12 Aug2024
By Nikki Livingston
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.
12 Aug2024
By Julie Wootton-Greener
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.
06 Aug2024
By Marc Siegel
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.”
05 Aug2024
By AACTE
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.
05 Aug2024
By AACTE
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.
05 Aug2024
By AACTE
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.”
30 Jul2024
By AACTE
AACTE invites members to nominate their institutions for two prestigious awards honoring the critical role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in educator preparation.
2025 Multicultural Education and Diversity: Best Practice Award
This award celebrates schools, colleges, or education departments that prioritize diversity in educator preparation and development by integrating culture, language, demographics, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, and exceptionalities. Learn more and submit your entry.
2025 Increasing Educator Diversity: Promising Practice Award
This award honors outstanding practices that promote international perspectives in educator preparation and recognizes innovators who bring global perspectives to education policy and programs. Celebrate your institution’s excellence in integrating intercultural and global education to you programs. Learn more and submit your entry.
30 Jul2024
By Raynard Churchwell
This story originally appeared on Kennesaw State University’s website and is reprinted with permission.
In conjunction with an ongoing effort to address the dearth of Asian American studies in K-12 school curriculums, Kennesaw State University professor Sohyun An, Ph.D., is among a group of researchers recently awarded a prestigious $3.5 million Transformative Research Grant from the Spencer Foundation. The first of its kind awarded by the foundation, the grant supports a robust collaborative research effort focused on supporting the integration of Asian American studies in the classroom.
Through the grant, An will serve as a co-principal investigator on a multidisciplinary team that includes principal investigator Noreen Naseem Rodríguez of Michigan State University; and co-principal investigators Esther Kim of College of William and Mary; Soo-yong Byun of the Pennsylvania State University; Michael Brown of the University of Michigan; and Jennifer Higgs of the University of California, Davis. Together, they will conduct an extensive study across five states to explore how communities advocate for and implement policies mandating the teaching of Asian American studies in K-12 classrooms, and how these initiatives impact student learning.
30 Jul2024
By Hawai'i State Department of Education
Forty-four free, public preschool classrooms are slated to open across the state, with at least one classroom on each island. This marks a historic number of new public pre-K classrooms opening in a single year. The announcement was made Friday at Kūhiō Elementary School by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who is leading the state’s Ready Keiki initiative, along with the Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL) and Ready Keiki partners.
This tranche of openings follows 11 classrooms that opened last year, all of which were completed under budget and ahead of schedule. The 44 new classrooms will add 820 seats to the inventory of public pre-K seats across the state, bringing the total to 1,767.
29 Jul2024
By Karenna Glover
GoReact is excited to announce a significant milestone in the field of education technology: 20% of graduating teachers in the U.S.¹ have utilized GoReact during their teacher preparation programs. This widespread adoption underscores GoReact’s role in enhancing teacher training and improving educational outcomes.
“We are thrilled that so many new educators are using GoReact in their training programs,” said Ken Meyers, CEO of GoReact. “Our platform is designed to make a meaningful impact on the teaching profession by providing aspiring teachers with the tools and feedback they need to become the high-quality educators our country needs.”
29 Jul2024
By AACTE
The call for applications for the second cohort of the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) Holmes Co-editorship is now open. Selected scholars will co-author an editorial or manuscript that will appear in JTE’s special anniversary issue on teacher residency programs in 2025. This opportunity is specifically for Holmes Scholars who would like to learn how to write and publish a piece of quality scholarship in a high-impact academic journal.
Through JTE, AACTE is committed to ensuring that the next generation of education scholars, particularly underrepresented scholars, are supported as they advance their research and scholarship. The first cohort of JTE Holmes guest editors will speak about their experiences in a webinar on Thursday, September 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.
Read more about the application or apply now. Applications are due on Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. EST.
25 Jul2024
By Charles A. Barnes II, JD
The AACTE Holmes Scholars Program is proud to feature Ayana Bass as the July 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month. Bass is a dedicated and influential figure in special education, focusing on adult learners and teacher diversity.
As a doctoral student at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, her academic and professional journey highlights her commitment to improving education through research, policy, and practice.
22 Jul2024
By Casey Kelly
This article was originally published on the University of Maine’s website and is reprinted with permission.
The University of Maine College of Education and Human Development and the Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) have agreed to extend their partnership focused on advancing the preparation and professional development of high-quality rural teachers and school leaders throughout New England.
The parties recently signed a new memorandum of understanding to continue the collaboration through fiscal year 2027, allowing UMaine to remain the home of the RSC’s New England Rural Education Hub.
22 Jul2024
By Lidia Gutierrez
This article is reprinted with permission from Sam Houston State University.
Professors Francisco Usero-Gonzalez and Burcu Ates led students from Sam Houston State University to venture into Costa Rica for a unique study abroad program from May 11 to May 20. This trip was designed for students interested in pursuing a career in English as a Second Language (ESL) education, offering them an invaluable opportunity to experience teaching in a different cultural context and assist local educators.
“Study abroad programs significantly impact teacher candidates by enriching their teaching practices and preparing them to engage with diverse student populations,” Ates, the faculty lead for this study abroad program, said. “This global perspective enables them to create more inclusive curricula and foster a classroom environment that respects and celebrates ALL students.”
22 Jul2024
By Brooke Evans
On May 2, 2024, the inaugural National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) State Dinner was held at the White House. The event welcomed National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Missy Testerman from Tennessee, state teachers of the year, members of the NTOY selection committee, sponsors, and esteemed guests to honor Testerman as well as celebrate the work of the state teachers of the year in camaraderie.
The event, hosted by First Lady Jill Biden, Ed.D., made history as it was the first time being held at the White House, with distinguished guests Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Secretary of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra, with a special appearance from President Joe Biden, who addressed the audience with celebratory remarks for the state teachers of the year in attendance, “Teaching is not what you do, but who you are. I realize how hard you all work every day. I just want to say how much I appreciate all you do.”
