CCSSO Announces Finalists for 2023 National Teacher of the Year

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has announced five exemplary educators from across the country as finalists for 2023 National Teacher of the Year, four of whom have been prepared for teacher education by AACTE member institutions. 

AACTE is a proud member of the National Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and applauds each finalist for their commitment to the profession and meeting the needs of all students, as well as the AACTE member institutions that have contributed to their success.

IRS Increases Teacher Tax Deduction

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced that it is increasing the educator expense deduction for the first time since 2002, when it was first implemented. 

Previously the maximum amount educators could deduct from their taxes was $250 for school supplies, including books, supplies, and other materials used in the classroom as well as COVID-19 protective items. However, the IRS will allow up to $300 in qualified expenses to be deducted for 2022.  The limit will rise in $50 increments in future years based on inflation adjustments.

APSU Eriksson College of Education to Host Teacher Shortage Conference

Local teacher Malachi Johnson was one of APSU’s first Grow Your Own graduates

The Austin Peay State University Eriksson College of Education is focused on finding new ways to address the need for licensed teachers in local and regional school districts. The college’s efforts, including the Grow Your Own initiative, garnered attention from White House officials in 2022. Next month, the College of Education will share successes and lessons from the past few years during the inaugural Virtual Conference on Teacher Shortage.

“With many school districts struggling to find qualified teachers, we have found the Grow Your Own model to be a new pipeline,” said Lisa Barron, APSU director of teacher education and partnerships. “Through this conference, we hope to present this model to school districts across the state and show them how they can partner with Austin Peay to train more teachers for their schools.”

Engage in AACTE’s Learning Labs at #AACTE23

At this year’s 75th Annual Meeting, AACTE is featuring 10-plus Learning Labs that cover topics most relevant to you, such as alternative preparation, apprenticeships, recruiting and supporting diverse educators, and leadership.  These sessions were curated to reflect the association’s top strategic priorities: to build and sustain high-quality preparation and pipeline of teachers, expand policies that diversify the field, and advance the educator preparation field through innovative research, practices, and advocacy. To attend AACTE Learning Labs and more cutting-edge content at the 2023 Annual Meeting, be sure to register for the 3-day conference.

Member Institutions Invited to Exhibit at Holmes Career Fair in Indy

Is your institution looking to connect with or recruit diverse new faculty? Look no further than the Holmes Program, which supports students who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse and are pursuing graduate degrees in education at AACTE member institutions. AACTE is inviting your institution to be an exhibitor — at no cost — at the Holmes Career Fair on Friday, February 24 at 3:45 – 5:15 p.m. at the Indianapolis JW Marriott Hotel during AACTE’s 75th Annual Meeting.

Raise Your Voice: Join AACTE’s 75 Days | 75 Ways to Advocate for Educator Preparation

AACTE’s Annual Meeting on Feb. 24-26 in Indianapolis, Indiana, is only one month away. AACTE extends a warm thank you to all of its members lending their voices to the 75 Days | 75 Ways to advocate for educator preparation movement and invites all members to participate so that AACTE can continue to share new advice and inspiration daily for current and future educators.

Celebrate AACTE’s 75 years of leadership in advancing educator preparation by offering a quick tip on how to elevate the teaching profession and student achievement. Last week, AACTE thought leaders provided advice on finding funding and supporting advocacy for the teaching profession.

Experience the Best of Indy at the 75th Annual Meeting

This year, as attendees arrive in Indianapolis to celebrate the kick-off of AACTE’s 75th Anniversary on February 24 – 26, they will find that it’s the perfect city for nature lovers, cultural connoisseurs, and urban adventurers. Take a look at Visit Indy and browse through the city’s offerings —  including the newest events happening while you’re in town — and experience Indy like a local.

Book Your Stay at the Indianapolis Marriott

After a 15-minute cab ride from the airport, you’ll arrive at the Indianapolis Marriott, a stunning hotel conveniently situated in the city’s buzzing downtown area and a short walk to the JW Marriott. Explore over 200 restaurants within a four-block radius, relax in a variety of fresh new spaces to connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy easy access to AACTE events — including pre-conferences and a Saturday reception onsite.

#AACTE23 Opening Session Features an Intergenerational Conversation with Renowned Scholars

Nationally renowned scholars Gloria Ladson-Billings and James D. Anderson will share their remarkable personal journeys and discuss advances in educator preparation during the upcoming Annual Meeting opening session. Join AACTE and gain new insights that exemplify AACTE’s mission to revolutionize education for all learners during this fireside chat format.

This intergenerational conversation and knowledge transfer will include Lin Wu, the 2022 recipient of AACTE’s Outstanding Dissertation Award, and will be moderated by Leslie T. Fenwick, AACTE dean in residence.

Washington Update: Education Priorities, Parents Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court Arguments

This weekly Washington Update is intended to keep members informed on Capitol Hill activities impacting the educator preparation community. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

This week, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona is scheduled to deliver a major address at the Department of Education’s Lyndon Baines Johnson building in Washington, D.C.  The speech entitled, “Raise the Bar: Lead the World,” will offer the Secretary the opportunity to lay out the Department’s priorities for 2023 and detail progress made on 2022 initiatives. Afterward, the Secretary will take part in a fireside chat with Executive Director of the National PTA Nathan R. Monell, CAE. The event will be streamed on the Department’s YouTube  page.

In the States: Florida Proposes to Expand Private Voucher Program

The new “In the States” feature by Kaitlyn Brennan is a weekly update to keep members informed on state-level activities impacting the education and educator preparation community.

On Thursday, Republican leaders in the Florida state House unveiled new legislation that would significantly expand eligibility for the state’s programs offering students vouchers to attend private schools. The proposed changes to the voucher program would allow any student to be eligible for state-funded tuition at a private school of their choice regardless of income. It would also pay parents who homeschool children.  The legislation would also expand the voucher’s usages, allowing families to use the funds for private tutoring and specialized testing such as Advanced Placement exams, among other expenses.

AACTE Receives Longview Foundation Support to Create a Global Education Faculty Professional Learning Community

Through the generous support of the Longview Foundation, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) is launching a new Global Education Faculty Professional Learning Community (PLC). This PLC will provide a peer support network and professional development to faculty at comprehensive teacher preparation programs to effectively integrate global teaching competencies within their curriculum and practices.

A long-time supporter of AACTE, Longview Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Manise reflects on why the foundation has invested in AACTE since 1967: “the Longview Foundation made a grant to AACTE in its inaugural year to bring global perspectives to teacher education programs. In 2023, Longview awarded our eighteenth grant to AACTE. Together, we will support faculty development and innovative programming to prepare new educators and their students to be globally ready.”

NASA Space Science Education Resources and the Importance of Real-World, Authentic Solutions for Meaningful Student Learning

Quality real-world Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) educational resources are needed within programs of teacher education and P-12 classrooms. The National Association of Manufacturing (2018) reported that the United States will need to fill 3.5 million jobs by 2025, with more than two million going unfilled due to lack of highly skilled in-demand candidates. The US Defense Industrial Base Industrial Capabilities Report (2021) showed a need for STEM education by stating that the STEM shortage is quickly approaching crisis status. This report is a congressionally-mandated, annual requirement in which the Secretary of Defense informs the armed services committees on the actions, investments, and overall health of the U.S. defense industrial base. 

Calling AACTE Member Institutions: Sign Up to Exhibit at Holmes Career Fair New

This year’s Holmes Preconference  at the AACTE Annual Meeting will feature a Career Fair on February 24 to connect Holmes Scholars with AACTE member institutions to learn about opportunities and the faculty job search process.

This is also a recruitment opportunity for institutions with open job announcement information to share at the time of the event.  There is no cost to register as an exhibitor. See the full agenda below.

To be featured as an exhibitor at the AACTE Holmes Program Career Fair, please fill out the Exhibitors Registration Form by Friday, February 3.

Educators Receive AACTE Co-Teaching in Clinical Practice TAG Engagement Awards

The Co-Teaching in Clinical Practice Topical Action Group (TAG) presented five professional educators with Engagement Awards to attend the 2022 National Association for Co-Teaching (NACT) National Conference in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in October. Foothill Knolls STEM Academy of Innovation Principal Jennifer Morris, fifth grade teacher Amanda Soto, and special education teacher Kelly Stanger from Upland, California, attended the conference along with New York City Department of Education, District 31 Specialized Student Support Lead Contessa McNulty. College Place Public Schools Assistant Principal and Co-Teaching Support Lead Ambra Bryant of College Place, Washington, was unable to attend.

AACTE’s Annual Meeting is 37 Days Away: Join the 75 Days | 75 Ways Campaign

Approaching the Annual Meeting on February 24 – 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana, AACTE invites members to participate in 75 Days | 75 Ways to advocate for education and educator preparation.

“Educators are our nation’s first responders for democracy. Our primary goal is to improve the lives of students through education,” says AACTE President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone.

Celebrate AACTE’s 75 years of leadership in advancing educator preparation by offering a quick tip on how to elevate the teaching profession.  Leading up to the Annual Meeting, AACTE continues to highlight tips daily from its members to show support for educators and educator preparation through its social media platforms and on the website.