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TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004

MESSAGES 2004 :: MAY 13, 2004

MAY 13, 2004

I know that this is a very busy time of year for you as you complete testing and other assessments and begin to wind down toward the end of the school year. As I have visited schools across the state this year, I have seen so many positive things underway. Throughout the year, we have seen these positive signs validated in national testing data, in the good news presentations during State Board of Education meetings, and in the increasing number of National Board Certified teachers - just to name a few measures. I congratulate you on your achievements and for the success of your schools.

Regards,
Mike Ward


In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

  1. SBE Meeting Highlights
  2. SBE Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor
  3. Alfaro Selected 2004-05 North Carolina Teacher of the Year
  4. Farewell Message from 2003-04 Teacher of the Year
  5. NC Arts Education Standard Course of Study Revision Survey
  6. Teaching North Carolina History: American Indians in North Carolina, Past, Present and Future
  7. First Annual Elementary School Conference Scheduled for October
  8. UNC Center for School Leadership Development Announces New Web Site
  9. Arts Education Listserve Available
  10. Physical Education Program Awards
  11. Teach Advanced Placement Courses Online


State Board Meeting Highlights

State Board of Education members this month approved additional modifications to the NC Accountability Workbook for No Child Left Behind and approved Mathematics and Science Partnership Grants. The Board also heard a presentation by Dr. Mel Levine, Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. His presentation, "Understanding the Needs of Different Kinds of Minds: Implications for Enabling North Carolina to Become a Future Guiding Light for American Education," discussed the need to focus on children's strengths in addition to their weaknesses. SBE meeting highlights are posted online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights/


SBE Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor

The SBE Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor met last week at the Education Building. Linda Robinson, a consultant who works in staff development in gifted education, made a presentation on various components to consider in defining academic rigor. Committee members continued their discussions regarding the impact throughout the education system of defining academic rigor, barriers to academic rigor, and current courses of study for high school students. The committee will meet again on Tuesday, May 18, from 8:30-10:30 a.m., in the 7th Floor State Board Lounge, Education Building, Raleigh.


Alfaro Selected 2004-05 North Carolina Teacher of the Year

Lizbeth Alfaro, a K-6 English as a Second Language teacher at Lyle Creek Elementary School, Catawba County Schools, was named the 2004-05 North Carolina Teacher of the Year at a formal banquet held last week in Cary. In accepting the award, Alfaro said she would like to be a merchant of hope everywhere she went. "I want to inspire teachers to believe in their students and our students to believe in education. I know that education is the greatest treasure we can give our youth, so I want to motivate children to stay in school, to learn all they can learn, to graduate, and to become somebody." She succeeds Allison Ormond, a seventh-grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Rockingham County Middle School, Rockingham County Schools. The other regional finalists were: North Central Region - Johnny Gatlin, science teacher, Middle Creek High School, Wake County Schools; Northeast Region - Allen Guidry, social studies teacher, J.H. Rose High School, Pitt County Schools; Southeast Region - Donna Kay Thompson, 5th grade communication skills&social studies teacher, Waccamaw Elementary, Brunswick County Schools; Southwest Region - Betty Clagg, social studies teacher, Highland School of Technology, Gaston County Schools; Sandhills/South Central Region - Kem Dudney, Middle Grades physical education/health teacher, Hallsboro Middle School, Columbus County Schools; Piedmont-Triad/Central Region - Tommie Evans, 8th grade science teacher, Northern Middle School, Person County Schools; and West Region - Peter Bobbe, English teacher, Mountain Heritage High School, Yancey County Schools.


Farewell Message from 2003-04 Teacher of the Year

This year has been an unforgettable journey-a journey in which both my personal and professional lives have been changed forever. I have traveled 18,620 miles by car and approximately 5, 000 miles by air and it is not over yet. I have met and had conversations with many dignitaries in education from across our state and nation. In addition, I have spoken to many colleagues across North Carolina at both the K-12 and higher education levels. I have presented to new teachers and those who were just completing their student teaching. I have served on many state educational boards and committees. I have even hosted a fashion show for the business community, participated as a radio talk show host, ridden in local parades, and many more events.

There is no doubt in my mind I will walk away from this experience a changed person. I feel confident in telling you that I know I will be a better educator because of my experiences this year; I already am. This year has been some of the best professional development I have ever had in my entire 14 years in the classroom. And while I have learned many valuable, diverse pieces of information about education as I have traveled the state, I have discovered that there are really three common threads that bind us as North Carolina educators:

  1. North Carolina teachers are professionals who care about the image and status of their profession.
  2. North Carolina teachers have a true intellectual passion for teaching and learning.
  3. North Carolina teachers possess a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of children.
They are more than willing to open their hearts to the students they teach. North Carolina will continue to make positive strides in education, due in part, to the many talented, dedicated teachers we have in our state. I commend each of you for the work you do everyday to educate our children in a positive, caring manner. It certainly has been my honor and pleasure to represent each of you this year! With sincere appreciation, Allison Ormond, 2003-04 North Carolina Teacher of the Year.


NC Arts Education Standard Course of Study Revision Survey

In order for NC DPI to determine whether or not major revisions to the Arts Education Standard Course of Study will be necessary in 2005, please respond to the short, 10-question survey available online at http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?p=UV7FCLPXMN by June 1. Input is welcomed from arts educators, parents, community members, administrators, artists, central office staff, and others who have a vested interest in arts education in our schools. The current (2000) Arts Education SCS is available on-line at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum by clicking on the appropriate link. If you know others who may be interested in providing input to the SCS revision process, please share the link to the survey with them.


Teaching North Carolina History: American Indians in North Carolina, Past, Present and Future

K-12 teachers are invited to explore the experiences of American Indians in North Carolina from the period before European colonization through the present with historian Kathryn Walbert. Beginning Tuesday, June 8, 2004, LEARN North Carolina will offer this six to eight week online course for 3.0 CEU credits. This free-of-charge course has been made possible through the financial support of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Teachers who successfully complete all units of the course, participate in course discussions, and submit a satisfactory lesson plan will be eligible for 3.0 CEU credits. Enrollment will be limited to 25 teachers, but the course may be offered again during the academic year if additional teachers express interest. For more information about the course itself, please email the instructor, Dr. Kathryn Walbert , at kwalbert@learnnc.org. Questions about registration, should be emailed to the LEARN NC Help Desk at helpdesk@learnnc.org.


First Annual Elementary School Conference Scheduled for October

The Division of School Improvement in collaboration with the Division of Instructional Services of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction announces the First Annual Elementary School Conference. The purpose of the conference is to offer K-5 educators and administrators the opportunity to learn new ways to enhance and improve student achievement. The conference is scheduled for Oct. 11-12 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, Research Triangle Park. For more information, including registration, the conference agenda, or directions for submitting a presentation proposal, please go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/elemconf/


UNC Center for School Leadership Development Announces New Web Site

The UNC Center for School Leadership Development's new Web site provides school administrators and teachers with comprehensive information about the Center's professional development opportunities that are designed for novice to veteran educators. Quick links connect educators to the eight professional development programs comprising the Center. Information on the use and availability of the Center's meeting facilities also is available. Log on to http://csld.northcarolina.edu to access the professional development resources available to North Carolina educators.


Arts Education Listserve Available

The Arts Education Listserve provides periodic updates on issues, events, funding resources, and professional development opportunities in arts education. Central office staff, administrators and teachers are encouraged to subscribe. Send a blank email to join-artsed@lists.dpi.state.nc.us and in the body of the text, indicate your name and the word subscribe. For example, "John Doe - Subscribe." For more information or help with subscribing, contact Christie Howell, Arts Education and Healthful Living, DPI, cmhowell@dpi.state.nc.us or 919.807.3856.


Physical Education Program Awards

NCAAHPERD (North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) recognizes outstanding teachers and physical education programs annually. Nominations are currently being accepted for deserving colleagues, teachers, and administrators in your school/school district, but must be received by July 1. For a nomination package, please go online to http://www.ncaahperd.org, click on PEA, and click on PEA awards.


Teach Advanced Placement Courses Online

LEARN NC, the K-12 outreach program of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education, is now accepting applications to teach Advanced Placement courses online during the 2004-2005 school year. Courses are offered through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's distance learning program and the United Star Distance Learning Consortium (USDLC). Students will be primarily in North Carolina, but there will be others outside the state. Potential instructors should have a current state teaching license in their home state and have at least two years experience teaching one of the following courses:

  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP European History
  • AP Psychology
  • AP Statistics
  • AP US History
  • Pre-calculus (non-AP)
Preferred candidates will have experience teaching online. The courses to be offered are in the Blackboard course management system. LEARN NC will train selected candidates in June if necessary. Interested instructors should submit a detailed resume to Ross White at ross@learnnc.org including relevant experience and licenses. Applicants should be able to provide a letter of support from their principal, two letters of recommendation from other teachers, and two letters of recommendation from former or current students upon request. Further information is available at http://www.learnnc.org

 

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