Archive for 2018

Scholars Articulate Strategies for Disrupting Inequity Through Teacher Prep

Although violence and hate permeate our society, there is reason for hope: It is an amazing time to be in education. We are in a profession that has more to do with what we might do to change this society than any other profession. So how do we reframe the way we work with young people to make a better world?

These words were part of Deborah Loewenberg Ball’s introduction of a March 2 Deeper Dive session at the 70th AACTE Annual Meeting, organized by TeachingWorks under the theme “Outrage to Action: Disrupting Inequity Through Teacher Education.” Ball, of the University of Michigan, invited the audience to combat today’s fragmented society by intentionally building more connections, including with the “invisible” people who play supporting roles in our lives.

Panelists Tout Promise of Strong Clinical Practice

Clinical Practice Imperative Deeper Dive presenters Michael Alfano, Rene Roselle, Jennifer Robinson, Laurie Henry, Valeisha Ellis, and Christine Slattery

A Deeper Dive session at the AACTE 70th Annual Meeting emphasized the criticality of incorporating clinical practice in educator preparation, drawing on the recent report of the AACTE Clinical Practice Commission (CPC). Commissioner Michael Alfano of Sacred Heart University (CT) moderated “The Clinical Practice Imperative: A Pivot Toward Clinical Practice, Its Lexicon, and the Renewal of Educator Preparation where a panel of experts discussed the CPC’s paper and its 10 proclamations for effective clinical preparation, the impact of clinical practice within the profession, and future plans to advance the work.

Workshop Spotlights Award Winners, New Opportunities in Global Teacher Prep

The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

On February 28, AACTE hosted a daylong preconference workshop titled “A Global Lens to Educator Preparation: Shared Knowledge and Advocacy for Diverse and Multicultural Perspectives,” organized by the AACTE Committee on Global Diversity (GDC). The event, held just prior to the 70th AACTE Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, was attended by higher education faculty and administrators interested in exploring opportunities for a global focus in educator preparation. Participants discussed innovative experiences and partnerships that prepare mindful teacher candidates who will advocate for diverse global perspectives in curricula, policy, and practice.

Action, Mentoring, Dialogue Keys to Advancing Diversity in Education Programs

The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

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Facilitators Candace Burns, William Paterson University, and Dana Dunwoody, Boston University, address Holmes students (seated, L-R) Yanfang Wang, SUNY Oswego; Aylie Moya, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; and Alex Caston, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; standing (L-R) are NIC leaders Ernest Black, California State University, Fullerton, team; Nanette Missaghi, University of St. Thomas team; and Michael Dennehy, Boston University team

During the 2018 AACTE Annual Meeting, a Deeper Dive session pursued insights into effective strategies for improving the recruitment and retention of teachers of color. In this interactive session, “Promising Practice and Lessons Learned: Pathways for Recruiting, Retaining, and Supporting a Diverse Educator Workforce,” discussants included members of the AACTE Holmes Program joined by representatives from the AACTE Black & Hispanic/Latino Male Teachers Initiative Networked Improvement Community (NIC).

AACTE Announces Summer Events for 2018

AACTE is excited to announce the dates for our 2018 summer events, offering a variety of targeted professional development for teacher educators. You can join your colleagues from around the country in Washington, DC, to learn to advocate for the profession; meet with fellow new deans and administrators in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for intensive leadership development and networking; and discover best practices for quality assurance in Columbus, Ohio, to help enhance your programs. Group discounts are available for each of these three events, so plan now to bring your friends and colleagues to these popular summer conferences.

WASHINGTON WEEK: JUNE 3-6

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Eliciting Student Thinking in Elementary Math: What Skills Do Preservice Teachers Bring?

Have you seen the JTE Insider blog managed by the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) editorial team? Check out the following interview with the authors of a recent article. This blog is available to the public, and AACTE members have free access to the articles themselves in the full JTE archives online—just log in with your AACTE profile here.

In the January/February 2018 issue of JTE, Meghan Shaughnessy and Timothy A. Boerst of the University of Michigan authored an article titled “Uncovering the Skills That Preservice Teachers Bring to Teacher Education: The Practice of Eliciting a Student’s Thinking.” The article is summarized in the following abstract:

Radio Interviews Probe Quality Assurance, Advocacy, Online Learning

Education Talk Radio host Larry Jacobs traveled to the AACTE 70th Annual Meeting earlier this month to capture voices from the field in a series of in-person interviews with AACTE members and volunteer leaders. The recorded discussions later aired in three segments on Jacobs’ radio show, the first of which is highlighted below (subsequent articles will feature the other segments).

In the first interview, two members of AACTE’s Committee on Professional Preparation and Accountability – Jacob Easley of Eastern Connecticut State University and Deb Rickey of Grand Canyon University (AZ) – discussed the committee’s work to assist teacher educators with quality assurance and program improvement. Having just facilitated a preconference workshop on the topic, Easley and Rickey explained what quality assurance means for colleges of education and what the key challenges are.

Marching for School Safety

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AACTE staff members and friends participate in the March for Our Lives March 24 in Washington, DC.

Thousands of Americans rallied from coast to coast to demand lawmakers take action to make our nation’s schools safer during the March for Our Lives held Saturday, March 24, in response to last month’s shooting at a Florida high school. Student survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting led the protests emphasizing the importance of school safety for all communities across the nation. Among the massive group of activists in Washington, DC, were several staff members from AACTE.

March Federal Update Recording Now Available

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If you missed AACTE’s March Federal Update webinar, the recording is now available to AACTE members only in our Resource Library.

View the webinar recording and slides to learn about the latest developments in Washington, DC, relating to educator preparation, including the latest on Higher Education Act reauthorization, federal funding, net neutrality, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and more.

Holmes Highlights From AACTE 70th Annual Meeting

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The annual Holmes Program gathering at AACTE’s Annual Meeting was held in Baltimore, Maryland, from February 28 to March 2. To date, this was the largest assembly we’ve had from the program, with students from over 47 universities and institutions in attendance as well as faculty, coordinators, and program alumni. The theme for the conference was “Celebrating Our Professional Identity,” and the subtheme for our preconference event was “I Too Am Holmes.”

A wide variety of sessions was available for Holmes Cadets, Honors, Master’s, and Scholars. Students were able to share their research through poster sessions, roundtable discussions, and paper presentations. Breakout sessions covered topics such as Effective Strategies to Recruit and Retain Minority Preservice Teachers, Beginning the Doctoral Journey, Navigating Dissertation, and Navigating Untenured Faculty Positions, to name a few. Members also had the opportunity to network, collaborate, and share their experience of being part of this dynamic community called HOLMES.

Preparing Teachers for School Shootings: What’s the Magic Number?

This column originally appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and is reposted with permission. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

As America struggles to recover from the recent school shootings in Parkland, Florida, where 17 lives were tragically and unexpectedly cut short, we find ourselves embroiled in the same responses that surface after all mass shootings. Vigils, memorials, and protests abound across our nation to try to make sense of these unfathomable events and to demand an end to this violence; and there are reiterated cries for stricter gun laws.

A Retrospective Look at edTPA Implementation: 5 Years of Policy and Practice

The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

The Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE) partnered with AACTE to invite practitioners and administrators from PK-12 schools and educator preparation programs (EPPs) to provide a retrospective look at the influence of edTPA since consequential use began in fall 2013. The panel participants presented their views of the benefits and challenges of educative edTPA implementation in different policy contexts; how actionable evidence from edTPA has informed their programs, teaching, and scholarship; and connections across the full continuum of professional learning and development for teachers. The March 2 panel at the 2018 AACTE Annual Meeting in Baltimore featured two new teachers who have completed edTPA over the past 5 years, a PK-12 administrator, EPP and state leaders, and two faculty scholars.

Brianna Joseph Named Holmes Scholar of the Month

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Congratulations to Brianna Joseph, Holmes Scholar of the Month for March 2018!

Joseph is a 3rd-year full-time doctoral student in the Department of Exceptional Student Education at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Her research interests include the over- and underrepresentation of students from various racial/ethnic backgrounds in special education and integrating adults with intellectual disabilities in fitness activities.