TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006

AUGUST 24, 2006

Many of us who have worked for years in education know that there is often a difference between the reality of the classroom and school and the “best practices” that research confirms. How can we move forward in a way that encourages and supports best practices? Author Mike Schmoker has documented this challenge in his book “Results Now: How We Can Achieve Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching And Learning” and provides some good ideas to support a consistent curriculum, strong literacy education and professional learning communities. His approach features professional learning communities for teachers to help break down the barriers that keep teachers from seeing some of the best practices going on all around them and learning from each other. As you begin a new school year, I commend this book to you and to your schools' learning communities.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. Preliminary Writing Test Results Released
2. Educators/Students Encouraged to Recite Preamble on Constitution Day
3. North Carolina Teachers Receive 2006 Disney Teacher Award
4. Elementary Educators Conference Set for October
5. Travel Coast to Coast with EstuaryLive
6. Annual Litter Sweep Scheduled for Mid-September
7. LEARN NC Update
8. Hop on the Bus

Preliminary Writing Test Results Released

North Carolina students in fourth and 10th grades improved their performance on the state's writing assessment in 2005-06, according to a preliminary report released last week by the NC Department of Public Instruction. Performance for seventh graders decreased slightly. To read more, please go to the NCDPI Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under “News.”

Educators/Students Encouraged to Recite Preamble on Constitution Day

Teachers are reminded that if their schools receive federal dollars they are required to teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17, the day the document was adopted in 1787. The purpose of this day is to “foster a deeper reverence for and a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution.” This year, educators are being encouraged to lead students in reciting the preamble to the US Constitution. General Colin Powell will lead the country in a coordinated, nationwide recitation of the preamble on Monday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m. Educators and students can participate by viewing the live ceremony online or by downloading General Powell's recitation on video for use in your school. Educators also may want to do public readings and/or hold class discussions. Since Sept. 17 falls on a Sunday, it is acceptable to hold this celebration on Friday, Sept. 15, or on Monday, Sept. 18. For more information, please go online to www.constitutionday.com.

North Carolina Teachers Receive 2006 Disney Teacher Award

Congratulations to Susan Bradburn, a third grade teacher at West Marion Elementary School (McDowell County Schools), Melinda Kay Fitzgerald, an eighth grade teacher at R.D. and Euzelle Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools) and Kem Dudney, a seventh grade physical education teacher at Hallsboro Middle School (Columbus County Schools) for receiving the 2006 Disney Teacher Award. These teachers were among 44 teachers recognized by Disney for their exceptional creativity, innovative teaching style and ability to inspire their students. In addition to attending an awards banquet at the Disneyland Resort, finalists received $10,000, $5,000 for their schools and will participate in a six-day professional development institute with their principals. During the institute, teachers share ideas to refine their teaching skills and learn how to build an effective collaborative teaching culture at their schools.

Elementary Educators Conference Set for October

The North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators is sponsoring its Third Annual Elementary School Conference, “Leading the Way,” on Oct. 9-10, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Conference Center, Research Triangle Park. Registration forms are available online at www.ncelementary.org. Registration is limited to 800 participants. For more information, please contact Michelle Palmer Weaver at mweaver@dpi.state.nc.us.

Travel Coast to Coast with EstuaryLive

EstuaryLive will go national to kick off the 2006 National Estuaries Day celebration on Sept. 29. Participate in four, free, live Internet field trips to four different estuaries around the country, from the New York-New Jersey Harbor to Tillamook Bay, Oregon. Students can use the instant message board to talk with scientists, naturalists, and environmentalists from each estuary. Learn all about National Estuaries Day and EstuaryLive at http://www.estuarylive.org or Contact Cris Crissman at ccrissma@dpi.state.nc.us with questions.

Annual Litter Sweep Scheduled for Mid-September

The N.C. Department of Transportation is sponsoring its annual Litter Sweep cleanup Sept. 16-30. In support of this event, Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed Sept. 16-30 as “Litter Sweep” in North Carolina and encourages all citizens to take an active role in making their communities cleaner and more beautiful. Teachers may want to use this event to highlight the importance of recycling and environmental responsibility with students. For more information, please contact Helen Landi, Office of Beautification Programs, 919.715.3188.

LEARN NC Update

For the start of the 2006-07 school year, LEARN NC will offer some new resources and opportunities, including a new multimedia library and collections of media-rich classroom resources, more than 30 articles for first-year teachers and a series of free online professional development courses funded by NCDPI. To read more, please go to the LEARN NC Web site at www.learnnc.org.

Hop on the Bus!

High school teachers (grades 9-12) may want to encourage their students to participate in “Hop on the Bus!” Hop on the Bus! provides students with an opportunity to gain experience and knowledge of entrepreneurship by generating an idea and building it into a business of their own. Hop on the Bus! will begin in September. Prize money will be awarded to the top five students (or student teams) and their teacher/mentor. Program information is available online at www.hoponthebus.com.