Outliers: Students in ACTION Newsletter
November 2019
Outliers: Students in ACTION is a monthly publication during the academic year highlighting students and events in the Science and Math Education in ACTION Choose Ohio First grant program at BGSU.
Table of Contents
Reflections from the ACTION Director
OCTM Conference
Fall Seminar
ACTION Fun
Upcoming Events
Reflections from the ACTION Director
by Dr. Daniel Brahier

In the last week of October, the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics (OCTM) hosted its annual conference at Kalahari in Sandusky. I had the privilege of running the conference for the fourth time in my career, and we had more than 1,200 educators in attendance. OCTM is consistently the largest convention of teachers in the State of Ohio and has a long history of presenters sharing their best teaching ideas, as well as recognizing individuals for excellence in the classroom with teaching awards. The conference was an overwhelming success, due largely to the incredibly talented individuals who chaired each of the committees. 
 
ACTION had a significant role in the planning and execution of the conference. One of our seniors, Makenna Geise (Cohort 8), served on the planning committee as chair of the Volunteers Committee. In addition, ACTION alumna Rachel Stevens (Cohort 3), who teaches at Penta County JVS in Perrysburg, was in charge of a Thursday evening social event for teachers. Several other BGSU faculty members had key leadership roles as well. Finally, a group of seven third-year ACTION scholars presented a session at the conference in which they reflected on their practicum experiences. I am so grateful for the hard work of so many in making this conference one of the best OCTM has ever had.
At the conference, OCTM hosted an Awards Luncheon at which they recognized 16 of Ohio’s best mathematics teachers. For the first time, we are proud to say that two of the awardees were ACTION graduates. Haley (Coder) Johnston (in photo on the right) is a member of Cohort 3 and teaches Algebra One at Kings High School in the Cincinnati area. Kimberly Lentz is in Cohort 5 and teaches Algebra Two and Applied Geometry at Orange High School near Cleveland. We are extremely proud of their teaching performances and recognition as some of Ohio’s best educators. As ACTION scholars continue to graduate and assume teaching positions throughout the state, I am certain that we will see more of our alumni receiving these types of awards in the years to come.
 
Do you know of a high school senior who might be considering a career as a science or mathematics teacher? Or, perhaps you know of a teacher, counselor, or administrator who is not aware of all of the benefits our scholars receive in the program. If so, please direct them to our website at bgsu.edu/action or, better still, ask them to call me (419.372.0339) to discuss the program and how we can help them at BGSU. As we continue to recruit for Cohort 12 that will arrive on campus next summer, applications are available at our website through January 15, 2020. Meanwhile, have a happy and restful Thanksgiving!
Cohort 9 at OCTM Conference

“When Are We Ever Going to Have to Use This?” was the title of the session presented by seven Cohort 9 ACTION scholars at the recent OCTM conference. Using examples from their practicum experiences, these undergraduate students shared with a roomful of teachers their practical lesson ideas developed from their real-world involvement in business and industry. Congratulations to Samantha Williams, Paige Murta, Logan Selby, Julia McCavitt, Abby Martin, Christine Painter and Emily Evans on a job well done.
Fall Seminar

The entire group of ACTION scholars gather as a large group only twice per semester and the time together always seems to pass too quickly. At the recent Fall Seminar on October 15, after light refreshments and time for students to interact, Dr. Brahier provided important announcements and updates before cohort groups were photographed.
 
Students were then given the choice between three breakout sessions to attend with the options being: “Surviving (and Thriving) in Methods and Student Teaching,” “Navigating the OAE Process,” and “Building an Impressive Resume.” Each session received high ratings by those who attended and we are grateful for our guest speakers: Dr. Deb Gallagher (BGSU faculty member), Lori Berryman (HR Director of Oregon City Schools), ACTION graduates Kimberly Lentz and Courtney Stanton, and soon-to-be graduate Karen Izor. Scholars appreciated the option to select the topic that most pertained to them and more than one student commented that the session they attended was one of the best they have ever heard!
ACTION Fun

The ACTION Social Committee has been as enthusiastic as ever with a social activity planned each month this semester. These optional events are organized by members of the student-run committee. In September, a Saturday afternoon hike was enjoyed at Oak Openings park not too far from BGSU. Of course, on the way home, a stop for ice cream and Chick-fil-a was a bonus!
October was a perfect month for what was dubbed as “Fall Fest” by the Social Committee which included a hayride to a pumpkin patch followed by decorating pumpkins and enjoying autumn-themed snacks in the ACTION Student Center on campus. Next, Friendsgiving will be hosted in mid-November; and in early December, students look forward to our biggest social event of the year when we celebrate the holidays together.
Upcoming ACTION Events
Friendsgiving - Friday, November 15
ACTION Day of Service - Tuesday, November 19
Holiday Celebration - Friday, December 6
BGSU Preview Day - Saturday, December 7

To find out more specific details about what is happening in September, click on the image of the calendar.
As a Choose Ohio First grant program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, our goal is to produce exceptional science and mathematics teachers who will impact the next generation across the state to improve STEM areas.
Science and Math Education in ACTION
Director: Dr. Daniel Brahier
Program Manager: Wendy Standinger
Program Secretary: Cindy Fuller
Phone 419.372.6561