louie rodriguez

How Dora’s "mochila" (backpack) can help our students succeed

cchav105 — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 17:52:04 +0000

How Dora’s "mochila" (backpack) can help our students succeed cchav105 Mon, 11/22/2021 - 09:52 More News Camila Chaves Naranjo November 22, 2021

At the center of Interim Dean Louie Rodriguez’s work is promoting student success, and since the start of the 2021 school year, he has visited more than 10 classes and met with over 300 students in the School of Education. His goal is not only to connect with SOE students, but to encourage them to use the tools and resources to successfully guide them in their educational journeys…with a little help from Dora the Explorer.

SOE Interim Dean Louie Rodriguez

Dr. Rodriguez, you have used the Dora the Explorer and her mochila, or backpack, as a metaphor when visiting classes. Could you explain this to us?

Dora the Explorer is amazing in so many ways. She’s bilingual, brave, proud of her family, connected to her culture, and always a leader. She and her sidekick Boots spend much of their time solving problems and helping people. What has always struck me is her use of that little purple backpack, the mochila. In various situations, she exercises her leadership by reaching into her mochila to pull out ladders, life jackets, rope, umbrellas, and various other useful tools at just the right time.

Over the last month, I’ve been using the mochila as a metaphor as I talk with various groups of students, especially in the context of the pandemic, the 18-month out-of-school reality, and the return to in-class teaching and learning.

What are the types of resources a student might “carry” in their mochila?

Typically, students—everyone from kindergartners to graduate students—arrive to a new academic year with a backpack full of new supplies such as pencils, erasers, paper and spiral notebooks, glue, and sometimes a learning device.

In addition to these items, I have been encouraging students to think about the other things they bring with them to school in their backpacks—their strengths and assets—and I have been encouraging them to use them as tools to inspire, motivate, and propel them to that next level in their educational journeys.

What are some examples of these strengths and assets that students bring into the classroom?

They bring their families, their culture, and their language in their mochilas. They bring their communities, parents, and ancestors with them. Students brings their educación, parents’ sacrifice, and family ganas that inform their persistence. They bring their resilience, conviction, and tenacity.

I remind students that it is not just them sitting in classes or attending hybrid courses this fall—sitting alongside them are their families, their struggles, and their triumphs. Every single day our students are bringing their family or cultural sayings, advice, and stories with them. They are bringing their personal, family, and ancestral legacies too. At a deeper level, they are bringing a hemispheric legacy of excellence with them that goes back centuries. I tell them that while there continues to be several challenges as we return to in-person learning, we should remind ourselves of our assets and strengths that we bring with us to school every single day.

Whether it is in-person, hybrid, or online teaching and learning, our students are ready to learn, and so are their families, abuelos, and ancestors that they bring with them to class every day. These are not items that can be checked at the door. Conversely, we should be inviting these strengths and assets to bolster the academic and social experience in the classroom. In fact, the knowledge, skills, and experiences that are informed by their culture, family, and communities can make the learning endeavor so much richer.

How can educators apply this metaphor?

The questions become, as educators, are we courageous and visionary-enough to recognize these assets and strengths of our students? Are we willing to be flexible with our practices and policies especially as we return from a very challenging 18 months? Are educators centering the power of story to connect and reconnect with students? At a systemic level, do our systems have the capacity to equitably respond to students’ needs and provide educators with the needed supports to care for themselves in order to effectively serve our students?

It is clear that the pandemic is not over. However, our students are sitting in our classes every day and ready to learn. Every one of those strengths and assets our students bring to the classroom are the keys to academic, personal, and community success this year. When we see our students, let’s remember their backpacks are just as full of richness.

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louie rodriguez

AASCU names Interim Dean to its 2021 Millennium Leadership Initiative

juliep — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 16:43:31 +0000

AASCU names Interim Dean to its 2021 Millennium Leadership Initiative juliep Sun, 04/25/2021 - 09:43 More News April 25, 2021

Interim Dean Louie Rodríguez is one of 32 higher education leaders chosen to participate in the 2021 Millennium Leadership Initiative (MLI), a premier leadership development program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

According to the press release, MLI provides individuals traditionally underrepresented in the highest ranks of postsecondary education with the opportunity to develop skills, gain a philosophical overview, and build the network and knowledge needed to advance to the presidency.

“During the past year, it has become more evident how important diversity, equity, and inclusion are,” said Dr. Mary Evans Sias, director of the program and assistant to AASCU’s president. “With the selection of this class, we are hoping to reflect the diversity of this nation and the institutions that our protégés serve. We are proud to welcome our next class and are grateful to them for joining with us to secure the higher education leadership pipeline.”

In 2020, AASCU restructured MLI in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 institute will also feature virtual programming—four meetings a month from March 17 to May 26. Additionally, it includes a tentative, in-person meeting in the fall. Protégés will also have a yearlong mentorship with an experienced president or chancellor and four months of professional coaching from a retired president or chancellor.

An advocate for higher education access and student success for underrepresented and low-income students, and a first-generation student, Rodríguez is currently the Interim Dean, Professor, and holds the Bank of America Chair in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Practice in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California Riverside. He is also the Founding Director of the Center for Educational Transformation at UCR. His research examines issues in Latina/o/x education, Participatory Action Research, and educational equity. Rodríguez earned an A.A. from San Bernardino Valley College, a B.A. from CSU, San Bernardino, and two master’s degrees and a doctorate from Harvard. Rodriguez is the author of nearly 50 publications including 4 books, several articles and book chapters, and has received numerous honors including the American Education Research Association (AERA) Hispanic Research Issues SIG Award for Research in Elementary, Secondary, and Postsecondary Education in 2019, recognition by the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance in 2019, Outstanding Latino Faculty by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) in 2015, and was designated as an “Emerging Leader” in 2014 by Phi Delta Kappa International in 2014.

Read the full AASCU release here

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louie rodriguez

"Educating for the Election and Beyond: Tools and Resources for Educators"

juliep — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 19:01:55 +0000

"Educating for the Election and Beyond: Tools and Resources for Educators" juliep Mon, 09/14/2020 - 12:01 More News September 14, 2020

GSOE announces "Educating for the Election and Beyond: Tools and Resources for Educators" webinar on Monday, September 21 from 3pm- 4pm.

A key purpose of public education is preparing youth to participate in democracy and voting is one important avenue of democratic participation. As we prepare for the upcoming elections in November, it is vitally important that members of all communities are equitably supported to make their voices heard. In this webinar, Interim Dean Louie Rodríguez and GSOE faculty will discuss the critical role that schools and teachers across grade levels and content areas can play in promoting informed and equitable voting. Our ultimate goal is to provide practical resources and example lessons that educators can use to teach about elections and voting in a nonpartisan way and in the context of remote learning.

Some of the topics that will be addressed:

Why should we talk about elections and voting in schools?

What are some of the myths about youth voting and engagement?

What are effective strategies for teaching about elections and voting?

What equity concerns should educators be considering in the context of the pandemic and ongoing challenges with race, racism, and systemic inequality?

**The webinar will be hosted in Zoom. You're invited to submit questions ahead of time when you register.**

FEATURED PANELISTS

Dr. Louie Rodríguez

Louie F. Rodríguez is an educator, researcher, author, professor, and speaker in the field of urban education. He is the current Interim Dean of the Graduate School of Education at UCR, the Bank of America Chair in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Practice, and the founding director of the Center for Educational Transformation. His research examines issues in Latina/o/x education, participatory action research, and educational equity. Dr. Rodriguez is the author of nearly 50 publications, and has received numerous honors including the American Education Research Association (AERA) Hispanic Research Issues SIG Award for Research in Elementary, Secondary, and Postsecondary Education in 2019, and Outstanding Latino Faculty by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) in 2015.

Dr. Joseph Kahne

Joseph Kahne is the Ted and Jo Dutton Presidential Professor for Education Policy and Politics at the Graduate School of Education at UCR, and Co-Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group. Dr. Kahne's research and writing focuses on the influence of school practices and new media on youth civic and political development.

Dr. Leah Bueso

Leah Bueso is a postdoctoral scholar with the Civic Engagement Research Group at University of California, Riverside and teaches the course "Educating for Informed and Equitable Voting." Her research focuses on issues of racial and economic inequality in special education law and pedagogy, as well as issues of access to civic education for students with disabilities. Dr. Bueso received her Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles and her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. She is also a credentialed special education teacher and reading specialist for children diagnosed with a language-based learning disability.

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louie rodriguez

joseph kane

leah bueso

"Teaching from Home: Online Learning for Student Success During Challenging Times"

juliep — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 16:20:37 +0000

"Teaching from Home: Online Learning for Student Success During Challenging Times" juliep Thu, 07/23/2020 - 09:20 More News July 23, 2020

With the recent announcement of schools throughout the region starting online in the Fall, educators are, once again, implementing distance learning. To support our alumni and community partners in taking their classrooms virtual, UC Riverside Graduate School of Education is hosting a Zoom conversation with Interim Dean Louie Rodriguez and GSOE faculty centered on effective online teaching strategies on Thursday, July 30 at 3pm.

The event, which marks the first in the new "GSOE in the Community" series, aims to begin a conversation on practical strategies for online teaching between GSOE faculty and community members. Our goal is to provide as many practical responses as possible to help facilitate student and teacher success.

"Teaching from Home: Online Learning for Student Success During Challenging Times"
Thursday, July 30, 3pm - 4pm
REGISTER HERE

Some of the topics that will be addressed:

What active learning methods can be applied to an online format?
What are some of the best ways to engage students in STEM content areas?
What should my expectations be in an online teaching format?
What equity concerns should educators be considering in the context of a pandemic and ongoing challenges with race, racism, and systemic inequality?

**The webinar will be hosted in Zoom. You're invited to submit questions ahead of time when you register.**

FEATURED PANELISTS

Interim Dean Louie Rodriguez

Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez is an educator, researcher, author, professor, and speaker in the field of urban education. He is the current Interim Dean of the Graduate School of Education at UCR, the Bank of America Chair in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Practice, and the founding director of the Center for Educational Transformation. His research examines issues in Latina/o/x education, participatory action research, and educational equity. Dr. Rodriguez is the author of nearly 50 publications, and has received numerous honors including the American Education Research Association (AERA) Hispanic Research Issues SIG Award for Research in Elementary, Secondary, and Postsecondary Education in 2019, and Outstanding Latino Faculty by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) in 2015.

Dr. Kinnari Atit
Assistant Professor, UCR GSOE

Dr. Kinnari Atit is an assistant professor in educational psychology. Her research aims to increase access and broaden participation in STEM by focusing her work on two areas: 1) supporting and developing K-16 students’ and educators’ skills relevant to STEM teaching and learning, and 2) promoting STEM learning through engagement in multimedia learning platforms. She is the principal investigator on a grant from the California Department of Education titled Supporting Student Learning about Molecular Structures from Simulations. For this project, she leads a research team that will design and determine effective online formative assessments and the associated feedback for online simulations presenting fundamental introductory chemistry concepts. Additionally, she is the co-principal investigator on a Plant Biology Learning Objectives, Outreach Materials & Education grant which aims to measure the efficacy of a one-year outreach program that brings NGSS-aligned plant sciences activities to local middle school classrooms.

Dr. Eddie Comeaux
Associate Professor, UCR GSOE

Dr. Eddie Comeaux is an associate professor of higher education, and founder and executive director of the Center for Athletes’ Rights and Equity (CARE) at the University of California, Riverside. His research interests are located in the broad field of higher education and include racial equity and policy issues. Dr. Comeaux has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and other academic publications and reports. He has also published five books, including his most recent book: High Achieving African American Students and the College Choice Process: Applying Critical Race Theory (Routledge, 2020). For his scholarly work, Dr. Comeaux received the Outstanding Contribution Award from AERA’s Research Focus on Education and Sport Special Interest Group (SIG), and the Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Exemplary Scholarship from AERA’s Multicultural/Multiethnic Education SIG.

Dr. Cathy Lussier
Assistant Professor, UCR GSOE

Dr. Cathy Lussier, an assistant professor of teaching, has been the director of two U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences grants (one focused on problem-solving interventions using working memory in mathematics, the other on literacy and cognition for Spanish-speaking English Learners). Prior to that, she co-directed The Copernicus Project, a U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post-Secondary Education five-year grant aimed at STEM teacher development and making science more accessible to underrepresented high school and community college students. She is also the co-principal investigator of the NSF Noyce Scholars program, the faculty co-director of the Cal Teach Science Math Initiative (SMI), and the faculty team leader for the NASA Minority Education Institute (NASA MEI). Additionally, she has worked for several years with her colleagues at NASA-JPL to provide K-12 student and STEM training and teacher development workshops throughout southern California.

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