Creative Solutions
May 2009 | 2nd Edition

 

Table of Contents
Home
Welcome
Alum Spotlights
Instructor Spot
Highlight Programs
Summer/Fall Forecasts

 

 
Summer/Fall Forecasts

Advanced International Baccalaureate® Studies at MASON

Highlighting our district cohorts

CIS/ISS/Mason Recruitment Fair

 
News

Mason Tops U.S. News List of Schools to Watch

Mason was named the nation's number one university to watch on U.S. News and World Report's new list of "Up-and-Coming Schools" published on Friday, Aug. 22.

 

From Provost Stearns

On August 15, Shanghai Jiao Tong University's new Academic Ranking of World Universities was released (see www.arwu.org.) For the first time, George Mason is ranked in the top 100 North and Latin American Universities---we
are ranked 78-99. See http://www.arwu.org/rank2008/
ARWU2008_TopAmer(EN).htm

In the 2009 world ranking, we come in at 152-200. See
http://www.arwu.org/rank2008/
ARWU2008_B(EN).htm

 

Welcome

Welcome to our spring edition of the FAST TRAIN newsletter

The entire staff in FAST TRAIN is preparing for the arrival of some 100 FAST TRAIN teachers for our summer programs. Many of you recall the intensity of beginning a new program, the friends and colleagues you met, and the late night study hours and field assignments!  We look forward to seeing all of you.


 

Welcomes and Goodbyes:

I would like to welcome to our staff, Ms. Deb Tuite, who is our new Outreach Coordinator. Deb started working in the FAST TRAIN office at the end of January and is a very welcome addition to our staff.


 

Congratulations to Deirdre Lavery of Glasgow Middle School in Fairfax County and Gregg Robertson of Washington-Lee High School in Arlington County!! They were recognized by the Washington Post and honored with the Distinguished Educational Leaders Award for 2009. Their support of the IB program in their schools and the Advanced IB studies program in FAST TRAIN have established recognition and high standards for the future !

 
 
Highlight Programs

Addressing the Literacy Needs of Virginia’s English Language Learners

During the last decade the number of English Language Learners soared throughout Virginia. No longer concentrated in the Northern VA area, ELLs are now enrolled in nearly every Virginia school district. ...

 

FAST TRAIN Offers Licensure, Master’s Degree and Certificate Programs:
Alum Spotlights

Deborah Siegel - A lesson on culture shock

Culture shock is probably not the first thing one might associate with the International School of Helsinki (ISH).

 

Kim Cofino - Always Learning

Always Learning is a place to reflect on my teaching and learning as the 21st Century Literacy Specialist at the International School Bangkok in Thailand..

 

Instructor Spot

Barrie Jo Price - SKYPE® for School

By now most educators seem to be aware of SKYPE® (rhymes with type), a tool teachers and students discovered almost as soon as it hit the market in 2003 because it has some of the characteristics that tech-savvy teachers and almost all students enjoy: it’s easy, it’s free, and it connects family and friends.

 
   
info If you are interested in becoming a featured alum let us know at fastrain@gmu.edu.