Conscious Classrooms Receives High Praise in The California Reader

The California Reader recently published a glowing review for the book “Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice” by SJSU Lurie College Professor Allison Briceño, Ed.D., and her colleague from Santa Clara University, Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica, Ph.D. The reviewer, S.A. Griffin, praised the book’s impact on the education landscape and its role in promoting social justice and equity in the classroom.

Allison Briceno

Allison Briceño is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education at SJSU Lurie College of Education and coordinates the Reading and Literacy Leadership Credential and MA Program. Her expertise lies in bilingual teacher preparation and studying how bilingual students comprehend text. Her research has been published in several journals including Teacher Education Quarterly and Reading Teacher. Briceño’s work aims to bridge the gap in education for bilingual students.

Books are at the heart of instruction, and we can use them in ways that move us far beyond representation. The authors teach us how. They do an outstanding job helping us reflect on our own beliefs, shift our mindsets, and develop our critical consciousness. We consider the role of power, learn how to rethink schooling, and are prompted to better align our philosophies with our pedagogy.

According to Griffin, books play a central role in the learning process, and the authors do an excellent job helping readers reflect on their beliefs, shift their mindsets, and develop their critical consciousness. The book prompts readers to consider the role of power in education and how to better align their philosophy with their teaching practices.

With a paradigm shift underway in education, the book has come at a critical time, providing administrators and educators with the tools they need to become change agents and leaders. It helps ensure that every student has access to diverse texts that support their social, emotional, academic, and identity advancement.

The reviewer highly recommends the book to anyone who wants to take an active role in promoting inclusion, equity, and justice in the classroom and community. This book is ideal for professional development and will help save valuable time for collaborative teams, as it provides templates and strategies for assessment and communication.

In conclusion, the review in The California Reader reinforces the importance of “Conscious Classrooms” and its impact on the education landscape. If you’re an educator looking to promote inclusion, equity, and justice in your classroom, this book is a must-read. With a wide variety of resources and practical tips, Allison Briceño and Claudia Rodriquez-Mojica have created a valuable resource for educators everywhere.

 

Reference:

Griffin, S. A. (2023). A review of Conscious Classrooms: Using Diverse Texts for Inclusion, Justice, and Equity. The California Reader, 56(1), 27-28.

Congratulations to Dr. Marcos Pizarro | Grant from Spencer Foundation

Pizarro, Marcos

We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Marcos Pizarro, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Professor of Chicanx Studies at San José State University, on receiving a $50,000 grant from the Chicago-based Spencer Foundation. The grant will allow Dr. Pizarro and his colleague, Rita Kohli of the University of California Riverside, to conduct in-depth research on the experiences of teacher educators of color as they navigate systemic racism in teacher education programs throughout the United States.

Dr. Pizarro’s work focuses on helping Chicanx and Latinx students at various stages of their schooling to develop collaborative interventions that aid them in their efforts to succeed in school and to create social and racial justice in their communities. His efforts have led to the development of the Chicanx/Latinx Student Success Center at SJSU, which has resulted in a transformative model for Chicanx/Latinx student engagement and has enhanced Latinx students’ sense of belonging and academic success.

The Spencer Foundation is committed to funding educational research that improves education, makes education systems more equitable, and increases opportunities for people to continue learning across their lifespans. Dr. Pizarro’s work aligns perfectly with this mission and we are proud to see him recognized for his contributions to the field. This grant from the Spencer Foundation will allow Dr. Pizarro and Dr. Kohli to delve deeper into the racial barriers that teacher educators of color face, how they resist these barriers, and what they envision for the future. It will also provide valuable insights into the resources that are needed to usher in equity in the field of teacher education.

Once again, congratulations to Dr. Marcos Pizarro on this well-deserved recognition and grant. We look forward to the valuable insights and understanding that this research will bring to the field of teacher education.

 

Applications for STAR 2023 | Career in K-12 STEM Education

Cal Poly, SLO
Applications for STAR 2023 are available now. If you are pursuing a career in K-12 STEM education, please visit the website and apply for a summer of transformative research aimed at building your identity as a teacher-researcher. Applicants should have junior standing by January 1, 2023, to apply.

  • No previous research experience is necessary
  • The priority deadline for applications is February 15, 2023
  • Applications will continue to be accepted until March 1st, 2023.

STAR offers:

  • Paid summer research opportunities for aspiring K-12 STEM teachers
  • Authentic research in national, private, and university lab settings weekly education workshops
  • Opportunity to present their research at a national conference

Online application and full program details can be found on our website at StarTeacherResearcher.org. To date, the STAR program has provided over 851 research opportunities for 613 individual STAR fellows.

The 2023 summer will feature in-person, remote, and hybrid placements.
Online applications, a video overview, and full program details can be found on the website: StarTeacherResearcher.org.

APPLY HERE!

Pre-Commencement Celebration RVSP Now

SJSU Connie L. Lurie College of Education would like to invite you to the pre-commencement celebration on December 15th, 3 PM – 5 PM in the Sweeney Hall Courtyard. It is a proud and festive occasion for the faculty & staff at Lurie College as we celebrate Lurie College Graduating students through their performance and accomplishments. Graduating Students are encouraged to invite family members.

The pre-commencement celebration will be followed by the commencement ceremony. Snacks/refreshments will be provided at the venue.

RSVP using this link

Day of Giving | 29th November 2022

 

The Share Your Spartan Heart Day of Giving brings together our entire San José State community to raise money for the Connie L. Lurie College of Education, as well as over 80 projects, departments, and programs. Our students, faculty, and staff do outstanding work and SJSU would not be able to provide our life-changing education without the support of people like you.  Share Your Spartan Heart by selecting one of the projects below and making your gift today.

Click here to donate or copy/paste the URL in your browser: https://power.sjsu.edu/g/coed

Pre-commencement celebration | 15th December

Dear Lurie Students,

SJSU Connie L. Lurie College of Education would like to invite you to the pre-commencement celebration on December 15th, 3 PM – 5 PM in the Sweeney Hall Courtyard. It is a proud and festive occasion for the faculty & staff at Lurie College as we celebrate Lurie College Graduating students through their performance and accomplishments. Graduating Students are encouraged to invite family members.

The pre-commencement celebration will be followed by the commencement ceremony. Snacks/refreshments will be provided at the venue.

RSVP using this link

SJSU Alumni Mentoring & MeetUp

SJSU² Mentoring & Meetups is a partnership between the SJSU Career Center, SJSU Alumni Association, and the campus community which connects mentees (current SJSU students) with mentors (alumni and/or other industry professionals) to support mentee career success.

  • Explore potential careers by connecting with SJSU Alumni and other Industry Professionals.
  • Gain career advice on how to break into a field.
  • Grow your professional network in your career or industry of interest.

 

Contact Larissa Bates at sjsu2mentoring@sjsu.edu for any questions regarding SJSU² and Learn more today

Fall 2022 | Commencement

Graduating this Fall 22? Be sure to stay up-to-date with all things commencement by checking out the SJSU Commencement link below.

Registration
Registration is officially open to all eligible Summer 2022 and Fall 2022 graduates.
Eligible students receive a registration email to their “Preferred Email Address” on file with the University, with a unique registration link for their ceremony.

Check out the Communications Archive for all messages that have been sent to students.

As a reminder, the deadline for students to register for commencement is Monday, November 14, 2022 at 12:00 pm via MarchingOrder.

Transforming Communities: A Movement to Racial Justice

Illustration of a power fist with the words A Movement, Not a Moment.

Transforming Communities: A Movement to Racial Justice, it is an annual event here at SJSU designed to foster connection with the broader San Jose community and change throughout our community towards a more racially just, and equitable campus, city, and county.

Submit an idea for a talk, lecture, workshop, entertainment/arts event, panel discussion, or any other idea for the Transforming Communities: A Movement to Racial Justice event here at SJSU. The event welcomes programs in-person, virtual, and in multiple formats that highlight various topics that address the multi-faceted aspects of racial justice and equity. This event offers you a really unique opportunity to connect research, teaching, and service all towards the goal of making our campus more just and equitable. We encourage creative proposals! Please consider submitting your work to this event and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to transformingcommunities@sjsu.edu

More information can be found here: https://www.sjsu.edu/transforming-communities

We look forward to working with you and having your participation.

Submit Your Program Idea Here

5 Ways to Prepare for Midterm Elections with Mary Currin-Percival

SJSU students with "I Voted" stickers.

SJSU students prepare to exercise their right to vote. Photo: Robert C. Bain.

San José State University Political Science Professor Mary Currin-Percival encourages people to be aware of their rights. As director of SJSU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (IPACE) and the on-campus voter registration, mobilization, and education initiative SJSU Votes!, Currin-Percival’s focus is to inform SJSU students about the November 8th election. Midterm elections also provide an important opportunity for voters to voice their opinions on local and state ballot items, along with the city council, mayor, and state legislators.

San José State will have a voting station at the Provident Credit Union Event Center starting on Saturday, Oct. 29. Doors open from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. every day on the south side of the Event Center, near the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center — and on election day, it will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Currin-Percival shared five recommended actions you can take before the November midterm elections, to learn more, click here

Framing and Decoding Public Narratives in the Debate Over Race-conscious Affirmative Action by Dr. María C. Ledesma

Join us for our Fall 2022 University Scholar Series presentation entitled, “Framing and Decoding Public Narratives in the Debate Over Race-conscious Affirmative Action”

Dr. María C. Ledesma

This event will be on November 16 at 12:00pm, VIRTUAL only. Hosted by the Office of the Provost in partnership with SJSU King Library. This virtual event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (408) 924-2403.

To register for more information, click here

San Jose State University’s Healthy Development Community Clinic

 

Lofgren presented a $500,000 check for the San Jose State University’s Healthy Development Community Clinic

Lofgren presented a $500,000 check for the San Jose State University’s Healthy Development Community Clinic for their joint project with the East Side Union School District that provides families with healthcare services, while also helping advance graduate students’ education through in-the-field professional experience.

“I find it inspiring that SJSU’s College of Education is taking advantage of their expertise on campus – the professors and students focused on child development, speech pathology, therapy, and more – to help underserved children, adolescents, parents, and families in San Jose,” said Lofgren. “It’s a win-win-win – for families, graduate students, and our community as a whole.”

“We are very grateful to Rep. Zoe Lofgren for her support of the Healthy Development Community Clinic,” shared Heather Lattimer, Dean of San Jose State University’s College of Education. “This federal investment will allow us to significantly expand the education, mental health, and wellness services that the HDCC is able to offer to children and families in the East San José community.”

To read the full article, go to this link.

The Westly Prize for Young California Innovators with Talent, Creativity, and Spirit.

Are you a young innovator, entrepreneur, or idea-maker from California? If so, the 2023 Westly Prize is officially open for you! $145K will be awarded to changemakers with a vision that could change society. Is your idea next? Apply to this year’s Westly Prize to find out. Applications close 10/17/22. For more information about the Westly Prize, please click here

SJSU Legacy Run | Register Now

Legacy Run participants posing in front of the Tommie Smith and John Carlos statueon campus and running through the cesar arch.

Come and join us for our Second Annual SJSU Legacy Run—Our Communities and Mental Health: Activities That Ground Us. A walk, run, roll at San José State University that starts and ends at the Tommie Smith and John Carlos Olympic Statues and will go around the perimeter of the university, passing through the Arch of Dignity, Equality, and Justice or Cesar Chavez Arch.

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2022
Location: Start and finish at the Olympic Statues and perimeter of the university (sidewalk)

Register now or for more information, click here

Tote-ster Mash | 13 October 2022 | Paint your tote

 

You are invited to Tote-ster Mash, paint a tote bag for this Halloween.

RSVP on the link to register or scan the QR code.
Date/time: 13th October, 1 PM to 3 PM
Venue: Student Success Center (SH 106)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Are you an Alumni looking to connect with Lurie?

Do you know of a recent alumni that is looking to stay connected with our Lurie Community? There are so many great opportunities for alumni to network with one another, stay connected with the campus and college resources, and actively participate in the continued growth of the Lurie College community.

If you know of someone who would be interested, please share our Lurie College Alumni Google Form with them.