Memo to myself and you: Recent Contributions to America From: Dr. Joyce Pittman Reporting Year: 2011-2012 Well, there slowly but surely it seems I am becoming acculturated to living in the USA again. Finding my way back to professional networks, social and personal life in America with family and friends has not always been a smooth road. I never thought it would be because being Black in America is always a developing saga it seems. One phenomenon known as "crime in America" continues to concern me and how prominent it is portrayed in the media. In America headlines are all about crimes, celebrities and politics. Its seems that when I was living abroad I was somehow shielded or cut off from the reality of the risks, fears and opportunities that come with a democracy. Freedom to live and let live are choices we have no matter what culture, society or country we live in. The way we choose to use our freedoms remain a personal choice that more often than not in America seems to inflict attitudes of indifference, pessimism, happiness, pain or suffering to others. While I continue to choose to use my life to center on helping others to have the best life possible - through formal and informal education- I understand others may choose differently. I highlight a handful of efforts that I think offer me the potential to make a positive difference in the lives of others and a personal, selfish desire to reach the pinnacle of life--self-actualization (Maslow's Hierarchy). Therefore, since I am still reaching for that height in my life, I write about myself in the third person--outside looking in...

Here you go... Dr. Joyce Pittman, Associate Clinical Professor in Goodwin College of Education was named one of 37 nationally recognized voices in education to speak at the New York Times Schools for Tomorrow: Bringing Technology into the Classroom Conference. On September 22, 2011 the New York Times will bring together 400 of the most influential leaders in teaching, government, philanthropy and industry at the New York Times Center in New York. On a panel, The Environment: College and University Stream, moderated by Dan Shine, Former Senior Innovation Advisor, US AID and Thomas Friedman, The World is Flat. Dr. Pittman will share for the first time, her forward-looking policy brief and white paper, Transforming Future Learning Environments: Classrooms for Tomorrow (to be published as book and as a contribution to the New York Time conference white paper). The event was streamed worldwide from the New York Times Center on the website.http://nytschoolsfortomorrow.com/speakers.html

Dr. Joyce Pittman, Associate Clinical Professor was selected by The Pennsylvania Department of Education to serve on the Equity Assurance Panel for the NEW Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) program. A three-day Item Review Conference was held on June 20-22, 2011 in Harrisburg, PA. As an honored participant on the Equity Assurance Panel she reviewed draft test items to ensure that the materials are free from potential bias and to provide recommendations for revisions to PECT and Pearson Education.

Dr. Joyce Pittman, was named to The IASTED International Conference Program Committee on Technology for Education~TE 2011~December 14 – 16, 2011. Dallas, USA. The International Association of Science and Technology for Development (IASTED) is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting economic and cultural advancement. Established in 1977, IASTED organizes multidisciplinary conferences for academics and professionals, mainly in the fields of engineering, science, and education. IASTED holds conferences and courses in both industrialized and developing nations. More information: http://www.iasted.org/conferences/home-754.html and http://www.iasted.org/conferences/ipc-754.html Dr. Joyce Pittman, for the last 15-20 years was once again selected to review submissions for two SIGs, Research on Evaluation and AERA Division A - Section 3 (School Improvement) SIGs. She was also invited to chair sessions for the 2012 AERA Annual Meeting. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Friday, April 13 - Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Theme: Non Satis Scire: To Know is Not Enough.

For more about Dr. Joyce Pittman's International Work visit a few selected Websites: TeachingLearninguae - home teachinglearninguae.wikispaces.com/‎ Dr. Joyce Pittman is the Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence ... In the UAE Dr. Joyce in UAE http://drjoyceintheuae.blogspot.com/2007/01/my-middle-east-education-philosophy.html Learn, Travel, Explore with Us! http://getra.vpweb.com/About-Us.html