This fall, the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE) conference will take place under the theme, Rediscovering the Joy in Teaching: Recharging and Rebuilding, on October 25-26. To maximize opportunities to engage, session times will vary by day, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. each day.
This article originally appeared on the Elon University News site and is reprinted with permission.
Three faculty in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, Elon University presented at the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Teacher Education (NCACTE) 39th Annual Teacher Education Forum. In addition, one alumnae was recognized as a finalist for the North Carolina Student Teacher of the Year award.
The North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NCACTE) held the 39th Annual Teacher Education Forum on Thursday, September 23 through Saturday, Sept. 25. The theme of the virtual forum was “Rethink, Reshape, Reimagine, Revolutionize: Growing the Profession Post Pandemic.”
The New Jersey Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (NJACTE) is proud to introduce Stacey Leftwich as its first African American president. Leftwich steps into this leadership role at a time when racial and ethnic inequities and other issues of social justice are in the news every day. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified these disparities, making this a truly historic and challenging moment for the field of educator preparation. It is also moment in which NJACTE is grateful and honored to have someone as remarkable as Leftwich serve as president.
Leftwich originally hails from Atlantic City, NJ and has spent the past five years as the executive director of the Office of Educator Support and Partnerships at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, where she previously held a faculty position for 18 years. Her educational background is testament to her longtime interest in education, as she holds a B.A. in Education from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University – yes, she is a proud alum who works where she went to college!), an M.A. in Reading Education from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in Reading Education from the State University of New York, at Albany.
Beth Kubitskey, ACSR Midwest Region representative and president of the Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, recently shared her experience as a State Leaders Institute attendee and what she’s looking forward to at this year’s virtual event during Washington Week.
Why do you believe it is important for AACTE members to actively advocate for education?
One of the reasons I think it is vital for AACTE members to advocate for education is because we are the experts. Still, often we are so busy doing the work that we do, we have to remind ourselves that we need to be proactive, not reactive. Often by the time we finally receive word on a bill, law, or state policy, it has already moved through many processes.
And so, we are not aware of those kinds of things before they get to far down the road, and we lose our opportunity to have an impact. There are multiple examples of where we are more likely to succeed if we can get that information early and be proactive.
Are you following highlights of the AACTE 2021 Washington Week on Facebook and Twitter at #AACTEWW21? In addition to blog posts and testimonial videos, AACTE recently released a Washington Week infographic on social media. Check it out below!
Brian P. Yusko, president of the Ohio Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, provides insight into the impact the State Leaders Institute has on state leaders and affiliate members in the Q&A article.
Why do you believe it is important for AACTE members to actively advocate for education?
In our current political climate, educational policy is highly contested, with strong advocates for multiple competing goals of schooling. Many lawmakers feel comfortable proposing changes in P-12 educational policy without necessarily understanding all the implications for teacher preparation. If teacher educators are not at the table, policymakers are liable to make decisions that run counter to what we know about quality teacher education.
The Teacher Educators’ Journal, is the journal of the newly formed Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (from the merging of ATE-Virginia and the Virginia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education). The journal is published once per year, in electronic form. Please review the call for proposals as we continue to expand the reach—research shared and readership—of the journal beyond Virginia.
The Call
The Teacher Educators’ Journal (TTEJ) is published by the Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (VACTE), a state unit of the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). The journal aims to stimulate discussion and reflection about issues related to teacher education. Manuscripts submitted for consideration may be research/empirical reports and analyses, position papers, book reviews, or conceptual essays.
Please welcome our new Board of Directors for 2021 – 22. The Maryland Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (MACTE) serves as the state-level affiliate for the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) and represent the institutions of higher education that prepare educators within Maryland. Chapters provide a vehicle for teacher educators to take a unified position on state-specific issues and to meet as partners or as responsible adversaries with the state departments, teachers’ organizations, and other stakeholder groups.
As chair of the AACTE Board of Directors, I invite you to attend AACTE’s second virtual Washington Week, taking place throughout September. Your participation, and your voice, are critical in supporting programs, advocating for funds, and advancing policies our institutions need to move the profession forward.
Watch the video to learn more about the virtual conference. Register now and invite your colleagues and students to participate in AACTE’s 2021 Washington Week. View the event schedule and details at www.aacte.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and join the conversation using #AACTEWW21.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact AACTE’s Events Team at events@aacte.org.
I look forward to seeing you at AACTE’s virtual event next month!
Sincerely,
Robert E. Floden
Dean Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor, College of Education, Michigan State University
Board Chair, AACTE
Questions – Need Assistance?
Please contact us at events@aacte.org
In a recent Q&A with AACTE, Christine Carrino Gorowara, past president of the Delaware Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, shares her perspective as a frequent attendee of the Washington Week State Leaders Institute.
Why do you believe it is important for AACTE members to actively advocate for education? Why do you recommend AACTE members attend the State Leaders Institute?
AACTE members have specialized knowledge about education issues and provide an invaluable perspective to lawmakers. Additionally, part of our role in preparing educators is doing what we can to create an environment where educators can thrive, including ensuring funding, promoting culturally responsive policies, and expanding opportunity. The State Leaders Institute helps us hone our knowledge of issues relevant to educator preparation and how those issues are connected to pending legislation and develop the skills needed to advocate effectively.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s State Leaders Institute?
As informative as the speakers always are, I most look forward to the opportunity to learn from other state chapters. I love learning about what kinds of events they hold, what resources and services they provide their members, how they work with partner organizations, and their innovative ideas for moving the profession forward.
Join AACTE at this year’s virtual State Leaders Institute, September 30 – October 1, as we address current trends impacting the profession. Hear from AACTE leaders and experts on effective ways to advocate for policies and funding within your state. Interactive sessions will cover topics such as:
The 2021 State Leaders Institute (SLI) marks the beginning of the 2021 State Affiliate Award application process. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to apply for a State Affiliate Award and discuss how the funds can be used. To that end, day-one of SLI will begin with a panel discussion led by the leaders of the Kentucky, California, and Nebraska AACTE State affiliates, who will describe and take questions regarding the projects for which they were awarded 2020 State Affiliate Awards. All applicants for Affiliate Awards are required to submit a State Affiliate Report (formally, “State Chapter Report”) as a part of the application process. Attendees of SLI will be informed about the requirements and timelines associate with the Affiliate Report.
SLI is being held virtually this year, September 30 and October 1 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET. As with previous years, the schedule of events is designed to give AACTE members ample opportunities to catch up with old friends, engage in professional development activities and strategize about the future of the teaching profession.
This article originally appeared on the IU Kokomo website and is reprinted with permission.
Five Indiana University Kokomo education graduates earned recognition for being among the best new teachers in the state, receiving Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IACTE) Outstanding Future Educator awards.
Those honored included Autumn Bundy, Sheridan; Cordell Ford, Frankfort; Vicky Mattucci, Gaston; Rachel Moore, Tipton; and Kassie Silvers, Peru.
“It’s nice to be recognized for doing something I love,” Ford said of the award. “It made me feel good that my host teacher suggested I apply. It was a difficult year because of the pandemic, but it all worked out at the end. I love teaching.”
Ford will continue teaching at Frankfort’s Suncrest Elementary School, where he did his student teaching as part of a year-long teacher residency program. In fact, he completed the school year teaching a third-grade class, after the job opened up midway through the spring semester and also taught summer school.
Silvers also participated in the year-long student teaching program, as a math teacher at Maconaquah High School.
“It’s a great honor,” she said. “I worked hard for it, and I feel like I made my professors proud. It was a lot of work to create assignments and lessons plans, and projects and games for the students. I’m glad to take a moment to enjoy the hard work I put into my teaching.”
On July 1, 2021, Trenton E. Gould, dean of The University of Southern Mississippi College of Education and Human Sciences, became president of the Mississippi Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE), an affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).
During a two-year appointment, Gould will lead the statewide organization composed of faculty and administrators from all public and private institutions of higher education in Mississippi engaged in the preparation of professional school personnel.
“MACTE serves as a voice for teacher education faculty on a broad range of issues. Each of our individual institutions are working diligently to offer excellent educational opportunities that prepare K-12 teachers, and MACTE provides a hub to increase our influence,” Gould said. “In this new role, I am most excited about helping bring teacher educators together from across the state to exchange best practices and problem solve our challenges. Getting the sharpest minds around one table benefits everyone and helps develop consistency across the state in the practices we’re using to train teacher candidates.”
Registration for AACTE’s 2021 Washington Week is now open. Take advantage of the virtual rates and join AACTE’s efforts to advocate for educator preparation programs in a post-pandemic world. Each session will take place during the month of September.
Holmes Policy Institute – September 8-9
AACTE Holmes Scholars will learn how to advocate for their profession by participating in interactive policy discussions and briefings.
Holmes Scholar – $25
Holmes Program Advanced Policy Short Course – September 14-15
This short course is intended as an introduction to begin equipping you with the knowledge, desire, and skills to be an effective advocate and resource in the policy making process.
Holmes Scholar – $25
