URI Feinstein College of Education

Great to see involvement by Terry Deeney, professor of reading education, in the Jonnycake Center's Language and Literacy Academy, a specialized tutoring program designed for children with learning differences.

The summer program supported 16 students to strengthen essential literacy skills while building confidence and fostering a love of learning. Deeney assisted teachers in creating parent resources.

The Jonnycake Center for Hope provides basic needs, resources, and hope to residents of South Kingstown, Narragansett, Block Island, and Jamestown.

📸 Photo includes Deeney (back left in pink top) and State Representative Carol Hagen McEntee (back center in black top) along with teachers and students from the academy.

We are so grateful to the thirteen teachers and sixteen students who filled every corner of our building twice a week to sharpen reading and language skills. A special thanks to Alison Bateson-Toupin for organizing the summer program and for helping the teachers develop new resources for parents. The students deserve a round of applause for showing up with enthusiasm and working hard, logging up to 24 hours of summer learning in just four weeks. Outstanding job everyone!

🔎 Program Spotlight: Teaching is no easy task, and the GEMS-Net program is here to help! GEMS-Net (Guiding Education in Math and Science Network) provides extraordinary support to nearly 800 K-8 science teachers in 15 school districts across Rhode Island. The program’s efforts impact the science education of more than 22,000 students from Burrillville to Block Island.

For more than 30 years, GEMS-Net has supported the implementation of high-quality science programming within partnering school districts through ongoing curriculum-based professional learning. Supporting quality science education requires more than a single day-long workshop. GEMS-Net provides ongoing grade- and unit-specific professional learning workshops, mentoring, and coaching in classrooms, as well as district-wide administrator support and strategic planning.

“Thanks so much for supporting our Grades 2, 5, and K teachers today! There were many positive takeaways from the lesson observations and debriefs, and your work will most definitely improve science instruction at our school,” said a principal from the Chariho School District after a GEMS-Net workshop.

In recent years, GEMS-Net, a certified OpenSciEd professional learning provider, has focused on assisting school districts in the shift to a new high-quality science curriculum, OpenSciEd, with an emphasis on students doing science, not just learning about it.

GEMS-Net, which is housed in the URI Feinstein College of Education, is a sustained partnership and has earned a reputation as a national leader in professional learning for science educators, sharing their work and model with organizations and universities across the country.

🔗 To learn more about GEMS-Net, visit https://web.uri.edu/gemsnet/

📸: Teachers participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor learning activities during a middle school workshop.

Congratulations to Alex McFate '26, who has accepted a position to teach social studies at Charette High School in Providence, Rhode Island!

Alex triple majored in secondary education, history, and political science, which will serve her well in her new position at Charette, a charter school that aims to engage Providence youth in the pursuit of academic excellence and the design of a more equitable and sustainable city.

Alex, who is from Fairlee, Vermont, says, "I am looking forward to bringing my own passion and creativity into this teaching position and beginning what I hope is a very long career of teaching history!" She speaks highly of learning from Professor Thalia Wood at URI, and "sharing my student teaching experiences and ideas with my peers."

Best wishes as you begin your career, Alex! Your future students are lucky to have you!

Congratulations to Colleen Loughlin, a two-time graduate of the College of Education, who was named the 2026 Rhode Island Elementary School Principal of the Year!

Loughlin, who studied English and elementary education as an undergrad and then returned for her master's in education, is now the principal of Fishing Cove Elementary School in North Kingstown. She received the Elementary School Principal of the Year award from the Rhode Island Association of School Principals (RIASP).

An educator for 26 years, Loughlin has spent 10 of those years as a principal. She has spent the past 8 years at Fishing Cove and has a reputation as an exceptional leader who is enthusiastic, compassionate, and deeply committed to students and staff.

Loughlin will be honored at the annual RIASP Summer Conference taking place at URI tomorrow, August 6. The event, with a theme of “Empowering Our Leaders, Strengthening Our Schools,” will feature keynote speaker Miguel Cardona, former U.S. Secretary of Education. The College of Education is a proud sponsor of this year’s RIASP conference.

📸: RIASP President Cheri Sacco, RIASP Executive Director Bob Littlefield, Colleen Loughlin, and President-elect Donna Sweet at the surprise announcement this spring; Loughlin and Littlefield. Photos courtesy of RIASP.

🔎 Program Spotlight: “As I continue my career in higher education, I intend to apply this knowledge to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for students while advancing my professional development,” says Cathy Forrest, M.A. ‘26, who works at URI in Undergraduate Admission as a higher education administrative assistant II.

Read on to learn more about Cathy’s experience in our M.A. in Education: Adult Education Specialization program.

Why did you choose this program at URI?
“I chose the Adult Education program for its flexible online format, which offers both synchronous and asynchronous coursework, allowing me to accommodate my full-time work schedule and other commitments. After reviewing the course offerings, I was particularly interested in gaining insight into how adults learn and in developing skills to evaluate and design educational programs tailored to adult learners.”

What are some key things you have learned through the program?
“I discovered the best ways adults learn and how to make learning interesting and welcoming for everyone. I improved my skills in talking with others, leading, and teaching, while also gaining experience in designing lessons, measuring progress, and using helpful technology.

“The program also reminded me how important it is to keep learning throughout our lives, to understand different cultures, and to adjust teaching methods to suit the different needs of adult students.”

What has been one of your most valuable experiences in the program?
“One of the most valuable aspects of the Adult Education program has been developing the skills to effectively support adult learners from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and learning needs. The program offered opportunities to apply adult learning theories to real-world situations, which helped me develop practical skills.

“Additionally, I benefited from the knowledge and perspectives shared by professors and classmates.”

How has this program helped prepare you for your career?
“This experience has enhanced my ability to support students with diverse needs and has contributed to the development of my professional skills in higher education, enabling me to better serve adult learners as I progress in my career.”

🔗 Check out our M.A. in Education: Adult Education Specialization at https://web.uri.edu/online/programs/graduate/master-of-professional-studies/

🔎 Program Spotlight: If you are looking to become more relevant and competitive in your field with a degree tailored to your current work, our Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree is for you! This fully online, 30-credit program focuses on practical skills and real-world applications. And the application deadline for fall enrollment is today!

The asynchronous MPS is designed for working adults and allows students to stack two URI Online graduate certificates, complete one additional elective, and finish with a summative capstone course. Areas of focus include data science, healthcare management, public administration and policy, prevention and family science, and more!

An MPS helps professionals leverage their advanced skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen profession and equips them with the expertise needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.

Application deadline for Fall 2026 enrollment is TODAY!

🔗 Learn more at https://web.uri.edu/online/programs/graduate/master-of-professional-studies/

🎉 NEW PROGRAM! A pathway to meet Rhode Island's proficiency-level Multilingual Learner (MLL) Competencies is now available through the URI College of Education! Our new Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate requires just four online courses and offers flexible pacing options for 1- or 2-year program completion.

Participants in the program will develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to effectively serve MLLs and their families in diverse educational settings. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to earn the Multilingual Learner Endorsement issued by the RI Department of Education.

The program consists of four 3-credit courses:
- EDC 410/533: Second Language Acquisition and Assessment
- EDC 515: Integrated Content and Language Instruction and Assessment
- EDC 501: Sociocultural Foundations of Multilingual Education
- EDC 563: Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Pedagogy

The deadline to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort is August 13, 2026.

🔗 Learn more about the Multilingual Learner Education Graduate Certificate at https://web.uri.edu/education/academics/certificate/multilingual-learner-education-graduate-certificate/

For more information about coursework, contact Professor Amy Correia at [email protected]; for registration and payment inquires, email [email protected]