NCCAT: Helping Teachers Do What They Do Best
Transcription
NCCAT: Helping Teachers Do What They Do Best
The Voice for Educators FALL 2015 Professional Educators of North Carolina Newsletter NCCAT: Helping Teachers Do What They Do Best by Todd Vinyard, Public Communications Specialist for NCCAT The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) continues to build a bright future upon a strong tradition of serving teachers across the state of North Carolina. NCCAT is a recognized national leader in professional development programming for teachers. Established by the state legislature in 1985, NCCAT provides a year-round curriculum with a focus on digital learning, early grades literacy and teacher leadership. NCCAT is a place where teachers “advance teaching as an art and as a profession” through a wide range of learning opportunities. NCCAT keeps good teachers teaching. We strive to treat teachers as professionals www.pencweb.org/scholarships-and-grants. and give teachers the opportunity NCCAT has refocused to address state to become active learners. We’re proud initiatives and education needs; we have to be partnering with Professional adjusted content, methods of delivery and Educators of North Carolina for the new locations. We saw increases of more than “NCCAT Subs on Us” grant program to 50 percent in digital learning and literacy provide even more teachers the opportunity programs this past year. The number of to interact and share with their colleagues. teachers served by NCCAT more than For more information and to apply for the doubled from 1,720 in 2012-13 to Subs on Us grant, please visit 3,556 in 2014-15. HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE Meet Our New Board Members............Page 8 Props!..........................................................Page 10 Young Artist Competition....................Page 12 We’ve recently added two new faculty members: NCCAT Online is available to all public school (including charter schools) instructional •S enior Digital Literacy Specialist personnel at no additional cost to you or your Elizabeth Joyce comes to NCCAT after district. Visit http://www.nccat.org/programs/ serving four years as an instructional nccat-online-0 to find out more about this technology specialist in Rockingham new offering. County Schools. She also attended NCCAT as a teacher. She started teaching NCCAT understands that every school situation high school English in January of 2008 for is different. While many schools find our Rockingham County Schools and became campus-based training to be very effective, an instructional technology specialist in we realize that by providing onsite training August of 2011. at your school or district facility, our SchoolBased programming is more convenient and • Senior Literacy Specialist Amy Jo has an immediate impact on a large number Spencer has served as a fourth-grade of teachers. NCCAT has faculty members transition teacher and Title 1 Coordinator available to assist with on-site training. For at Pasquotank Elementary School more information about these services, please in Elizabeth City. She has been with contact Angie Hambling, Deputy Executive Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Schools since Director at 828-293-5202 or email her at 2001, including time as a first-grade [email protected]. teacher and reading interventionist. In that role she shared research and basic Our Solution and Planning Teams program practices to help design customized offers educators an opportunity to meet in lessons and activities to meet the diverse a residential setting devoid of distraction to needs of students. create and advance departmental, school or district-wide projects. These projects typically NCCAT’s instructional programs consist of new programming, research, planning or curricula. Schools can gather a reflect a broad range of unique team together to create or refine their own professional development or digital learning projects will be given innovative approaches. Early grades literacy topics for public school preference, but all projects will be considered. teachers and other educators. and meals for the participants will be provided Single rooms, meeting space, internet access Challenging formats, combined by NCCAT. with professional learning NCCAT’s mission is to keep high-quality communities, shape the teachers in the classroom, advancing teaching NCCAT offerings. and a profession. We work to renew teachers’ beyond that of a simple job to an art form love for teaching and improve the quality and All programs incorporate relevant state enthusiasm of the teachers themselves; NCCAT standards. Faculty models best practices for ultimately improves student engagement in application to the 21st-century classroom. learning and academic achievement. The work For more on our programming, please starts at NCCAT and then returns to North view our schedule at http://www.nccat.org/ Carolina classrooms. We look forward to programs/calendar-seminars or call Teacher seeing you soon! Services at 828-293-5202. Along with the tremendous residential programs, we now can serve teachers through NCCAT Online or School-Based Programming Services. 2 T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 I s s u e Turn Your Passion Into Action by Carol Vandenbergh, Executive Director What is your passion? What is your purpose? How can PENC capture your passion to have a greater impact on public education in North Carolina? Thirty-six years ago this fall, a small group public education over the past several years. of teachers gathered to establish PENC as an But, they say that discouragement is one of alternative organization for North Carolina the surest stepping stones to success, and educators. Their passion for public education this is our time to prove the naysayers wrong, and for their students was the driving force to exceed expectations and to harness the behind the inception of our grassroots power of our collective talent. Let go of all organization. Over three decades and tens the things you can’t control, and use your of thousands of members later, our organiza- time to manage what you can control. tion remains focused on providing the best services to support you as an individual and We want to work with you and your ideas as to support your development as a true we plan for the future. We want to encourage professional educator. and enable your ideas and passions to take life and new form as you build upon the The work we do is for educators foundation laid by our founders many years by educators, and we want to your professional organization is also continue that proud tradition by ago. Fun fact: Your participation in building evidence of your proficiency on Standard I: Teachers Demonstrate Leadership of the NC inviting you to submit ideas for Educator Evaluation System (NCEES). future initiatives. When a culture of creativity takes root, people feel inspired to run further with their Share your special talents! Spread your ideas! What can we do to help you grow as a ideas, to aim higher with their ambitions and to pursue bigger dreams. We will be planning for some exciting new things over the course of this year, and we hope you will be an integral part of our work. professional? What can you do to help others grow as professionals? Would you be willing to be a mentor for a beginning teacher? Would you be willing to share your Email your thoughts and plans to [email protected]. award-winning lesson plans? Do you have an idea for a special program for PENC members? Do you have an idea for a scholarship or grant? What can we do to set you (or your school community) up for success as you work towards setting students up for success in life? Here’s hoping your ideas are daring, different and bold! I have been discouraged by some of the things I have seen happen in the realm of P rofessional Educators of Nor th Carolina - w w w.penc web.org 3 PRESIDENT’S by Dr. Vann Lassiter, President On behalf of PENC’s Executive Board, I would like to welcome you back to a new school year. The beginning of the school year is a time of anticipation and excitement. It is the time when you as educators reflect Plickers (https://www.plickers.com) on the past year and begin the new year Need a low technology tool? This only with hope, renewed vigor and dedication requires one device – the device of the to the children you are committed to teacher – an iPad, iPod or smart phone. educating. As you prepare, take a moment Assess your students using “paper clickers.” to pat yourself on the back. You are a Kids of every age love it – the scanning to special group of people. You are the collect answers seems like magic. energizers, the motivators, the facilitators and the guardians of our children’s Educanon (https://www.educanon.com) education. Albert Einstein said, “It is the Similar to “EdPuzzle,” this tool allows supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy you to play videos and embed questions in the creative expression and knowledge.” throughout to check for understanding. Watch the video individually, use in centers As teachers in the twenty-first century, or stations or play a video for a whole technology is an important tool you can group. The data provided are amazing use to engage students in their learning for reteaching. and assist them in gaining the skills needed to become successful global citizens. There are so many tools to choose from that it is sometimes difficult to know where to begin. I have shared some easy web tools to help you get started. Check them out! Kahoot (https://getkahoot.com) Take an assessment and make it fun and game-like. Every participant gets into the activity to “beat the time” and “beat their classmates” before the buzzer and song music stops. You can incorporate pictures Popplet (http://popplet.com) Need an easy tool for thinking maps and brainstorming? This is a great tool. Students can create their own or collaborate with a partner. Add pictures, videos, text or drawings with ease. Nearpod (http://www.nearpod.com) If you need to control the pace of your lesson and ensure that every student is “with you” as you teach, this is your tool. You can provide notes, videos, quizzes and and video into the quiz. other activities to students with the click of Mentimeter (https://www.mentimeter. checks are available. com/)This is a great way to check for understanding quickly. Turn results into a word cloud or simply look at data as charts and graphs. You can also ask open-ended questions. The possibilities are endless. 4 a button. Great analysis of quizzes and poll Educreations (https://www.educreations. com) Create drawings, label maps or chart coordinates on a graph. This tool allows for voice recordings for additional levels of differentiation. T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 I s s u e Little Bird Tales (https://littlebirdtales.com) In conclusion, as educators, please Want to create a fun and easy “book”? Use remember that YOU are the key to student this tool. You can draw, insert pictures, learning – your content and pedagogy are videos, audio recordings or text. Kids of all integral and coupled with technology will ages love it. only take student learning to the next level. In the words of Bill Gates, “Technology Story Builder (https://docsstorybuilder. is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids appspot.com): This is a great tool working together and motivating them, the developed by Google. It is an awesome tool teacher is the most important.” to create “short and easy videos.” Students can have “characters” talk to each other. Creativity is unlimited. Help Us Help You by Alex Knepp, Director of Communications As you all get settled into the Educators and $14 for Support/First Year routine of a new school year, Teachers) on your membership dues! If each don’t forget to check out what one of our members strives to reach one PENC has to offer you. Every person and share the benefits of PENC with year we provide $15,000 in them, we could double our membership and scholarships and grants to strength of our voice! Participating is easy: send teachers and students. We also offer several your renewal form in with your recruited different workshops throughout the state to member’s form, we will process both and apply provide you with services you may not receive your discount. If you have already renewed for from your school. Have questions about this year, it’s not too late – be sure your member legislation? How about your rights and recruit includes your name on their form and we responsibilities as an educator? We’re here will reimburse you for the discount. Need tools to help! Just pick up the phone and give us to assist you in recruiting colleagues? Please a call or send us an email - we love hearing contact Bill Medlin, Associate Executive Director, from you! at [email protected] with requests or suggestions that you may have. Earlier this fall we launched our newest grant, “NCCAT Subs on Us,” which covers the cost of We take pride in our members, and we want to a substitute teacher for up to a week while you help celebrate accomplishments. Do you attend a program at NCCAT. So far, we have had or a colleague have a recent accomplishment the pleasure of awarding three of these grants, that we could highlight in an upcoming but there are plenty left! We have reserved edition of The Voice or in eNews? Let us know! $5,000 for the Subs on Us grant, so please be Send me an email at [email protected] that sure to apply soon if attending an NCCAT highlights you or your colleague’s recent program has been a hope of yours, but you accomplishment(s) and any accompanying weren’t sure how to get the cost approved by photos so that we can share them with your school. To learn more about our NCCAT our members. Subs on Us grant and to see our other scholarship and grant opportunities, please visit www. We strive to provide our members with pencweb.org/scholarships-and-grants. excellent benefits and services. More information about all of our member benefits is Another way that PENC works to help our available on our website at www.pencweb.org. members is through our Each One, Reach One As always, please feel free to call the office at program. We are challenging you as a member 800-542-8844 or email a staff member with to recruit one member, and in return we will any questions or concerns. provide you with a discount ($27 for P rofessional Educators of Nor th Carolina - w w w.penc web.org 5 Each One, Reach One! If EACH ONE of us strives to REACH ONE new member, we could double our membeship in just one year – double the impact and strength of our voice! In the coming year, we’ll be challenging you to recruit one member. We try to make it an easy choice by providing the lowest first-year teacher rates, the lowest annual dues and fantastic benefits! To reward you for your effort, you will receive a $27 (Educator) or $14 (Support/FirstYear Teacher) discount on your membership for reaching one new member! We want your feedback on helpful tools and information that we can provide to assist in recruiting colleagues. Please contact Bill Medlin, Associate Executive director, at [email protected] with any suggestions or requests you may have. We look forward to hearing your input and making Each One, Reach One a great success in the upcoming year! Partner Level Membership – Free! Any PENC member who enrolls three PENC members in a membership year is eligible to receive a free membership for that same year. For more information on how to claim your Partner Membership, please visit our Levels of Membership page under the Benefits of Membership tab on our website. 6 T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 i s s u e T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 I s s u e Renewal Reminder by Annette Thomas, Office Manager I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer vacation and that the start of your school year has been just what you hoped it would be and more. The PENC office is very busy processing your renewals and answering emails and questions. My goal is to make renewing and new enrollments easier for you. I have a few reminders for you on how to If you do not see a deduction after November make the process a little easier. Many of you and know you should be on payroll deduction, are familiar with these reminders, but there email me at [email protected] or call our are a few changes for this membership year. office at 800-542-8844. I am sure some of you have noticed there is no longer an option to enroll in payroll Retirees, please remember that if you switch deduction; however, you still have the option to an Associate membership but plan to pay via bank or credit/debit card draft. to substitute, you will not have liability coverage. If you plan to substitute, you will You have until October 15th to enroll in the need to switch to a Support membership in bank or credit/debit card draft option. order to be covered while in the classroom. Beginning this year, payments will be drafted from your account on the last business day If you have moved or have a new email of the month from November-April. To enroll, address, you can update your information fill out a 2015-16 membership form (available online or contact us to make changes. online or in our brochure) and send it in with We want to make sure you are receiving a voided check or your bank account/credit mailings and email communications from card information. the PENC office. If you are already enrolled in payroll Please also note that we no longer mail phys- deduction from years past, you have been ical membership cards and confirmations. grandfathered in and will be able to continue You will receive a confirmation email once until it is phased out. If you were previously your membership has been processed, which enrolled with payroll deduction and have will include a link to a printable membership changed counties, you will need to pay in card. As always feel free to contact me if you full or enroll in our bank or credit/debit card have any problems logging into your profile draft payment option. Those of you currently or have any issues with your membership. enrolled in payroll deduction are covered as of July 1, 2015, but you will not see a deduction come out until October/November. P rofessional Educators of Nor th Carolina - w w w.penc web.org 7 Meet Our New Board Members Each year, PENC hosts a New Board Member Orientation. On August 4th, new board members Leigh Walters (Region 5) and Paul Gantt (At Large) joined PENC Executive Director Carol Vandenbergh, Board President Vann Lassiter, Ph.D. and Board Members Dan Korn and Craig Rogers for a tour and legislative orientation session conducted by PENC Government Relations Consultant Evelyn Hawthorne. The day began with a tour of the legislative before moving back to Blowing Rock and complex, which was followed by a lengthy getting a job in his hometown of Morganton meeting with Superintendent of Public teaching Project Lead the Way. Instruction June Atkinson. In the afternoon they attended a luncheon with legislators Paul says, “I decided to run for the Board of and then tended to board business at PENC because I wanted to help elevate the PENC’s office. profession. I feel as though education in NC is going through a very important stage of change, and I wanted to be a voice in its new direction. I know that my time in the business industry and my time working with my own family business will bring a perspective that cannot easily be ignored by those who say that some teachers are out of touch with business. I feel that I can add a new and nontraditional voice to the organization to help us with our goals.” At the New Board Member Orientation in August, Paul learned and experienced that face-to-face time is important. He says, “It is important to speak with our representatives. It is easy to ignore an email or a flyer, so we need to take time to speak with those who make decisions about the source of our livelihood. When people are greeted by a calm, well-articulated argument, the content Paul Gantt, At Large Representative of that argument falls on more receptive ears. I think we can make positive changes through direct, respectable conversations Paul’s road to education with representatives and the communities was not a straight one. we serve.” He began school to be an Engineer and ended up a Technology Education graduate. Along the way Paul worked in the culinary industry and auto industry, as well as some construction work. After getting his degree, he taught one year in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools 8 T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 I s s u e Leigh Walters, Region 5 Representative Leigh Walters is honored to serve as the Region 5 Representative for PENC. Leigh is currently an Assistant Principal at Wiley Magnet Middle School in Winston-Salem. She received her Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Appalachian State University and was awarded the 2014 NASSP North Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year. Leigh, a product of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School district, is committed to excellence and is an avid supporter of public education. Receipt of the NASSP APOY award charted her course to Washington where she lobbied for public education and the importance of federal funding to support programs for all students. She says, “We are living in litigious times. Educators continue to try to survive on their passion for teaching, and that is not enough. For this reason, I decided to add my name to the ballot for the Region 5 Representative. We must continue to educate legislators and invite them into our schools so that they can see firsthand the disparity in education.” Most recently, Leigh and other PENC Executive Board Members had the opportunity to sit down with legislatures to discuss the importance of supporting teachers so that they are able to provide the necessary resources to grow each and every child. As she looks to the future of public education and her role with PENC, she is reminded of the quote by Nelson Mandela, “Education is PENC Board President Vann Lassiter, Chowan Co. [email protected] Vice President Tammy Beach, Caldwell Co. [email protected] Treasurer Tinger Purvis, Wake Co. [email protected] Secretary Beth Brabble, Chowan Co. [email protected] ______________________________ Region 1 Tammy Flynn, Pitt Co. [email protected] Region 2 Tony Coggins, Wayne Co. [email protected] Region 3 Craig Rogers, Harnett Co. [email protected] Region 4 Vacant Region 5 Leigh Walters, Forsyth Co. [email protected] Region 6 Dan Korn, Union Co. [email protected] the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Region 7 Vacant If you’re interested in assuming a leadership role with Region 8 Teresa Cowan, Buncombe Co. [email protected] PENC, please contact Carol Vandenbergh at [email protected]. At-Large 1 Paul Gantt, Burke Co. [email protected] At-Large 2 Ashton Griffen, Wayne Co. [email protected] Presidential Appointees Muriel Wright, Durham Co. [email protected] P rofessional Educators of Nor th Carolina - w w w.penc web.org 9 Wendy Bryant Motley Lee County Schools 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year Congratulations to PENC member and art teacher at Broadway Elementary, Wendy Bryant Motley, on being named Lee County Schools 2015 Teacher of the Year! Wendy Bryant Motley came to Lee County Schools in 1998 as a recent college graduate. She spent her first five years as an art instructor at Lee County High School before coming to Broadway Elementary, where’s she’s been for the past 11 years. “I’m married to Lee County Schools,” she said. “I just can’t imagine it being better anywhere than here.” (“Lee County Schools Digital Digest,” Issue 68, May 14, 2015) PENC’s 2015-2016 Summer New Teacher Grants PENC’s 2015-2016 Summer New Teacher Grants have been awarded! See below for a list of recipients, and check out our winter edition of The Voice for details about how they are using their grants. Heather Griffin, Kindergarten Teacher at Sedalia Elementary School Trey Ferguson, Math Teacher at Leesville Road High School Varina Hollowell, EC Teacher at McDowell High School Virginia Browne, French Teacher at Glenn High School Sydnie Dale, Fourth Grade Teacher at Oak Hill Elementary Stefanie Graban, Science Teacher at John A. Holmes High School 10 T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 I s s u e New North Carolina Teacher Voice Fellows Three PENC members have recently become a part of Hope Street Group’s NC Teacher Voice Network. The North Carolina Teacher Voice Fellows positively inform decisions made by education policy makers by providing feedback from colleagues that represents the collective and diverse opinions of educators throughout the state. By collaborating with partner organizations and engaging peers to learn more about and share their own stories related to policy decisions, Fellows will accelerate a movement of constructive teacher-led conversations around solutions that bring the most benefit to the students of North Carolina. Pictured from left to right: Myra Creech (5th Grade ELA Teacher at Acme Delco Elementary School), Trey Ferguson (HS Math Teacher at Leesville Road High School), Akinyi Edmonds (MS Business Education Teacher at Heritage Year-Round Middle School) Do you or a PENC member you know deserve Props? Email us at [email protected]. Don’t forget to include a color photo, name, school name and email address of the person you want to recognize. Due to space limitations, Props! are written only for awards, scholarships and other education-related achievements. P rofessional Educators of Nor th Carolina - w w w.penc web.org 11 Young Artists Competition The winners of PENC’s 9th Annual Young Artists Competition have been chosen. Their artwork will be displayed at the PENC office in Raleigh and will appear in future publications. Each piece of visual art was submitted on behalf of a student by a North Carolina art teacher. PENC received submissions from students of all ages and from all regions of the state. The six winning artists received a monetary award and a certificate of achievement from PENC. Additionally, each winner and their art teacher were recognized at the PENC Executive Board meeting in September. PENC is committed to recognizing the hard work and dedication of North Carolina’s visual art educators and students. We look forward to continuing the Young Artists Competition in years to come! Eliza Schmidt First Grade Wake County Reedy Creek Elementary Kim Atkins – Art Teacher Lillian Tefteller Fourth Grade New Hanover County Wrightsboro Elementary School Bronwen Guthrie – Art Teacher 12 T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 I s s u e High School Dayana Ramirez Roblero Julia Hunkler Second Grade Twelfth Grade New Hanover County Mecklenburg County Wrightsboro Elementary School Covenant Day School Bronwen Guthrie – Art Teacher Katie Spata – Art Teacher Michael Bose Tenth Grade Mecklenburg County Covenant Day School Katie Spata – Art Teacher Katlyn Puzak Twelfth Grade Wake County Holly Springs High School Thomas Volkman – Art Teacher P rofessional Educators of Nor th Carolina - w w w.penc web.org 13 Professional Development Opportunities Workshops National Board Workshops: FREE for all participants! We will be offering four National Board Workshops throughout this membership year. Workshop dates and locations are listed below. There will be additional workshops to follow in the spring. Please check www.pencweb.org/workshops for details and registration. October 10th: Eastern Wayne High School, Wayne County November 14th: Gamewell Middle School, Caldwell County December 5th: Crain’s Creek Middle School, Moore County HELPS Literacy Workshops The Helping Early Literacy with Practice Strategies (HELPS) Programs integrate easy-to-use instructional strategies that are specifically designed to improve students’ reading fluency. Learn how to use the one-on-one program and the small-group version of HELPS. To learn more about HELPS visit www.helpsprogram.org. Interested in hosting a HELPS workshop at your school? Contact Alex Knepp at [email protected] for more information. We are still finalizing dates for this year’s HELPS workshops. Please check our website at www.pencweb.org/workshops for more details and registration. 14 T h e Voic e New slet te r - Fall 2015 I s s u e Scholarships & Grants NCCAT Subs on Us Grants National Board Scholarships PENC now offers a grant to cover the cost of PENC offers two scholarships of $500 each a substitute teacher for up to five school days to members who are pursuing their initial while members attend a program at NCCAT. National Board Certification. New Teacher Grants Scholarships for Children of PENC Members PENC awards up to sixteen $250 grants for PENC offers up to four scholarships of $500 members in their first three years of practice to applicants who graduate from a high who demonstrate a need for instructional school or GED program, and are enrolled as a supplies that will have a direct impact on full-time college student by the fall semester student learning. of the calendar year in which they earn the scholarship. Continuing Education Scholarships PENC offers two $1,000 scholarships to PENC educators who pursue graduate studies in education. Professional Development Scholarships PENC offers four scholarships of up to Apply Today! Scholarship and grant applications and deadline information can be found on our website at www.pencweb.org/scholarshipand-grants. $250 each to members who plan to pursue professional development opportunities. PENC Office Closings November 11, 2015 (Veteran’s Day) November 26-28, 2015 (Thanksgiving) December 21, 2015 - January 1, 2015 (Christmas and New Year’s) P rofessional Educators of Nor th Carolina - w w w.penc web.org 15 Would you and your fellow staff members be interested in having a PENC representative visit your school? We would love to bring breakfast or a treat along with information about PENC to share with your colleagues, answer any questions and get to know you better. Please check with your principal regarding a visit from PENC, then email [email protected] for a school visit form. PO Box 17129 Raleigh, NC 27619 tel: 919.788.9299 or 800.542.8844 fax: 919.788.9307 www.pencweb.org Evelyn Hawthorne, Lobbyist Kim Harrison, PENC Field Representative Karen Norris, PENC Field Representative Bill Medlin, Associate Executive Director, [email protected] Annette Thomas, Office Manager, [email protected] Carol Vandenbergh, Executive Director, [email protected] Alex Knepp, Director of Communications, [email protected] Raleigh, NC Permit No. 2470 PAID PRSRT STD US Postage
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