29 Jun2021
By Meghan Grenda
AACTE invites you to attend a webinar to introduce you to the new members-only AACTE Connect360 resource, walk you through how to access its many features, and provide resources to help get you better acquainted. Topics will cover how to setup your community profile, how to join and post a discussion to a community, how to connect with colleagues, and how to explore the unique community libraries where member can upload resources, share documents, and participate in the ongoing conversation.
Connect360 is an engaging and interactive virtual platform that brings together AACTE’s community in an exciting way. Featuring over 20 unique communities, a community of over 15,000 individuals, and dozens of discussion posts, members can begin discussions, ask questions of fellow AACTE members, provide insight on each other’s posts, and share best practices.
22 Jun2021
By Jacqueline Rodriguez
AACTE is excited to announce a new opportunity for members to pilot the PlanWise™ tool, a Chrome Extension developed by ETS and focused on delivering formative assessment practices and strategies. The PlanWise™ tool meets teachers where they are in a number of ways, including by providing suggestions for formative assessment strategies to teachers and teacher candidates while they are lesson planning in Google Docs. After an initial pilot with K-12 teachers, there is increased interest in expanding use of the PlanWise™ tool to teacher candidates. Many novice teachers in the initial pilot valued the utility of the tool in identifying a variety of new formative assessment strategies and indicated that the strategies increased their use of formative assessment with students.
14 Jun2021
By Jayme Blaschke
This article originally appeared in the Texas State University Online Newroom and is reprinted with permission.
Michael P. O’Malley, dean of the College of Education at Texas State University, has been elected by his peers as president-elect of the Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (TACTE).
O’Malley will serve in officer roles as president-elect for 2021-22, president in 2022-23, and past-president in 2023-25. He has been a member of the TACTE legislative committee since 2018.
TACTE is an organization for deans and associate deans of education in Texas and is sometimes referred to as the Council of Deans of Education. Its purpose is to stimulate improvement in the education of professional school personnel in Texas.
11 Jun2021
By Meghan Grenda
AACTE’s Member Spotlight features an individual from a member institution, highlighting how their work makes a difference in classrooms across the country. Nominate yourself or another member by providing a response to the following questions and sending to mgrenda@aacte.org.
Get to know Clay Smith …
Position/Institution: I am in my 6th year as the Special Populations Coordinator in the College of Education at East Carolina University (ECU). Prior to that, I served for nearly 3 years as the South Central Consortium Coordinator for ECU’s Partnership Teach degree-completion model.
Number of years in your position: Two years
Alma Mater(s): B.S. in history education, East Carolina University; MAEd in history education, East Carolina University; Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
Hometown: Mebane, NC
10 Jun2021
By Jerrica Thurman
Are you looking to connect with colleagues with similar, scholarly interests? Engage with like-minded peers and grow your network on AACTE’s
Connect360 anytime, from anywhere. Simply log on to aacteconnect360.org, create your profile, and begin inviting colleagues to join your network right away. You can even introduce yourself in the open forum.
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.
27 May2021
By Lynn M. Gangone
AACTE amplifies member voices in policy matters impacting education and educator preparation, and our collective voice is being heard. President Biden recently proposed the American Families Plan, which directly targets investments into educator preparation programs. AACTE supports the proposal and encourages Congress to act. Please take a few minutes to watch this video and learn more about how you can get involved.
Visit the AACTE Advocacy Center for the latest updates at aacte.org. Be sure to renew your AACTE membership by the extended May 31 deadline.
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.
27 May2021
By Mandi Jo John
How can we train teachers to elicit student thinking in ways that position students as sense-makers without being able to place them directly in the field?
The newest episode of Mursion’s Education Roundtable Series will dive into Oakland University’s account of how its math and social studies training program is implementing mixed reality simulations to replace and/or augment field experiences during the global coronavirus pandemic.
On June 8, Sue Wiley will be joined by Dawn Woods, Linda Doornbos, and Cynthia Carver from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. to present their findings. During the Roundtable, the team will discuss emerging themes from their research, such as how simulations supported the development of justice-oriented high-leverage practices within their teacher education program.
The Education Roundtable: The Argument for Mixed Reality Simulations in Teacher Preparation, will include a live simulation demo, as well as a Q&A session where attendees can ask questions about their findings as well as funding, vouchers, and more.
Register now for this free Roundtable.
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 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.
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.
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.”
14 May2021
By Meghan Grenda
According to many 2021 travel trend reports, some pandemic-era habits from last year show no signs of slowing down. Most will continue to travel domestically, take road trips, explore small towns, and take scenic drives to nearby lakes, beaches, and explore the great outdoors. With 59% of families reporting that they are more likely to drive instead of fly, 2021 will be another year filled with road trips.
Plan your next getaway and enjoy the open road with deals from AACTE’s Avis and Budget Car Rental Savings Program. As an AACTE member, you can save up to 30% off the base rates on every rental, plus receive additional offers, such as dollars off, a complimentary upgrade, or a free weekend day.
