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  • Member Minute: Introducing Alan Sparrow

    The NASJE Membership Committee is pleased to introduce one of NASJE’s newest members: Alan Sparrow!

    Alan hails from the great state of Arizona, where he is an Education Specialist in the Education Technologies Unit. He was a good sport, and gamely answered some of the committee’s “Get-To-Know-You” questions.

    1. What was your path to judicial education?
    I pursued a graphic design career shortly after leaving college, discovering I had a real passion and talent for it. This lead to several positions in corporate training, mainly with an eye toward instructional design and distance learning. When one of my former supervisors came to work for the Arizona Supreme Court, she (thankfully) didn’t lose my number and asked if I’d be interested in joining her team developing online and broadcast trainings for the court.

    2. How long have you worked at your organization?
    I’ve been with the courts for ten years as of this July (2017). This marks the longest I’ve ever stayed with any organization, which speaks well of our court system here in Arizona, as most of the time designers tend to move around quite a bit over their careers. I enjoy the work I do here. I feel it matters. I’m making a difference, hopefully a positive one, to the community around me. Plus, I’m doing work which I was trained to do. Not everyone gets to say that about their job.

    3. If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
    Technically I already do it. When I’m not building courses or shooting video or editing audio, I write and draw comic books. Arizona has a wealth of talented artists and I’ve been fortunate to create some amazing stories with some of them. I have a regular spot at the Phoenix Comicon every year, and I’m a founding member of NAZCA, the Northern Arizona Cartoonist Association. I’m that person whose notes in any meeting tend to have countless doodles in the margins.

    4. What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
    If I’m not working on a script on my laptop, I’m hunched over my art table in pursuit of the best possible line I can draw at the time. In between, I like to cook, occasionally noodle on whatever stringed instrument happens to be around (I’m a proficient bassist and guitarist, and I’m teaching myself mandolin, ukulele, and hammered dulcimer when I have time), and catch up on any sleep I might be missing.

    5. What’s your favorite movie?
    Anything with Batman in it.

  • 2017 Karen Thorson Award Winner Michael Roosevelt

    Michael Roosevelt
    Michael Roosevelt

    In February 2012, the NASJE board established the Karen Thorson Award to honor a NASJE member who has made a significant contribution to both NASJE and judicial branch education nationally. It is my great pleasure to announce this year’s Karen Thorson Award winner, also from California – Michael Roosevelt.

    The very first recipient of the award, Karen Thorson, is a former NASJE President and was director of judicial branch education in Arizona and California. Karen helped advance the judicial branch education profession through encouraging inclusion of all those involved in the judicial education process. Karen was also instrumental in the adoption of the NASJE Core Competencies. Despite her “retirement,” she continues to positively impact and improve judicial branch education through her teaching and consulting.

    NASJE members, non-NASJE members, and judicial branch employees across the country know well this year’s winner, Michael Roosevelt, because of the programs he has designed on diversity, building public trust and confidence through procedural fairness, and implicit bias. To say that he is at ease facilitating discussions on difficult or challenging subjects in the workplace and in society, is an understatement, to say the least.

    For those who may not know Michael, he currently serves as Senior Analyst, Criminal Justice Services, Judicial Council of California, Operations and Programs Division. He is a faculty member of the National Judicial College, and is often asked to provide state and national workshops and keynote speeches on his timely topics. Audiences have included lawyers, judges of all levels and types, court staff, criminal justice system partners, tribal groups, mediators, teachers, and school administrators.

    Mr. Roosevelt’s contributions to NASJE and to judicial branch education are too numerous to list here, but a few are particularly noteworthy. In addition to serving on numerous committees, as Chair of the Education Committee and the Diversity Committee, Michael spearheaded the NASJE Curriculum Design for Diversity, Fairness and Access through Education. As Western Regional Director, he helped lead the region to establish the Western Regional Conference which brought Western members as well as members from outside the region together. Through the years, he has also contributed significantly to the annual conference by developing and teaching diversity track sessions.

    To borrow from one of the letters of recommendation received in support of Michael:

    “As a judicial educator for the state of California, Michael has led the way for all of us, breaking new ground for the California judiciary on one topic after another since 1998. In doing so, Michael understands the process of personal growth and change through education and awareness. He has made us all better people.”

    And lastly, borrowing from another letter, “Our organization is better because of him and I’m grateful to have such a friend to learn from.”

    I couldn’t agree more. Congratulations, Michael Roosevelt!

  • Judicial Forensic Science Education

    By Jennifer Wildeman, Education Projects Specialist, Arizona

    As technology plays an increasingly significant role in our society, it has become commonplace in the courtroom. New technological practices and discoveries bring forensic science topics such as DNA, latent print examinations, and digital evidence to the forefront of our court system. With technology playing a greater and greater role in resolving cases, it became obvious to Arizona judicial educators that many judges lack the educational background needed for a sufficient understanding of the scientific principles behind the forensic evidence they see in court.

    Similarly, the majority of scientists lack an adequate understanding of the legal tenets that guide our criminal justice system and have difficulty presenting scientific information to judges. In short, “lawyers do not understand science, and scientists do not understand the law” (Chezem in Dawson, 2016). As such, the Arizona Judicial Education Services Division identified a need to address judges’ knowledge gap in the area of forensic science. Guided by the strategic agenda set forth by Arizona Chief Justice Scott Bales, judicial educators developed a multi-faceted plan for crafting a judicial forensic science education program.

    First, judicial educators organized a workgroup composed of judges, scientists, and attorneys who worked together to identify ways that forensic science education could be delivered to Arizona judges. Working with the Arizona Supreme Court AOC Education Services Division, this workgroup identified three educational approaches: a multi-day conference focused specifically on forensic science topics, the addition of forensic science sessions in the training program for all new Arizona judges, and the creation of a forensic science resource webpage that judges can refer to on an as-needed basis.
    The workgroup focused initially on the forensic science conference.

    To identify topics of greatest need among our judiciary, the workgroup conducted a statewide needs assessment. The results obtained from the assessment served as a guide in creating an agenda that included topics such as: forensic biology and DNA, latent print examinations, ballistic comparisons, toxicology, and the role of judge as gatekeeper. At the conference, both local and national experts addressed these topics. For example, a law school professor provided the background for the topic of forensic science in general, a scientist from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) spoke to the future of forensic sciences, and local law enforcement and crime lab personnel addressed issues local to the state of Arizona.

    Over one-quarter of Arizona judges attended the inaugural judicial forensic science conference. Education Services received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Evaluation comments such as “good legal information…useful and practical” and “interesting and informative” indicate that participants found the topics to be relevant and useful for understanding evidence and testimony in the courtroom. In addition to positive evaluation comments, workgroup members received informal feedback suggesting that judges widely support future forensic science training opportunities.

    Next, the workgroup focused on including forensic science sessions during mandatory training programs for new judges. These sessions provide an overview of the forensic science challenges judges can expect to see in their courtrooms. In addition to providing in-class instruction, we partner with local forensic scientists to provide our judges with an on-site tour of our local crime laboratory, in order to give judges the opportunity to see first-hand what a crime lab looks like, learn about the capabilities of the lab itself, and speak with the scientists who work there.

    During the crime lab tour, judges hear presentations from several different units of the lab, including: crime scene response, forensic biology/DNA, firearms examination, controlled substances, toxicology, and latent print examinations. The tour offers a unique opportunity for experiential learning, since the judges not only view demonstrations, but actually use some of the laboratory equipment themselves. The judges enjoy having the chance to see the lab and speak with scientists. Following our first crime lab tour, one judge commented “I am so grateful for this tour. I think it is a valuable addition to new judge orientation.” Overall, the tour has proven to be a successful way to provide another opportunity for our judges to learn about forensic science.

    Finally, the workgroup tackled the creation of a forensic science reference webpage. The group wanted judges to have access to a single repository of forensic science information including articles, websites, legal opinions, and reports. Given that the field of forensic science is rapidly changing, the group urged the creation of a dynamic webpage that can be updated on a continual basis, instead of a static bench book updated only periodically. The webpage is currently under construction and will be managed by an AOC Education Services staff member, who will work closely with judges to maintain current information and update the webpage as needed.

    While challenges to providing effective judicial forensic science education still exist, this multi-faceted approach provides a foundation for future training opportunities. Utilizing a variety of training methods ensures that judges throughout the state have access to information on these important topics in a timely manner. This combination of in-person and online training provides flexibility to adapt as scientific understanding changes over time.

    REFERENCES
    Dawson, Jim. “Forensic Science: A Time of Transformation.” National Institute of Justice. Issue Number 277. September 2016. https://www.nij.gov/journals/277/pages/forensics.aspx (February 1, 2017).

    Jennifer WildemanJennifer Wildeman has been with the Arizona Supreme Court’s Education Services Division since 2014.  She has worked with Arizona courts since 2007, and has been a NASJE member since 2015. As an Education Projects Specialist, Jennifer works closely with subject matter experts throughout Arizona to help develop timely and relevant trainings for judges and court staff throughout the state. In addition, Jennifer trains court staff on topics ranging from communication to legal authorities.

  • Utah Courts Create Academies to Enhance Employees’ Career Advancement

    By Rob Godfrey

    In State Court systems around the country there are many positions that have a definitive career ladder but there are many that don’t. The Utah State courts Education Department has launched academies to help a wide range of employees prepare for advancement.

    Two academies were designed to prepare non-supervisory and middle-management employees for future higher level management and leadership opportunities. Even in their infancy, these academies have measurably enhanced the academy graduates’ management and leadership skills.

    In a parallel succession planning effort, the Administrative Office of the Courts has collaborated with the Michigan State University’s Judicial Administration Program to offer a university-recognized certificate in Judicial Administration. The first round of MSU judicial administration students graduated in August 2016. That class was comprised of Utah’s Trial Court Executives, Clerks of Court and Chief Probation Officers. The second round of MSU judicial administration students, comprised mainly of managers, is scheduled to graduate in December, 2017.

    The MSU curriculum is designed around core court competencies as developed by the National Association of Court Management, (NACM). To graduate, the students must culminate their coursework by successfully completing a “capstone project,” which improves their court’s administration of justice.

    The Utah State Court’s Academies’ succession planning strategies emphasize weeklong curricula. This unique innovation demonstrates that the Utah AOC is a learning organization which is committed to ensuring future excellence.

    Overall, 26% of academy graduates were promoted to a higher position within a year and a half after graduating. The first 2014 Court Skills Academy saw a 42% promotion rate among its graduates.

    Prior to attending the academies, every student was asked to self-assess their skills and abilities in three dozen court skill categories. After attending the academies, they were again asked to self-assess their skills and abilities along those same categories.

    One hundred percent of academy graduates indicated their proficiencies along every single learning objective, skill, and ability had improved. In fact, the majority of skills and abilities showed very significant improvement according to post-academy evaluation measurements.

    Immediate supervisors were also surveyed as to their academy students’ pre- and post-academy skill levels. The supervisor survey results uniformly confirmed that academy graduates’ court skill levels improved across the board.

    Rob GodfreyRob Godfrey is Conference Coordinator for the Utah Administrative Office of the Courts in Salt Lake City.

  • Access Info now available for June 27 “Rethinking Learning Styles” Webinar

    The Western Region is sponsoring a reprise of the 2016 annual conference session “Rethinking Learning Styles: Fact or Fiction” in webinar format on June 27 at 11:00a.m. Pacific Time. Mark your calendars now! This webinar describes newer research on learning styles that confronts long accepted educational theory on the topic and questions “what you always knew about teaching and learning.” Nancy Smith and Mary Ann Koory of the Western Region and Tony Simones of the Midwest Region will facilitate the discussion.

    Visual, auditory, kinesthetic. Diverger, Converger, Assimilator, Accommodator. Which learning style best describes you? How do you know? As an educator, were you taught to adapt your teaching to the learning style(s) of your audience? Have you actually done so? Do you know if it was effective? Recent research purports to debunk the “myth” of learning styles. Researchers claim that the learning style-teaching style link is unproven and that instruments to measure learning styles are inaccurate. In this session, we’ll review the social science research about learning styles and discuss what we as educators should rethink — if anything — because of it.

    During the session we will critically discuss learning style theory in light of the research; analyze the role of content and learning outcomes with respect to teaching techniques; and apply new norms for teaching to our repertoires.

    This webinar will help members prepare for the upcoming conference session that will be a continuation of this discussion, and will feature Tesia Marshik of the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse. Dr. Marshik’s Tedx talk on the subject of rethinking learning styles was the catalyst behind the 2016 conference session and this webinar.

  • Article Club Callinar on Thursday, May 11

    The NASJE Education and Curriculum Committee is hosting their second Article Club Callinar on Thursday, May 11, 2017, 9:00a.m. (PT), 10:00a.m. (MT), 11:00a.m. (CT) and 12:00p.m. (ET)

    Vicarious trauma. Compassion fatigue. Second-hand shock. Burnout. The populations that judicial educators serve are at great risk for these overwhelming professional challenges. How could and should ouLife Balance Wheelr programming combat the effects of working with and around traumatic events? Join NASJE’s latest Article Club Callinar (not to be confused with a webinar), where you will have the opportunity to discuss the article about vicarious trauma experienced by court employees. We have also two self-care inventories examples that you can take prior to the callinar or whenever you like. Download a ZIP file with the article and the two inventory documents.

    What’s a callinar, you ask? Great question! It’s a 45- to 60-minute conference call for judicial educators who want to share ideas based on an article you read in advance.

    Don’t have time to read the callinar article or resources? Don’t worry! Just call in, and the author of the paper, Tiffany Hammill, will provide an executive summary, and we will begin brainstorming ways to address these essential topics for different judicial branch audiences. Loretta Oleksy, Deputy Director of the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program will be on the call to talk about how she has taught on these topics in the past. All attendees will come away with ideas for future programming, including learning objectives and activities.

    The Article Club Callinar is open to all current NASJE members. Join us for this exciting event on Thursday, May 11, 2017.

    For registration information, please see the Member Area.

  • Hidden Treasures on the NASJE Website

    The Education and Curriculum Committee hosted its first Article Club Callinar for 2017 on February 23. The callinar, Hidden Treasures on the NASJE Website, focused on the hidden gems within the website. The “explorers” led 17 participants through the many “caverns” to discover the treasures that comprise the website as the participants followed along on their computers.

    All the website tabs were explored, several of special interest included:

    • It was noted, if needing contact information for a NASJE resource the member area is the “gem” to discover the membership list, mentor program forms and materials from regional training session, webinars and conferences. This is the go to place to find contact information for a NASJE member.
    • As judicial educators you can find many links to sites and resources under the Jobs/Helpful Links and Resources/Links that allows easy one stop shopping when researching topics.
    • The Resources tab also includes timely information about access and fairness; the curriculum designs developed by the Education and Curriculum Committee used as a guide to develop training; and many other resources that provide insight.

    The website mixes the new with the old. While the website is updated regularly to remain current and relevant, you will also find past articles that provide pertinent insight into current issues that could be lost if not managed in an organized manner. There are many “gems” in the JERITT Monographs found under the Resources tab that provide information about developing needs assessments, impact evaluations, curriculum development, mentoring and more. The News/News Archive 1985-2010 tab provides historical articles from past NASJE newsletters.

    To celebrate all that NASJE members do, the website highlights and congratulates members in the About NASJE/Member Kudos tab. To spotlight an outstanding and individual’s activity or project the article could be found under the Resources/Spotlight on Judicial Education tab. Send an email to the contacts under the Contact tab to submit these articles. Then we can all share in their success!

    Consider setting aside time in your day to browse through the website so you too can benefit from the hidden treasures on the website and find more value in your NASJE membership!

  • Law Day 2017

    law day 2017Law Day is held every year on May 1 for the purpose of celebrating the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. This year’s theme is “The 14th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy.” ABA President Linda Klein’s videotaped message is a good way to begin learning about this year’s theme.

    In addition to the video, there are numerous other resources available on the ABA website for those interested in marking Law Day in their states:

    • Law Day Planning Guide
    • Law Day Dialogue
    • Law Day Artwork and Products
    • Resources and Sample Documents

    Another division of the ABA, the Judicial Outreach Network, is currently promoting its recently developed “Preserving the Rule of Law” materials as part of National Judicial Outreach Week, March 5-11, 2017. To support judges in their outreach efforts, several educational resources have been developed and shared on the ABA website, including a Judicial Outreach Week Information Packet, Rule of Law Speaker Notes, and a Rule of Law PowerPoint Presentation.  These materials may be used and edited based on speaker preferences and the make-up of the audience.

  • Using NASJE’s List Serve

    NASJE members who want an easy way to get their questions out to the judicial education community should consider using NASJE’s List Serve, which can send a message to all NASJE members at once. Please see the “Other Resources” area of the Member Area for instructions.

  • Karen Thorson Award Nominations Due March 31

    Karen Thorson
    Karen Thorson

    Karen Thorson Award nominations are now being accepted by the NASJE Board.

    If you know a career judicial educator who has made significant contributions to the profession and to NASJE, consider nominating him or her for this award. Nominations are due by Friday, March 31, 2017. You will find a link to the nomination form in the Forms section of the NASJE Member Area.

    Last year’s winner was Jim Drennan of North Carolina, and you can see the article about his distinguished career here.

    The award, established in 2012, strives to recognize members who have had an impact nationally on judicial branch education, on the profession, and in NASJE. Previous winners include Karen Thorson, Maureen Conner, and Larry Stone.