Dissertation Workshop: Theoretical Framework an Essential ‘Steering Wheel’

The authors are part of the AACTE Holmes Program at Florida Atlantic University. For information about the program, visit aacte.org. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

On March 27, Holmes Scholars at Florida Atlantic University hosted a research workshop, “Understanding the Role of the Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks in Dissertation Research.” More than 30 doctoral students and faculty attended the event with the university’s four Holmes Scholars – Kalynn Hall Pistorio, Kayla Elliott, Deborah McEwan, and Brianna Joseph (pictured above, standing, along with Holmes Coordinator Professor Rangasamy Ramasamy).

April 18 Webinar to Explore Mental Health Supports for Principals

This article has been updated to reflect new presenter information.

On Wednesday, April 18, AACTE will host a free webinar on principal leadership, supported by The Wallace Foundation as part of the Association’s ongoing partnership to disseminate the latest research and practice innovations in principal preparation. Please join us from 3:00-3:45 p.m. EDT for Leveraging Community Resources to Strengthen Clinical Practice: Mental Health Support for School Leaders.

New principals must not only learn to seamlessly integrate curriculum, lead change, and manage personnel; they must also become first responders in times of tragedy and grief counselors, while supporting their own mental health in high-stress jobs. This webinar will discuss –

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).

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.

SCALE, UNC System Showcase Use of edTPA Rubrics in Induction Coaching

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

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The Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE) partnered with the University of North Carolina (UNC) System to present at the 2018 AACTE Annual Meeting in Baltimore a unique model of using edTPA rubric constructs. The team showcased how edTPA’s critical dimensions of teaching (planning, instruction, and assessment) apply to the instructional coaching of novice teachers during teacher induction, with a trajectory for growth through teacher leadership and beyond. The March 1 presentation included a brief overview of the professional growth plan used in preservice preparation and how it can be used after teacher candidates graduate.

Workshop: Questioning of Practice Key to Quality Assurance

The author presents at the AACTE preconference workshop on quality assurance in Baltimore, Maryland.

The AACTE Committee on Professional Preparation and Accountability (CPPA) is charged with providing leadership in the development of professional consensus on standards, assessment, and practice in educator preparation. Our work is most effective when it is driven by the AACTE membership. The 70th Annual Meeting preconference workshop conducted by CPPA, “Quality Assurance: Moving Beyond Data Collection Towards Assuring Quality,” reinforced the collective wisdom of our profession and the level of care we put into our programs, candidates, and clinical partners.

Those in attendance at the February 28 session repeatedly raised the need for leadership at educator preparation institutions to foster a collaborative culture that constantly questions our practice. We all recognized that there is a delicate balance between the critique of our work and assuring that we are celebrating and advancing those parts of our systems that are working well. The tension most outstanding in our conversations was that of turnover of leadership or faculty in institutions. These observations led to thoughtful discussion by those in attendance to assist colleagues in planning quality assurance processes with an emphasis on program goals and outcomes and how we all could use those goals and outcomes specific to our institutions to keep drawing our faculty, candidates, and clinical partners back to our established priorities and purpose.

Webinar to Discuss Preparing Principals to Partner With Legal, Social Services

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On Wednesday, March 21, AACTE will host a free webinar on principal leadership, supported by The Wallace Foundation as part of the Association’s ongoing partnership to disseminate the latest research and practice innovations in principal preparation. Please join us from 3:00-3:45 p.m. EDT for Leveraging Community Resources to Strengthen Clinical Practice for New Principals: Partnering with Legal and Social Services.

Difficult and changing situations with students and their families require principals to broaden their support network beyond school resources. The panelists on this webinar will discuss scenarios and possible resources available within the community. They will also share ideas for making intentional connections with community partners.

Does Preservice Course Work Make a Difference in Teacher Practice? One Study Says Yes

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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, Susan D. Martin and Sherry Dismuke of Boise State University (ID) published an article titled “Investigating Differences in Teacher Practices Through a Complexity Theory Lens: The Influence of Teacher Education.” The article is summarized in the following abstract:

Holmes Scholar of the Month: Ruby Ellis

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Congratulations to Ruby Ellis, Holmes Scholar of the Month for February!

Ellis is pursuing her doctorate at Auburn University (AL) and is committed to both equity and diversity in the classroom, which directly aligns with the mission of the Holmes Program. Her highest interest is serving individuals from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds in efforts to give them access to a higher quality of education. She believes that all students should have access to the best pedagogical practices in order to enhance learning.

Review of Research in Education Chapters Wanted: Changing P-20 Teaching Practice

The authors are 2019 editors of the Review of Research in Education. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

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The schools in Chicago have a lot of initiatives going on. The three of us live and work here, so we are very engaged with the public and parochial schools across the city and suburbs. We see a dizzying array of efforts to improve teaching and learning: Professional Learning Communities, the International Baccalaureate, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, culturally responsive teaching practices, one-to-one computing, and many, many more efforts.

Address Challenges of Integrating Technology in Teacher Preparation at #AACTE18 Preconference Symposium

Is it time to upgrade your candidates’ tech competency? Please join us for a free half-day symposium before AACTE’s Annual Meeting, organized by the AACTE Committee on Innovation and Technology (I&T), to share leadership strategies for better integrating technology in teacher preparation.