16 Jun2023
By Nicole Dunn
On June 19, 1865, the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States was realized when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to enforce the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation for these citizens. The newly freed people called this day “Juneteenth.” Also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is the commemorations of Black and African American people in the United States seizing their freedom that was denied to them despite their contributions to the growth of the nation’s economy and culture. While organizations around the country, including AACTE, will close their offices to give time to celebrate, reflect, and appreciate this history, more than half of the states in the country have introduced or passed legislation to prohibit teaching about structural racism, and you cannot fully teach and appreciate Juneteenth without acknowledging structural racism.
15 Jun2023
By Cole Hatcher
This article was originally published by Ohio Wesleyan University.
Ohio Wesleyan University’s Sarah Kaka, Ph.D., has testified before Ohio lawmakers, collaborated on research, and presented to peers on the impact of so-called “divisive concepts” teaching laws now adopted in more than half of the nation.
The chair of OWU’s Department of Education, Kaka also has been discussing the topic with multiple media, including The Columbus Dispatch, Education Week, and the “TeachLab with Justin Reich” podcast.
“I think it depends on who you talk to what they say the goal of the legislation is,” Kaka told Reich during their June 8 podcast, “but the reality is that all of the laws – divisive issues concepts – seek to limit what teachers can say or do in their classes.”
15 Jun2023
By Guy Trainin
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have opened up a world of possibilities in various fields, including education. On May 23, AACTE’s Committee on Innovation & Technology hosted the webinar, “An Introduction to Using AI Tools in Educator Preparation Programs,” that explored the fundamentals of generative AI and its potential to revolutionize learning. The speaker panel was moderated by the committee’s co-chair, Rachel Karchmer-Klein. Panelists included Punya Mishra (Arizona State University), Eleazar Vasquez III (University of Central Florida), and Marie Heath (Loyola University), who discussed the ethical considerations, personalized learning, and the transformative impact of AI in education.
Generative AI, as explained by Mishra, involves the use of machine learning algorithms to generate new content in various formats. However, the complex nature of these AI systems means even their creators cannot fully understand how they work. He stressed the importance of recognizing generative AI as a social technology and setting clear boundaries to ensure responsible implementation.
13 Jun2023
By AACTE
Monika Williams Shealey, chair of the AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) Board of Directors, has been appointed dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Temple University. Shealey is currently the senior vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at Rowan University, where she previously served as dean of Rowan’s College of Education. She will begin her new role on July 1.
“On behalf of AACTE, I am delighted to congratulate our board chair for being named the dean at an institution whose mission is to prepare all students as educational leaders and change agents with a focus on social justice,” said AACTE President & CEO Lynn M. Gangone. “Dr. Shealey’s experienced leadership, along with her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, will be a tremendous asset to the college in preparing the next generation of education professionals.”
13 Jun2023
By Dawn Lewallen
Join AACTE in recognizing excellence in the best practices and professional achievements of individuals and institutions whose contributions strengthen and advance the field of educator preparation. You are invited to submit nominations for 2024 AACTE Awards by September 1 in the following award categories:
Best Practice
- Best Practice Award for the Innovative Use of Technology
- Best Practice Award in Support of Global and International Perspectives
- Best Practice Award in Support of Multicultural Education and Diversity
- Best Practice Award in Increasing Educator Diversity
- Best Practice Award for Exemplary Holmes Program
Professional Achievement
- Margaret B. Lindsey Award for Distinguished Research in Teacher Education
- David G. Imig Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teacher Education
- Edward C. Pomeroy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education
For more information on the criteria for each award, please visit aacte.org and review the Call for Entries.
AACTE is also accepting entries for 2024 James D. Anderson Outstanding Dissertation Award. The submission deadline is July 28. Learn more.
All 2024 AACTE Award recipients will be officially recognized at AACTE’s 2024 Annual Meeting, February 16 – 18 in Aurora/Denver, CO.
13 Jun2023
By Kaitlyn Brennan
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.
Last week, President Biden vetoed a Republican-led piece of legislation that would have canceled his plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student debt for millions of Americans. While Republicans led the bill, a handful of moderate Democrats joined their colleagues across the aisle to nullify the Biden-Harris Administration’s student debt relief program — citing the plan as too costly for tax payers and unfair to Americans who did not attend college.
13 Jun2023
By Kaitlyn Brennan
The “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.
Last week, Oklahoma state officials approved a bid to open the country’s first publicly funded religious charter school. In a statement, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt praised the decision, saying in part, “Oklahomans support religious liberty for all and support an increasingly innovative educational system that expands choice … Today, with the nation watching, our state showed that we will not stand for religious discrimination.”
The application for the Catholic-led bid was originally shot down in April — but the timing afforded church leaders the opportunity to address the state charter board members’ concerns and then refile a request before last week’s vote. Brett Farley, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, in a statement said: “We are elated that the board agreed with our argument and application for the nation’s first religious charter school … Parents continue to demand more options for their kids, and we are committed to help provide them.”
13 Jun2023
By Sue Rieg
This article was originally published by Altoona Mirror and is reprinted with permission.
Pennsylvania’s children — many of whom face academic and social-emotional challenges — deserve high-quality, well-prepared teachers, but due to teacher shortages many school districts are struggling to hire and retain well-qualified candidates.
The teacher shortage is real and alarming, but there is hope.
The shortage has been building for many years.
Since 2010, new in-state teacher certifications have decreased by nearly 70% to record low levels. In response, the state has issued more emergency teaching permits than new certificates.
12 Jun2023
By Idaho State University
The Idaho State University Albion Center for Professional Development, housed in the College of Education, has partnered with Ed3 DAO to offer a suite of online professional development courses for K-12 educators nationwide.
Co-founded by two educators, Vriti Saraf & Michael Peck, Ed3 DAO is a global launchpad and community for educators who wish to seek innovation and reimagine education using modern technology. The Ed3 DAO courses will help educators leverage concepts and tools including artificial intelligence, decentralization and democratization, financial literacy, cyber ethicism, digital cultural sensitivity, and more in their classrooms.
“The goal of our courses is to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to navigate and illuminate the power of a decentralized web,” said Mike Peck, co-founder of Ed3 DAO. “Our courses will help bridge the gap between the traditional classroom and the digital frontier.”
12 Jun2023
By Charles A. Barnes II, JD
My research is centered around identity and belonging. Specifically, how Black men identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community navigate religious and educational settings firmly rooted in oppressive heteronormative structures. Both religious and educational institutions are built around heteronormative principles that implicitly value and presuppose heterosexuality. Within heteronormative religious and educational spaces, many are confronted with feelings of isolation and alienation.
The presence of homophobia, racism, and other forms of discrimination fosters a hostile environment that marginalizes and excludes individuals like me. The weight of societal expectations, urging conformity, and the concealment of my true self, have resulted in internal conflict, mental health challenges, and a profound sense of disconnection. Nevertheless, I have refused to allow these obstacles to define me. Instead, I have discovered resilience within myself and actively sought out supportive networks, including LGBTQIA+ student organizations, allies, and inclusive educators who have offered me a vital sense of belonging and understanding.
12 Jun2023
By Nicole Dunn
Opportunities to observe and analyze a variety of educators employing evidenced-based practices is a critical component of quality educator preparation. Those opportunities are made even more valuable when they include insights into behind-the-scenes instructional decision making. That is why AACTE is excited to announce a new partnership with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards, Inc. (‘NBPTS’ or ‘The National Board’) to offer individual and institutional access to ATLAS (Accomplished Teaching, Learning and Schools) at a reduced cost for new subscribers. ATLAS is a video library that provides video cases and analysis tools of accomplished teaching practices indexed to common teaching and learning frameworks across various classroom settings.
AACTE has already provided webinar resources (Part 1 and Part 2) on how to use ATLAS as a tool and framework for using video resources in teacher preparation, and now AACTE is excited to offer you this tool at a reduced cost for those who register for a new subscription before the end of the year! AACTE members who sign up for a new ATLAS subscription before the end of 2023 will receive a 20% discount on institutional or individual subscriptions. Both institutional and individual subscription options are available for both one- and three-year terms, and those selecting a three-year term will be eligible for the 20% discount.
06 Jun2023
By Christine Gentry
With the crucial need for diverse representation and inclusivity in education, two innovative teachers are making an impact in their fields of teaching. I had the pleasure of working with Linden, a science educator from Boston, and Bill, an English language arts teacher in San Francisco, during their residency years spanning from 2017 to 2020.
In honoring trans/nonbinary educators, I captured our discussions, highlighting key themes on the challenges and opportunities they have faced, as well as how they have both transformed their classrooms into safe and supportive spaces for their students.
06 Jun2023
By AACTE
Be a part of the AACTE 2024 Annual Meeting by submitting a proposal or being a reviewer, and join us in Aurora/Denver, CO, February 16 – 18, under the theme: Ascending the Heights: Propelling the Profession into the Future.
06 Jun2023
By Kaitlyn Brennan
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 days before America was expected to reach the debt limit, President Biden signed into law the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The measure passed in the Senate with a 63-36 vote — nearly 24 hours after the House cleared the bill 314-117. The legislation raises the debt ceiling until January 2025 and flat funds fiscal year (FY) 2024 and limits a funding increase for FY 2025 to just 1%. Additionally, the deal changes some SNAP and TANF rules that will limit eligibility for some, rescinds some of the IRS funding provided in the Inflation Reduction Act, ends the pause on student loan repayments at the end of summer, rescinds some unobligated COVID-relief funding and a few other changes.
06 Jun2023
By Weade James
Congratulations to Blanca Jurado, Holmes Scholar of the Month for May 2023!
Blanca Jurado is a doctoral student at Texas Woman’s University. She earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix.
