Institute for academic diversity and inclusion
Academic Diversity Grants
2007-2008 Grant Recipients
Dr. Judith Cruzado-Guerrero received a grant for her project entitled "Bilingual Family Literacy
Bags." Family literacy bags are bags developed by teachers
that contain a variety of books and activities related to a
theme and to an interest of a child. Family Literacy Bags
are developed by teacher candidates in the Early Childhood
Literacy Course: ECED 360. The procedures for this
assignment will be used to develop the family literacy bags
for this project. In addition, the Bilingual Family Literacy
Bags Project proposes to use this strategy using a more
personalized approach in order to make stronger connection
with diverse families, particularly, immigrant families.
Therefore, the bags will be developed in the families’ home
language and the home context of the students will be
studied and learned to capitalize on the families’ funds of
knowledge and skills (Moll, 2005).
 The
Asian Arts and
Culture Center at Towson University received a grant for the performance of, “From Temple to Theater: Ragamala Music and Dance Theatre.” The event
took place on
Saturday, October 13, 2007, 8 pm, in the Stephens Hall Theatre.
The Ragamala Music and Dance Theater unfurled a rich tapestry
of cross-cultural choreography that is rooted in Southern
India’s Bharatanatyam dance. Prior to the public performance,
members if the Ragamala Music and Dance Theater gave a free
master class and several demonstrations that was open to the public,
which was an accessible forum for the university community
and the public to have direct exchanges with the artists.
Dr. Mindy Gutow has received a grant for her
project regarding resiliency in urban teachers. This project
involves why teachers stay in schools, and in particular, urban
schools. The researchers plan to look at intrinsic and extrinsic
factors which allow teachers to achieve success in urban schools
in order to retain teachers. To complete this study, the lead
investigator will contact principles who will then refer
teachers who have been working in the Baltimore City Public
School System for at least five years. Approximately thirty
teachers are going to be interviewed. Interviewers will ask
questions regarding choice in career, overcoming obstacles,
challenges of working in urban areas, etc. Themes will then be
identified and it will be determined how these themes appear in
the lives of each teacher. Dr. Gutow is hopeful that her
research will eventually be used to create programs that address
the poor retention rate of teachers in urban areas.
2006-2007
MGrant Recipients
Dr. Elizabeth Clifford
(Associate Professor, Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal
Justice) and Dr. Maya Kalyanpur (Professor, Special Education)
received a grant for their project, Portrayal
of Immigrants in Young Adult Fiction. This project involves
an analysis of young adult fiction with immigrant protagonists.
Issues such as the demographics of protagonists and authors, and
major themes of literature regarding immigration will be
explored. Ultimately, their research will
provide insight to the portrayal of immigration in popular
culture and will make an important contribute to our
understanding of the sociology of immigration and the field of
multicultural education.
Institute
for Academic Diversity and Inclusion
Administration Building, Room 210
Phone: 410-704-3931
Fax: 410-704-6093
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