08 Feb2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
Congratulations to Linzy Andre, the distinguished Holmes Scholar of the Month for February 2024. Andre (she/her/hers) is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in counseling & counselor education at Syracuse University. Originally hailing from Brooklyn, NY, she completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at Hunter College, followed by her master’s in mental health counseling.
Andre’s research focuses on the lived experiences of students of color within counseling. She specializes in various areas, including but not limited to issues of client, student, and educator diversity in counseling. Her captivating dissertation, “Becoming a Counselor: Narratives from Black Women Counselors about Healing Wounds,” provides a unique perspective as it is written from the standpoint of a fellow Black woman counselor who has dedicated a decade to this field.
08 Feb2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
Congratulations to Paris C. Pruitt, the distinguished Holmes Scholar of the Month for January 2024. Pruitt (she/her/they) is a Black feminist counselor educator and advocate for Black girls. A National Certified Counselor and licensed professional school counselor in both Maryland and Connecticut, Pruitt centers her research around supporting the academic, social/emotional, and career needs of Black girls to educate school counselors and community partners.
Pruitt has worked as a professional school counselor in Maryland and Connecticut. In 2016, she founded the non-profit “Imprint Initiative, Inc”, which provides scholarships, mentoring programs, and workshops, to help students discover their passions and define success for themselves. Upholding her principles of service as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Pruitt was named “Activist of the Year” by the University of Connecticut’s chapter of the NAACP in 2019 and awarded the Community Service Award from the Phi Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta.
06 Feb2024
By AACTE
We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all participants of the AACTE 2024 Annual Meeting to join us for a pivotal Learning Lab, “Developing Equity-Centered Principals.” In the pursuit of excellence in education, understanding and addressing issues of equity are paramount. This session, scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. MST, promises to be a transformative experience for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about creating inclusive learning environments.
06 Feb2024
Listen to Episode 2 of Preparing and Sustaining School Principals
By Nicole Dunn
AACTE’s newest podcast, AACTE PRESENTS: Preparing & Sustaining School Principals, shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of schools and universities – our principals and the people who make them. As the leading voice in educator preparation, we engage in candid conversations with researchers, faculty, practitioners, and scholars to explore what makes an effective PK-12 school leader and how to prepare them.
In this episode, we delve into principal pipelines, a key factor in ensuring schools are staffed with collaborative, effective leadership. Building on insights from Wallace’s Principal Pipeline Learning Community in 2019, where 84 school districts collaborated, this episode’s guests explore the approaches, opportunities, and challenges identified in the latest Wallace knowledge, a Principal Pipeline Sustainability Guide developed by Policy Study Associates.
06 Feb2024
By AACTE
Join the Kern Family Foundation’s sponsored Featured Session, “Integrity and Social Responsibility in Teacher Education,” on Saturday, February 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Colorado Ballroom B.
Character education and integrity are pivotal aspects of educator education as they form the bedrock of an educator’s professional identity and practice. Integrating character education into educator preparation programs equips future educators with the tools to address complex ethical challenges they may encounter, ultimately contributing to the creation of safe, respectful, and nurturing learning environments. Through their commitment to honesty, empathy, equity, and respect, educators can inspire the next generation to become not only academically proficient but also morally grounded individuals who contribute positively to their communities and society at large.
06 Feb2024
By Jason Moody
The Tennessee Grow Your Own Center, a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and the University of Tennessee System, has been awarded a $1.8 million grant over two years by Ascendium Education Group to strengthen the teacher talent development pipeline across Tennessee, by increasing the number of individuals enrolling in teacher education programs and improving the retention of existing teachers.
The grant will fund the development of the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program of Study (RTAPS) which will be an online curriculum developed by faculty fellows in the Institute for Competency-Based Teacher Education (ICBTE). This program provides Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) and Local Education Agency (LEA) leaders with secure access to standards-based curriculum, that includes topics such as planning for instruction, family and community collaboration, and learner development.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Ascendium Education Group. These funds equip EPPs to create flexible, high-quality, low-cost educator preparation pathways that are accessible to aspiring educators from every community. Funding also provides opportunities to use virtual simulations to enhance teacher skill development,” said Erin Crisp, executive director of the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center.
06 Feb2024
By Rhode Island Department of Education
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced the agency received nearly $5 million in school infrastructure grant funding through the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE)’s Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) program. The federal grants, totaling $47 million across the nation, will strengthen the capacity of RIDE’s ongoing priority of improving school facilities to ensure equitable access to modern learning environments for all students. Rhode Island is only one of seven State Education Agencies (SEAs) that received funding.
“Modern and sustainable school facilities are critical in ensuring our students are able to learn year-round and be present in the classroom,” said Governor McKee. “Over the past few years, we have upgraded several school buildings across the Ocean State to support the best outcomes for students. Thank you to the U.S. Department of Education and the Biden-Harris Administration for offering this important funding to help ongoing school improvements across Rhode Island.”
05 Feb2024
By Nicole Dunn
Black History Month is not merely a reflection on the past; it is a call to action, an opportunity to amplify Black voices and contributions within the realm of education. This year, we extend an enthusiastic invitation to all AACTE members, educators, and education leaders to join us in embracing excellence as we celebrate Black History Month.
As educator preparation programs (EPPs) that produce our country’s educators and education leaders, we play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of the next generation. By actively participating in Black History Month celebrations, we create a space that fosters inclusivity, diversity, and a genuine appreciation for the contributions of Black individuals in educator preparation.
February is also the month of AACTE’s 2024 Annual Meeting, with the theme of Ascending New Heights: Propelling the Profession Into the Future. Part of the work to achieve a future that fully embraces and celebrates a diverse study body is actively participating in the celebration of Black history. Celebrate and engage with us February 16– 18 at the Annual Meeting events below that feature Black excellence and advocate for inclusive and enriched educational experiences for all.
This list is not an exhaustive list of all sessions and speakers that represent or are speaking to Black educator preparation topics. For a full list and to plan your experience visit the Annual Meeting 2024 Online Planner.
05 Feb2024
By U.S. Department of Education
The Biden-Harris Administration today is announcing 19 new grant awards totaling $25 million through the first-ever Perkins Innovation and Modernization, Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) grant program.
This investment, issued by the U.S. Department of Education (Department), builds the capacity of education and workforce systems to partner with business and industry, to develop new high-quality career-connected high school programs for more students. Grantees will leverage four evidence-based strategies, or “keys,” to help students in unlocking career success including: providing postsecondary education and career guidance; increasing access to dual or concurrent enrollment programs; increasing work-based learning opportunities; and providing industry-recognized credentials.
30 Jan2024
Registration is Open
By AACTE
AACTE is co-hosting the 2024 National Symposium for Educator Preparation, Policy, and Leadership. The symposium will bring together teachers, university/college faculty, education deans, teacher leaders, school district personnel and superintendents, state licensure and certification professionals, education leaders, and state and federal policymakers to identify and highlight effective and equitable strategies, resources, policies and practices to recruit, prepare, and retain an effective teacher workforce with a focus on teachers from historically marginalized communities.
30 Jan2024
By Michele Cahill and Jeanie Lee
Join XQ’s Featured Session, “Disrupting Conventional Assumptions About High School Learning,“ on Saturday, February 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. This panel discussion is about “The First Class”—a powerful new documentary about a Memphis high school that highlights the role of educators in transforming teaching and learning.
We at XQ are honored to participate in AACTE’s 2024 Annual Meeting, “Ascending New Heights: Propelling the Profession into the Future.” This year’s theme perfectly captures our mission to rethink the high school experience to fully prepare all students for whatever the future holds with more engaging, authentic teaching.
Our conversations with AACTE and its members reveal a deep, shared vision for high school teaching and learning where adolescents are engaged, motivated, and empowered to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to thrive in our complex and rapidly changing world. In this shared vision, learning connects academic content to the real world and fosters opportunities for students to become makers, creators, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers. Good high school teachers remain crucial to this vision — and we also need to rethink how we prepare our educators so they can provide these experiences to their students.
30 Jan2024
By AACTE
The #AACTE24 Mobile App is now available — download it today. Get ready for an immersive and interactive experience at the upcoming AACTE 2024 Annual Meeting, taking place at the Gaylord Rockies in Aurora/Denver, CO, from February 16–18.
The mobile app serves as your personalized conference program, offering a comprehensive overview of the event’s lineup of sessions and presenters. Customize your meeting experience by adding sessions, presenters, and posters to your favorites, ensuring that you don’t miss out on any key insights. Taking notes during sessions is made easy, and you can even download presentations for future reference. Stay on top of the action by accessing real-time information on session locations while on the go.
If you have already created an account for the online planner, simply log in using those credentials. For newcomers, creating an account is a breeze. Embrace the convenience of digital connectivity and engage with #AACTE24 attendees.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your #AACTE24 experience. Read for more information and Mobile App FAQs.
29 Jan2024
Lunch & Learn with Guy Trainin
By Brooke Evans
AACTE is pleased to offer Lunch & Learns: professional development opportunities for members. These 30-minute sessions are designed to provide you with an immediate tool or strategy to apply to your work. Can’t make it virtually? All Lunch & Learns will be available on-demand for AACTE members. Watch them during your lunch break or whenever it is convenient for you.
By AACTE member request, Guy Trainin will be back for the next part of his series on Thursday, February 8 from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET to present Part II, More Lesson Planning: Discussing Generative AI Tools for Teacher Educators.
29 Jan2024
By U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) today released the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP): A Call to Action for Closing the Digital Access, Design and Use Divides. First released in fulfillment of the 2000 Educate America Act, NETP has been updated multiple times since its original release, most recently in 2016.
“From the American Rescue Plan to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and more, the Biden-Harris Administration has made bold investments aimed at closing the digital divide and ensuring all students can equitably access the latest digital tools and technology,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “As we work to Raise the Bar in education, it’s essential we focus on empowering teachers to become designers of active learning, using technology in effective ways to engage and inspire students. The 2024 National Educational Technology Plan is a forward-thinking approach to reframing and realizing the potential of educational technology to enhance the instructional core, reduce achievement gaps, and improve student learning in our schools.
29 Jan2024
By Kansas State Department of Education
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will oversee an $8.4 million federal grant awarded to the state to create the Kansas Youth Transition Network, a statewide initiative that will help students with disabilities make the transition from education to employment.
“This grant will help youth with disabilities statewide connect to the supports that meet their individual needs as they transition from high school to college, other postsecondary opportunities, or directly into competitive integrated employment,” said Dean Zajic, assistant director for KSDE’s Special Education and Title Services (SETS) team and project director for the grant.
