12 May2021
By Meghan Grenda
AACTE recently launched its new online community—
Connect360. Connect360 is an engaging and interactive virtual platform that brings together AACTE’s community in an exciting way. Members can begin discussions, ask questions of fellow AACTE members, provide insight on other’s posts, and share best practices.
In recent discussions, members shared on the Connect360 Open Forum how they are dealing with shrinking budgets and what steps they are taking to assure their programs continue to receive the resources needed.
11 May2021
By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.
Have you considered volunteering for a leadership position in AACTE? Whether you volunteer to lend your talent and expertise to one of AACTE’s programmatic advisory committees or seek a position on the Board of Directors, 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.
The nomination deadline has been extended so more AACTE members can take advantage of this fantastic professional opportunity. Nominations are now due by May 28 to serve on the AACTE Board of Directors or on of the following programmatic advisory committees:
05 May2021
By Robert Floden
These are challenging and exciting times for leaders in educator preparation. As our institutions strive to recover from the pandemic, there is the promise of dramatically expanded funding from Washington to address the teacher shortage. And as we continue to reel from acts of racial violence, educator preparation is playing a leadership role in helping teachers and school leaders understand and address systemic racism.
With all that we have to do in our “day jobs,” service on the AACTE Board of Directors may seem like an obligation that isn’t worth the effort. I have found it to be just the opposite. Serving on the AACTE Board of Directors has been a valuable way to make a difference, and has given me insights and connections that significantly added to my ability to serve my institution. I have grown as a leader, broadened my professional network, and gained a deeper understanding of our field and the wider political and social environment. It also has been deeply gratifying to contribute to AACTE’s work in advancing educator preparation.
30 Apr2021
By Linda Minor
Be a part of the AACTE 74th Annual Meeting. Submit a proposal or be a reviewer and join us in New Orleans, LA, March 4-6, 2022, as we prepare to “Rethink, Reshape, Reimagine, Revolutionize: Growing the Profession Post Pandemic.”
Call for Reviewers
May 14 is the deadline for submitting a reviewer application. Peer reviewers serve an important role in ensuring that exemplary learning opportunities are selected from the proposals submitted. Only current AACTE member institutions may serve as reviewers. Applicants must commit to evaluating up to 10 session proposals during June and July of 2021. You are still eligible to serve as a reviewer, even if you are submitting a proposal!
Call for Proposals
May 28 is the deadline for submitting session proposals. Proposals must align with the conference theme, “Rethink, Reshape, Reimagine, Revolutionize: Growing the Profession Post Pandemic,” and focus on one of the four strands listed below:
23 Apr2021
By Meghan Grenda
Did you know there are many ways to save with AACTE? Your AACTE membership gives you special discounts to on office supplies at Office Depot, the AACTE Career Center, and much more.
Your Remote Office Needs
Because you are a member of AACTE you have access to the exclusive, members-only Office Depot Savings Program. This program offers thousands of products discounted below retail pricing both online and in any store location. With your AACTE membership, you can save up to 75% off regular prices (as listed on officedepot.com) on our Best Value List of preferred products. Order online and receive free next business-day delivery on qualifying orders of $50 or more. Create an account and browse through our discounts, or shop in-store by printing your FREE Store Purchasing Card. Visit officediscounts.org/aacte/ for details and more!
19 Apr2021
By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.
These are extraordinary times, and educator preparation is essential to our national recovery. Now more than ever, your association needs committed, talented, and thoughtful leaders!
Are you ready to assume a leadership role in the national educator preparation community, or do you know someone who is? Nominate yourself or a colleague by May 14 to serve on the AACTE Board of Directors or a programmatic advisory committee.
AACTE is currently seeking applications from volunteers to stand for election as an at-large representative to the Board of Directors and to serve on the following programmatic advisory committees:
19 Apr2021
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 Shauna Alishea Torrington …
Position/Institution: Graduate Assistant-International Student and Faculty Services- Ohio University
Number of years in your position: Two years
Alma Mater(s): University of Guyana (2005); Twice alum of Ohio University (2015, 2017)
Hometown: Georgetown, Guyana, South America
- How long have you been a member of AACTE? I have been a member of AACTE?
I have been a member for three years.
- Why did you join AACTE?
I joined AACTE when I became a member of the Holmes Scholar Community at Ohio University.
- Why did you decide to enter the field of educator preparation?
I love to teach, and I know that good teachers make a difference I believe that the teachers have a very important role in the classroom and their preparation for that role is instrumental. My experience in teacher preparation was garnered as a graduate assistant working in the Teacher Education Department of Ohio University.
- What’s been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career so far?
My favorite and most memorable moment in my career is working with mentors in the field that valued my international experiences and area of expertise. Many of whom invited me to their class to talk with their teacher candidates about my experience in and out of the U.S. as a student and as a parent.
04 Apr2021
By Meghan Grenda
Whether you are back on campus or still in your home office, you can create a workspace that suits your unique needs. You may spend 40-plus hours on the job every week –why not feel good while you’re there?
Your new AACTE Office Depot Savings Program can help make it easy to shop and upgrade your office furniture, facilities, technology, and printing needs or any of your other work from anywhere necessities, while saving time and money. Your AACTE membership allows you to save up to 75% on regular prices, free delivery on qualifying orders of $50, and much more! Start shopping online and save with Office Depot: business.officedepot.com/AACTE.
03 Apr2021
By Anne Tapp Jaksa
My name is Anne Tapp, and I was recently elected to represent you on the AACTE Board of Directors. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education for its ongoing support of AACTE.
The year 2020 was a difficult one for all of us, but I am more confident than ever that AACTE provided the tools, resources, and network opportunities I needed to succeed this past year. Specifically, the new AACTE resources below helped me and my colleagues navigate challenges we had never experienced before:
30 Mar2021
By Gaelle Gilbert
AACTE was recently cited in the New York Times article, “As Pandemic Upends Teaching, Fewer Students Want to Pursue It,’ published in the weekend digital and print edition. NYT writer Emma Goldberg highlights AACTE’s findings from its member survey and includes quotes from Board members Marvin Lynn and Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, David Chard from AACTE-member institution Boston University Wheelock School of Education, as well as students from two other AACTE member institutions.
The article references AACTE’s two-part member survey that chief representatives of its member institutions responded to about how the twin crises of COVID-19 and racial injustice had affected their educator preparation programs and how they have responded to these crises. The results were included in a report by Jacqueline King released in February.
23 Mar2021
By Lynn M. Gangone
Happy spring! As PK-12 and higher education institutions proceed with reopening post-pandemic, AACTE continues its work to build education back better. We recently published new research on both AACTE’s vision to “revolutionize education for all learners” and promising solutions to recruiting and retaining male teachers of color. Please take a few minutes to
watch the video and learn more about these and other initiatives.
Stay connected with AACTE for the latest resources, tools, and information to address the issues facing our profession today. Visit
aacte.org to access these benefits and renew your AACTE membership by the extended deadline.
Cheers to doing what matters,
19 Mar2021
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 Tracie McLemore Salinas …
Position/Institution: Director, Mathematics and Science Education Center, Appalachian State University; Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Number of years in your position: I am in my 17th year at Appalachian State as a faculty member and my first year as Director of the Mathematics and Science Education Center.
Alma Mater: B.S. William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS; M.S. and Ph.D. University of Tennessee – Knoxville
19 Mar2021
By Meghan Grenda
AACTE understands that 2020 was a difficult year for higher education institutions and many are still facing operational challenges. As such, AACTE is extending the membership renewal deadline to May 31, 2021.
To renew your AACTE membership
- Submit Your Renewal via Credit Card: Visit your AACTE Profile to submit payment online.
- Submit Your Renewal via Check: Make payable to “AACTE” and mail to AACTE, PO Box 825490, Philadelphia, PA 19182-5490. Please note the AACTE mailing address has changed.
02 Mar2021
By Gaelle Gilbert
There are several great reasons for starting an online community, like the continuous learning it offers participants and the sense of pride in being part of a group. For members of AACTE, the new online community it is about connecting members, building meaningful relationships, and engaging in critical conversations with each other, Board members and staff. That is why the virtual AACTE 2021 Annual Meeting was a perfect initial launching point for AACTE Connect360.
Through the online community, attendees responded to different threads in the “73rd Annual Meeting” community group. The “Introduce Yourself” thread was a popular choice for new users, allowing others on the platform to learn a little bit more about them and sharing the best piece of advice they received from a mentor or colleague.
25 Feb2021
By Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D.
In October 2020, AACTE invited the chief representatives of its member institutions to complete a survey on how the twin crises of COVID-19 and racial injustice had affected their educator preparation programs and how they have responded to these crises. AACTE conducted a similar survey in April 2020, asking members about the immediate impact of COVID-19 on their educator preparation programs. A new report, released during the 2021 Annual Meeting, summarizes results from both surveys, tracking the evolving response of EPPs to these twin crises.
Key findings include the following:
