Two men wearing casual shirts and blue jeans are sitting across from each other in a student lounge area, smiling and looking at material on the desks in front of them

Alumni Notes

Penn GSE alumni notes reveal the many ways our graduates are having an impact as educators and leaders.

Read Alumni Notes

Recess

Tips from the Educator's Playbook

A young woman and a preschool girl with smiles on their faces are looking at a large hardcover book together.

Conquering Kindergarten

To help children prepare to start school, Katie Barghaus and Casey Henderson from the Penn Child Research Center’s Conquering Kindergarten initiative offer some tips.

Photo by iStock.com/kate_sept2004

Read More about 'Conquering Kindergarten'

Making Change Possible

Headshot of D’Andre McIntyre in front of a building with white columns

“My career goal is to advance civil rights in education by helping to craft policy that is more equitable for students in the South. Thank you for helping to make my educational pursuits possible!”

—D’Andre McIntyre, GED’21, Education Policy, Penn GSE scholarship recipient

Through scholarships and fellowships, Penn GSE is able to attract the most talented and committed students and help make their education affordable.

Learn More about Making Change Possible

Support the Power of Possibility

A couple wearing casual outfits in red and blue pose while leaning on the LOVE statue on Penn’s campus. Fresh foliage is seen all around in the background.

“Don and I support Penn GSE because we believe that education empowers the next generation. Education is the best way to care for our children and communities. Penn GSE’s dedication to excellent field work, research, and policy elevates students, educators, and schools.”

—Kelly S. Suh, GED’96, and Donald D. Suh, M’98
Members, Benjamin Franklin Society

Learn More about Supporting the Power of Possibility

Extraordinary Impact

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