Tag Archives: jodi schulz

by | February 21, 2013 · 9:31 am

Extension program leaders create resource to address bullying in out-of-school settings

It’s evident when you listen to news reports, scan social media or just talk to folks – issues related to bullying, bias and harassment concern parents, educators, family workers and others who work with and care about young people. And, of course, these issues concern young people as well.

Schools have resources to address these issues, but few address bullying issues in out-of-school settings. As always in Michigan State University Extension, our staff members see a need and work to meet it. That’s why MSU Extension Health and Nutrition program leaders for social and emotional health Janet Olsen and Karen Pace created Be SAFE: Safe, Affirming and Fair Environments.

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The two targeted the curriculum for use in out-of-school settings such as 4-H clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, scouts and after-school programs. Be SAFE helps young people aged 11 to 14 partner with adults to create physically and emotionally safe environments.

The overall goals of Be SAFE include promoting social and emotional learning and development, addressing and reducing bullying, preventing bullying behaviors by tapping the wisdom and assets of youth and adults, and developing positive relationships with peers and adults.

Research shows that young people benefit from time spent in positive and safe settings with adults and peers. Adults can use Be SAFE as an important tool to help young people to create those safe, affirming and fair environments. The resource helps adults to help young people be resilient when facing challenging situations such as bullying, bias and harassment.

As true of all MSU Extension curricula, this publication draws from extensive research, and Karen and Janet also drew from evidence-based bullying prevention programs. A number of their MSU Extension colleagues also contributed to the development of Be SAFE by serving as reviewers and as liaisons to the nine sites across the state that piloted the material. These included staff members from the Health and Nutrition Institute (Tracie Abram, Denise Aungst, Carolyn Penniman, Suzanne Pish, Erin Ross, Olga Santiago and Holly Tiret), the Children and Youth Institute (Kendra Moyses and Jodi Schulz), and the Organizational Development Team (Dionardo Pizaña). Former Children and Youth Institute staff members Andrea Caron, Sandra Griffin and Julie Scislowicz were also involved with these efforts.

Janet and Karen are currently working to assist MSU Extension staff members in providing education around issues of bullying, bias and harassment. It’s not too late to register for a June 4 train-the-trainer opportunity in Gaylord. You’ll receive a copy of Be SAFE and learn how to incorporate the curriculum into your program. You’ll also explore current research on bullying and learn key strategies to address bullying issues. Click on this link to learn more and to register.

Download a free PDF of the Introduction section of Be SAFE or order a copy of the 224-page guide, designed and edited by ANR Communications, at the MSU Extension Bookstore.

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by | July 12, 2012 · 11:02 am

Study while you work: Colleagues who can do it all

Fifteen Michigan State University Extension academic staff members have made use of the tuition assistance program initiated in 2007 to help them complete a master’s degree while working for MSU Extension. In October 2006, MSUE changed the criteria for employment as an MSUE academic staff member (educator, specialist or program leader) to include a minimum educational requirement of a master’s degree. Staff members already employed by MSUE who did not have a master’s degree were not required to complete a degree, but MSUE initiated a tuition benefit program for those who decided they did want to complete a master’s degree while working full time for MSUE. Staff members are free to choose any accredited institution and graduate program that aligns with their role with MSUE, and many have found online or hybrid online and face-to-face programs that adapted to their work and family responsibilities. The first graduates completed their degrees in 2009, and we still have colleagues making use of the program. Listed below are those taking part in the program, grouped by the year in which they have or will complete degrees:

2009: Lisa Bottomley, Kendra Moyses, Jodi Schulz

2010: Beth Clawson, Diane Smith, Donna Turner, Janice Zerbe

2011: Laura Anderson, Eileen Haraminac, Rebecca Henne, Gail Innis, Stephanie Marino, Jackelyn Martin

2012: Janis Brinn, Kendra Wills

For more information on the tuition benefit program, please contact MSUE HR manager Nancy Axtell. You can find more information on the program in our administrative handbook at http://www.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/revision_id.595847/workspace_id.282708/Tuition%20Asst%20Procedures_01_2011.doc/

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by | September 17, 2010 · 1:42 pm

4-H National Youth Science Day prepares Michigan students for MEAP testing

On October 6, 2010, young people from across the country will have a chance to be scientists as they take part in the third annual 4-H National Youth Science Day. Millions of youth will all take part in the same experiment. This year the experiment, called 4‑H2O, will teach students how carbon dioxide can affect aquatic animals, plants and other living organisms in lakes, streams, rivers and oceans.

 The timing of the 4‑H2O experiment is great for Michigan schools. MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) testing just happens to begin the week after National Youth Science Day, so this gives students a great way to get excited and reinforced about learning and applying scientific principles right before they encounter the MEAP tests.

 Bay County Michigan State University Extension 4-H has built a great collaboration with Washington Elementary School in Bay City while putting together the 4‑H2O National Science Experiment grant. Jodi Schulz, Extension educator, and Jodi Wrzesinski, 4-H program assistant, (yes, the team of Jodi and Jodi) will be conducting the science event at Washington Elementary.

 During the planning of the 4-H2O grant, the administrators of Washington Elementary needed to see how this curriculum tied into the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectation (GLCE). Bay County 4-H staff members researched and made the connections to the GLCEs and presented their findings to school principal Judy Cox. After reviewing the 4‑H staff report, Ms. Cox was so impressed with the program she is supplementing a portion of the grant so that all of her second grade students will each receive a 4-H National Science Day T-shirt. The grant only allowed for 35 students to receive shirts, but she felt it was important that all of the students support 4-H2O by wearing the science day T-shirts during the national experiment. She also felt it was important to share the details of the grant with the district curriculum team, Superintendent Douglas Newcombe and the School Board for Bay City Public Schools.

 And so it all came about that on October 6, Bay County will have 100 second grade students, four second grade teachers, two school administrators and two 4-H staff members wearing the clover while working together on the 2010 National Science Experiment 4-H2O with millions of other youth around the nation.

 Although the Washington Elementary second graders won’t be taking MEAP tests in science this year, we’re confident that the excitement they find in this experiential learning opportunity will help them find fun in other aspects of science and math studies to help prepare them for future MEAP tests and more importantly for their future career opportunities as adults.

 Another 4-H National Youth Science experiment takes place at the 4-H Science Blast October 9 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at MSU. Jacob DeDecker, 4-H Youth Development program leader, invites families and youth groups to come and join the fun and learning. It’s free and you don’t need to register in advance. Toyota sponsors the event and the national experiment as part of its 4-H2O grant.

 If you are an educator or youth leader and need resources to prepare for science day, or you simply want to do further study with youth on water quality, go to https://site.4-h.org/nysd/resources.php

 According to Julie Chapin, director of the Children and Youth Institute, “4-H National Youth Science Day is a great example of how Michigan 4-H is actively promoting science education and collaborating with schools to achieve classroom objectives by extending learning through experiential opportunities.”

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by | August 26, 2010 · 10:23 am

MSUE achieves success one person, family at a time

We do great things through the people and programs of Michigan State University Extension. Sometimes we assist large groups of people like the landowners who need help making a decision about leasing their property rights to companies who are drilling for natural gas or the people who are dealing with the oil spill in the Kalamazoo River. And sometimes we create change one person or one family at a time. These small successes that we sometimes overlook can make a great difference in people’s lives and in the community.

 Kilah King, MSU Extension Lake County family and consumer science educator, changed a life when she completed an extensive nutrition series with a woman who was severely overweight. When Kilah first began working with her, the woman had to be on oxygen 24 hours a day, never left home and consumed a large amount of candy and other high calorie foods. Through home visits, Kilah educated her on nutrition topics such as MyPyramid (the USDA’s food guidance system), proper serving sizes and the importance of getting enough physical activity. She gave her a food scale to accurately measure out portion sizes for meals and snacks. As sessions with Kilah progressed, and the two discussed healthier food alternatives, the woman replaced the candy with frozen strawberries and began to lose her taste for sweets. She stopped bad habits such as eating in bed. After a month, the woman reported that she was better able to determine the correct portion to eat for her age, gender and activity level. By the end of the sessions, she began venturing out of the house; she needed oxygen only at night; and she eventually lost 30 pounds. Overall, the woman truly benefited from MSU Extension’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed).

 Jodi Schulz, MSU Extension Bay County 4-H Youth Development educator, recently was completing the fifth session in a series of six of the Why Try curriculum at the Bay County Juvenile Home. The facility provides care and supervision for juvenile offenders placed in the facility by Probate Court or the Department of Human Services. On one particular day, the lesson focused on “Lifting the Weight.” Jodi explained that when we are challenged and take harder, longer routes in life, we have the chance to become stronger. Our strength essentially leads us to opportunity, freedom and self-respect.

Jodi recognized one of the youth at the home as a past member of the Bay County 4-H program. The youth was very quiet, and neither the youth nor Jodi acknowledged knowing one another. The next time Jodi came back to complete the Why Try curriculum series, she had the opportunity to discuss the Bay County Fair since it had just taken place the week before. It was at this point that the youth opened up and acknowledged having been involved in 4-H and participated in the fair auction in the past. All the other residents were quite impressed with hearing from one of their peers about 4-H and what it does for young people.

 Two days later, Jodi received a phone call from the youth’s mother. She told Jodi that her child had told her about the Why Try program and that talking about 4-H and remembering past experiences in the program have provided motivation to get out of the juvenile home and become involved in 4-H once again. The parent indicated that the Why Try program and its messages in conjunction with promoting 4-H made a huge change in her child in a very short amount of time. She said she is grateful for the efforts 4-H makes in helping kids, especially hers.

 As with any organization, we often emphasize the need to report our impacts in ways that emphasize the number of people whose lives we help change. Yet those numbers often accumulate one at a time, and these two success stories remind us that there’s an individual behind every number. As former MSU football coach and MSU Trustee George Perles used to say with respect to football victories, “each one counts one.” Every one is equally important. Thanks to Kilah and Jodi for their attention to the needs of individuals as they carry out their programming efforts.

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