26 May2021
By Linda Minor
Seats are still availability for the AACTE Leadership Academy introductory course, “Personal Wellness: Managing Your Stress and Time,” which will take place on Wednesday, June 9 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET. This will be an interactive session discussing the impact of COVID-19 on your professional and personal lives, the additional stresses, time demands, and overall wellness during these past 15 months.
25 May2021
By Jane E. West
This blog post is written by AACTE consultant Jane West and is intended to provide updated information. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.
States Placing Legal Limits on How Educators Can Address Race
On the heels of Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, backing two bills aimed at blocking the teaching of critical race theory in K-12 schools—four states have now passed legislation that would limit how teachers can discuss racism and sexism, among other topics. The legislation, passed so far in Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, bans teachers from introducing certain concepts, including that any individual is consciously or unconsciously racist or sexist because of their race or sex, and that anyone should feel discomfort or guilt because of their race or sex. A similar law also passed in Arkansas. In total, lawmakers in at least 15 states have introduced bills that seek to restrict how teachers can discuss racism, sexism, and other social issues.
24 May2021
By Linda Minor
The events of 2020 challenged the field of education in unprecedented ways. The pandemic forced educators to adapt to new ways of teaching that included virtual instruction and hybrid and in-person instruction constrained by masks, plexiglass, and social distancing.
You still have time to submit a proposal and share your story of lessons learned during these difficult times and contribute to the crucial conversations to rethink, reshape, and reimagine the profession at the AACTE 2022 Annual Meeting, March 4-6, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
24 May2021
By John Blackwell
As a member of the AACTE Board of Directors, I recognize and understand the challenges facing our members, and join my colleagues in working on your behalf.
From the debut of the new Connect360 online communities where you can collaborate with colleagues across the country to our updated advocacy center, AACTE is committed to helping navigate this shared journey. Throughout the pandemic, our number one priority remains serving as the voice of our members.
As the May 31 renewal deadline approaches, we hope to receive your continued support by renewing your membership, if you have not already done so. AACTE will continue to provide unparalleled support for our members and to help strengthen educator preparation—now and in the future.
24 May2021
By Michael Rose
President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) in March, which includes $122 billion for the ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) Fund. The ARP ESSER funds are intended to help state educational agencies and school districts safely reopen and address the impact of COVID-19 on the nation’s students. AACTE has developed the Educating the Future, Today toolkit to help members navigate conversations with state or local education leaders, encouraging them to use ESSER funds to staff classrooms with teacher candidates.
These funds provide a unique opportunity for school districts and educator preparation programs to address the teacher pipeline. As the U.S. Department of Education’s noted in its COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students’ Needs, ARP ESSER funds can be used to staff classrooms with teacher candidates, thereby providing them with practical experience while helping alleviate the challenges teachers are encountering with the transition back to in person teaching.
24 May2021
By Meghan Grenda
AACTE and GoReact recently announced a partnership that grants members additional access to video assessment tools. GoReact provides colleges and universities with interactive tools to facilitate video observation, coaching, and assessment for teacher educators everywhere. The software provides live and remote observation and assessment via simple, interactive tools, where candidates receive individualized feedback.
Through the partnership, all AACTE members receive complimentary usage of GoReact’s video assessment platform.
- If you are not yet a GoReact user, your AACTE membership grants you free access until July 31, 2021.
- If you are an existing GoReact user, your AACTE membership grants you expanded access until July 31, 2021.
24 May2021
By JTE Insider
Photo by Allison Shelley for EDUimages
Listen to the recent JTE Insider podcast by the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) editorial team. This blog is available to the public, and AACTE members have free access to the articles in the JTE online archives—just log in with your AACTE profile.
This podcast interview features insights from the article “Preparing Teachers for Relationships with Students: Two Visions, Two Approaches” by Victoria Theisen-Homer. The article was published in the May/June 2021 issue of the Journal of Teacher Education.
24 May2021
By Nicole Dunn
AACTE partners with organizations that share its view that an intersectional lens is critical when educators are examining structures and practices that increase student discrimination and disadvantages. As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to an end and Pride Month begins, one of AACTE’s partners, Human Rights Campaign’s Project THRIVE, is hosting a webinar with panelists that represent the intersection of these communities on May 27, 2:00 p.m. ET.
24 May2021
By John Henning
As the May 28 deadline for the Call for 2022 Annual Meeting Proposals nears, John Henning, AACTE Board liaison for the Committee on Meetings and Professional Development, reflects on the theme and developing proposals for the post-pandemic world of educator preparation.
The AACTE 74Th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA, March 4-6, 2022, promises to be a memorable one. AACTE members have just passed through one of the most intensive and challenging periods of growth in the organization’s long history. There will be much to share and much to reflect upon next spring. Even now, AACTE members are deeply engaged in reflection as they craft their conference proposals in anticipation of the May 28 deadline. What a great time to take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and prepare to share insights with like-minded colleagues. This is noble work and critical for reimagining teacher preparation.
21 May2021
By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.
Have you been thinking about volunteering for a leadership position in AACTE, but put it off because of the pandemic? As life begins to return to a “new normal,” now is a great time to step forward. Educator preparation is an essential element of our nation’s recovery from the pandemic, and AACTE is at the center of national efforts to ensure that all students receive the expert instruction and support they need and deserve.
21 May2021
By Richard Long
During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children—at least one in five—have missed critical vaccinations that keep them healthy and our communities free from disease.
Students without these vaccinations may not be eligible to return to in-person learning in the fall. Even worse, losing herd immunity could put millions of unvaccinated children and adults at risk for deadly or debilitating diseases such as measles, whooping cough and polio.
21 May2021
By JTE Insider
Listen to the recent JTE Insider podcast by the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) editorial team. This blog is available to the public, and AACTE members have free access to the articles in the JTE online archives—just log in with your AACTE profile.
This podcast interview features insights from the article “Proposing Core Practices for Social Studies Teacher Education: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Inquiry-Based Lessons” by Alexander Cuenca. The article was published in the May/June 2021 issue of the Journal of Teacher Education.
21 May2021
By Laurie Henry
Photo by Allison Shelley for EDUimages
This thought leadership article is written by an AACTE member. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.
The COVID-19 pandemic has set back learning for millions of students and exacerbated existing educational inequalities countrywide. A recent study by McKinsey Analysis found that Black, Latinx and lower-income students are less likely to have access to high-quality remote learning, resulting in their falling further behind and expanding the achievement gap by 15% to 20%. To help these students overcome pandemic learning loss, the Partnering Aspiring Teachers with High-Need Schools (PATHS) to Tutor Act was introduced on February 25 by a bipartisan group, including Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Susan Collins (R-ME).
20 May2021
By Jerrica Thurman
In just a few weeks, Connect360 has become the go-to source for AACTE members to explore innovative solutions for revolutionizing educator preparation. With over 20 communities, and more on the way, this is the place to address trending topics in education, engage with colleagues around areas of interest, and expand your knowledge and network.
Recent posts in the Open Forum, a community where members share best practices and resources, address effective ways to prepare teacher candidates to work for racial justice. Here is a sample of what members have to say:
18 May2021
By Gaelle Gilbert
Rebecca Kantor, Ed.D., dean of the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) passed away from a terminal illness in late April of 2021.
AACTE President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone, says, “Through our many walks together at CADREI, I developed a deeper understanding of and admiration for her passion to the profession. She was an exemplary leader for educator preparation, both within the state of Colorado and nationally, and leaves behind a lasting legacy of excellence through the innumerable lives she touched, mentored, and impacted.”
