Archive for January, 2023

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.

Biden-Harris Administration Releases Regulatory Agenda with Renewed Focus on Higher Education

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.

Early Saturday, after a historic 5-day, 15 ballot fight- with major concessions made to the so called “never Kevin” holdouts, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) secured his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Many analysts and DC insiders believe that the political theatre surrounding the Speaker vote foreshadows just how difficult it could be to govern in an exceedingly narrow Republican majority. However, in speaking with reporters Speaker McCarthy downplayed concerns, saying: “This is the great part … Because it took this long, now we learned how to govern.” I suppose only time will tell if the Speaker’s projection reigns true.

Join us at AACTE’s Inaugural Character Preconference at the 75th AACTE Annual Meeting

 

AACTE will host a character preconference for leaders of educator preparation programs on Thursday, February 23, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at its 75th Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. During the preconference, participants will learn about research and initiatives on character education in the field and examine the role of educator preparation programs in developing teachers and leaders who are knowledgeable and skilled in helping students develop positive character attributes. The convening will also amplify evidence-based strategies, promote collaboration between institutions, and elevate successful educator preparation programs that are integrating character building in their teacher and leadership preparation programs.  

IUP Receives Funding to Address Teacher Shortage, Diversity in Teacher Workforce

Indiana University of Pennsylvania  (IUP) has been selected to receive $72,049 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education through its Teacher Prep 2 Practice grant program.

IUP’s funding will be used to design a culturally relevant teaching academy to diversify the teacher workforce and address the national teacher shortage. This work will take place in partnership with the Gateway School District in Monroeville, Allegheny County.

“This is a very important initiative for IUP and for the commonwealth, and we are honored to have been chosen for this funding,” Interim Dean of the IUP College of Education and Communications Sue Rieg says.

VSU RECEIVES FEDERAL FUNDING TO EXPAND RURAL TEACHER PIPELINE

 Valdosta State University (VSU) has received $750,000 in federal funding to help address the need for more teachers across South Georgia, where classrooms are overcrowded and school districts struggle to recruit certified professionals ready to develop and inspire young learners.

VSU plans to use the funds to expand its rural teacher pipeline by providing scholarship and other support to paraprofessionals who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education through the university’s Online College for Career Advancement. Participating paraprofessional educators will be able to continue serving as vital members of their school’s support staff while earning their professional teaching credentials.

Get a First Look at #AACTE23: Annual Meeting Session Topics

The Annual Meeting is AACTE’s most innovative and collaborative event of the year. This year, as we gather together to celebrate AACTE’s 75th anniversary, attendees will have opportunities to discuss research, explore innovations, and plan action through a range of sessions under five targeted strands:

  1. Addressing the Evolving Needs of Education
  2. Increasing Diversity through Equitable Access and Inclusivity
  3. Confronting Challenges to Strengthen Educator Preparation
  4. Collaborating for a Greater Impact
  5. Meeting the Challenges of Educator Preparation with Educational Technology

Take a first look at the nearly 200 session topics by strands — case stories, data to action, future forecasting, individual paper sessions, perspectives, and roundtables — by presenters from around the country.

Register for Preconference Sessions at #AACTE23

Get a Head Start with Character Development Workshop and Indy Walking Tours

Registration is now open for the preconference workshops at the 2023 AACTE 75th Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on February 23 – 24. Preconference sessions are fee-based events that provide in-depth discussions, deliver knowledge, and link participants with a community of learners who share common interests.

This year, AACTE is pleased to offer half-day preconferences ($49), full-day preconferences ($99), and special tours (pricing below).

Limited seating is available, so register today for these interactive events. Arrive early to discuss issues with peers who share similar academic and research interests on complex education challenges and solutions.

Have You Shared a Way to Support Educators through AACTE’s 75 Days | 75 Ways Campaign?

On January 10, AACTE celebrates the first 30 days of its 75-day campaign sharing successful ways to move education forward — at the local, state, or federal levels.  As an AACTE member, you still have time to join your peers in showing support for educators and be a part of the AACTE 75 Days | 75 Ways to Advocate for Education campaign, celebrating AACTE’s 75 years of leadership in advancing educator preparation.

FY2023 Spending Bill Passes with Increases to Critical Programs that Address the Educator Workforce

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.

Just before the holiday break, Members of Congress completed their final task as the 117th Congress — passing the FY2023 omnibus spending package. The bill provides a $3.2 billion increase over the FY2022 level of funding provided to the Department of Education, with several significant increases in programmatic funding to address the educator workforce.

National Program Seeks to Advance Underrepresented Faculty through Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

Next month, members will gather for AACTE’s 75th Annual meeting and immerse ourselves in several days of sessions within the theme of “Innovation through Inspiration: Remembering the Past to Revolutionize the Future.” As representatives of an institution of higher education that was founded in 1855 as the Paterson City Normal School in response to the growing demand for professional preparation of teachers-in-service in the emerging free public schools of Paterson, New Jersey, and one that is now a comprehensive university that proudly wears its designation of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and is led by a president who is a first-generation college graduate and a member of LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education, we are excited to share an initiative that aligns with AACTE’s Annual Meeting theme.

In fall 2023, William Paterson University will welcome two pre-doctoral fellows into the College of Education, one in teacher education (preferably with a specialization in early childhood education or secondary education), and one in special education. Applications are now being accepted for this unique pre-doctoral fellowship program aimed at supporting career development of faculty from underrepresented backgrounds.

Biden-Harris Administration Proposes New Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) Plan

The Biden-Harris Administration today announced a new proposal to reduce the cost of federal student loan payments, especially for low- and middle-income borrowers.

While AACTE is generally supportive of the proposal, which according to a fact sheet will make college more affordable for perspective educators, additional steps must be taken to address the nationwide shortage of highly qualified, diverse teachers in our classrooms.  AACTE looks forward to working with the Administration, Congress and state officials to develop and implement policies that achieve these goals.