On November 8, Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., School of Education director, facilitated a panel on Teacher Apprenticeship Programs as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute for Educational Sciences’ Regional Education Lab (REL) Central multi-state gathering held in Denver. State education leaders from North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming shared how recent legislation and innovations in their states have transformed teacher preparation pathways to more competency based that allow for work-based learning as students fulfill requirements of education degrees and licenses. Dr. Garcia serves as Chair of the Governing board for REL Central, which is responsible for guiding the REL’s activities in applied research applied research and development; training, coaching, technical support; and dissemination across the states of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
From November 9 through November 12, Professor Melinda Leoce and four music students attended the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. While in attendance they attended a Colorado Percussive Arts Society Chapter dinner, saw clinics and concerts by some of the world’s best percussionists, and had access to an exhibition hall full of percussion equipment to try and purchase. Two alumni were also in attendance and were able to meet the group for a special lunch for current and former students. A great time was had by all.
William Lipke, D.M.A., was one of the convention artists for the Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico (PMTNM) state conference in Albuquerque in November. He presented a workshop “Inspiring Joyous Musical Expression Through Movement in the Keyboard Dances of J. S. Bach.” He also conducted a piano master class with advanced students on the music of Moskowsky, Brahms, and Berkowitz. Additionally, he served as a competition adjudicator for the Honors Competition. Several years ago, he served as an adjudicator and was asked to return this year with an expanded role. PMTNM is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, the oldest music teachers association in the nation with about 20,000 members.
Mathew Sharples, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, published a paper on treating the biogeographical history and origins of cold tolerance in a cosmopolitan group of flowering plants.
