TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004

MAY 27, 2004

As the 2003-04 school year comes to an end, the 2004 session of the General Assembly is moving into high gear. This year, legislators face a more positive economic outlook, but there are many competing needs to address. There also are a number of bills before the Legislature this summer that could mark significant changes for public schools and teachers in particular. You can keep up with all the latest happenings by going online to /legislative/ and clicking on the “Show all Reports” link. Throughout this session, I hope you will take the time to write, call or email your legislators so that they have the opportunity to hear from teachers directly.

Regards,
Mike Ward

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. SBE Meets Next Week
2. SBE Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor
3. Greetings from the 2004-05 NC Teacher of the Year
4. Teacher Preparation Program Surveys
5. Giant African Land Snails Pest Alert
6. Guidry Selected 2004 America History Teacher of the Year
7. Person County Teacher Receives Creative Teacher Award
8. Performance Assessments Summer Institute 2004
9. Middle and High School Summer Science Leadership Institute
10. CMC Project Schedules 2004 Summer Institute and Conference
11. New Teacher Institute Offered
12. Exceptional Children’s Conference
13. ESL Listserv Available
14. 2004 Ed Tech Leader of the Year Contest
15. "Champions for Children" Award Nominations
16. Biweekly Message Takes Partial Summer Vacation

SBE Meets Next Week

The State Board of Education will meet next Wednesday and Thursday, June 2-3, in the 7th Floor Board Room, Education Building. On the Board’s agenda are two Issue Sessions, one of which is the Schools Attuned Program. Action items include revision of the Student Accountability Standards Policies, recommendations for suspended and expelled students, and rural flexibility in regard to Highly Qualified teachers. Discussion items include revisions to the Course for Credit Policy and NC WISE statewide implementation and rollout responsibilities. A complete agenda is available online at /sbe_meetings/ by clicking on the appropriate link.

SBE Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Rigor

The SBE Ad Hoc Academic Rigor Committee met on Tuesday, May 18, in the Education Building. Four speakers with various education ties made presentations before the committee. Sam Houston, executive director of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center, addressed the six areas of learning that are essential, Bloom's knowledge taxonomy, an application model developed by Bill Daggett, and five recommendations (streamline the curriculum to make it more meaningful, reduce the energy spent on less important things, acknowledge the definition of rigor as the performance of students, acknowledge that more rigor equals more time, and adopt portfolios as a means of demonstrating knowledge). South Brunswick High School Principal Bob Wilkerson shared a presentation on academic teaming and rigorous learning, which have resulted in major changes. Some of the changes include implementing teaming at the high school, requiring involvement of parents in the course registration process, using student data in the registration process, and establishing freshman and advanced studies academies within the school. The third presentation was by Mike Priddy, superintendent of Pitt County Schools, and Jill Camnitz, Pitt County School Board chair. They shared information on the Pitt County High School Program Model, with features that include interactive learning systems in each of the high schools, development of health career academies that emphasize rigorous math and science curriculum and instruction, and the expansion of partnerships between Pitt Community College and East Carolina University. Priddy added that grades 9-12 are not the only issue in rigor, but that grades 4-8 are a critical aspect of increasing rigor and that significant changes are needed at the lower grade levels as a part of reaching the goal of academic rigor. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1, from 2-4 p.m., in the 7th Floor State Board Lounge, Education Building, Raleigh.

Greetings from the 2004-05 NC Teacher of the Year

There are no words to explain how I feel about receiving the state Teacher of the Year Award. I am extremely happy and excited, but at the same time I am sad because I have to leave my students, parents and colleagues for a year. During my 15 years of experience, I have met many outstanding and dedicated teachers in North Carolina, and it is a great honor for me to represent them in this way. As I travel across the state, I would like to share my story of how education was the key that opened many doors of opportunities to me. I would like to be a merchant of hope and inspire teachers and students. I believe in public education and teachers. We can make a difference in the lives of our students! We can be the positive role model many of them need! I look forward to visiting many of your school systems and sharing my experiences with you. Lizbeth Alfaro, 2004-05 NC TOY

Teacher Preparation Program Surveys

Within the last couple of weeks, some of you should have received a survey from DPI’s Teacher Education Section asking for feedback on a teacher preparation program that you, a colleague, or an employee recently completed. We’d like to thank those of you who have completed and returned the survey. If you have not yet had a chance to complete and return the survey, we hope that you will do so as soon as possible. The results of the surveys are part of the Institution of Higher Education (IHE) Annual Performance Report. If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact Stephanie Helms at 919.807.3371 or Steleana Rountree at 919.807.3378.

Giant African Land Snails Pest Alert

North Carolina’s Department of Agriculture is interested in locating any Giant African Land Snails that may have been used in science lessons, classrooms, and/or nature facilities. These snails are illegal in the United States because they are highly invasive and can cause extensive damage to important food crops and other agricultural and natural resources. In addition, they may pose a potential health risk if improperly handled. If teachers have Giant African Land Snails, they are asked NOT to release them into the environment or give them away but instead to call the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at 919.855.7600. Arrangements will be made to collect the snails. Additional information regarding Giant African Land Snails was emailed to central offices last Friday.

Guidry Selected 2004 America History Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Allen Guidry, a social studies teacher at J.H. Rose High School (Pitt County Schools) and a 2004-05 Regional Teacher of the Year finalist, for being selected the 2004 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year. Guidry will receive a check for $1,000 and a plaque honoring him as North Carolina’s History Teacher of the Year. J.H. Rose High School will receive an archive of primary historical materials for use in the school library or resource center. He will represent North Carolina in the national competition.

Person County Teacher Receives Creative Teacher Award

JoAnne Blanks, an American history teacher at Person High School (Person County Schools) is the winner of the SAS inSchool annual National Creative Teacher Award. This award is given to secondary school educators who use technology in creative ways to engage students and enhance the learning experience. As winner, Blanks will receive a cash award of $500, an award poster, and a certificate of achievement. Jennifer Job, an English teacher at Chapel Hill High School (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools) was named one of three distinguished finalists for the award. For more information, visit the Creative Teacher Award Web site at http://www.sasinschool.com/

Performance Assessments Summer Institute 2004

DPI and Technical Outreach for Public Schools (TOPS) are sponsoring a 2004 Summer Institute for all performance assessments (i.e., computer skills, NCAAAI, NCAAP and Writing). Sessions will provide information, updates, and materials for LEA Test Coordinators, LEA Curriculum Specialists, Exceptional Children Coordinators, and teachers. The institutes will be held June 7-10 (coastal area); June 14-17 (western area); July 12-15 (central area); and Aug. 2-4 and Aug. 6, make-up session at NC State University, Raleigh. Please contact your LEA test coordinator or regional accountability coordinator for additional information or registration.

Middle and High School Summer Science Leadership Institute

There is still limited space available in both the July 11-14 High School Summer Science Leadership Institute and the July 14-16 Middle School Summer Science Leadership Institute. These institutes will be held at Trinity Center, Salter Path. The focus this year is on the revised Science Standard Course of Study and drafts of the new support documents. Local school systems are encouraged to send teams to both conferences. Further information can be found on the Web at http://www.learnnc.org/ by clicking on Announcements and Calendar. The late registration fee will not be charged until after June 15. If you have further questions, please call Eleanor Enthoven Hasse, Science Consultant, NC DPI, 919.807.3845, or by email, eehasse@dpi.state.nc.us.

CMC Project Schedules 2004 Summer Institute and Conference

The Curriculum, Music and Community (CMC) project invites all third, fourth and fifth grade teachers, principals and arts coordinators to its 2004 Summer Institute and Conference, scheduled for July 11-14, at the Carolina Center for Educational Excellence, Chapel Hill. The CMC project is designed to support teachers in their efforts to incorporate the music and musical traditions of their communities into their regular classroom instruction. The CMC project is an educational initiative collaboratively designed and administered by UNC-Chapel Hill’s Curriculum in Folklore and School of Education, and the Folklife and Arts in Education programs of the North Carolina Arts Council. Conference registration is limited and must be received by 5 p.m., June 16. For more information, please contact Molly Parsons, CMC Summer Institute Coordinator, 919.542.1858, or by email, aparsons@intrex.net.

New Teacher Institute Offered

Based on feedback from district representatives at the Instructional Services Conference in Charlotte (Fall, 2003), the Department of Public Instruction is offering a New Teacher Institute for arts education, second languages, physical education, and health education K-12 teachers. New teachers are classified as those who are either new to the profession (two or less years of experience), new to the state, or new to the curriculum area or level in which they will be teaching. The Institute will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at the Radisson Governor's Inn, Research Triangle Park. Registration for the Institute will open on July 1 and is limited to 120 participants. Registration will close on Aug. 27. The registration fee is $100 per participant, which includes materials, breakfast, lunch, and breaks. The registration fee is non-refundable. For more information please contact any of the following consultants: Michele Wallen, Health Education Consultant, 919.807.3857 (mwallen@dpi.state.nc.us), Bryar Cougle, Arts Education Consultant, 919.807.3855 (tcougle@dpi.state.nc.us), or Helga Fasciano, Second Languages Consultant, 919. 807.3865 (HFascian@dpi.state.nc.us).

Exceptional Children’s Conference

"Making the Promise a Reality" is the theme of the 54th Annual Conference on Exceptional Children. The conference will be held Nov. 1-3 at the Sheraton Hotel/Koury Convention Center, Greensboro. The conference theme is especially timely, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, which helped lay the groundwork for equitable treatment for all, including children and youth with disabilities. In addition, this year marks the 30th anniversary of North Carolina’s first comprehensive special education law, the Equal Education Opportunities Act, assuring that “no child shall be excluded from any service for any reason whatsoever.” Over 50 instructional sessions, several workshops and institutes, and poster displays will be offered. Teachers, related services personnel, administrators, parents and others are encouraged to mark their calendars and plan to attend.

ESL Listserv Available

ESL coordinators, directors and teachers now have access to a listserv tailored to fit their communications’ needs. To join, go to the ESL Web site (www.learnnc.org/) and click on the bullet "Listservs." Check out the other bullets on that Web site for lots of information related to limited English proficient students and instructional programs to serve them in North Carolina.

2004 Ed Tech Leader of the Year Contest

Technology&Learning's Ed Tech Leader of the Year Program recognizes and honors K-12 teachers, technology specialists, and administrators who use technology in innovative ways to motivate students and enrich learning. The deadline for submission is Sept. 10. For more details, please go online to http://news.techlearning.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/egzN0FKgZD0E2V0B7op0AP and click on the appropriate link.

"Champions for Children" Award Nominations

McDonald’s is asking for your help in nominating outstanding middle and high school students who have shown leadership, compassion and an earnest desire to help children in their community for their “Champions for Children” annual award. Four awards, each including a cash prize of $250, will be given in the following locations: Charlotte area, Triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem) area, Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) area and the Greenville area. If you know a deserving student, please email a one-page letter on his/her behalf by Sept. 30 to gigid@mindspring.com. For more information, please contact Gigi Donovan at 919.855.0092 or at the above email address.

Biweekly Message Takes Partial Summer Vacation

The Teachers' Biweekly Email Message will take a partial vacation this summer but will resume its regular biweekly schedule in September. Messages will be sent on the second Thursday of June, July and August to provide summer updates. In the meantime, please remember that if your email address changes over the summer, you will need to email this information to us so that we can update our file. Please send your old and new email address. Out-of-date and undeliverable email addresses are automatically deleted from the list.