Dean’s Weekly Newsletter 11-6-2026

Dear Colleagues,

Happy November! As temperatures begin to drop and we settle into the colder months here in Wyoming, I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the change of seasons. I also hope you made good use of the extra hour we gained with the end of Daylight Saving Time this past weekend!

I’m writing to you this morning from Afton, Wyoming, where Christi Thompson, Assistant Dean of Student Success, and I are visiting our partners in Lincoln County School District #2 to discuss opportunities to strengthen our partnership. This follows a wonderful Rural Schools Collaborative site visit at Teton Science Schools in Jackson, coordinated and led by Alison Mercier and Leslie Cook of Teton Science Schools. It was a pleasure to join so many partners committed to supporting rural educators, schools, and communities.

The spirit of collaboration continues in this week’s updates, which include an exciting national research grant award and other accomplishments across our College. I hope you’ll take a few moments to read about and celebrate the work of our faculty, staff, students, and partners.

In This Week's Newsletter:

1. 1. JP Han Awarded $49,984 Spencer Foundation Grant
   2. Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps Hosts Community of Learners Site Visit
   3. Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps Members and Alumni Share Their Experiences
   4. Center for Early Learning Helps Host State Early Childhood Conference
   5. College of Education Represented at Wyoming Leadership Conference
   6. Rob Hill Visits Schools in Northwest Wyoming
   7. Student Ambassadors Participate in Trunk or Treat
   8. College of Education AI Readiness Survey
   9. November SMTC Newsletter
   10. Student Ambassadors Friendsgiving
       
       

1. JP Han Awarded $49,984 Spencer Foundation Grant for Rural-Bridge Project: I am delighted to share that Jaepil (JP) Han, Assistant Professor of Elementary Mathematics Education, has been awarded a $49,984 research grant from the Spencer Foundation through its highly competitive Small Research Grants on Education program! With an acceptance rate of less than 4% in this year’s funding cycle, this is an outstanding accomplishment and a recognition of JP’s research.
   
   

JP’s project, Rural-Bridge, will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can help rural mathematics teachers across Wyoming connect, collaborate, and learn from one another despite geographic distances. The 18-month project, running from June 2027 through November 2028, will engage 15–20 teachers and examine how these AI-supported connections influence their sense of belonging, professional networks, and instructional reasoning.

This work reflects our College’s commitment to supporting rural educators through research that serves Wyoming’s schools and communities. Please join me in congratulating JP on this well-deserved achievement! We are very proud of his success and excited about the project’s potential to strengthen mathematics education in rural Wyoming.

2. Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps and Teton Science Schools Host Community of Learners Site Visit: This week, our Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps (RTC) and Teton Science Schools partnered to host the Rural Schools Collaborative’s Community of Learners site visit in Jackson, Wyoming. The gathering brought together representatives from rural teacher corps programs across the country, community foundations, and organizations committed to strengthening rural education. I had the pleasure of welcoming participants and sharing some thoughts on the importance of rural education in Wyoming and the relationships that sustain our schools and communities.
   
   

Throughout the day, participants exchanged ideas about place-based education, rural teacher preparation, and opportunities for collaboration. This gathering offered a wonderful opportunity to showcase Wyoming’s work while learning from colleagues across the country.

I was proud to see Alison Mercier, Associate Professor of Elementary Science Education and Co-Director of the Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps, leading this gathering and representing our College among colleagues from across the country. I especially appreciated the care she brings to this work and the connections she helps build among rural educators. Those relationships reflect the importance of our College’s work in supporting educators and their communities. Alison, thank you for your leadership and commitment to serving Wyoming. My sincere appreciation also goes to Leslie Cook and our partners at Teton Science Schools for their collaboration and warm hospitality!

3. Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps Members and Alumni Share Their Experiences: One of the highlights of Thursday’s Community of Learners site visit was a panel featuring current Wyoming Rural Teacher Corps members and alumni. Panelists shared their experiences in the program and reflected on the importance of building connections and a sense of community among rural educators. Their perspectives offered participants from across the country a firsthand look at Wyoming’s work to prepare and support teachers in rural schools.
   
   

Thank you to our RTC members and alumni for sharing their experiences and representing our College so well, and to Alison for her continued leadership in building this supportive community of rural educators!

4. Center for Early Learning Helps Host Wyoming State Early Childhood Conference: On October 23–24, our Center for Early Learning (CEL), including the Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative team, helped host the Wyoming State Early Childhood Conference in Casper, bringing together more than 200 educators from across the state. Our team led 10 breakout sessions and sponsored keynote presenter Carol Murray, author of Illuminating Care. The conference offered a valuable opportunity for educators to exchange ideas, deepen their knowledge, and connect with colleagues who share their commitment to young children and families.
   
   

The team also brought its mobile Play Lab, inviting participants to explore high-quality classroom materials through hands-on learning facilitated by CEL team members. These experiences connected professional learning with everyday classroom practice, offering ideas educators could bring back to the children in their care.

Our team’s expertise and care were evident in their contributions to this statewide gathering. Many thanks to Nikki Baldwin, Amy Encinger, Lauren Carlisle, Kara Cossel, Char Norris, Taylor Dory, Tyler Gonzales, Kelce Eckhardt, and Angela Burton for creating meaningful opportunities for learning and connection. Their work reflects our College’s commitment to supporting the educators who help lay the foundation for children’s learning and development across Wyoming.  

5. College of Education Represented at Wyoming Leadership Conference: Earlier this week, Ana Houseal, Josh Males, and Jessie Marcolini represented the College of Education at the Wyoming Leadership Conference in Casper. In addition to sharing information about our Science and Math Teaching Center (SMTC) and EMAT programs, the team was invited to present a session titled "Bridging the Gap: Aligning Your STEM Goals and Instructional Practices." Thank you to Jessie, Josh, and Ana for representing the College!
   
   
6. Rob Hill Visits Schools in Northwest Wyoming: Last week, Rob Hill, Professor of Practice in Career and Technical Education (CTE), visited school districts across Park, Big Horn, and Washakie counties in northwest Wyoming. During his visits, Rob met with students and teachers to discuss opportunities in CTE teaching and share information about pursuing a career as a CTE educator. These visits are an important part of our College's efforts to strengthen connections with Wyoming schools and encourage the next generation of educators to consider careers in teaching. Thank you, Rob, for your continued outreach and engagement with schools across the state!
   
   
7. College of Education Student Ambassadors Participate in Trunk or Treat: Our College of Education Student Ambassadors brought creativity and Halloween cheer to a Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, October 31! Inspired by Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, they handed out candy and hosted a face-painting booth for attendees. We are proud of our ambassadors for sharing their talents with local families and representing our College with such warmth and enthusiasm!
   
   
8. College of Education AI Readiness Survey: As our College continues to explore the role of artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, and scholarship, the AI Dispositions Subcommittee of RIE is seeking faculty input through a brief survey. The survey will help us better understand how faculty are currently using AI, identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed, and inform our College's approach to preparing future-ready graduates. If you have not already completed the survey, I encourage you to take a few minutes to share your perspectives and experiences. Thank you to Mia Williams and the RIE subcommittee for leading this effort!
   
   Survey link: https://forms.gle/bMyEB1A4LqEi2HLLA

 

9. November Science and Math Teaching Center (SMTC) Newsletter: Our Science and Math Teaching Center has released its November 2026 newsletter!
   
   I encourage you to take a look: https://shorturl.at/NvgVI 
   
   

10. College of Education Student Ambassadors Friendsgiving: Our College of Education Student Ambassadors invite students, faculty, and staff to join them for a Friendsgiving celebration on Monday, November 16, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Education Building Kitchen! Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share, although it is not required. The evening will also feature coaster painting and an opportunity to connect with fellow members of the UW community. Please scan the QR code on the attached flyer to RSVP!
    
    

Your dedication to our students and the communities we serve makes a difference across Wyoming every day. I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful and restful weekend, and best of luck to our Wyoming Cowboys as they take on UNLV in Las Vegas this Saturday!

Go Pokes!

Jenna