TEACHERS'
MESSAGES 2008
TEACHERS'
MESSAGES 2008MARCH 13, 2008 - Teachers' Biweekly Messages
As State Superintendent, I have had the opportunity to visit many schools across North Carolina and talk with teachers, students, principals, and administrators. Recently, I met with some Buncombe County teachers and teacher assistants of students with very profound needs and disabilities. I was impressed with their commitment and dedication to students who needed 24-hour care and help to do things most of us take for granted such as eating and going to the restroom by ourselves. In many foreign countries, these students would be forgotten. These teachers and assistants showed care, commitment, and dedication that exemplifies why we are a part of the education family. We can make a difference in the lives of our young people.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
State Board Meeting Highlights
The State Board of Education last week approved revision of the K-5 Mathematics Standard Course of Study, the policy on eligibility for state Teacher of the Year, and the adoption of a Praxis II test for licensure in Latin. Members discussed the addition of elementary level (K-6) licensure areas in reading, English-as-a-Second language, and special education: cross-categorical, and the 2008 Invitation to Submit Textbooks for Evaluation and Adoption in North Carolina for the following curriculum areas: Mathematics K-5, Healthful Living K-12, Career Development 6-12, Health Occupation 6-12, and Trade and Industrial 9-12. Complete Board highlights will be available online at www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by Tuesday afternoon.
Students Attend Beijing Youth Science Competition
Congratulations to Mark Hendrick, Jr., Northwest Guilford High and Kyle O'Donnell, Southwest Guilford High (Guilford County Schools); Melanie Wiley, N.C. School of Science and Mathematics; and Brandon Young, Enloe High (Wake County Schools) for being selected to attend the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition... The goal of the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition is for United States students to meet and exchange ideas with students from other countries. While the students will be exhibiting at the competition, they are not competing against other countries. Only the students from China participate in the competitive part of the event. The North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) is funding their attendance at this competition. The Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative is coordinating the trip. The group will be in Beijing, China March 18 - 25. The North Carolina students will be blogging while they are at the event. You can follow their travels by reading their blog at http://www.Grassroots-Science.org. For more information about the Beijing Youth Science Fair, please email Lisa Rhoades at lrhoades@bwfund.org.
Jacksonville High School Wins Award for Freshman Academy
Congratulations to Jacksonville High School (Onslow County Schools) for recently receiving the Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Award for Innovation in recognition of the school's work with its Freshman Academy. On March 12, representatives of the school will receive a $10,000 grant from AARP. To be eligible for award, the school had to submit a description of "a program or practice that has enhanced student achievement or contributed to an improved environment for students, the school or the community served by the school." The entries were reviewed by a panel of AARP leaders, distinguished educators and members of the National Retired Teachers Association (the forerunner organization to AARP).
LEARN NC Course Offerings
- Reading, Writing and Research: Integrating Literacy across the Curriculum
- Help turn your students into savvy consumers of information. Explore reading and writing instruction and information literacy concepts, and learn to effectively integrate these literacy skills into your teaching, regardless of the subject or grade level. This course begins April 2, so sign up today!
- Reaching English Language Learners - Help English language learners reach their potential in the classroom. "Reaching English Language Learners" will show you how to optimize your lesson plans and increase student comprehension using North Carolina's English Language Development Standards...
You'll begin April 8, and can earn 4 CEUs. For more information on these courses or to register, please go online to www.learnnc.org/courses
Teaching Ambassador Fellowship
K-12 public school teachers who have spent at least three years in the classroom are eligible to apply for a Teaching Ambassador Fellowship with the U.S. Department of Education. The program offers two tracks: a Classroom or Washington Fellowship. Teachers will be chosen based upon their record of leadership, impact on student achievement, and potential for contribution to the field. Up to 20 Classroom Fellows and five Washington Fellows will be named by the summer of 2008. Interested teachers should visit the Fellowship Web site at www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship to learn more details and locate links to the application.
If you'd like to review past Teachers' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/teachersarchive/.