08 Mar2022
By Leslie Ekpe
Congratulations to Devon Carter, Holmes Scholar of the Month, for February 2022.
Carter is originally from Cleveland, OH and earned a basketball scholarship to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. As a two-time captain of the basketball team at Lehigh, he earned both a Bachelors of Arts (‘16) and, continuing his education while on the team, a Master of Science (‘18) in social psychology. Carter is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in special education at Lehigh.
07 Mar2022
By Lynn M. Gangone and Ronn Nozoe
This article originally appeared in District Administration and is reprinted with permission.
Our nation’s most significant innovations stem from education. From the founding of our nation to the moon landing in 1969, from the introduction of personal computers in 1971 to the advent of the internet in 1983, such accomplishments would not have occurred without education and an educated populace. Without educators we will not continue to innovate, create, and lead the world. We have ignored the dwindling number of people entering the field of education for decades. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of teachers exiting classrooms only continues to increase.
07 Mar2022
By Michael Rose
AACTE is excited to announce that it is offering its members monthly public policy webinars to learn about critical policy updates impacting education preparation. The inaugural AACTE Public Policy in Action webinar will take place March 17 at 1:00 p.m. (EST). We hope that attendees will also share policy developments in from their states during the member-only briefings.
During the March discussion, attendees will learn about a new and innovative way to address the nation’s teacher shortage by utilizing the Department of Labor’s apprenticeship program. The U.S. Department of Labor recently approved Tennessee Department of Education’s application to include teacher residencies as a qualified apprenticeship program, opening the door to additional federal funds to help address the state’s teacher shortage. The program will provide candidates with high-quality, in-classroom experiences while learning from a mentor teacher as part of their clinical experience (known as student teaching in some states) and will increase the quantity and diversity of teachers in Tennessee’s classrooms; other states are expected to pursue this option to address teacher shortages in their classrooms.
07 Mar2022
By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.
In February, Vice President for Research Policy & Advocacy Jacqueline Rodriguez and I presented at the National Teacher Shortage Summit. The Summit was hosted by the American Association of School Personnel Administrators and co-sponsored by numerous organizations, including AACTE. Our presentation summarized findings from numerous AACTE studies on trends in educator preparation and featured initiatives by several AACTE members to address the shortage of teachers and other essential educators.
The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) subsequently recorded a webinar with the two of us, summarizing our presentation, and has made it available free for AACTE members. The webinar also features other presenters from the Summit.
07 Mar2022
By AACTE
AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education) announced Michael E. Dantley, Ed.D., Dean Emeritus of the College of Education, Health and Society (EHS) at the Miami University of Ohio as the new chair of its board of directors.
During his one-year term, Dantley will support AACTE and President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D., in implementing the Association’s strategic goals, upholding democracy by combatting the divisive issues taking hold in education, and preparing the organization for its 75th anniversary in 2023.
05 Mar2022
By AACTE
AACTE was one of 94 higher education associations and organizations to issue the following joint statement:
Colleges and universities exist to examine complex issues, challenges, and ideas, and to provide a forum in which issues and opinions can be explored and openly debated. In our intensely politicized and divided country, with social media and societal silos coarsening already heated conversations, this can be extraordinarily challenging. Yet, fostering a rigorous and civil exchange of ideas has never been more important. To best serve American society, higher education institutions are committed to transparent intellectual inquiry and academic excellence, free speech, and civil discourse. It is incumbent on our governmental institutions to share and support this commitment.
Efforts to suppress inquiry, curb discussion, and limit what can be studied violate the basic principles of free speech and an open exchange of ideas, and undermine the very purpose of higher education. Nonetheless, some elected officials have proposed measures foreclosing evaluation of complex and challenging ideas.
24 Feb2022
By Weade James
The AACTE Holmes Program continues to grow with diverse scholars who are engaged in innovative and impactful research in the education field. AACTE is excited to welcome three new scholars from the University of North Texas and Lehigh University. Congratulations to these new scholars on being selected to join the Holmes Program: Zutella Holmes, Mohammad Bahadori Fallah, and Devon Carter.
22 Feb2022
By Oumarou Abdoulaye Balarabe
Sponsored by Ohio University’s Patton College of Education, The Holmes Council, and AACTE, this free four-part series of conversations is designed to explore the leadership trajectories and experiences of various individuals connected to the field of education. The sessions will offer a platform for the presenters to share valuable insights regarding leadership lessons. Participation is free. Register a tinyurl.com/yheh3tkc.
Session Two: A Conversation on Leadership Lessons With Deans of Colleges of Education Monday, February 28, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST
Speakers
Andrew P. Daire, Dean, School of Education
Virginia Commonwealth University
Michael E. Dantley, Dean Emeritus College of Education
Miami University
Mia Tuan, Dean, College of Education
University of Washington
22 Feb2022
By Kaitlyn Brennan
As we head into Congressional recess, behind the scenes things are heating up surrounding the passage of an FY22 appropriations bill which includes historic increases for education funding. The Senate passed a stop-gap funding measure on Thursday that, once signed by the President will give Members and their staff another three weeks to cement a deal on FY22. The proposed increases to education funding are critical in supporting rebuilding and diversifying the educator pipeline-now is the time to make sure your voices are heard.
22 Feb2022
By Anthony Pittman and Anthony Broughton
This post is part of AACTE’s Black History Month 2022 Blog series.
Claflin University is pleased to have been invited by AACTE to help celebrate Black History Month. Founded in 1869, primarily to educate freed slaves, Claflin was the first historically Black college/University (HBCU) in South Carolina to open its doors to all people – regardless of race, class, gender, and/or any of the other social constructs that have been divisive across many components of society. For over 150 years, Claflin has remained committed to her mission, one in which diversity and inclusion are central to the development of visionary leaders and scholars in their chosen fields of study. At Claflin, our belief is that our graduates will make their marks on the world by leading innovative changes in various industries and professions across the globe.
Claflin University is located in the small city of Orangeburg, South Carolina and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church. Among her numerous accolades, Claflin is ranked the #1 HBCU in the state, and for its 11th consecutive year, the University is in U.S. News & World Report’s “Top 10 of the Nation’s Best HBCUs.” As the oldest HBCU in the state of South Carolina, Claflin University’s commitment to teacher eucation has been consistently strong since its founding. She has produced teachers, principals, superintendents, and numerous other educational professionals who have made significant contributions to the myriad classrooms and other educational contexts within the state of SC and indeed across the United States and the world at large.
22 Feb2022
Driving the National Conversation to Recruit, Sustain, and Retain Diverse Teaching Candidates
By Amanda Morales
The AACTE Diversified Teacher Workforce Topical Action Group (TAG) will convene Pk-20 practitioners, researchers, and community stakeholders to discuss how to bolster collective efforts to recruit, sustain and retain teachers of color. The preconference event will take place on Thursday, March 3 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Grand Ballroom B, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Across the field of education (PK-20) students, teachers, administrators, teacher educators/professors, and program leaders continue to witness and lament the chronic disparities in representation and lack of ethno-racial and linguistic diversity among teachers (relative to their students) in our nation’s schools. And in the wake of a global pandemic, enduring civil unrest, the impending mass teacher exodus, and calls for racial justice related to systemic anti-Black, anti-Asian and anti-immigrant sentiments within all aspects of society, educational institutions are being forced to engage in introspection with greater magnitude. Teacher preparation programs in particular are feeling increased pressure to recruit, retain and effectively prepare a highly-qualified, racially-literate, and ethno-racially diverse pool of candidates as districts scramble to hire teachers with the content knowledge and pedagogical skills as well as the cultural and linguistic competencies needed to meet the needs of today’s students.
18 Feb2022
By Dawn Williams
This post is part of AACTE’s Black History Month 2022 Blog series.
As we are nearing the end of another Black History Month, this year somehow feels different. On one hand the increased representation of diversity in marketing and corporate settings is promising. On the other hand, the resurgence of attacks on the use of school curriculum that represents diverse lived experiences is troubling. We find ourselves fighting a history of structural racism while also trying to safeguard our health against a global pandemic. However, what has not changed is our steadfast commitment to “balance the scales for the disenfranchised and promote an America that is devoid of inequalities.”
18 Feb2022
By Meghan Grenda
Are you a current AACTE member and want to make the most of your membership? You are invited to stop by the AACTE membership area during the 74th Annual Meeting to learn more about the resources offered to you as a member and how to become an even more engaged member.
New to AACTE?
The AACTE team will be on hand in the Gallery to share information on how to take full advantage of your membership.
Get Your Complimentary Gift
To show appreciation to its valuable network, AACTE will give a complimentary gift to any member attendee who visits the membership area.
17 Feb2022
By Ward Cummings
AACTE worked with Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) to craft the EDUCATORS for America Act, a bill to update Title II of the Higher Education Act. The bill will help state and local communities address educator pipeline challenges by channeling national resources to states and localities so local leaders can build a diverse, profession-ready army of teachers, principals, librarians, counselors, and specialized instructors. Nearly 50 national organizations have endorsed the EDUCATORS for America Act.
Having played a leadership role in drafting the bill, AACTE looks forward to its passage. AACTE encourage you to join in advocating for the bill. The investments called for in the measure are long overdue and AACTE needs your help to ensure that students are taught by well-prepared, diverse educators. Please follow this link, to fill out an advocacy form to send emails to your members of Congress urging the passage of the EDUCATORS for America Act.
17 Feb2022
By AACTE
Join more than 1,200 education leaders in moving the profession forward at AACTE’s 74th Annual Meeting, March 4 – 6, 2022, in New Orleans, LA.
There’s still time to reserve your spot at this crucial educator preparation event. This high energy and transformational conference will guide attendees in engaging in meaningful discussions, sharing research and practices, and becoming better equipped to drive change in the educator preparation field and beyond.
