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Keynote Address

May 12, 2011 Speakers

	Keynote Address: Steven Jay Gross, Ed.D Steven Jay Gross is the Interim Chair of the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department and Professor of Educational Leadership at Temple University. Gross’s teaching, books, articles and research activities focus on initiating and sustaining deep, democratic reform in schools and Turbulence Theory. His books include: Ethical Educational Leadership in Turbulent Time (2007) (co-authored with Joab P Shapiro), Leadership Mentoring: Mainting School Improvement in Turbulent Times (2006), Staying Centered: Curriculum Leadership in a Turbulent Era (1998) and Promises Kept: Sustaining School and District Leadership in a Turbulent Era (2004). Gross Also served as Executive Editor of ASCD's Curriculum Handbook series. His previous professional experience includes being Associate Professor of Education at Trinity College of Vermont, Chief of Curriculum and INstruction for the state of Vermont, Executive Director of the China Project Consortium, Curriculum and Staff Development Director for the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, and high school social studies teacher in Philadelphia, PA. Gross earned his undergraduate degree in history at Temple University, master's degree in modern Chinese history at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania and was a Klingenstein Fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University. Gross also studied Mandarin Chinese at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Along with colleagues across the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Sweden, the UK, and Australia, Gross is a leading figure in a movement called the New DEEL (Democratic-Ethical Educational Leadership) which seeks to lift education beyond the top-down accountability movement toward the values of democracy, social justice and authentic learning. Gross has recently been named as Founding Director of the New DEEL Community Network.
	Temple University Student Government President Natalie Ramos-Castillo, B.S.'11 An Early Childhood and Elementary Education with a specialization in Political Science, Natalie was born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Natalie is a graduate of Parkland High School where she participated in lacrosse and was active in student organizations. During her freshman year at Temple, Natalie founded the College of Education's Student Council and volunteered as a Jumpstart Corps Member in a Headstart classroom in North Philadelphia. Natalie served as a Senator for the College of Education in Temple Student Government's Senate and worked as a head teacher in a kindergarten after-care program at Russell Byers Charter School. During her sophomore year, Natalie became a Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Scholar researching predictors in kindergarten retention. Natalie served as a reseach assistant while being mentored by Dr. Jennifer Cromley, whom was recently named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers by President Barack Obama. Natale served as the TUSGA Allocations Chair. Natalie is the first College of Education student to serve as Temple University's Student Body President. Natalie lead her administration in developing innovative programs that impacted our campus community and the surrounding North Philadelphia community by creating the Thanksgiving Day Drive and the Nutrition and Sportsmanship Workshops. In addition, she implemented new services for students such as free legal services, a student organization resource room and financial budgeting workshops. Most importantly, her administration has joined together with the three other state-related universities and established the Pennsylvania Association of State-related Students (P.A.S.S) which recently held the Rally for Higher Education in Harrisburg on February 15th, 2011. She plans on furthering her education by studying education policy at the graduate level.
	Undergraduate Student Keynote Speakers Laurie Francis Murray, B.S.'11 An Elementary and Special Education graduate, is excited at the prospect of joining the field of education as a teacher. Born and raised in Newtown, Pennsylvania, Laurie worked as a behavior therapist while attending high school in order to achieve her lifelong goal of becoming a teacher. Laurie enthusiastically joined the College of Education program at Temple University. Each professor and class expanded her knowledge and understanding of educating students of all skill levels and backgrounds. During her culminating experience at Goodnoe Elementary in the Council Rock school district, she put Temple’s University’s strategies and teaching philosophies into practice. Laurie’s supervising teacher provided her with the guidance to prepare her for a career as an educator. Her journey has taken her through both urban and suburban classrooms in which each and every student has helped to refine her teaching methods. Laurie has a profound love for teaching, including students with special needs. She believes these students are capable of being independent and self sufficient with the use of differentiated instruction and the support of educators. She is dedicated and driven to educate students using diverse teaching strategies while applying the skills instilled in her from Temple University. Laurie looks forward to assisting all students in reaching their maximum potential. Laurie is blessed to have family and friends who provided her with the foundation and support to attain her goals and ambitions. Laurie continues to believe that success is liking what you do and how you do it. With admiration and pride, Laurie wishes the best of luck to the Graduating Class of 2011. She extends her upmost appreciation to those individuals at Temple University who helped shape the class of 2011. Laurie plans to further her education wholeheartedly in order to learn, grow, and develop as an educator for both herself and her future students.
	Mairin Lin Matthews, B.S.'11 An Elementary and Special Education graduate with a specialty in the arts,Mairin was born and raised in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, she chose to venture to Philadelphia, which quickly became her new home. She embraced the diversity of Temple’s campus and the rich traditions, vibrance and excitement of the city. (And it didn’t hurt that her favorite baseball team is also in Philadelphia). Mairin has a deep passion for learning. She wishes to share her love for her career with as many people as she can and hopes that her passion will be contagious to those around her. She holds kindness, respect and peacefulness to the highest esteem and intends on creating an atmosphere that exemplifies these qualities wherever she goes in her future. Mairin is a proud recipient of the College of Education General Scholarship for 2010-2011 and has worked hard to achieve dean’s list every semester in her college career. Upon graduating, Mairin plans on volunteering her time and becoming a member of the Americorps NCCC program. From there, she wishes to pursue a teaching career in an elementary, inclusive setting where she can utilize her creativity and energy in the classroom. Mairin has had the most rewarding and gratifying experience student teaching this semester and is looking forward to jumping out onto a new page. She extends a huge thank you to all of the faculty members and mentors that have guided her and given her support along the way. She could not have imagined getting this far without the “dream house,” her friends and family and offers another huge thank you for their love and encouragement. But most importantly, she wishes the Class of 2011 the best of luck in all their future endeavors.

Keynote Address:

Steven Jay Gross, Ed.D

Steven Jay Gross is the Interim Chair of the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department and Professor of Educational Leadership at Temple University. Gross’s teaching, books, articles and research activities focus on initiating and sustaining deep, democratic reform in schools and Turbulence Theory. His books include: Ethical Educational Leadership in Turbulent Time (2007) (co-authored with Joab P Shapiro), Leadership Mentoring: Mainting School Improvement in Turbulent Times (2006), Staying Centered: Curriculum Leadership in a Turbulent Era (1998) and Promises Kept: Sustaining School and District Leadership in a Turbulent Era (2004). Gross Also served as Executive Editor of ASCD's Curriculum Handbook series.

His previous professional experience includes being Associate Professor of Education at Trinity College of Vermont, Chief of Curriculum and INstruction for the state of Vermont, Executive Director of the China Project Consortium, Curriculum and Staff Development Director for the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, and high school social studies teacher in Philadelphia, PA. Gross earned his undergraduate degree in history at Temple University, master's degree in modern Chinese history at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania and was a Klingenstein Fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University. Gross also studied Mandarin Chinese at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Along with colleagues across the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Sweden, the UK, and Australia, Gross is a leading figure in a movement called the New DEEL (Democratic-Ethical Educational Leadership) which seeks to lift education beyond the top-down accountability movement toward the values of democracy, social justice and authentic learning. Gross has recently been named as Founding Director of the New DEEL Community Network.

Temple University Student Government President

Natalie Ramos-Castillo, B.S.'11

An Early Childhood and Elementary Education with a specialization in Political Science, Natalie was born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Natalie is a graduate of Parkland High School where she participated in lacrosse and was active in student organizations.

During her freshman year at Temple, Natalie founded the College of Education's Student Council and volunteered as a Jumpstart Corps Member in a Headstart classroom in North Philadelphia. Natalie served as a Senator for the College of Education in Temple Student Government's Senate and worked as a head teacher in a kindergarten after-care program at Russell Byers Charter School. During her sophomore year, Natalie became a Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Scholar researching predictors in kindergarten retention. Natalie served as a reseach assistant while being mentored by Dr. Jennifer Cromley, whom was recently named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers by President Barack Obama. Natale served as the TUSGA Allocations Chair.

Natalie is the first College of Education student to serve as Temple University's Student Body President. Natalie lead her administration in developing innovative programs that impacted our campus community and the surrounding North Philadelphia community by creating the Thanksgiving Day Drive and the Nutrition and Sportsmanship Workshops. In addition, she implemented new services for students such as free legal services, a student organization resource room and financial budgeting workshops. Most importantly, her administration has joined together with the three other state-related universities and established the Pennsylvania Association of State-related Students (P.A.S.S) which recently held the Rally for Higher Education in Harrisburg on February 15th, 2011. She plans on furthering her education by studying education policy at the graduate level.

Undergraduate Student Keynote Speakers

Laurie Francis Murray, B.S.'11

An Elementary and Special Education graduate, is excited at the prospect of joining the field of education as a teacher. Born and raised in Newtown, Pennsylvania, Laurie worked as a behavior therapist while attending high school in order to achieve her lifelong goal of becoming a teacher.

Laurie enthusiastically joined the College of Education program at Temple University. Each professor and class expanded her knowledge and understanding of educating students of all skill levels and backgrounds.

During her culminating experience at Goodnoe Elementary in the Council Rock school district, she put Temple’s University’s strategies and teaching philosophies into practice. Laurie’s supervising teacher provided her with the guidance to prepare her for a career as an educator. Her journey has taken her through both urban and suburban classrooms in which each and every student has helped to refine her teaching methods.

Laurie has a profound love for teaching, including students with special needs. She believes these students are capable of being independent and self sufficient with the use of differentiated instruction and the support of educators. She is dedicated and driven to educate students using diverse teaching strategies while applying the skills instilled in her from Temple University. Laurie looks forward to assisting all students in reaching their maximum potential.

Laurie is blessed to have family and friends who provided her with the foundation and support to attain her goals and ambitions. Laurie continues to believe that success is liking what you do and how you do it.

With admiration and pride, Laurie wishes the best of luck to the Graduating Class of 2011. She extends her upmost appreciation to those individuals at Temple University who helped shape the class of 2011. Laurie plans to further her education wholeheartedly in order to learn, grow, and develop as an educator for both herself and her future students.

Mairin Lin Matthews, B.S.'11

An Elementary and Special Education graduate with a specialty in the arts,Mairin was born and raised in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, she chose to venture to Philadelphia, which quickly became her new home. She embraced the diversity of Temple’s campus and the rich traditions, vibrance and excitement of the city. (And it didn’t hurt that her favorite baseball team is also in Philadelphia).

Mairin has a deep passion for learning. She wishes to share her love for her career with as many people as she can and hopes that her passion will be contagious to those around her. She holds kindness, respect and peacefulness to the highest esteem and intends on creating an atmosphere that exemplifies these qualities wherever she goes in her future.

Mairin is a proud recipient of the College of Education General Scholarship for 2010-2011 and has worked hard to achieve dean’s list every semester in her college career. Upon graduating, Mairin plans on volunteering her time and becoming a member of the Americorps NCCC program. From there, she wishes to pursue a teaching career in an elementary, inclusive setting where she can utilize her creativity and energy in the classroom.

Mairin has had the most rewarding and gratifying experience student teaching this semester and is looking forward to jumping out onto a new page. She extends a huge thank you to all of the faculty members and mentors that have guided her and given her support along the way. She could not have imagined getting this far without the “dream house,” her friends and family and offers another huge thank you for their love and encouragement. But most importantly, she wishes the Class of 2011 the best of luck in all their future endeavors.