TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006NOVEMBER 21, 2006 - Teachers' Biweekly Message
When most adults are asked to name the influential people in their lives, a teacher is likely to be on their list. A good teacher provides life lessons that far exceed the goals and objectives of the Standard Course of Study - lessons of persistence, confidence, initiative, hard work and curiosity about the world. During the week of Thanksgiving, I hope that your students take the time to say thank you for all you teach them every day. It is important to give thanks for all of our blessings, including the blessing of good teachers. Thank you for everything you do.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
- Teachers Needed for NCVPS Course Review Process
- North Carolina Teacher to Lead National Middle Education Association
- 2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Honored
- Free DPI Online Professional Development Courses on LEARN NC
- December Fitness Calendar Activities
- National High School Essay Contest
- 2007 Educator Study Program to Denmark
Teachers Needed for NCVPS Course Review Process
North Carolina Virtual Public Schools (NCVPS) is set to begin its course review process and is currently recruiting active classroom teachers who are content area experts to serve as course reviewers. NCVPS anticipates a need for content experts in all subject areas in high school, including Advanced Placement offerings. In selecting content experts for the course review process, reviewers must meet the following qualifications:
- Exemplary master teacher with more than 10 years teaching experience in grades 9-12.
- Strong understanding of subject area content with a minimum of five years experience in teaching a specific content area.
- National Board Certification or other educational attainment exhibiting mastery of instructional delivery.
- Strong understanding of learning theory and teaching strategies with emphasis on student-centered approaches to learning.
- Student work exemplifies use of critical thinking, problem-solving and content application.
- Commitment to career, professional development and student learning.
- Professional recommendations to include peer professional organizations and current administrator.
- Computer with Internet access outside of school environment.
- Prior experience with distance education and online pedagogy is helpful, but not required.
North Carolina Teacher to Lead National Middle Education Association
Congratulations to Kernodle Middle School (Guilford County Schools) teacher Theresa Hinkle who was recently elected president-elect of the National Middle School Association (NMSA) at its annual conference held earlier this month in Tennessee. Hinkle will assume presidency at the NMSA's annual conference in November 2007. She has been a member of NMSA Board of Trustees from 1999-2005, has served on the U.S. Department of Education's Regional Advisory Committee for two years and has been president of the North Carolina Middle School Association.
2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Honored
Congratulations to the following public schools for recently being honored as 2006 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings: Brawley Middle (Iredell-Statesville Schools), Davis Drive Elementary (Wake County Schools), Eastover Central Elementary (Cumberland County Schools), Laurel Hill Elementary (Scotland County Schools), and W.A. Bess Elementary (Gaston County Schools). These schools were among 242 public and 50 private schools to achieve this honor. Recipients received a plaque and a flag signifying their No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School status during a National Recognition Ceremony held Nov. 10-11 in Washington, D.C. To read more about their selection, please go to the NCDPI Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under “News.”
Free DPI Online Professional Development Courses on LEARN NC
With support from the NCDPI, LEARN NC is offering research-based, online professional development courses at no cost to educators teaching in North Carolina during the 2006-07 school year. Enrollment is now open for courses developed and taught by expert instructors whose advanced coursework and/or research expertise in the content area and preparation to teach online set them apart from other teacher-trainers. LEARN NC has developed six new courses that focus on two critical areas of need in the state: improving the teaching in core areas and closing the achievement gap for minority students. Please note the development of a course especially for beginning teachers to help them achieve success in the classroom. In addition, one of the courses offers free instruction on the Blackboard courseware, allowing the trained participants the opportunity to choose from among a list of shareable courses to offer in their district, again at no cost. See the following announcement on the homepage of LEARN NC, http://www.learnnc.org/announcements/42. For detailed descriptions and online registration, visit http://www.learnnc.org/courses/current. To download a course schedule, please go to http://www.learnnc.org/media/courses/admin/LEARNNCcourses06-07.pdf. For information on becoming an online instructor, see the DPI Train-the-trainer Program for Online Instructors at http://www.learnnc.org/courses/DPItrainthetrainer.
December Fitness Calendar Activities
"Safe Toys and Kids Month" is the theme of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's (NASPE) December Teacher's Toolbox. Teachers are encouraged to share with parents and students the fitness activity calendar, coloring page, puzzle and much more. Perfect for the holiday season, NASPE has created a sample letter about the importance of safety and helmets for teachers to send to parents. For all of these great resources, visit http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template=teachers_toolbox_dec06.html
National High School Essay Contest
Reconnecting the Circle is sponsoring a national high school essay contest based on the important topic of Native American cultures to coincide with National American Indian Heritage Month. For more information, including the full essay question, rules and regulations, and the entry and permission form, please go online to www.reconnectingthecircle.com. Winners will receive $2,500 each in cash prizes. Essays must be postmarked by Monday, Dec. 18, and received by Friday, Dec. 22.
2007 Educator Study Program to Denmark
K-12 teachers may want to consider participating in a weeklong professional development program to Denmark in June 2007, followed by an optional two-day seminar on the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. Educators will learn about Danish society by focusing on the Danish welfare state and how it plays out in peoples' lives, Denmark's approach to renewable energy through briefings and field trips, and a one-night home stay. Participants will spend one day in independent field research. The cost for the program is $2,675 per person. Cost for the extension to Belgium will be announced later. The UNC Center for European Studies has graciously provided funding to the Center for the Danish study program. The grant will provide a $150 subsidy for public school teachers and principals who are not otherwise funded through grants from private organizations or businesses. For those who qualify, the program fee is $2,525. Documentation for those seeking CEUs will be provided. For more information, please contact Angie Bolin, Danish School Programs Coordinator, Center for International Understanding, 919.733.0224 or 877.623.1503, or by email, asb@northcarolina.edu.