This is an archive of the Summer 2023 edition of Learning Connections, a magazine for alumni and friends of the UW–Madison School of Education. The Summer 2023 issue put the spotlight on the UW–Madison School of Education Wisconsin Teacher Pledge program. But as always, this issue also highlights important and innovative work being done across the arts, health, and education. A pdf of the print edition is available here. Check it out!
Teacher Pledge
Trailblazing program supports students, educators, and schools across Wisconsin.
Message from the Dean
Dean Diana Hess spotlights a few of the great things taking place in the School of Education across the arts, health, and education.
Voices
Prior to spring commencement, we reached out to a few of our amazing graduates to learn about their time at UW–Madison, their future plans, and more. Check out what they had to say.
Voices
UW–Madison alumna Erin Roberge was hired as the Green Bay Packers' first female full-time assistant athletic trainer (AT). She shares her thoughts on the experience in a Q&A.
Rankings
For the 10th straight year, UW–Madison’s School of Education has been rated among the top five education schools in the country — this year moving up to No. 3 — according to the 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report best Graduate School Rankings.
Innovation
The two researchers, with labs an ocean apart and seemingly little in common, were supposed to chat for just five minutes. But science and fate had much more in store for Gary Diffee and Chris Baldi.
Innovation
Students ranked as less capable than their peers in classroom settings are more likely to develop symptoms of depression than highly ranked peers, according to a new study co-authored by Ran Liu.
Parkins advocates for 're-emergence' of dance education
Chell Parkins moved from New York City in August 2022 to start work as the inaugural Arnhold Director of Dance Education in the School of Education’s Dance Department.
Innovation
Answering local needs amid a national emergency, UW−Madison faculty members and their partners in the Madison Metropolitan School District will use a $6 million grant to expand culturally responsive mental health services in Madison schools.
Innovation
In less than a year-and-a-half, the Circle of Care project has directly touched 200 households that care for roughly 900 orphans in Malawi. The program is led by the School of Education's Nancy Kendall and colleague Lori DiPrete Brown in the School of Human Ecology.
Innovation roundup
A roundup of additional interesting and impactful research projects form across the School of Education — including work from Emily Machado that examines how writing can empower early childhood educators.
In the news
Faculty and staff are routinely quoted or make their voices heard in newspapers, magazines, and online news media outlets. Similarly, these experts are often interviewed and showcased on a range of radio and television news reports.
News and notes
Taekyeon Lee's creative work and research focuses on transforming graphic design — traditionally a visual medium — into one that also engages the sense of touch.
School of Education Bookshelf
A look at some recent publications from faculty and staff.
Class Notes
Check out what School of Education alumni from across the globe have been up to.
News and notes
Check out these updates from our Department of Theatre and Drama, including two shows coming this fall to University Theatre.
Spotlight
School of Education professors David Williamson Shaffer and Mitchell Nathan provide valuable perspectives on contentious advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) relevant to educators.
Spotlight
Aris Alexander established the Jenny Alexander Perseverance Fellowship, which will back a PhD student in the Department of Educational Psychology.
Keep in touch!
If you have questions or comments about Learning Connections, email Todd Finkelmeyer at todd.finkelmeyer@wisc.edu, or call 608-890-1430.
The School of Education wants to hear from our alumni and friends. We also want to make sure you are hearing from us. If you have not received electronic updates, it may mean we don’t have your current e-mail address. Please visit the Wisconsin Alumni Association website to update your information. In addition, the WAA offers free e-mail accounts to all alumni.