AACTE-NACCTEP Partnership Pilot: Building the Link
The author is executive director of the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP), an affiliate member of AACTE, which is partnering with AACTE to better align each organization’s members around common work (see this article). The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.
I recently had the privilege of flying into Kansas City, Missouri, to attend an education training; as a first-timer to the city I took complete advantage of the amazing barbeque and love for basketball. While my time in the city was grand, one of the most eye-opening moments of my stay had to do with a little tunnel system within the city called The Link. What I found most intriguing about this system, and I know similar ones exist in other cities, is the fact that it was such a useful aid. The Link connected two distinctly different hotel chains, kept me out of the adverse weather conditions, and provided the necessary directions to get me to my next stop—and it immediately reminded me of the NACCTEP partnership with AACTE.
Like The Link, this new partnership connects two distinctly different organizations, but ones that have the same desire to support the preparation of professional classroom-ready educators. This 2-year pilot initiative engages traditional universities and community colleges with educator preparation programs in collaborative work to strengthen and diversify the teacher pipeline. During this partnership NACCTEP will continue to promote the voices and needs of the community college student while working with AACTE to conduct research; advocate at the local, state, and federal level; and embed the research-based recommendations and professional lexicon from AACTE’s Clinical Practice Commission into community college course work as a foundation for effectively implementing clinical practice.
It is also NACCTEP’s intent to reduce barriers through this partnership, like The Link, for community college students as they seek to transfer to 4-year programs. This partnership will assist with developing the necessary research to address barriers, will provide the appropriate directions and supports for students, and ultimately should contribute to diversifying the teacher pipeline. There is also a strong desire to explore connections, like The Link, with PK-12 and university partnerships that keep students within and connected to their community, rather than sending them out into areas where there are limited directions and maybe a fear of traveling.
During this pilot initiative, NACCTEP members will have access to select AACTE benefits. Starting today, NACCTEP members may register for the AACTE Day on the Hill, June 5-6, at discounted AACTE member rates. The AACTE Day on the Hill is the premier advocacy event for educator preparation and will be held this year at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA, and on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. On June 5, a full day of orientation will offer two different tracks of sessions to strengthen participants’ advocacy skills based on their current experience level. Attendees will also hear from congressional staff on how best to engage with them, as well as what’s unfolding in D.C. On June 6, participants will visit Capitol Hill for a congressional breakfast and meet with elected officials and their staff to advocate for educator preparation. Click here to view the draft agenda. (Note: Be sure to make your hotel reservation by May 11 to get discounted rates in the AACTE hotel block.)
NACCTEP members are also are invited to submit session proposals for the AACTE 71st Annual Meeting, to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, February 22-24, 2019. Session proposals should address the conference theme, “Sustaining and Advancing the Profession,” with a focus on one of the four strands listed below:
- Strand 1 – Strengthening Ownership of the Profession
- Strand 2 – Equity and Social Justice in Education
- Strand 3 – Diversity in Educator Preparation
- Strand 4 – Partnerships and Collaboration
Proposals are due by May 29. Read the full call for proposals (PDF), including suggested questions that each strand’s sessions should address. Then click here to submit a proposal. Read this recent AACTE blog for more information.
Stay tuned for additional information from AACTE regarding the full AACTE-NACCTEP partnership later this month. AACTE and NACCTEP look forward to welcoming community colleges to this pilot venture as we aim to advance the preparation of profession-ready teachers for all students.
Tags: higher education, membership
