Archive for August, 2024

Nominate Your Institution: AACTE Award Honoring Global, International Perspectives

AACTE invites members to nominate their institutions for a prestigious award honoring the incorporation of global diversity educator preparation.

2025 Best Practice Award in Support of Global and International Perspectives 

This award recognizes exemplary practice in the intercultural, global, cross-cultural, and international arenas. It is overseen by AACTE’s Committee on Global Diversity as part of its mission to ensure that a worldwide/international perspective is brought to policy and programs associated with the preparation of education professionals. 

Nominees must be members of AACTE. Learn more and submit an entry. By nominating your institution, you are invited to use the application to highlight the important work you or your program is innovating and incorporating directly into your preparation program. Nominations are due by September 15.   

Visit the AACTE Awards Program page for a complete list of calls for award applications. The 2024 winner of the Best Practice Award in Support of Global and International Perspectives, Howard University, awards visited AACTE in a webinar earlier this year, detailing the importance of their work and what it means to be recognized. Watch the recording now.

P-12 Teachers Across Indiana Bring Global, Science Expertise to The Classroom Thanks to IU

Science continues to advance as the global economy rapidly changes, and P-12 students must acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the careers of tomorrow. It’s up to educators to make sure they are sharing the most up-to-date information with these students in an engaging way. As a premier research institution, Indiana University offers high-quality professional development opportunities to teachers across the state to help them prepare students for the future.

The P-12 School Engagement team consists of faculty from the Office of Community Engagement in the School of Education at IU Bloomington. The team works with partners across IU to offer professional development training in global competency, medicine, and environmental science, giving teachers the resources they need to prepare students for success.

In Nevada: Department of Education Releases Dyslexia Guidance Documents 

The Nevada Department of Education has released a new dyslexia resource guide for school districts and public charter schools to identify and provide instructional support for students who have or are at risk of dyslexia. 

“The dyslexia guidance documents will help with serving students across our state who have dyslexia or are at risk,” said Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “These efforts will positively impact the trajectory of students’ academic success.” 

The Nevada Department of Education has guidance documents posted on its website covering topics such as common myths and misperceptions about dyslexia, screening assessments, accommodations, Individualized Education Program (IEP), instructional supports, and resources. 

How a Residency Partnership Increased Applicants by 5000% 

In one year, Virginia Commonwealth University’s RTR Teacher Residency increased their applicant pool in one school division (Virginia’s name for districts) by 5000% — from an average of six applicants in previous years to over 300. What made the difference? In 2023, VCU and Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) advertised a groundbreaking new residency offering: A $43,000 salary, plus comprehensive benefits. 

“It’s not that people don’t want to go into education—It’s that they don’t want to go into debt,” Kim McKnight, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Teacher Leadership and Executive Director of RTR at VCU said. “It was really encouraging to see such a big increase in applicants.” 

In Oregon, Summer Is Another Season for Learning 

Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams, Ed.D., visited Imlay Elementary School in Hillsboro for a tour that showcased the school’s bilingual enrichment Summer Learning programs. She was joined by State Sen. Janeen Sollman, State Rep. Susan McLain, and Hillsboro Mayor Steve Callaway. 

Williams sits with incoming fifth grade students as they use math skills learned this summer to build sturdy bridges.

“In Oregon, summer is another season for learning,” Williams said. “So exciting to tour today’s programs and see young scholars advancing their learning with innovative, hands-on STEM activities and core literacy instruction.” 

“We are so grateful to be able to provide robust summer programming to more than 2,800 students this summer, thanks in large part to funding support from the State of Oregon,” said Hillsboro School District Assistant Superintendent for School Performance Brooke Nova. “These summer programs give our students who are most in need of support the opportunity to strengthen their skills and position themselves for enhanced success in the coming school year.” 

Nominate Your Institution: AACTE Awards Highlighting Tech Innovation 

AACTE invites members to nominate their institution for a prestigious award highlighting programs that infuse technology into their coursework. 

The Best Practice Award for the Innovative Use of Technology overseen by AACTE’s Committee on Innovation and Technology, recognizes an innovative use of educational technologies in an AACTE member institution, school, college, or department of education (SCDE). 

By nominating your institution, you are invited to highlight the innovative practices and significant contributions you and your colleagues have made in integrating technology into your programs, practices, and activities. Nominations are due by September 15. Learn more and submit an entry. 

What Can I Learn in AACTE Coaching? Q&A with AACTE’s Shari Baker

AACTE strives to meet the professional development goals of its members through programs like AACTE Coaching — a new initiative to engage with deans, assistant deans, and other faculty leaders with catered executive coaching to help them accomplish their career goals and excel in leadership.

AACTE sat down with Shari Baker, Ed.D., vice president of professional learning and growth, who coordinates the AACTE Coaching program, to learn more about what the initiative can provide through personal and cohort coaching later this year.

Bipartisan NEED Act Seeks To Help Schools, Colleges Advance in Learning 

AACTE is one of nearly 70 organizations that supports a bill seeking to make advancements in teaching and learning. 

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act to create a national center that advances high-risk, high-reward education research projects, similar to the model employed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). 

“As a former school superintendent, I know our teachers are doing everything they can to overcome today’s educational challenges – especially as COVID, social media, and nationwide mental health crisis have made their jobs more difficult than ever. They need new tools to overcome these obstacles and educate the next generation of Americans, and Congress can help by investing in cutting-edge education research,” said Bennet. “This bipartisan bill will help schools, educators, and policy makers meet today’s education challenges and make necessary, data-based adjustments in the future.”