AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center
November 2021--First Things First!
A Note From The AAMU/UAH RIC Director
Happy November,
While we have a ton we are grateful for, we are most grateful that we "get" to serve you!
Check out this positive psychology article entitled, "The Neuroscience of Gratitude & How It Affects Anxiety & Grief".
Happy Thanksgiving,
Dr. Kisha Tolbert Simmons, NBCT
Director, AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center
Personal Twitter: @KTSimmonsPhDMom
Hashtag: #AAMUUAHRICWorks
Thank you #ALRegion3 Teachers!
Mark Your Calendar! #ALRegion3 Happenings
Stay Connected via...
Twitter: @AAMU_UAHRIC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aamuinservice
Use Hashtag: #AAMUUAHRICWorks
Register Now & Mark Your Calendar!
Alabama Teacher Observation Tool Training for #ALRegion3 Leaders
This round of Alabama Teacher Observation Tool Trainings are for School (Principals & APs) & District Based Leaders ONLY! **We will have to un-register/de-register anyone who is not a school or district-based leader.
***Register ONLY for 1 group. ONLY on one day. The sessions below represent three different opportunities (days) with two locations (Madison Co BOE & Madison Co TRC) on the same campus.
NOTE: Sections below are all hyperlinked.
Monday, November 29, 2021
Group1: 411609 (Madison Co. BOE Boardroom)
Group 2: 411612 (Madison Co. Teacher Resource Center)
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Group 1: 411610 (Madison Co. BOE Boardroom)
Group 2: 411613 (Madison Co. Teacher Resource Center)
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Group1: 411611 (Madison Co. BOE Boardroom)
Group 2: 411615 (Madison Co. Teacher Resource Center)
Leaders, can't attend any of the #ALRegion3 Teacher Observation Tool Training Sessions? No worries!
Spaces are filling up quickly, so regardless of your choice, register soon!
NOTE: If you have already registered to attend a session in our region and would like to attend another region's session, please make sure you un-register/de-register or email Ms. Jackie Rogers at jacqueline.rogers@aamu.edu, and she'll remove you or add you to a new section in our region. Thanks!
AAMU/UAH RIC presents the 21-22 Health & Wellness Holiday Series
Let's Talk Mental Health: Putting People First Registration Links
Click the links below to register in PowerSchool
Nov. 30th--- Section #421546 "Children's Mental Health Diagnoses, P-12 Educators' Edition
Dec. 7th-----Section 421551 "Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.): It's Not Just The Blues
ALSDE Chance Grant Opportunity-- DUE Thursday, November 18, 2021
The ALSDE is providing a competitive grant opportunityāCreating High Achieving Networks and Cultivating Excellence (CHANCE)āto encourage schools in activities and practices that focus on creating equitable opportunities to implement innovation.
Eligible schools must fall into one of the following categories:
- Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI)
- Additional Targeted Support & Improvement (ATSI)
- Graduation Rate/Career Readiness Gap (GRCRG)
The CHANCE Competitive Grant focuses on incorporating evidence-based activities and practices outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Recipients will be innovative change agents who are eager to provide new opportunities for Alabama students.
The application deadline is Thursday, November 18, 2021. Applicants must submit an electronic copy signed by the principal and superintendent to CHANCEapps@alsde.edu. Due to the competitive nature of this grant, the deadline for applications will not be extended.
Register now for the Alabama/Mississippi ACT Conference
Inspiring STEM Careers Through Naval Grand Challenges: Sessions For Secondary Science Teachers
Through a collaborative grant between Auburn University and the University of Alabama faculty, two training workshops for high school science teachers are being offered. Eligible teachers include those that teach physical science, physics, chemistry, environmental science, or engineering courses. The workshop will introduce twelve new science labs that connect science standards to the STEM challenges of the U.S. Navy. Participants will receive a $100 stipend for attending training. Additional stipends will be offered for using the lesson kits in the classroom and providing feedback. Participants can borrow classroom kits to use in labs during spring 2021.
Two training opportunities (choose one):
December 7, 2021, Tue, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM CST
January 8, 2022, Sat, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM CST
Register here
Scholastic Awards in Art & Writing
Through the Scholastic Awards, teens in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) from the public, private, or home schools can apply in 29 categories of art and writing for their chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited and published.
For a full list of category descriptions here
Please encourage your students to submit their work for this year's awards program.
ACAP Resources
ALSDE Wakelet
Double Talk Workshop for Music Educators
We are very excited to host the first Double Talk Workshop on February 26th, 2022! This seminar for music educators emphasizes the āhow-toā of teaching double reed fundamentals, strives to provide hands-on time playing the oboe and bassoon, and discusses important double-reed resources necessary for student success. Educators of all musical backgrounds (including music education majors) are welcome to attend!
Contact us for more information! oboe@auburn.edu and bassoon@auburn.edu
Register by Feb. 21st. Register for the conference here! We can also award professional learning credit! Register in PowerSchool with section # 419657. Participants must register for the conference to receive professional learning credit.
PowerSchool Assistance for End of Grading Term
GenCyber Security Education hosted by UAH's Center for Cybersecurity & Research
This course will equip a broad range of teachers with the basics of inserting existing cybersecurity resources into their classes. These teachers will join the UAH GenCyber teacher learning community and are encouraged to attend the full summer workshop to dive deeper into the content area.
Want PowerSchool credit for attending?
October 12th session-- register here, in addition to applying above
February 18th session--- register here, in addition to applying above
Staff Book Picks
November 2021 Book Picks
"The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups" by Daniel Coyle
"Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators" by Elena Aguilar
"Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide To Reclaiming Yourself" by Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW
"15 Invaluable Laws of Growth" by John. C. Maxwell
Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM)
Hello to all the amazing Biology facilitators in Region 3. This has been a busy month of getting settled in, meeting you, and working on replenishing kits. Iāve enjoyed the opportunities I have had to work with several of you and your students and look forward to working with many more. If you have teachers that are new or just havenāt been certified with ASIM, please share the program with them and get them in touch with me.
I am working on some new ways of making sure everything is in the kits when they go out and come back in. I am also working to make sure all the teacher and student information are in the folder. Some of the kits have been used more than others and just need some refreshing. Please help on your end by replacing things back in a matter that will preserve the kits (such as bottles sealed all the way and standing upright, things washed out and cleaned up, etc). We should be rolling out the new way of entering your request for kits, but it will look just like what you have been doing only a new platform called Monday.com
Currently, my goal is January to start off fresh...new and improved kits, new requests through Monday.com, new check-off procedures for ensuring kits are stocked, packaged, complete when going out, and coming back in a 2-week time limit for keeping high demand kits (if youāre finished sooner just let me know). Due to the holiday period coming up Iād like to have all kits back in by December 8th. I am aware that some of you requested kits beyond that, so we will talk on a personal basis. Otherwise, I will be picking all kits back up by then.
Lastly, I created a Facebook page for us to be able to share, talk, discuss, etc. Please come join ASIMbio Innovators. You are an innovator! Again, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of what you share as a resource to allow your students to think, inquire, discover, engage, solve ā¦ā¦.science. Donāt forget to add me as a Twitter connect @msASIMBio. Both of these social media outlets are additional ways to get information out to you.
Feel free to share pictures with me! I canāt be at all the schools at the same time and I love seeing the pictures.
SPECIAL NOTE: My suggestion during this time period is to show the labs in action at different stages, donāt show things that identify specific students (headshots, specific jewelry phones clothing, etc) just to be on the safe side, and donāt forget to tell me which lab you're sharing.
Have a great holiday break and remember to rest up and enjoy yourself--- do the things you like to do!
IMPORTANT: Continue using the Biology Kit/Lesson Request link below, but just know we will be moving to a new request link system in the coming months. What does this entail? The form's request information will remain the same, but the platform in which you will make your requests will be different. To be honest it won't affect you much! ;-)
Ms. Mylina Samples Dillard, ASIM Biology Specialist
Email: mylina.asimbio@gmail.com or mylina.dillard@aamu.edu
Work cell: 256-924-8203
Office Phone: 256-372-4472
Twitter: @msASIMBio
Facebook: ASIMbio Innovators
Hashtags to follow: #AAMUUAHBiologyWorks and #AAMUUAHRICWorks
Technology in Motion (TiM)
NEW! TiM's New Technology Teacher Mentoring Program Opportunity
New Teacher Technology Mentor Program We are now accepting registration for Cohort 4 of the New Teacher Technology Mentor Program. This newly revised course will be a blended format of content that will assist new teachers (first or second year) in the LEAs. The course will cover several months and include topics such as digital citizenship, communication, classroom management, innovative teaching ideas, and effective student engagement. Participants will learn about technology tools to support each of these topics. There will be three synchronous meetings in Zoom, and the course modules and tasks will be housed in Schoology. This course will be offered by ATIM Specialists in Regional Inservice Centers. Participants must be a certified first or second-year teacher that has not already participated. Participants can earn up to 12 CEUs for completing this course. We look forward to meeting the new members of Cohort 5 and teaching them some new strategies and tools. (This is completely voluntary and space is limited.) To sign up, register in PSPL course #271169 and look for section #41665 with Cohort 5. This cohort begins January 2022.
Asynchronous Technology in Motion (TiM) PL Sessions
It's Back by Popular Demand! Self Paced Professional Learning Opportunties
- Can't make it to a live session? No problem!
- Have a doctor's appointment after school? No problem!
- Forgot to attend the scheduled session? No problem!
- Would rather spend time at home in the afternoons or on the weekends, diving into the learning? No problem!
Check out this insightful article from ISTE entitled, "5 Surprising Results of the Self Paced Classroom"
Register here
Register here
Register here
Register here
Register here
Register here
Mrs. Aundria Campbell, TiM Instructional Technology Specialist
Email: techyteacher3@gmail.com or aundria.campbell@aamu.edu
Work Cell: 256-929-9009 *call or text
Office: (256) 372-4426
Twitter: @mrscamptech
Hashtag to Follow: #AAMUUAHTiMWorks and #AAMUUAHRICWorks
#ALRegion3NBCT (National Board Certified Teacher) Support
The AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center is proud to partner with and advocate for educators currently pursuing NBCT status or interested in pursuing NBCT status. For more information about NBCT mentoring support and opportunities offered through the AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center, please complete the Region 3 NBCT interest form and someone from our team will be reaching out to you soon!
Check out the AAMU/UAH Regional In-service Center 2021-2022 National Board Candidate Support Course Offerings & Schedule
View schedule & register hereā session links are hyperlinked for your convenience!
NEW! AAMU/UAH RIC's National Board Deeper Dive Microsessions-- in addition to course offerings listed above!
AAMU/UAH RIC's "NB Deeper Dive Microsessions" were designed to give candidates an opportunity to dive a little deeper into each of the individual components. This deep dive session can happen in the form of structured small group discussions, Q&A sessions, delving into the Bobbie Faulkner NB companion books, and so much more.
We know that most of your āburning questionsā and wonderings typically arise after youāve had a chance to process the content that was shared in the whole group course offerings sessions, thatās why we designed these āNB Deeper Dive Microsessionsā to provide candidates with additional support between each of the āNB Candidate Course Offeringsā sessions-- as listed above. Now you have the power to connect beyond the norm and receive deeper levels of support from some of the most highly qualified Candidate Support Providers (CSPs)/Mentors across our state.
Click here to view our 2021-2022 Deeper Dive Microsessions
*Sessions are hosted in either a face-to-face (f2f), remote (e.g. Zoom or Google Meet) or hyflex (session will take place f2f, but will also be live-streamed) instructional delivery model.
Check out our center's NBCT Resources! #NBCT4ALL
The AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center offers mentoring support for #ALRegion3 educators. Our mentors āwalk alongsideā candidates to support them ā through the certification process, often starting before the teacher actually applies for certification. Candidate support providers ask questions that help a candidate show evidence more clearly, are sensitive to a candidateās emotional needs, help candidates create organizational systems to manage the process, locate resources to help with technology demands, and provide models of feedback that broaden and deepen the candidateās own analytical abilitiesā.
Let the AAMU/UAH Inservice Center mentor you through the National Board process. You should not have to attempt it alone!
ARI Literacy Leadership Newsletter
Check out the latest edition of ARI's Literacy Leadership Newsletter here
ARI #ALRegion3 Lunch & Learns
Session #1 -- Oct. 7 or 13 @ 11:00 (Fall Break - same content on both dates)
Session #2 -- Dec. 1 @ 11:00
Session #3 -- Feb. 3 @ 11:00
Session #4 -- March 10 @ 11:00
Session #5 -- April 28 @ 11:00
Don't have the Zoom registration link yet? Email lora.snell@alsde.edu or judy.warmath@alsde.edu and they'lll share the link with you.
***Remember: It's best practice to never share Zoom session links in public social media spaces or platforms to prevent unwanted guests.
EL Support & Resources
Need Support for Your Teachers of Multilingual Students?
Looking for FAFSA Support for Migrant, Homeless & Multilingual Students?
AMSTI-UAH Happenings!
Register NOW for NUMBERS: Algebraic Thinking Registration (AMSTI-UAH)<<<click
ALSDE Statewide Career Coaches Retreat on November 2-4, hosted at Alabama A&M University
Shoutout to Sean Stevens, Jill Prince, Susan Zana and others from ALSDE for hosting the most amazing 2021-2022 Statewide Career Coaches Retreat.
The conference retreat began with a warm welcome from the current Provost and newly elected university President beginning January 2022, Dr. Daniel K. Wims.
And over the course of the 3-day retreat state career coaches heard from partner presenters--- Hudson Alpha, PPG Aerospace, Facebook, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, HSV/Madison Co Convention & Visitors Bureau, North Alabama Works, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Horizon Point Consulting, and Kuder.
Mr. Cary Watkins from AAMU Admissions ended the conference by sharing admissions info and providing some pretty fabulous goodie bags for all the state career coaches
#AAMU ā #StartHereGoAnywhere
A huge thanks to everyone "behind the scenes" who went out of their way to make this a successful event!
Meet the #ALRegion3 Dream Team!
About the AAMU/UAH RIC
The Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University/University of Alabama at Huntsville Inservice Center (AAMU/UAH RIC) is located on the beautiful campus of the historical Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University. The AAMU/UAH RIC partners with administrators, teachers, instructional/content specific coaches, counselors and media specialists in 13 school districts, across 4 counties in ALSDEās region 3---- Albertville City Schools, Arab City Schools, Boaz City Schools, DeKalb County Schools, Fort Payne City Schools, Guntersville City Schools, Huntsville City Schools, Jackson County Schools, Madison City Schools, Madison County Schools, Marshall County Schools, Scottsboro City Schools and the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering--- to offer high-quality professional learning experiences to support educator growth.
AAMU/UAH RIC Team
Dr. Kisha Tolbert Simmons, NBCT
Ms. Jacqueline "Jackie" Rogers
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Mylina Samples Dillard
Biology Specialist
Mrs. Aundria Campbell
Instructional Technology Specialist
Start Here. Go Anywhere! #AAMU
Alabama A&M University (AAMU) is a collegiate university that balances the personal attention of a small traditional land-grant college with the academic vitality and broad opportunities of a research university. AAMU has a diverse faculty and student body, state-of-the-art facilities, and top-notch resources, programs, and services.
Earn Your Graduate Degree at AAMU!
Check out the AAMU's graduate degree programs here
Let's Connect!
AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center
Email: kisha.tolbertsimmons@aamu.edu
Website: https://www.aamu.edu/academics/colleges/education-humanities-behavioral-sciences/research-outreach-centers/regional-inservice-center/index.html
Location: 4900 Meridian Street North, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: 256-372-5771
Facebook: facebook.com/aamuinservice
Twitter: @AAMUUAH_RIC