30 Sep2021
By AACTE
AACTE and ATE State Leaders Discuss State Policy Trends and Advocacy for Educator Preparation
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) concludes its month-long Washington Week programming with the State Leaders Institute (SLI), September 30 through October 1. SLI brings together state chapter leaders from AACTE and the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) to augment their impact on state level educator preparation policy issues and to advocate for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. This program affords leaders the opportunity to gain insight from each other, learn how other states organize their state-level conferences and outreach efforts, and identify key advocacy strategies together.
21 Sep2021
By AACTE
AACTE begins its
virtual “Day on the Hill” today, September 21, through September 23, as part of
AACTE’s Washington Week activities. Themed “Your Voice Matters,” the virtual event enables AACTE members to make their collective voices heard with Members of Congress and their Staff. Prior to their virtual Hill visits, participants engage in orientation and advocacy training in preparation to call for education funding and policy changes focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and teacher preparation programs. Throughout the sessions, attendees will learn what context to consider when meeting with their legislators and explore the latest developments in Washington.
“AACTE’s leadership as an advocate for higher and K-12 education throughout our nation is powerful,” said Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D., president and CEO, AACTE. “As our members come together as one voice during Washington Week, they remind our elected officials of the importance of education as the foundation of our democracy and ask our congresspeople to lend their unwavering support to our elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions, their educators, and their students.”
The Holmes Program Advanced Policy Short Course preceded Day on the Hill, including a ‘Capitol Hill Briefing’ with House Education and Labor Committee Staff and an interview with Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17). During the course, students learned strategies to elevate their research and amplify their voices to positively impact future policy for students of color and other marginalized groups.
Sessions at AACTE’s 2021 Day on the Hill include:
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
- Day on the Hill Opening Session
- The Big Picture: Current Policy & Political Landscape
- Legislative Priorities: Appropriations, the Higher Education Act, Reed/Adams Legislation, and Reconciliation
- What is Advocacy and Why is it Important?
- Using AACTE’s Legislative Priorities for an Effective Hill Meeting
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
- Capitol Hill Panel Discussion
- Education Deans Panel and Town Hall: Building Campus/Program Leadership for Advocacy
- Checking Your Own Politics at the Door: How to Talk with Policy Makers of Either Party and Effectively Tell Your Story
Thursday, September 23, 2021
- Day on the Hill – Virtual House and Senate Congressional Visits
AACTE’s Washington Week activities will conclude with the
State Leaders Institute held September 30 through October 1. For more information on AACTE Washington Week 2021, visit
aacte.org, and follow us on
Facebook and
Twitter using #AACTEWW21.
02 Sep2021
By AACTE
02 Sep2021
By AACTE
Join AACTE for the second session in its virtual
Leadership Academy Series, “
When Thinking Wrong is Right: Purposeful Disruption of the Status Quo,” on Wednesday, October 20, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET. This session, facilitated by Patty Alvarez McHatton, senior vice president at Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity, and Kandi Hill-Clarke, dean of the College of Education at Memphis University, will cover:
- How do you find time to reflect, explore and innovate when work has become more intense and overwhelming?
- How do you challenge the status quo by applying lessons learned from this past year of working, teaching, and learning remotely?
- How do you disrupt the ordinary to consider when thinking wrong is the right thing to do?
Get ready to flex your “thinking wrong” muscles in this engaging, reflective, and fun session. Attendees will participate in open discussion, followed by small group interactive exercises, to put into practice thinking wrong to do right.
Register today at
aacte.org. AACTE members can attend this session, the third session in January 2022, and even access the recording of the first session, at one low registration rate of $99. Space is limited so secure your spot now!
26 Aug2021
By AACTE
Hear from outstanding speakers regarding advancing educational equity and policy and promoting culturally sustaining practices in education:
20 Jul2021
By AACTE
On behalf of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement on the House Appropriations Committee passage of the fiscal year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill:
“AACTE is deeply gratified to see such an historic investment in education, and particularly in educator preparation. While our members have advocated for years, indeed decades, for such investments, this is the first time Congress has responded with such a robust bill. These unprecedented increases will make a significant difference in addressing the long-term deficits in our nation’s education system. They will enable our nation to address the critical shortage of educators and the lack of diversity in our profession in transformative ways. AACTE urges Congress to pass this legislation and send it to President Biden for his signature as soon as possible.”
02 Jun2021
By AACTE
While we love engaging conversations within Connect360, we also love seeing friendly faces and updated bios on profiles! Updating your profile enables others to learn more about you. Adding your bio, job history, and interests encourages your colleagues to engage and collaborate with you within the community.
01 Jun2021
By AACTE
On behalf of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement on President Joseph R. Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget:
“Today, President Biden let educators know that he has heard our voices loud and clear. The unprecedented investments called for in his FY 22 budget proposal begin to redress the chronic inequities in our nation’s education system. With a new $20 billion Title I Equity grant, a $1 billion program to double mental health professionals in schools, and a significant increase in Pell grants, educators can envision a future where every student is on a pathway to success. The President’s budget reflects a full understanding of the crisis in our educator pipeline and recommends robust increases to address it. AACTE is thrilled to endorse President Biden’s vision and commitment to a fully equitable education system. We are eager to work with Congress to make these requests a reality.”
27 May2021
By AACTE
Watch this video to learn more about AACTE Connect360 and visit aacteconnect360.org to get involved. For the latest in what’s happening with AACTE’s new online community, follow us at #AACTE360.
04 May2021
By AACTE
Photo by Allison Shelley for EDUimages
On behalf of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement to celebrate educators during National Teacher Appreciation Week:
“One of the most pervasive truths in American public education is that great teachers transform lives. COVID-19 illuminated the vital role teachers play in our communities. As parents struggled to balance work, supervise virtual classrooms, and co-educate their children, a new awareness and appreciation arose for the influence, importance, and value of teachers. Educators across America have learned new technologies, created innovative ways to reach students online, and, above all, kept education moving forward. As we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week, AACTE thanks these critical front-line workers for their adaptability, ingenuity, and dedication and recognizes the difficult circumstances they face in returning to the classroom.
29 Apr2021
By AACTE
On behalf of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone issued the following statement on President Biden’s American Families Plan:
“President Biden today released the American Families Plan, which includes a transformative investment in our nation’s education system from early childhood through higher education. In addition to calling for free community college and free, universal pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds, the plan targets a $9 billion investment in teacher education and support.
28 Apr2021
By AACTE
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) today officially launched its new online community, AACTE Connect360, the premier connection circle for engaging and collaborating to advance educator preparation. The virtual platform enables teacher educators, candidates, and partners to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas and resources, and share best practices on real-time issues impacting the profession. With user-friendly features, AACTE Connect360 enables the Association’s members to easily access their professional community for the support they need during these unprecedented times in education.
“AACTE members are committed to advancing educator preparation through cutting edge research and innovative practice and offer a wealth of knowledge on best practices in preparing high-quality teachers. AACTE developed the Connect360 online community to enhance the exchange of knowledge and provide access on-demand to solutions that address the rising challenges in education today,” said Matthew J. Wales, AACTE vice president, member services and events. “AACTE Connect360 gives members a place to connect virtually, which is especially critical while not able to convene in-person meetings and events due to COVID-19. This interactive platform brings together AACTE’s community in an exciting and engaging way.”
26 Mar2021
By AACTE
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) released today its new video series featuring promising practices for recruiting and retaining male teachers of color. AACTE created the Black and Hispanic/Latino Male Teacher Initiative Networked Improvement Community (NIC), which included a 5-year study by 10 AACTE member institutions that implemented improvement science to address the shortage crisis of Black and Hispanic/Latino profession-ready male teachers. Key findings from their research are featured in the video case studies, where the NIC participants present their experiences and lessons learned. NIC members describe effective ways for reducing barriers, developing partnerships, building recruitment pathways, providing mentorship, and offering faculty training to diversify the profession.
04 Mar2021
By AACTE
The American Association of Colleges Teacher Education (AACTE) has launched a new initiative to advance the use of simulation in science educator preparation. AACTE recently received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Discovery Research PreK-12 convening grant to address the critical need for well-qualified science educators who can teach effectively in a variety of face-to-face and virtual school settings and meet the needs of diverse learners.
02 Mar2021
By AACTE
AACTE congratulates Miguel Cardona as the new U.S. Secretary of Education, sworn in today by Vice President Kamala Harris. AACTE recognizes Secretary Cardona as a lifelong educator who understands the importance of professional, high-quality educator preparation programs. AACTE and its members stand ready to work with the head of the U.S. Department of Education for ensuring that our nation’s educators are profession-ready and have the necessary resources to help students effectively achieve academic success.
“Secretary Cardona has a strong record on education and has served our nation’s elementary and secondary students at nearly every level,” said Lynn M. Gangone, AACTE’s president and CEO. “We are deeply concerned about the shrinking pipeline of candidates in educator preparation programs as well as the learning loss and growing deficits of children’s socio-emotional needs exacerbated by the pandemic. We look forward to working with Secretary Cardona to address these challenges as well as diversifying the teaching field so that it better reflects the nation’s student population.”
